Greenpeace has sent the following letter to Manmohan Singh urging him to go to the climate summit in Copenhagen and help to achieve a Fair, Ambitious and Binding deal to reduce greenhouse gasses.
Read it below, or download the Letter to Manmohan Singh here.
To,
Prime Minister – Mr. Manmohan Singh
South Block,
Raisina Hill,
New Delhi,
India-110 011
Date: 26 November 2009
Dear Mr. Manmohan Singh,
As you know, in December the world’s governments will meet in Copenhagen to take crucial decisions on one of the most fundamental challenges ever to confront humanity – climate change. We urge you to attend this unique summit, COP15, in your personal capacity. Together you and other world leaders can and must make the breakthrough the world desperately needs.
Time is running out for preventing catastrophic climate change. We now know that an increase in global temperature of even 1.5°C could lead to irreversible impacts, and 2°C risks triggering catastrophic runaway climate change. We need a global plan that peaks global emissions by 2015 and starts declining rapidly thereafter. Delay by even 5 years would significantly hinder the possibilities of staying below a 2°C increase, as the annual reduction rate required after the peak would become draconian. Every year of delay would increase mid term mitigation costs by hundreds of billions of US dollars in the energy sector alone.
Citizens of the world want action now. Never before have we seen such a wave of appeals for urgent and ambitious action from all sectors of civil society and from all parts of the world. Scientists, global trade unions, leaders of the largest faith groups, indigenous peoples’ coalitions, progressive industry alliances, large investors, human rights organisations, youth groups, military experts, medical organisations – to name but a few – have appealed to you, our world leaders, to deliver an ambitious outcome from Copenhagen and warned about the consequences of failing to do so.
In your name, your negotiators are steering the world towards mass extinction, massstarvation and human catastrophe. Delay is no longer acceptable. There is still enough time to reach a fair, ambitious and binding deal in Copenhagen, but what is lacking is political will. We are appealing to you to do your utmost to create an environment of cooperation and mutual trust that will enable the breakthrough the world is waiting for.
All the crunch issues must be resolved in Copenhagen and they need to be captured as legal text in an amended Kyoto Protocol and a new Copenhagen Protocol, which will require ratification.
Industrialised countries as a group must commit to emissions reductions of at least 40% from 1990 levels by 2020 and agree a way to break that down into individual, legally binding obligations for a five year commitment period of 2013-2017. They must also agree to legally binding financial commitments to deliver at least $US140 billion annually for adaptation, clean technology and forest protection in developing countries
All commitments need to be comparable, and need to be legally binding, thereby building upon and strengthening the provisions in the Kyoto Protocol.
Enabled by financial and technological support, developing countries need to reduce their projected emissions growth by at least 15-30% by 2020 in the energy and industry sectors and put in place national plans to end tropical deforestation and related emissions by 2020
The most vulnerable countries need to give priority to adaptation and must receive financial support to do so
The time for political declarations or politically binding handshakes is over. Copenhagen provides a unique opportunity for real change. Together you and other world leaders can make history in Copenhagen by agreeing to a fair, ambitious and binding agreement. We, with our friends from around the globe, will be there with high hopes and expectations of you.
Yours sincerely,
Kumi Naidoo – Executive Director Greenpeace International
Samit Aich – Executive Director Greenpeace India
December 1st, 2009 at 10:58 am
Two “wrongs” can never accrue to be a “right”. First we abused the planet and now are not even ready to take a corrective stand….together.
Its about our basic existance. If we live then only we grow / fight / be friends / invade etc.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Let us do whatever we can to ensure finally emissions are cut down – and very significantly.. Thanks to Greenpeace to continue to push..
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 am
Dear Sir,
Well, definitely checking the climate change NOW at least is of utmost importance as the future sustainability of the future existence on planet earth is concerned. Reasons for this change need be best estertained and appropriate restrictive actions taken without further delay.
in this regard, I being a Paper Technologist and Scientist have been persuading DGCSIR, top Paper Mill mangement personnels, Department of Science & Technology, Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute, Saharanpur, India since lasty more than two years to initiate urgent “Mega Mission Project” aiming at the development of “Unique Raw Material”(Lignocellulose) for Paper Industry which would revolutionise the basic processing (Pulpinng) of conventional forest base raw materials and thus reduce/elimate the huge pollution it sends into atmoshphere by way of “Flue Gases” from its Recovery boilers. But since it did not hit their direct profit and fame, no proper response to my very important suggestion was recieved with deep pain in my heart. Only three days back therefor and also in view of current hue & cry of Copenhagen summit, I have sent that very idea through e–mail to R.K. Pauchori, Nobel Lauriate of 2008 for environment climatic change and Jayram Ramesh, Hon. minister for Environment & Forest. It is immaterial what stand India takes at Copenhagen summit, whether Hon. Priminister, Manmohan Singh attends the summit or not but, the type of “Mega Mission Mode International Project” in my mind need be initiated at the earliest by any country anywhere in the world if climatic negative change is to be checked!!
