The Lone Reporter

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

PARIS | The law was passed last year banning the integral veil in France, which provoked outrage amongst the Muslim community, who felt stigmatised by the law. These women say they wear the veil by choice and refuse to obey the new new law, which came into effect on April 11.

(Original article available here)

 

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

PARIS | Bodies are strewn in front of the debris-laden Eiffel Tower. A soldier fires from the Sacré Coeur. Notre Dame is alight. Soldiers fire across the River Seine, surrounded by dead bodies. These are some of the images presented by the photojournalist Patrick Chauvel as part of the Monnaie de Paris’ new exhibition “Peurs sur la ville” (Fear in the city). Photos shot during conflict in Lebanon, Chechnya, Bosnia and Thailand are superimposed against Paris’ famous picturesque landmarks. Chauvel explains the motive behind these often shocking photos.

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

PARIS | French unionists crippled the capital in the fifth protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy’s controversial pension reforms.

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

 

COPENHAGEN | World leaders today expressed little hope of reviving climate change talks on the final day of the UN summit in Copenhagen.

 

US president Barack Obama arrived in Copenhagen for the UN’s climate summit early Friday morning and held a lengthy meeting with other major heads of states from Europe, India, China and Brazil, after negotiations were brought to a standstill yesterday.

 

In a speech to the plenary that brought no new declarations, Obama urged heads of states Friday to unite in combating climate change on the issues of mitigation, transparency and financing.

 

“Unchecked climate change will pose unacceptable risks to our security, our economies and our planets,” President Obama said.

  

President Obama said he doubted that the current state of negotiations would lead to any agreement at Copenhagen.

 

“While the reality of climate change is not in doubt…our ability to take collective action is in doubt and its hangs in the balance,” he said.

 

Earlier Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced that his government was willing to support a financial mechanism if a global agreement is reached at Copenhagen.

 

He said that any money the developed put on the table to help the poor is not a “bargain between those who have the money and those who don’t have the money.”

 

“The money they put on the table is the payment for greenhouse gas emissions, emissions that happened during two centuries because they have the privilege of those countries that industrialised themselves first,” Lula added.

 

He said that he was “frustrated” at the slow pace of negotiations to combat climate change a problem which “is more severe than ever.”

 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Copenhagen would most likely lay the foundation for “subsequent negotiations” in 2010, but no agreement could come out today.

 

“The outcome may well fall short of our expectations,” he added. “Nevertheless it can become a significant milestone.”

 

Over a hundred world leaders are in Copenhagen to mete out a plan for combating climate change this afternoon. Many draft proposals were presented last week and early this week, but no agreement has been reached on financing developing countries to prevent climate change, mitigation and transparency. v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM // OPINION

 

COPENHAGEN | President Obama’s arrival in Copenhagen Friday provided hope that world leaders can nut out a deal – and last-minute hope – in the fight against global warming.

 

But even in the last 24 hours of the conference, mystery remains about whether world leaders will produce a lasting political document or a weak agreement that buys them yet more time.

 

According to COP15 news, Hillary Clinton worked with heads of states from 25 major economies, EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon to produce a draft text which will lead discussions today.

 

Outside Bella Center, the conference has been marred by security bungles and violent demonstrations. But inside, a political storm brewed all week. A lack of compromise, mistrust and suspicion towards the industrialised countries’ true intentions and accusations of an undemocratic, “untransparent” process have not just delayed negotiations, but nearly killed any hope of producing a lasting agreement.

 

The European Union came up with a €2.4billion contribution for a start-up fund to aid the poorest countries whose economies and livelihood are the most affected.

 

The United States remained firm on their pledge to 17% carbon emissions cut – well below the 20% promised by the EU and similar targets by other countries. Their refusal to go above and beyond the 17% and their demands for higher cuts from China and India is hypocritical.

 

On the other hand, China’s refusal to be subjected to international transparency brought the negotiations to a halt. The conference has been a battle between national interests, between blocs and between the rich and poor world. The United States and China traded insults over their pledges emissions cuts last week while Tuvalu led the small islands’ protest for a maximum rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius rather than 2 degrees Celsius, which they argued was more than enough to obliterate their countries. Within the G77 and China bloc, the major developing countries like India and China rejected a proposal which sought to impose higher carbon emissions reductions on them.

 

Senator John Kerry said it would be a “terrible irony” if developed countries allowed developing countries to industrialise in their same irresponsible manner.

 

The problem is, despite their promises, no one stepped up to the plate. The European Union and United States’ pledges to carbon emissions cuts remain paltry, given their capacity to do so much more. The EU quickly pushed through financial aid and their 30% conditional pledge of emissions cuts last week and then boasted about their efforts to help the climate change process all this week.

 

Developing countries meanwhile have consistently fought for a two-track process which consists of continuing the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2013 and a separate convention which binds the US to its commitments.

 

The G77 and China group chief Stanislaus Dia-ping Lumumba said there was no democratic process. The African and small island states felt bullied by the rich countries with their principal interests ignored. China has refused to budge on decisions regarding emissions cuts and transparency.

