Transcript PPT


Global warming: increase of average
temperature at the earth’s surface -- land, water
bodies, atmosphere – due to anthropogenic causes
– increase in GHG emissions), which has led to
Climate Change

Climate Change: changes in climate systems –
including precipitation patterns & length of seasons,
temperatures, frequency and intensity of extreme
weather events – as a consequence of excessive
GHG concentration in the atmosphere
DOMINO EFFECTS:
1. INCREASE of AVERAGE SURFACE TEMPERATURE
>> Sea level rise – shrinking and sinking of land
masses, affecting most especially small islands and
coastal areas
2. MELTING of GLACIERS
>> Sea level rise – shrinking and sinking of land
masses, affecting most especially small islands and
coastal areas
>> Changes in salinity of oceans & seas – impacts on
sea life
>> Depletion of freshwater sources
4. CHANGES in HYDROLOGIC CYCLES AND OCEAN
MOVEMENTS
> Changes in precipitation patterns & length of
seasons
5. EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
> Frequency and intensity of typhoons, cyclones,
tornadoes, droughts
PROFOUND IMPACT and IMPLICATIONS

People’s survival – diseases, disasters,
disappearance of islands
 Displacement
of communities and destruction
of homes, infrastructure,
 Health
- impacts on viruses, bacteria and other
organisms that cause disease, access to food
and types of food available

Climate-induced migration away from coastal
areas and flooded parts, or out of islands
Food
and Agriculture – adjustments to
changes in climate patterns, soil conditions,
flooding, availability of freshwater, salinity
levels etc

Access to freshwater

Changes in plant and animal life
URGENCY

Impacts and implications are profound.

There is a short window of time (and rapidly
narrowing) to undertake drastic changes in
human activities to prevent “catastrophic “
climate change. (350 ppm limit as of 2020 –
currently it is no already 398 ppm)


Even with the most positive scenario of
“solutions” – the situation will likely get worse
before it is stabilized. GHG molecules last from
decades to hundreds of years
Most effects are irreversible.
“EXCESSIVE Concentration of GREENHOUSE
GASES in the ATMOSPHERE”
1. The relevant properties of Greenhouse Gases absorption and re-emission of heat
2. “Excessive” - versus the earth’s capacity to
absorb GHGs and therefore keep concentration of
GHGs in the atmosphere at the level that does not
lead to climate change / global warming
3. NATURAL CARBON SINKS – natural resources
that can absorb carbon and therefore decrease
the GHGs in the atmosphere – forests , plant life,
oceans, soils
“Carbon sequestration”
4. The decrease and destruction of natural carbon
sinks contribute to climate change
GREENHOUSE GASES – with largest
concentration in the atmosphere
Carbon dioxide – biggest concentration; rapid
increase
 Methane
 Nitrous Oxide
 Ozone
 Chloroflurocarbons
 Water Vapor

Sources of GHG emissions

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Transportation 13.5%
Electricity and Heat 24.6 %
Other Fuel Combustion 9.0%
Industry – 10.4%
Fugitive Emissions – 3.9%
Industrial Processes – 3.4%
Land Use Change – 18.2%
Agriculture Soils – 6%
Measurements of GHG
> EMISSIONS -- Scientists have developed a system
of measuring emissions per country, aggregate and
per capita, using gigatons
> GHG Concentration in the atmosphere is
measured in terms of PPM or parts per million
SYSTEMIC ROOTS

The history of sharp increase in GHG emissions
coincides with the emergence and growth of
capitalism

The most rapid increase occurred in the last 40
years, the period of neoliberal globalization and
unfettered , free market growth

Period of increase of use of fossil fuel linked to
industrialization

Some focus their blame almost solely on the use
of fossil fuels.

It is not just the type of energy source but the
excessive and exponentially increasing use of
fossil-fuel based energy that is inherent in an
economic system that is driven primarily by profit
generation and maximization

Given this logic, this system has the following
characteristics that result in and acerbate climate
change (GHG emissions and destruction on
natural carbon sinks)
◦ Natural resources and the “Commons” are subject
to “private ownership” and abused for purposes
that serve only a few at the expense of the many
◦ Continuous and excessive extraction of resources
◦ Overproduction – supply exceeding demand or
needs
◦ Production of goods that have not much social
value or are in fact unhealthy or dangerous but
serve to generate profit
◦ Wasteful consumption
◦ Production for global markets requiring huge
energy for transport of products
◦ Continuous expansion of markets and material
accumulation
The capitalism system must be transformed/replaced by
another system
 RESPONSIBILITY
for climate change
(players and forces)
>> Countries – nation/states
>> Classes and sectors
>> Institutions , Corporations

Role in GHG emissions, in destruction of carbon
sinks, and in the perpetuation of the system

Rich, industrialized countries have the largest
contribution to GHG emissions and GHG
concentration in the atmosphere.