I am in the very hopeful mood that both Pauchori and Jayram would take my suggestion seriously and “CALL ME for a formal presentation of my idea”. I further hope that Greenpeace International & Greenpeace India would also press upon the ALL concerned authorities to initiate & start the project in my mind immediately. I would like to share the idea with anybody who is in reality keen to really do something positive & tangible towards greenpeace and maintaining climate balance!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
France is very eager to impose – Carbon Tax – and also wants it as a punishment for the nations disregarding climate change by insisting EU in the form of imposing a tax on imports from countries like India.This makes energy sources expensive.
We,representing the poor countries of G77,should oppose this without fear because if EU can survive without our exports,we also can survive without their imports.We should understand that if we do not sell our goods on their unfair terms,the availabilty of such goods in EU will come down and then you can imagine their uncomfort over that and those governments will be forced to abandon this bluff with which,they want to make poor countries surrender to their unfair solutions for climate change.
Denmark wants to present a draft at Copenhagen which is going to force the nations to cap their emissions at the peaking level in the year of 2025.These developed nations are so sure that these poor G77 nations peaking level emissions in a period of 15 years will be much lower than the developed world emissions.To answer this, Bismac is presenting our own draft at Copenhagen.We also should tell that if our draft is not accepted ,we will stop all our voluntary efforts in clean alternative energy and increase our peaking at the specified 2025.
We also should stress the emissions should be calculated on the basis of ton/person formula rather than nation basis.This is because that climate change is viewed in the perspective of human race.The climate does not have any boundary or nationhood.
Here,we also should remember that this clean energy business will give trillions of dollars to the developed nations,the abusers of climate, either in the form of technology or equipment.We also should remember that we are accustomed to the vagaries of nature and poverty and thus be more able to tolerate the climate change.We should make it clear to them that we are not as bothered as them about climate change.I will give an example here;the visitors from the rich countries drink only mineral water in India and if they drink ordinary water,they will immediately fall sick either by diarrhea or respiratory infections.95% persons drink the same ordinary drinking water but our bodies are strong enough not to fall sick.So,we should call the bluff of these people and stick to our draft and the developed world has to bend because they feel that their lives are more valuable and indispensable.
Apart the things included in our Bismac draft,i believe the following should be the way we should present our demands at COPENHAGEN and our sloagan should be ;
Pay For Emissions !
AMERICA AND OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES MUST PRACTICE EMISSION CONTROL TO THE SPIRIT OF EVERY LETTER. AMERICA WANTS TO REDUCE ITS EMISSIONS TO 4TONS/PERSON BY 2050. IF THEY WANT TO TALK WITH ANY COUNTRY ABOUT EMISSIONS AND REDUCTIONS, THEY HAVE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE INITIATION IN BRINGING ALL THE COUNTRIES TO THE TABLE.THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE LIKE THIS.
1) EMISSIONS PER PERSON IS TO BE LIMITED TO FIVE TONS/PERSON ACROSS ALL THE COUNTRIES.
2) A FUND UNDER THE CONTROL OF UN BE FORMED.
3) A COST FACTOR BE DECIDED FOR THE AMOUNT OF EMISSION EXCEEDING THE LIMIT ALLOWED ;X-DOLLARS/TON PER PERSON.
4)THIS SHOULD BE PAID TO THE ACCOUNT OF CARBON CREDITS AND THUS INCREASING THE VALUE OF CARBON CREDITS AND IT HELPS AS AN INITIATIVE TO GO FOR CLEAN ENERGY, AFFORESTATION(this will be a big employment generator),AND CONSERVATION(by optimum utilisation, less wastages).