 

A flicker of hope came through yesterday when the US and China rushed through pledges that broke the deadlock on negotiations around financing, transparency and emissions reductions.

 

The US finally agreed to back a US$100 billion per annum long-term climate fund and discussion of the two-track process was finally reinitiated.

 

While China, the world’s biggest producer of carbon emissions, continued to reject an international monitoring system, but said it would consider voluntary international exchanges of information.

 

“Today, we open a historic negotiation…which involves not only our country, our continents, our peoples. Today, we engage the future of the world,” French president Nicolas Sarkozy said in his plenary speech Thursday.

 

But on the last day, there is nothing historic about this conference. Except that it will be remembered as the biggest global conference in history which united people on one common objective; yet one which fell far short of this objective. v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

COPENHAGEN | The brash, optimistic declarations of a historic climate change deal were looking shaky Wednesday afternoon as heads of states struggled to agree on a deal combating global warming this week.

Amidst mass protests, a sit-in and the resignation of the COP15 president, discussions between parties have been fraught with dispute, leading to a deadlock on negotiations.

See story on protests

As the conference nears an end, each major group remained firm on their positions.

Su Wei, China’s chief delegate said only a two-track process would “form a legitimate basis for negotiations, discussions leading to an outcome at Copenhagen.”

This means that the developing countries want a continuation of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 which the United States has never ratified, and a new binding convention.

But the United States’ are also unwavering in their stance.

Speaking at a packed out press conference this afternoon, Senator John Kerry said the developed world would not allow the developing world to industrialise the same way they did during the 19^th century.

“It would be a terrible irony if we succeed in understanding the terrible mistakes that have been made that have brought us here and then all we did was allow the less developed world to repeat our mistakes and develop the way we did. That’s not on the table folks,” Kerry said.

He said success at Copenhagen would enable the United States to pass their climate change legislation through the Senate and House of Representatives.

He added that the US’ hesitance to commit more to the climate change summit is based on the fear of being “eclipsed by the rising emissions of less developed countries.”

Earlier today, Chinese delegate Wei accused the new Chair of the conference, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen of putting forward a “text from the sky” and said the negotiation process was “not transparent.”

Developing countries refuse to budge to pressure by the rich countries. They have stated they will not accept an agreement that does not include the Kyoto Protocol which legally binds developed nations to carbon emissions reductions.

Attempting to break the deadlock, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced Wednesday afternoon that he will support US$100 billion in annual funds from rich countries from 2020 to enable developing countries to combat climate change.

He proposed long-term funding for adaptation and mitigation beginning from 2013 with US$50 billion per year from 2015 and US$100 billion per annum from 2020.

His proposal included financing through “creative financing mechanisms” such as carbon taxes.

But with just two days to go until a decision is reached, so far, no solid agreements have been reached on financing and the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol, which are crucial to any agreement at Copenhagen.

The Danish government were expected to present a draft proposal today as national delegations arrive. But UN climate chief Yvo de Boer told a press conference Wednesday evening that he did not even know if the draft text was tabled.

“The next 24 hours will be crucial,” he said.

But for Zewani, an agreement at Copenhagen is life-or-death for Africa’s future.

“A lack of agreement here could murder our future before it is even born,” he said in his speech to delegate members.

“Africa is not prepared to accept empty words,” he added. “We are determined to make sure in Copenhagen that all of us – Africa included – are happy or obviously there will be no agreement for anyone.” v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

 

COPENHAGEN | Demonstrations and sit-ins, involving violent clashes with police wreaked havoc at Bella Center Wednesday as the United Nations’ climate change conference entered its high-level segment.

 

Hundreds of protestors marched to Bella Center and attempted to enter the venue where intense final negotiations are underway to provide the “historic” outcome leaders promised prior to the conference.

 

The Associated Press reports they clashed with the Danish riot police, who used pepper spray on the demonstrators.

 

Jack Tone, a Frenchman, part of a climate change collective said he saw many people being hit with pepper spray.

 

“It was out of the question that we succumbed to the threat of being beaten or being sprayed by the police,” he said.

 

According to the AP, the protestors, unhappy with the lack of progress on a climate change agreement wanted to turn the climate change conference into a “people’s assembly.”

 

In the early afternoon, the protestors left Bella Center and continued marching in a different direction, under heavy police guard.

 

“It was a manifestation of the people – it’s what the people wanted to say to the governments inside Bella Center,” said Laura Gonzales, an ArRgentinian protestor from the organisation Jubilee South, which fights for debt cancellation of impoverished countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

 

She added: “During this week, we know that discussion was about false solutions and nothing happened finally. It’s not trying to put the problem in the center, what’s happening in Bella Center is system change not climate change.”

 

Sit-In

 

Meanwhile, not-for-profit group Friends of the Earth staged a sit-in Wednesday morning in the registration hall of Bella Center after being denied access into the venue.

 

Demonstrators are unhappy in the severe reduction of NGO participants at the conference, due to security as heads of states start arriving for Friday’s finale.

