Earth: The Climate Wars - Episode 3 (Final)

Wow! So after years of scepticism,  the sceptical scientists have finally come to agree that climate change is real. What is not completely clear is the exact extent of the impacts the changing climate will have on us. In this last Episode, the question of impact is examined. Enjoy!

Documentary by the BBC

Earth: The Climate Wars - Episode 2

In a series of documentaries the BBC examines the climate change debates. Here is episode 2 of this intriguing documentary.

Documentary by the BBC

Earth: The Climate Wars - Episode 1

In a series of BBC documentaries, we are informed about how scientists discovered climate change. This BBC documentary tells the story of the evolving climate war! Enjoy.

Documentary by the BBC

The BRICS and Equity under International Climate Change Law

Formed in 2011 (actually the original ‘BRIC’ began negotiations in 2006 before South Africa joined the band wagon), BRICS is an acronym which has become the title for a conglomeration of countries with fast-rising economies comprising of: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Besides Russia, all BRICS members are developing or newly industrialised countries,

Leaders of BRICS
Source: www.theinnoplex.com

  they are characterised by their large, fast-growing economies and their significant influence on regional and international issues. Primarily, the BRICS aims to be an independent international organisation encouraging commercial, political and cultural cooperation among members. However, their emergence has had tremendous implications for international climate change negotiations, law and policy.

International climate change law and policy has always sought to be equitable in the distribution of adaptation and mitigation commitments among parties. Thus, through applying the rather controversial principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) the international climate change regime aims to take account of the varying circumstances and capabilities of each party.  Hence, both under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, the main responsibilities for addressing climate change are imposed on developed countries. Indeed, the Kyoto Protocol imposes legally binding emission reduction commitments exclusively on developed countries. Perhaps, the main reason the United States refused to sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol was the exclusion of the BRICS countries (except Russia) from making legally binding emission reduction commitments.

Traditionally, negotiation blocs during international climate change conferences have been mainly between developed and developing countries. However, with the effusion of time more splits have emerged within the two main blocs. There have been splits between developed countries. On one hand we have developed countries like the EU, Australia, and until now Canada and Japan committed to their international climate change obligations. On the other we have the US refusing to make any commitments as a result of the domestic politics in that country and the desire to protect its economic interest. For developing countries, we have on one end Small Island Developing States, Least Developed States and other poor countries whose very survival is at stake. At the other end, we have developing countries whose economies are heavily dependent on the production and consumption of fossil-fuel and of course the BRICS, these ones are suspicious that developed countries are using climate change and the efforts to combat it as a strategy to slow down their economic development.

As the BRICS continue to flex their economic muscles, the time has come for them to also realise that it is high time they began to get serious with their international climate change obligations. While their economies are fast-growing so have their emissions of greenhouse gases risen to an astronomical level! Since the BRICS have been able to devise a means  of enhancing economic, political and cultural cooperation, including recently announcing a deal to establish their own development bank, I challenge them to come up with a common plan to reduce the impact their rising economies have got on the environment. They should kindly ensure they make legally binding commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and any Post-Kyoto instrument to reduce their emissions of GHGs. With growth in economic, political and technological influence comes a great amount of responsibility.

NASA's recent Images of the Earth at Night: who are the Culprits of Climate Change?

Recent images coming from NASA reveals how the earth looks at night. The image below is quiet revealing.

Earth at Night- NASA, 2012

Whilst the picture above looks easy on the eye, it is perhaps one of the most revealing visuals about the extent of our energy consumption and their concomitant impact on our climate. According to NASA, those shining spots are city lights, gas flares, auroras, wild fires and reflected moonlight. Pause for a moment and consider the degree of carbon being emitted by these city lights and gas flares. Study the map again and imagine what proportion is being contributed by whom? Tells you something about the culprits for our changing climate doesn't it? Keep an eye on the US, Western Europe, North and South Korea, China, Brasil, India, Nigeria and South Africa. Note also the Middle East- I mean countries like: Saudi Arabia Kuwait and Iran.