December deal was only a political accolade without neither a legal acclaim nor an action plan. Deal or not deal, the global phenomena that challenges human existence remains as the sword of Demo Claus over us. The big challenges must invariably be resolved to preserve Mother Planet for posterity. Efforts must be made now, to accomplish the same. Every moment and every small action counts… 

Third world nations like India and China question the U.S for its unilateral move for protecting its interests. Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh recently called upon China to move together with India against US’s policy on climate. European Union also joined with this group on the unexpected conclusion of Copenhagen talk. Manmohan said Copenhagen talk was disappointing to developing nations.   

Follow-up matters are hence more important and inevitable to tackle the issue. As part of our post Copenhagen climate talk series, we present the views of Professor Alexander Likhotal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Cross International, Geneva. He received the Save the Planet Awards 2009, for its border transcending water for life, water for peace project. 

Green Cross is an international non-profit organization, based in Switzerland, which works to provide environmental analysis and expertise, information  education, objective evaluations for public debate, scientific studies to help ensure a sustainable and secure future with a  sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility in humanity’s relationship with nature.   

He was the former advisor of Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev. He has held many international positions of academics, specializing in European security and NATO. He was Visiting Professor at the North-eastern University, Boston, USA, Research Associate at the Institute of European Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow and Associate Editor of Security Dialogue Journal, Oslo, Norway. 

 Alexander speaks on the general aspect of climate change consensus and need of follow- up matters to handle the catastrophe. 

Our planet, our part, our action

While talking to Calicut net, in an email interview, Alexander underscores the need of follow-up actions. He said it was impossible to single out just one reason or obstacle of our inaptitude to resolve climate change problem.  

He upholds the great vision of Mahatma Gandhi." A technological society has two choices: first it can wait until catastrophic failures expose systematic deficiencies, distortion and self-deceptions. Secondly, a culture can provide social checks and balances to correct for systematic distortion prior to catastrophic failures.” 

He said: “It is easy to put blame on selfishness of national governments or greed corporations, lack of global governance or inefficiencies of modern institutions, it is way more difficult to understand true complexities of the world we live in and to realize one’s responsibilities. We must take joint action to save our planet. This should be the common task for the governments, the business and scientific communities, civil society and each and every one of us.” 

He added that only the state could mobilize resources and funds to encourage and deploy breakthrough technologies. 

“Achieving meaningful progress will require the exercise of political will at the highest level. Backing of the support of people is inevitable even if the political leadership is highly determined. ” 

He said it was the time for everyone to make one’s voice heard and give the political leaders the support they need for far reaching climate action.  

“As with all major human endeavors, addressing climate change is at its core as ethical issue. Societies need to reshape their values and priorities around nations of prosperity that are not based primarily on ecologically-unsustainable increased consumption and economic growth. The convergence of the climate change, energy and economic crises presents an opportunity to enact the genuine transformation and societal change needed to build a fairer, safer and healthier future for all.  

Alexander says: “Present generation has a choice: to be the pioneers and architects of this sustainable future or the victims of our own excesses and indifference.” 

He says the Copenhagen Agreement also needs to put in motion a time-bound negotiating process resulting in a new legal instrument based on the political agreement reached. 

 “The Agreement also would have to encompass the adoption of a decision with immediate operational effect on adaptation, mitigation, technology, finance and capacity building as well as a framework for action on deforestation.” 

Let us hope for persistent positive spirit and collective good will…

Recent Articles by Author: Last talk Climate - Nov 22, 2009
 

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