Governments of rich, industrialized countries are
responsible for policies that drive, reinforce and
perpetuate the system

Globally and across countries – big corporations
and international financial institutions
Cumulative
1850 to 2008
Global
1,214
Population Excess
share
100% 100%
Gigatons
 Global 1850-1990
 Global 1991-2010
Approx 650
Gigatons
Approx 600
Gigatons
Annex 1
878 Gigatons 72% 25%
Non-Annex 1
336 Gigatons 28% 75%
568
Gigatons
Source: The Equitable Sharing of Atmospheric and Development Space: Some Critical Aspects. South
Centre, Khor, M., 2010

Within countries, rich elites benefit the most from
the system, contribute a larger share to the
emissions, and exercise political influence and
power over governments and institutions, own and
control the corporations

Different ways of looking at Countries’ share of
GHG emissions –
◦ Historical , accumulated – from a reference
point ( ie start of industrialization )
◦ Present
AND
◦ Total Aggregate per country
◦ GHG Per Capita of each country

Excessive GHG concentration -- how do you
determine which countries contributed to the
“excess”?

Carbon Budget / Atmospheric Space GHG
emissions within the ‘safe’ limit; each country has a
“Fair Share” which should be calculated based on a
per capita share;

“Excess of Fair Share” Those whose emissions have
been and are in excess of their fair share, are
responsible for climate change
IMPACTS
 Impacts on people and countries depend on
economic, social and other factors

People of the South and South countries suffer
the impacts more intensely even though they
contributed least one or not at all to the
problem

Transformation of the system, including energy and
technology -- shifting to low-carbon, environmentally
sound (equitable, just democratic) systems oriented
towards provisioning for peoples needs

Immediate deep drastic (domestic) cuts in GHG
emissions to stabilize the earth’s temperature – so that
by 2050 average global temperature rise relative to 1990
levels is as far below 1.5 degrees as possible ; GHG
concentration should not be higher than 350 ppm
(MITIGATION)
*Current concentration has already reached 397 to 398 ppm

Adaptation - Deal with the already present and
the inevitable impacts of climate change
(ADAPTATION)

Technology -- Involve technological shifts,
transfers, alternatives

Finance - All of the above will entail HUGE costs
thus massive financing is necessary
Strategic task of systemic transformation must be
undertaken together with struggles for immediate
changes (mutually reinforcing – global, national,
local)
Global Agreements Needed to
cover:
EMISSIONS CUTS:

Rapid, drastic reduction of emissions by those
responsible – burden should not be placed on those
with least or no responsibility for the problem and
with the least capacity

Fair allocation of emissions cuts while meeting
the global level of cuts required, based on
science, to stabilize temperature
Global Agreement on emissions cuts must ensure the
following rights of the peoples of the South

Right to development -- Requirements for robust and
equitable development of South countries must be
integrated into the equation – how to pursue this while
achieving global cuts

Equal rights to carbon space / atmospheric space (part of
the commons)
ADAPTATION
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“Dealing with the impacts”:
o Relief, rehabilitation, recovery
o Resilience-building
o Adjusting to new conditions – present and future

Who and how will the costs of adaptation be
covered? How should it be undertaken? – design,
implementation, oversight, accountability

Challenge of simultaneously pursuing Adaptation,
Development and Shifting to Alternative System
TECHNOLOGY
>> For ADAPTATION
>> Alternative Technologies – non fossil fuel, low emission
>> Technology for carbon capture and sequestration –
artificial carbon sinks
What kind of technology
 Who and how will the costs of technology be
covered?
 IPRs and Technology

FINANCE
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Purposes – adaptation and mitigation

Sources and Nature of Finance: global vs north to
south vs domestic; public vs private; grants vs loans;
obligatory vs voluntary; conditionalities;

Mechanisms for Collection, Allocation,
Disbursements -- global and national institutions

Basis for Allocation – across and within countries

Use - design, management, implementation,
accountability
GLOBAL
CLIMATE FUND
COLLECTION from SOURCEs
ALLOCATION &
DISBURSEMENTS AMONG
COUNTRIES
SOURCES &
MECHANISMS for
GENERATING
CLIMATE FINANCE
ALLOCATION &
SPENDING
Within COUNTRIES
NATIONAL
MECHANISMS
Other related global struggles vs northern
governments, big business and international
financial institutions
 plunder and destruction of ecological resources in the
South;
 promotion of policies projects and programs in the
South that people of the South contribute to climate
change and benefit only or primarily rich
industrialized countries, or in the name of climate
solutions lead to violation of rights
 others
National and Local
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Actions that address global issues and are part of
global struggles
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National and local climate structures and programs
that is well integrated into a comprehensive plan for
pursuing alternative development strategy
• adaptation – immediate priority
• mitigation – how to contribute to global effort

Resistance to government policies that exacerbate
climate change or, in the name of climate programs
lead to violation of rights etc

The recognition of climate debt and the right to
remedial measures and reparations is central to
climate justice

Climate debt is owed by those responsible for
unhampered, excessive GHG emissions cumulatively
using more than their fair share of atmospheric
space, and for the destruction of earth’s capacity to
absorb greenhouse gases.

