COP15, the December nature summit in Montreal, cautions about a human driven mass extinction looming ahead

Described as the lesser-known equivalent of the climate crisis, humans do have a “once-in-a-decade" chance to fix it. In other words, it is necessary to apply brakes to the destruction of life-sustaining ecosystems. It seems global wildlife populations have plummeted nearly 70 percent in just 50 years. The result is mindboggling – experts say an unprecedented one million species are now at risk of disappearing off the earth forever. International talks are coming up in Canada next week. Its aim would be to strike a global biodiversity treaty in order to apply brakes on the nature crisis. It could be similar to the historic Paris Agreement that tackled climate breakdown. Former French diplomat Laurence Tubiana, integral to the Paris deal, said protecting climate and life-sustaining nature are "inseparable challenges, but our global governance system has splintered them." A mass extinction looms – and we have a 'once-in-a-decade chance' to fix it. The December nature summit in Montreal proposes to reverse wildlife decline by 2030, as well as to protect 30 percent of land and sea. There would be a global biodiversity goal to "direct targets, laws, policies and funding at all levels and regions, much like the Paris Agreement has started doing for climate action.” That is what Ms Tubiana says.

Professor Alexandre Antonelli, director of science Kew Gardens explains – “The climate and nature crises are "intertwined." Biodiversity is absolutely critical to our lives and we losing it at an accelerating speed." Each country has its own interests and draws battle lines over things like pollution and cash. The previous global plan to stop species extinction and habitat destruction did not help and the world failed to achieve a single 2020 target. Professor Alexandre Antonelli cautions - "It is absolutely essential that we get it right this time." Otherwise, we may "reach a tipping point, after which it may be impossible or extremely hard to revert the loss of nature." The death of the Amazon rainforest is the best example. It regulates the world's climate and provides vital water to nearby industries and megacities. However, humans have chopped down nearly 18 percent of the forests. Once it reaches 25 percent, the rainforest will stop producing water and turn into a dry savannah. Instead of absorbing climate-heating carbon dioxide, the new ecosystem would begin to unleash it. Campaigner Ruth Davis cites a drought in Argentina in 2017-18, exacerbated by deforestation in the Amazon. It inflicted $4.6bn loss to the economy of one of the biggest agricultural producers in Latin America.

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Egypt will host COP27, the annual United Nations climate talks

Glasgow held COP26 last year but the world has changed considerably over the past year. The full form of COP is Conference of the Parties. There is now an energy crisis, the war in Ukraine, tensions over Taiwan apart from situations like the floods in Pakistan. These have changed the geopolitical concept dramatically. All eyes are now on Egypt where COP27 will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh between 6-18 November. Developing nations will look forward to Egypt, a middle-income developing nation, to provide a stronger platform to their demands. This is an annual event where leaders from almost 200 countries assemble. They put their heads together to evolve methods to tackle the crisis of climate change and its impacts. Apart from leaders, thousands of observers, civil society groups and media attend too. Incidentally, France hosted the 2015 talks. It led to the historic Paris Agreement where countries agreed the need to limit global warming to below 2°C, and ideally to 1.5°C, of warming above pre-industrial levels. COP27: Everything you need to know about the United Nations climate talks in Egypt. One of the attendees would be US President Joe Biden. King Charles, known for his focus on the environment when he was Prince of Wales, would not attend. He pulled out after discussions with Britain’s Prime Minister Liz Truss. As to the presence of Britain, there is no confirmation on whether the Prime Minister will attend, or whether business secretary Jacob-Rees Mogg will come instead. He supports fossil fuel expansion.

COP might not be the ideal process, but right now, it is the single biggest geopolitical forum for countries to join hands and work together to tackle a threat that has an impact on all of humanity. The violent flooding that ravaged Pakistan is a recent example of how climate change can uproot people from their homes and heap miseries on the community. A relevant issue that might come up is on whether richer countries, responsible for the vast majority of emissions, should pay reparations to poor countries. The latter suffers the worst impacts of climate change. Another contentious issue could be the untapped gas fields of Africa. In the opinion of Nick Mabey, chief executive of think tank E3G, countries could be divided over whether to exploit untapped gas or go straight from fossil fuels to clean power.

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Didi stuck with a heap of unfinished tasks (satire)

Didi had returned to power and, while it certainly was a morale booster for her and her men, it meant that she would have to continue with the unfinished tasks ahead of her. Therefore, she called for a top secret meeting of her trusted followers.
‘Moo Cool,’ she looked at her man of all seasons. ‘What have you decided?’
‘This time we could tap the Vatican,’ he said. ‘You have made plans to go there and can carry some of our products to impress the people there.’
‘What would you suggest?’
‘Pickles to start with. Then there are our sweets like Joynagarer moah, rasogollas, sitabhog and mihidana. These are our unique creations and could open up doors of opportunity.’
‘This time we must do better than last time,’ Didi mused. ‘Our London trip was a beginning.’
‘Yes. It gave us the idea of having the Big Ben right here in Kolkata.’
‘This time we could go in for the Eiffel Tower.’

Or even Venice,’ Dee Wreck said. He had been listening to Didi and decided to intervene. ‘Venice is the land of waterways and gondolas. Bollywood movies have already filmed some scenes in those surroundings.’
‘Yes,’ Omit Misra joined the conversation. ‘We could have gondolas in the Keshtopur Canal. It will add to beautification’
‘But what about industries?’ Didi asked. ‘I am not getting airlines to begin flights. Just now I got the message that one of them has packed up. They didn’t even bother to tell me!!’
Patro Chatto had been quiet till now. He had put on a lot of weight and had difficulty in speaking but he appeared to be not too concerned. After all, obesity is a sign of a successful politician.
‘In my opinion, we could go in for harnessing solar power. The solar power boats in Varanasi is an example. It does not require much land and both agriculture and industry can coexist. I think we could explore this market.’
Didi now looked towards Abhi Shake.
‘We already have a well-oiled machinery to manufacture bombs,’ he said. ‘I think we could approach the Ministry of Defense to give us legitimacy. I am certain that such an industry will make more profits and create more employment than any small car manufacturing unit.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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