Durban climate talks ending: Polluters won, people lost (Greenpeace Africa)
DURBAN, South-Africa, December 11, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ – On the closing of the latest round of UN climate talks in Durban Greenpeace today declared that it was clear that our Governments this past two weeks listened to the carbon-intensive polluting corporations instead of listening to the people who want an end to our dependence on fossil fuels and real and immediate action on climate change.
“The grim news is that the blockers lead by the US have succeeded in inserting a vital get-out clause that could easily prevent the next big climate deal being legally binding. If that loophole is exploited it could be a disaster. And the deal is due to be implemented ‘from 2020′ leaving almost no room for increasing the depth of carbon cuts in this decade when scientists say we need emissions to peak,” said Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace International Executive Director.
“Right now the global climate regime amounts to nothing more than a voluntary deal that’s put off for a decade. This could take us over the two degree threshold where we pass from danger to potential catastrophe.”
“Our atmosphere has been loaded with a carbon debt and the bill, carrying a Durban postmark, has been posted to the world’s poorest countries especially here in Africa. The chance of averting catastrophic climate change is slipping through our hands with every passing year that nations fail to agree on a rescue plan for the planet.”
According to Greenpeace Africa the South Africa, as host of the COP 17 tried to ensure a meaningful deal.
“The type of deal that has been reached has been strongly influenced by the blockers led by US”, said Ferrial Adam, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Africa.
Distributed by the African Press Organization for Greenpeace Africa.
Contacts:
Media: Fiona Musana +27 79 8940495 for interviews with Ferrrial Adam and Melita Steele.
For more information contact http://www.greenpeace.org
SOURCE
Greenpeace Africa
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