The accumulation of this debt is played out on a
scale encompassing relations among countries and
within countries, and spanning centuries.
 Rights
based:
Collective and individual rights to atmospheric
space (earth’s capacity to absorb GHGs)
collective and individual rights to sustainable
and equitable development

Based on historical and continuing realities
Two-fold

EMISSIONS DEBT -- Debt of the North countries for
taking more than their fair share of atmospheric
space, over-using and substantially diminishing the
Earth’s capacity to absorb greenhouse gases, and in
the process depriving the peoples of the South their
share of atmospheric space

Figure 1: Actual historical emissions

Figure 2: Equal individual shares

ADAPTATION DEBT – Owed by the North to the South
for the adverse effects of their excessive emissions: the
escalating losses, and damages to lives, well-being,
livelihoods, economies, environment and ecology, and
the lost development opportunities

There is no way to predict the full extent of future
adverse impacts and costs – emission pathways are
uncertain and the climate system is too complex.

However, any just approach to climate change must
ensure that those who have benefited in the course of
causing climate change compensate the victims of climate
change.

They should cover the full costs of avoiding adverse
impacts and provide compensation for those harms that
cannot be avoided. This constitutes the adaptation debt
of the rich industrialized world to poor countries,
communities and people.
REPARATIONS FOR CLIMATE DEBT
1. Emissions Debt

The North giving back atmospheric space
that was taken from the rightful share of the Sou
th.The allocation of atmospheric space for
northern should be their share of the space on
a per capita basis minus the amount of space
owed to the South. PLUS

Providing the finance & technology for South countries
to pursue low emission equitable &
sustainable development because the abuse of the
atmospheric space by the North is forcing the South to
quickly shift to alternative technologies
REPARATIONS FOR CLIMATE DEBT, p2
2. Adaptation Debt

Covering the FULL COST, in terms of finance
and technology of dealing with the adverse
effects of climate change – compensating for
losses and damages, covering the cost of
reducing, minimizing, avoiding the worst
effects, covering the cost of adjustment and
coping mechanisms for irreversible changes
and consequences etc
Peoples Voices
International Networks
Mainly two networks at international level
influencing UNFCCC
1. Climate Action Network
1. Climate
Justice Action
Peoples Voices 1
1. Climate Action Network
Where is the action?
Serving market agenda, not questioning system,
negotiator within rules framed by Annex1
dominated UNFCCC.
Bad corps & NGOS
(WWF)+CDM
Peoples Voices 2
2. Climate Justice Action
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Challenging the system for the current crisis – calling for
systems change.
Rejecting lifestyle-politics devoid of simultaneously hitting
out at the production of climate-crisis
Creating peoples spaces – as counter to UNFCCC – as a real
solution to solving the climate catastrophe.
The action is here!
Peoples Voices 2 WHAT
is Climate Justice?
Principles and demands articulated at Rights of Mother Earth
conference, Cochabamba, 2010
50 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2017
stabilising temperature rises to 1C and 300 Parts Per Million
acknowledging the climate debt owed by developed countries
full respect for Human Rights and the inherent rights of
indigenous people
universal declaration of rights of Mother Earth to ensure
harmony with nature
establishment of an International Court of Climate Justice
rejection of carbon markets and commodification of nature &
forests through REDD
promotion of measures that change the consumption patterns
of developed countries
end of intellectual property rights for technologies useful for
mitigating climate change
payment of 6 percent of developed countries’ GDP to
addressing climate change
Peoples Voices 3
UNFCCC – shedding its mask??
For the first time in the history of 15 years of
UNFCCC:
Registered delegates were blocked in Copenhagen & there
were many coloured-badges
 Protest action was blocked inside
 The tradition of consensual-declarations was thrown to the
wind to let Obama & US play a key role by WTO-colouredlobby rooms bulldozing the Copenhagen declaration as an
UNFCCC accord (not accepted by some countries)

Peoples Voices 4
UNFCCC – shedding its mask??
The lid was finally shut in CANCUN:
The venue was chosen to avoid any
agitations or demonstrations within a few kms radii
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No publications or awareness material was allowed to be
disseminated inside COP only after UN-scrutiny permission
CANCUN was dull with little peoples action.
Peoples Voices 5
COP17 DURBAN
Durban promises hopes of peoples
mobilisation for climate justice
 It remains to be seen how movements
influence a negotiation going awry due to the
selfish interests of some Annex1 countries,
China, India and big corporations.

Peoples Voices 6
COP17 DURBAN
Durban promises hopes in these times of
capitalist crisis in the north & #occupy!
Peoples Voices
»
DURBAN C17
GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE –
DEC.3, DURBAN