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