What is the UN Biodiversity Conference: COP15? Why it matters and what was at stake at the Montreal summit?
Thousands of delegates representing 192 countries spent the two weeks meeting in Montreal, hammering out a once-in-a-decade agreement meant to protect, conserve, and equitably share nature. Here's your guide to why it matters, who was there and what to expect.
Read in CBC News: https://apple.news/A71J_emIZRBirIjBAqYMgtw
COP 15, the latest World Worry Fest (WWF) was officially underway to venerate Nature and vilify humanity. The Presidency remaining under China. Threats to species are too numerous to mention and well beyond the coordination of dealing with the needs of individual ones so a comprehensive all - inclusive strategy is required. The odd on favorite option is to put at least one - third of Earth's lands and waters off limits to human use by 2030.
In 1987, Madame Bro Brundtland of "Our Common Future" fame / notoriety started with 12% as an opener for preclusion that has increased perniciously over the decades. This is not enough to ensure protection for an ever - increasing number of threatened and endangered species. Will 30% be enough?
A week of denigration followed by recommendations for policy changes as atonement for environmental abuses, real or imaginary as compensation. Recommendations from the previous COP admittedly have failed to meet expectations so expect a repeat, its purpose: another WWF to continue yet another party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAOoG9U9neU
The dramatic consequences of the so - called historical decision (30% of water - 30% of land off human activity by 2030) for the livelihoods and food security of millions of people - while easy to predict - are unknown. And even if they would have been clearly spelled out, they would have been ignored.
Particularly important for the politicians whose libations and labour during their attendance at CoP 15, upon returning to their constituencies via private jets or more the plebeian, first class, was to announce: "We are striving to save the Planet, but you must also do your share. Forego your consumption of Nature and ride your bike".
Predictably the exhortations and recommendations of COP 15 will fail, and the next generation of politicians and NGOs will become the new Saviours of Planet Earth. This is a cyclical recurrent obligation certain to include demands for more financial support to ensure that threats to yet unnamed species will be addressed.
In the opening of its article on CoP15, a Swiss daily newspaper recently stated: "Countries around the world have adopted a text that must stop the destruction of life."What a ridiculous statement! Life cannot exist without death, regardless the declarations of Heads of State and self - appointed stewards of planet Earth.
Ken Sumanik (MSc.) December 31, 2022
