Environmental Film Competition 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld and COP-16 Article

[1 Minute To Save The World]

COP-16: There is Still Work to Be Done

With the conclusion of the COP-16 United Nations Climate Change
Negotiations in Cancún, Mexico, environmental activists all over the
world must reflect on the work that is still left to be done. Despite
the increased transparency and cordiality of the talks, the singing of
the Cancún Accords represents only a small step forward.

On the bright side, one of the most positive developments was the
creation of a $100 billion fund to help the nations of the Global
South achieve their climate change adaptation goals. COP-16 also
distinguished itself from previous conferences by formally recognizing
the damaging effects of deforestation on emissions reduction. The
participation and recognition of delegations from smaller nations also
added valuable insight to the challenges that lie ahead.

Unfortunately, while the intentions of COP-16 were good, certain
findings signify yet another retreat from our responsibilities of
environmental stewardship. We cannot rely on future generations to
solve the problems of today and tomorrow. How will history judge our
efforts when it is documented that we reaffirmed COP-15’s standards
for emissions reduction? The dangers are too great to ignore. In the
meantime, negotiators have encouraged the approval of REDD (Reducing
Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation), which would cap
global temperatures at a 2 degrees C rise. This measure, however, may
be too little too late – even a rise of 1.5 degrees has been cited by
many reputable scientists as a mark that will have catastrophic
consequences. And of course, in the tradition of previous conferences,
the Cancún Accords are unfortunately non-binding. Historically, very
little has been accomplished by treaties that do not provide
mechanisms of accountability and enforcement.

How can we gear up for COP-17 in a meaningful way? We must spread the
word that our policy makers are selling our environmental future down
the river. Through environmental awareness campaigns, we can engage
and galvanize the nations of the world. People must understand the
disastrous results of continuing down the road of non-capped emissions
that we’ve been on for nearly a century. In the meantime, efforts must
be made to halt the detrimental activities of the worst offenders and
to strengthen local governments that do not have the means to enforce
laws that protect fragile ecosystems.

One awareness campaign making a huge difference in the “here and now”
is online environmental film competition 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld at
http://www.1minutetosavetheworld.com. Filmmakers from around the world
are being asked to submit minute-long films on climate change. Last
year’s competition proved to be a huge international sensation and
this year is already shaping up to be a great success. Please join
the environmental and film communities by viewing the work of talented
directors online or by submitting your own feature film before the 17
January 2011 deadline.

Please make the choice to get involved – with 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld or
your own local environmental organization. Let us all face next year’s
UN conference with a renewed determination to advance an agenda that
will secure our generation’s environmental legacy.

Michael Greenberg serves as a 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld representative.