The Bali conference - A defining challenge for everyone

ELEVEN days of talking about reducing CO² emissions, involving 15,000 politicians and officials from 180 nations began in Bali yesterday.

Environment Minister John Gormley will fly to Bali for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at the end of this week.

The conference opened on a good note with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announcing that his country would ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

The Australians’ decision leaves the United States alone among the world’s leading nations yet to ratify the protocol as the world tries to hammer out a plan for when Kyoto expires in 2012.

Anybody sceptical about global warming should consider the figures released yesterday by Met Éireann.

Last month — November — was one of the warmest in the past decade with average air temperatures two to three degrees above normal at 8º to 11ºC. Rainfall was well below normal with most of the country’s 12 weather stations recording between 50% and 75% of the usual amount.

At the conference, industrialised nations will be pressed to massively reduce emissions of greenhouse gases within five years.

This will present a huge challenge for all elements of society — government, individuals and businesses.

This obligation will be reflected in tomorrow’s budget from Mr Cowen, who, it is anticipated, will introduce measures aimed at realising that imperative.

No matter what environmental measures Mr Cowen introduces he is likely to face criticism; some will say he is over-reacting, others will accuse him of ineffectual tokenism.

One thing is certain though — whatever measures he brings forward they will represent no more than a starting point in what scientists tell us will become the defining challenge for humanity — learning to live in harmony with the world.