Climate change: Our last chance to save the planet

Article by N. Sylikiotis – AKEL MEP and Vice-President GUE/NGL

10 December 2018

 

A few days ago, over 75,000 people of all ages filled and took to the streets of Brussels participating in the mass protest mobilization that was organised demanding the protection of the environment. Held under the slogan “WE ARE ASSERTING THE CLIMATE,” the protesters sent out a powerful message to governments and rulers to fulfill their commitments, to tackle climate change ahead of the new UN Climate Change Conference (COP 24) taking place from 3rd to 14th December.

The demonstrators in Brussels are marching together with the peoples of various countries both in and beyond Europe, who took to the streets demanding that immediate action be taken to combat climate change. The peoples are demanding real solutions and calling for political decisions so that obstacles are put to the uncontrolled action of the multinational companies, as well as demanding the enforcement of binding targets for the protection of the environment and tackling of climate change.

Today’s generation is the last one that can prevent the destruction of global warming, as well as the first generation that will suffer its consequences. The United Nations Climate Summit began its deliberations this year by issuing this warning, sending out a clear message about the gravity of the situation. We don’t have the luxury to fail again!

The Paris agreement came into force on 4th November 2016. Since then, instead of problems being reduced, they have been constantly deteriorating as the commercialization of the earth continues and the interests of the multinational companies are placed over and above the needs of the peoples. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was taken within the framework of these neo-liberal policies.

So far the commitments made by states have not yielded results. National contributions have still not been aligned with the Paris agreement, while scandals are coming to the fore and being exposed about the car industry’s fraud on greenhouse gas emissions. The goals we set for reducing emissions, the increase in renewable energy and energy efficiency are not sufficient to stop the disaster.

Unfortunately, at the level of the European Union as well, the action taken is far behind the possibilities, but also needs that exist. For example, the 27% target set for renewable energy consumption originally announced by the European Commission after the pressures we exerted rose to just 32%. Even this goal constitutes a step backwards and a setback in relation to the goal of 35% which the Group of the European United Left Group set. Subsequently the goal that was set for an increase in energy efficiency from the 30% originally announced by the European Commission was eventually set at 32.5%. Furthermore, this goal represents a step backwards and a setback also in relation to the goal of 40% which the Confederal Group of the European United Left is fighting for.

The destruction of the environment due to the abuse and misuse of the earth’s natural resources and the thoughtless activities of the multinationals is enormous. As a result, nature is taking its own revenge on us. The last four years were by far the warmest. Carbon dioxide emissions are rising to dangerous levels. Extreme weather, droughts and devastating hurricanes are increasing social inequalities even further, exacerbating the problem of energy poverty that is afflicting one in four European citizens and also damaging people’s health. Characteristically, figures released by the European Environment Agency show that approximately 50,000 people each year lose their lives because of the polluted air, at the same times as the afflicted people and victims of extreme weather phenomena have now become the most tragic figures.

Regrettably, we have now experienced in Cyprus too the tragic consequences of climate change. In the last few days we have witnessed nature’s rage. We have seen streets turn into rivers, our homes being destroyed, trees being uprooted and images and scenes of biblical destruction. Wishes are no longer enough.

At the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Katowice, Poland (COP24), it is imperative that more ambitious and binding targets are set. Only if immediate action is taken will we be able to save the planet and our children’s future. The peoples who are paying the price of the acute exploitation of the environment by the capitalist system, everywhere on the planet, are declaring that they are vigilant and ready to take action for the tackling of climate change.

However, political will is also demanded so that the strategy for the protection of the environment includes the adoption of new economic and social growth policies aimed at Sustainable Development for the benefit of the peoples and not for the exploitation of the environment to the benefit of the multinational companies.