It should be the responsibility of UN to survey the world for the production of clean energy like solar and hydro power and build these projects across the world by using the money collected from the offending nations emitting huge emissions after fixing the emission cap at 5 tons/person/year.Copenhagen to negotiate for financial and technological aids from developed countries and let multilateral institutions build these solar,wind and hydro power in any country where sun, wind and water are available in plenty by an international survey and dedicate this power for local use,there by reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy.This reduction of dependence on fossil fuels any where in the world would benefit the whole world – Planet Earth.This solves the problem of unaffordability of poor nations to use expensive clean energy. Unless India,China,and other G77 countries take the lead and pressurise the offending nations to pay a price for the emissions above the cap internationlly enforced which should not be dictated by US AND OTHER RICH COUNTRIES – the culprits of the huge emissions. West would be trying to use all its diplomatic methods with a sweet cajole and harsh threat to bring the world to accept their idea of caps to suit their lifestyles.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hello Friends, 05/12/2009
Jai Hind
Our organization YFF has undertaken a project: Pushpanjali Prawaha ‘The flow of devotional flowers’ the new method for disposal of flowers and other puja waste in the year 2010 in Delhi. We have devised a special “PATRA” which will be placed in public places for the immediate disposal of these flowers. These will subsequently be disposed by our volunteers at an appropriate place. This will help tremendously in the reduction of pollution in The Yamuna river.
To clean as much as possible of the poly bags and flowers from repeating error of putting flowers and poly bags again unto the river. We are also organizing Door to Door campaigning to educate uniform people in addition to touching almost 2 lace school children to help in our endeavor.
We have devised a 3 Point Programme to help clean YAMUNA RIVER in DELHI.
A) To stop people from throwing the Ceremonial flowers / Poly bags etc in YAMUNA River.
B) All things being currently thrown in YAMUNA to be collected & a recycling process to be initiated.
C) To organize children currently engaged in coin collecting & rag picking and give them employment & education.
Our organization has devised a plan under which each councilor (Parshad) will be requested to install two “ PUSHPANJALI PRAWAHA PATRA” at common venues which would facilitate the disposal of the flowers & Prayer Samagri etc.
The gap of the Prawaha from where the flowers will be inserted is at an angle of 23 degrees, like a letter box which will allow only flexible items inside.
Since Delhi is preparing for 2010 Commonwealth Games, we also want to achieve the aforesaid goal in a very short time i.e. in Seven months. If help to make Yamuna river pollution free of flowers and poly bags is granted, we shall leave no stone unturned to complete the work within the stipulated time to the satisfaction of all concerned. We hope that you will make your contribution for this noble cause.
We would be highly obliged if you could kindly help us in organizing this and give us a meeting time where we could explain our Programme in detail.
Please Help Me Sir
With kind regards,
Yours
GOPI DUTT
Our NGO – Youth Fraternity Foundation aims to serve the nation in various ways. You must be aware of the pollution being caused due to the disposal of used flowers and other worship materials in our Holy River Yamuna , and carried by all the rivers of India. Our organization, YFF, has undertaken a project to clean the rivers of INDIA starting with The YAMUNA,which will be starting from Delhi .
THE ORGANIZATION HAS PREPARED ITS OWN “ TASK-FORCE ” ENGAGING HUNDREDS OF YOUTH WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO WORK IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY ON EVERY ALTERNATIVE DAY AND MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC BAGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO TO COLLECT FLOWERS AND OTHER ARTICLES LEFT AFTER POOJA AND OR THROWN INTO THE YAMUNA.
yff.india@gmail.com
yffindia.blogspot.com
December 18th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Dear Sir,
We the Rickshaw Pullers, despite India being a Welfare State for all the Citizen and Climate Trouble, being not only neglected, but harrassed, despite being the only 100% Climate Friendly mode of travel to the Short Distances.
The Rickshaw Pullers of New Delhi Shouts: Save Rickshaw to Save Climate. In a protest rally ‘Global Day of Climate Action’ rickshaw pullers have expressed their feeling for the climate in thousands of number with the slogan: “Rickshaw Chalao – Paryawaran Bachao, Climate ke Liye – Bajao “on 12th December 2009 with other activists to be recognized by the civil society and it’s representatives.
Thanks to the organizers of Copenhagen, who allows only bicycles and rickshaws to reach to the meeting place…and request you to kindly do something for us. We don’t have Parking, Night Shelter, Traffic Training, and most of the other facilities, which other ‘Citizen of Republic of India has have.
Sending you a Memorandum by Post also.
Most Sincerely,
Vighnesh Jha
President
PATH