This post initially appeared on The Heat Beat.
By now you’ve probably heard the news – Obama will attend the Copenhagen negotiations. While his nation is still reluctant to set firm targets (making the intire summit a waste of time,) at least he’s giving it the ol’ college try. But for today’s post, I thought we might shift our attention away from the big wigs (China, India, America,) and towards the little guys. Their voice won’t resonate with the same power at the climate talks, but their situation is dire and deserves out attention. It’s been said time and time again that global warming will have a disproportionate impact on the world’s poor. As we count down to Copenhagen let’s pause and reflect on some of the headlines of the day that exemplify this.
Climate Change to hit Pacific Island Food Security
Forests, Food Crops and Fisheries in the south pacific will all come under threat as sea levels continue to rise and cyclones and droughts intensify as a result of the changing climate. The region already relies on imported food and fuel – how will it continue to develop under these intensified conditions?
Warming hits roads and pipelines in Canada North
The term “development” usually implies poverty alleviation in a tropical climate. But some of Canada’s poorest communities are located north of the 60th parallel. Melting permafrost is undermining building foundations and threatens roads, pipelines and communications infrastructure. Five trillion dollars worth of infrastructure is believed at risk. How will this impact northern communities?
Climate change to hit water-scarce Arab world hard
The middle east has maintained a low profile during the lead up to the Copenhagen summit – perhaps because security concerns still reign supreme in the region. However a new report outlines how a warming climate is likely to hit the water-starved Arab world harder than many other parts of the globe and threatens to slash agricultural output in the area. How will civilians adapt to the increased water scarcity? What will this mean for peace and security in the region.
All three of these stories appeared in the last 24 hours. I wonder what the headlines might look like in the next 24 years, if we don’t take action now?
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For what it’s worth, looks like Harper’s attending Copenhagen, too.
So it would seem! Although his emphasis on “reasonable goals,” irks me. I maintain that Canada’s emission growth since ratifying Kyoto has been highly unreasonable. His lack of foresight on the environmental front means his presence at Copenhagen will perhaps do more to undermine negotiations then support them.