 

Select NGOs were issued secondary cards for the remainder of the conference, allowing them a quota of participants who can access the venue. The group claim they were refused entry into the main hall, despite showing their secondary passes.

 

The group is also concerned that reduced numbers will affect the democratic process as delegations and their leaders work out a political strategy to combat climate change.

 

“That the UN seeks to reduce numbers means that many delegations will have no representations at the talks and poorer countries will lack the support and guidance that NGOs can offer them,” said Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of the NGO’s Scottish group.

 

“This will facilitate the risk of an unfair outcome on the short-term interests of the rich world,” he added.

 

The group said they would remain in the hall until they were allowed in or kicked out indefinitely.

 

Resignation

 

On a day of drama, COP15 president Connie Hedegaard announced her resignation early Wednesday as chair of the COP15 conference.

 

A UNFCCC press release said Hedegaard handed over the presidency to Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen citing it would more “appropriate” for him to handle the COP15 as over 100 heads of state start arriving in Copenhagen.

 

According to the Danish Ministry of State, the Copenhagen climate change conference ranks amongst the world’s largest summits, drawing 119 heads of states, nine vice-presidents and HRH Prince Charles. v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

 

COPENHAGEN | United Nations climate chief Yvo de Boer played down talks of a stalemate at the Copenhagen climate talks, despite a walk-out by African nations during negotiations Monday morning.

 

De Boer told a media briefing that informal talks with the parties would be held in the early afternoon, with a focus on discussing the Kyoto Protocol after the morning session’s disruptions.

 

Developing nations are fighting for a two-track negotiation process: to preserve the Kyoto Protocol for the second committment period (from 2013), which they legally binds industrialised countries to their committments; and consultation focusing on the long-term vision for cooperative action on climate change. 

 

“What they want to see are clear targets for a second commitment period from the industrialised countries that are party to the Kyoto Protocol,” de Boer said.

 

He added that how to enforce a legally binding agreement and precise financial contributions by industrialised countries still need to be finalised this week.

 

But the rift between developing and industrialised countries is deepening.

 

Bernaditas Muller, speaking for the G77/China group, said the developing countries are being block by the industrialised countries.

 

“At every negotiating level, we are having a very difficult time with the developed countries – they are blocking us for adaptation, for transfer of technology, for financing, even for capacity building,” she told a media briefing.

 

“The way that it’s going to happen right now seems to me as if it’s going to really undo two years of very hard work of negotiations,” she added.

 

Developing countries are concerned that a draft deal will not be finalised before the arrival of their heads of states Thursday and Friday. Instead, they fear it will be pushed through rapidly on the last two days of the conference.

 

“I have a very serious concern as a negotiator that all this hard work will be prejudiced and undermined not because the ministers have less authority but that they have not been dealing with these issues for a long time,” Muller added. v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

 

COPENHAGEN | The world’s coral reefs as a biologically diverse ecosystem could face extinction due to ocean acidification, scientists said in Copenhagen Monday.

 

Ocean acidification is the pollution of the oceans by carbonic acid, which is formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater.

 

According to scientist Ove Hoegh Goldberg, 30-50 percent of the world’s corals have disappeared in the last 40 years and currently corals are disappearing at one to two percent per year.

 

“Any time lost will have a greater impact – this is assumed we will get this under control,” Goldberg told The Lone Reporter.

 

He said a legally binding treaty is eventually necessary but that at least at Copenhagen, “if there’s an aspirational document by the end of this week and it does have realistic science targets taken into account, then it’s been a success here.”

 

But it’s not just the world’s coral that face obliteration from climate change. Ron Dunbar, from Stanford University, said parts of West Antarctica are melting.

 

He said a team of scientists sent to drill into the seabed, as part of the International Drilling Program, concluded that warming is occurring at a rate of three times the global average.

 

“We’ve seen evidence of melting already in West Antarctica and if the West Antarctica sheet melts totally, that’s a total of six metres of sea level rise,” Dunbar added.

 

As a result, falling ice shelves, nearly the size of Alaska, are forming on the coast of West Antarctica, with dire consequences.

 

“Prior to this work, it was thought the ice was much more stable. So the new result reflects our new understanding that the ice is much more dynamic and much more susceptible to wasting,” said Dunbar. v

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

 

COPENHAGEN | Chaos struck the Bella Center in Copenhagen Monday as hundreds of people were forced to queue in the bitter cold to enter the conference venue.

 

As national leaders and their ministers arrive this week, the Bella Center is under heavy security. Already, 45,000 people are trying to access the venue, which has a capacity of 15,000. 

 

It puts a shadow over the negotiations. Media coordinator Axel Wuestenhagen said that over 20,000 NGO participants, who have observer status, have been registered so far, but security measures means only 1000 will have access to Bella Centre from tomorrow and even less from Thursday, when world leaders arrive. 

 

Lining up in the queue had its benefits for some, though.

 

“I’m meeting interesting people in the queue at least – and doing a bit of networking,” said Katy Lee, an NGO participant from the UK’s national farmers’ unions. v