Dealing with Climate Change

There have been several concerted efforts in recent years to address the issues brought about by climate change. Two notable efforts this year has been the people’s agreement of Cochabamba and the UN Framework Convention on Climate change. The people’s agreement begins by emphasizing the danger we pose to mother earth when we let greenhouse gases and other pollutants lead to an increased temperature change of above 2% degrees Celsius. Some of the adverse effects identified in the Cochabamba convention include disappearance of Islands, starvation due to reduced food yields, melting of polar caps and increased desertification. This is similar to the UN Framework Convention Articles which begin by affirming the need to protect the world from global warming due to its threat to both the ecosystem and the existence of mankind. The people’s agreement also noted the need to respect the authority of indigenous people and their cultures since history have shown they have great respect for the environment. The UN convention has similarly affirmed the need to respect the sovereignty of countries to create their own approach to environmental convention even as they come together to seek a global solution. Both these conventions have identified the role developed nations have played on creating the present crisis and have called upon those governments to pledge more funds to solve this issue.