Bonn climate talks: How to address the impact of global warming
The annual climate change talks have begun in Bonn, Germany. The meeting is supposed to draw a framework of rules for the Paris Agreement, which had set the target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century compared to the preindustrial revolution levels. While this broad agreement was reached in Paris, countries did not agree on how they will achieve this ambitious goal.
The meeting in Bonn is supposed to work out a rulebook or plan to do this. It is going to be a contentious round of talks as usual, with developing and developed country blocks taking divergent positions. And the backdrop would be the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
If the temperature rise has to be capped, global emissions have to be addressed. For this, internationally accepted standards will have to be developed on measuring which country is emitting how much. Along with this, countries have to agree on a set of rules for measuring their emissions as well as actions to reduce those emissions after 2020.
On top of all this, diplomats will have to grapple with the US’ position questioning the agreement in Paris itself. Overall, the thrust of the talks will be on actions after 2020. So, if you are expecting a series of steps to save the globe from impacts of climate change at the end of the two-week talks, you will be disappointed.
The question is: Can the world afford to wait for negotiators to come up with a possible set of actions to be implemented after 2020? What happens between now and 2020? Will it be ethically right not to take any action, when the impact of climate change is already being felt in several countries?
Temperatures are rising locally in many regions of the world, rainfall patterns have drastically changed and agricultural productivity has taken a hit, affecting farmers. While mountain communities are the worst hit, the impact is also being felt in other regions. In India, for instance, in three districts of Meghalaya — West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills — the temperature rise is projected to be 1.8 to 1.9 degrees from 2021-2050.
In other parts of the state, the rise will be between 1.6 and 1.7 degrees. Similar projections have been made for other states in the Indian Himalayan Region. This region has already started feeling the impact of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall on their livelihoods. Farmers in Mizoram have been forced to take to exotic species such as dragon fruit, which are heat tolerant and can be grown at up to 40 degrees.
The production of muga silk is shifting from Assam to Mizoram as silkworms are not able to survive the rising temperature in Assam.
Elsewhere in the country, the rising frequency of extreme weather events is affecting productivity and increasing climate risk for farmers in vulnerable areas.
It’s time urgent steps are taken for adaptation, rather than wait for steps to reduce emissions which may be several decades away. The impact of climate change is here and now.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)