Gonzi welcomes Commonwealth climate change declaration
The agreement by a third of the world’s population to throw their weight for an operationally binding climate deal to be reached in Copenhagen next month has been welcomed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
“The fact that 50 heads of states from three continents agreed on the position to be taken is very significant,” Dr Gonzi said.
Leaders of the 53-nation Commonwealth meeting in Trinidad and Tobago used the summit to bolster a diplomatic offensive seeking wide consensus on how to fight global warming before UN climate talks in the Danish capital.
The Commonwealth Climate Change Declaration pledged the group's backing for Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in his efforts to secure wide attendance and commitment from world leaders at the Copenhagen climate talks.
"We pledge our continued support to the leaders-driven process ... to deliver a comprehensive, substantial and operationally binding agreement in Copenhagen leading towards a full legally binding outcome no later than 2010," the Port of Spain declaration said.
Tackling the thorny issue of funding for poor nations' efforts to fight climate change and global warming, developed countries in the Commonwealth led by Britain backed an initiative to establish a Copenhagen Launch Fund, starting in 2010 and building to $10 billion annually by 2012.
The deal the United Nations is aiming for in Copenhagen would cover tougher emissions targets, climate financing for poorer nations and transfer of clean-energy technology.
The climate treaty, expected to be adopted as a final text next year, will replace the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012.
Commonwealth leaders suggested that 10 percent of the proposed $10 billion-a-year Copenhagen Launch Fund should be channeled to small island states most at risk from rising sea levels caused by global warming.
Other topics discussed the Commonwealth meeting, which ends today, are the financial crisis and young people.
Governments, Dr Gonzi said, agreed on a clear declaration for youth policy to be integrated in other decisions taken.
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Alex Ellul
Nov 30th 2009, 19:03
@Edward Camilleri: If you believe that polar bears are drowning then you believe anything that is pushed down our brains by the money-mad media.. The polar bear population has multiplied 5 times since the 1950's, that is, since when the supposedly man-made global warming commenced. The photgrapher that took the famous polar bear cub on an ice float sued Al Gore for using this photo without her permission. Polar bears have survived 5 global warmings these last thousands of years and have seen polar ice disappear many a time, but they have survived and survived well. Their disappearance was only threatened by the hunting rifle, but luckily common sense prevailed.
Joseph Bartolo
Nov 30th 2009, 06:36
Discusing is important, YET the most important thing is ACTION.
Firstly lets think less more on money issues, and go all the way forward in clean energy sources, such as wind turbine farms, Solar panaling and last but not least, power from the sea, of which we have an abundance. Lets stop once and for all, the complete desicartion of Mother Earth and work with her and not against her. For as she suffers we will suffer the very same. As the biblical proverb states very clearly " What WE so, WE shall reap and that includes our dear children and our childrens children.
Alex Ellul
Nov 29th 2009, 23:26
@S Agius: Your are right in asking about the wistleblowing/leaked emails from the CRU (Climate Reasearch Unit-UK), that has shown the scientific world and the peolple who care, that AGW (the theory of man-caused global warmin) is a fraud. The Copenhagen meeting sheduled for this December will be considered as a total waste of money. This scandal, now being referred to as climate-gate, basically consists of scientists at CRU altering temperature statistics to keep showing global temperature rises, when in fact the global average temperature has been falling for a decade. Many other scientists had been saying this, with scientific proof, but the political bodies and the mainstream media have based their reputation completely on this lie and therefore are very reluctant to talk about this scandal. Locally, even our The Times has refrained from mentioned this scandal at all, at least, I have made a search on The Times site, and no such words like CRU, or climate gate have come up. The international mainstream media are in cahoots with the CRU scam scientists. These scientists have made a mockery of science, dragging the name of science to the gutter, and honest scientists with them. But truth will out
s agius
Nov 29th 2009, 13:35
I hope people are aware about the leaked emails of the Climatic Research Unit which was hacked
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/27/climate-email-hackers-access-month
and regarding the dumping of data by climate change researchers and scientists
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6936328.ece
The Prime Minister, in his position, should be able to give us a panoramic view of the situation, as is expected, and not a puppet view of "yes" "agree" "welcome" ......
As of now, there is something wrong with this "Climate Change" hype which is interconnected with many other factors, especially economic factors, and i am confused as to what is really going on ! so we expect reliable information.
Edward Camilleri
Nov 29th 2009, 12:01
Finally it seems there will be some form of tangible agreement in copenhagen. If there is anything that the world and everyone needs is a strategy on how to reduce the effect of climate change, and maybe reverse some of the problems we have caused.
It's necessary not just for humans but for all animals. It is despairing to see polar bears without sea ice (and already there are confirmed reports of polar bear cubs drowning) and other animals without drinking water - all because of our continued stubborness and selfishness on using natural resources.