Papua New Guinea Archives | Elizabeth May

Live from Durban, it’s Elizabeth May

Craig Cantin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:16:56 +0000

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2011/12/08/live-from-durban-its-elizabeth-may/

Posted on Thu, Dec 8, 2011, 2:16 pm by Sonya Bell

Just as the UN climate change negotiations enter into their final day Friday, iPolitics brings you Green Party leader Elizabeth May from Durban, South Africa, to talk about what she thinks can still be accomplished at COP 17, what happened at her Thursday meeting with Environment Minister Peter Kent, and what it’s like to be a Canadian at the conference (wearing Papua New Guinea accreditation).

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May registers for Durban summit through developing country after Kent declines

Craig Cantin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:32:12 +0000

Publication Source: canada.com
Source Link: View the full original article >>
Author: Mike De Souza

Green Party leader Elizabeth May has been registered as an official delegate at the United Nations climate change summit… by Papua New Guinea.

The Canadian government declined to register the opposition MP from British Columbia, but the developing nation was more than happy to accommodate her request.

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First thoughts from COP17

Craig Cantin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:02:29 +0000

I write this from the Plenary session at COP17 in Durban. My first pleasant surprise was that I was accepted for credentials to join the delegation of Papua New Guinea. I have long admired the PNG delegation. Historically of note, it was PNG and its head of delegation, Kevin Conrad, who stood against the Bush Administration in Bali at COP 13. The desire for the “Bali Roadmap” heading to a second commitment period under Kyoto. The agreement was being blocked by the US government. Conrad for PNG famously asked for the the US to “either lead or get out of the way.” His plea was met with uncharacteristically undiplomatic prolonged applause. The US backed down and allowed the agreement to go forward.

This reminds me that some of you may not realize that UN agreements require consensus bordering — on unanimity. So the Bush administration used to be able to block progress for everyone. So too does Canada have that power now.

My sense as week 2 of COP17 begins is that things are going very badly. What is on the table is far short of what is necessary to avoid over-shooting 450 ppm and over 2 degrees C global average temperature increase. Assuming Canada’s unhelpful actions are well known to you, let me mention that the US has been appalling as well. The US has suggested that post-first phase of Kyoto, post-2012, we need a “period of reflection” with new action for 2020. This is like the crew of the Titanic having a senior officer argue that, rather than breakout the lifeboats, passengers should pause for a yoga class. We do not have time for planned procrastination.

More later.

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