Discussing the heat

Discussing the heat

Representatives of science, business, government and environment groups have gathered in Kyoto, Japan, to promote conflicting theories and interests and yet somehow contribute to a reduction in the so-called greenhouse gases.

Scientists have varying theories, representatives of industry and developed nations have statements on how much or how little they are prepared to do, and green groups on how much they should do.

When Indonesian business interests set their country's forests alight, they chose to point the finger at El Nio and wonder how anybody could have the effrontery to criticize them. Industry says it must meet its obligations to contribute to the economy and to keep people in work before it can protect the environment, which sustains more people than profits.

Similarly, politicians know that the environment has made itself a priority issue. The biggest challenge of all might be one in which politicians have to put the hard word on the big business interests that wield colossal influence nowadays.

Global warming is for most the most part blamed on the burning of fossil fuels that keep our factories and utilities working, our houses and offices warmed or cooled, and our transport systems running.

To an extent, the battle lines have already been drawn, with the United States, the main source of greenhouse gases, offering merely to stabilize, and not reduce, emissions. Being a democratic kind of gathering, all are to be heard, even the lobbyists from oil and motor giants whose vision does not extent beyond the balance sheet.

Already, developing nations such as China and India have rejected suggestions from the U.S. that they cut their emissions. It would be reasonable for developing countries to express consternation when told that they cannot get rich the way the developed countries got rich.

The task is enormous and the goal a long way off. But representatives of 160 nations are gathered under one roof and that is a sign of recognition that Nature does not negotiate.

-- Bangkok Post