Minister Lisel Alamilla addresses UN Meeting on Climate Change
Lisel Alamilla
A Belize Delegation currently in Warsaw, Poland for a UN Meeting on Climate Change joined with other small and developing countries and walked out of the meeting in protest, bringing a dramatic pause to the Conference. Belize like other small, developing states are demanding that industrialized countries honour their commitment to reduce pollution and to help poor countries pay for loss and damage caused by what has become an increasing number of violent and increasing storms. In Belize between 1998 and 2008 there were five major storms causing more than a billion dollars in damage and between 2008 to as recently as last week, the damage causes by hurricanes like Floyd and flash floods like the 2008 floods caused loss of life and hundreds of millions in damage to agriculture and to people homes. Last year, at a meeting in the Middle East, rich countries agreed to reduce their carbon emissions as well as assist develop countries meet the cost of “loss and damage” but now some of these very rich countries are once again reneging on their commitment. Minister Lisel Alamilla addressed the conference on Wednesday. She said the industrialized countries were not pushed into making a pledge.
Lisel Alamilla, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development
“Since 2012 we have had no assurances that the much doubted Copenhagen hundred billion commitment will be fulfilled. We have instead we hear excuses as to why it cannot be reached. Shockingly that Copenhagen commitment was not imposed upon any country it was undertaken by a sovereign decision of those who subscribe to Copenhagen. Madam vice president, government must also take steps to address lost and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change from extreme and slow onset events. This is extremely important for our region as climate change inflicts lost and damage on our livelihoods, coastal infrastructure, eco-systems, food and water.”
It is expected that Belize and other countries from the Group of seventy-seven and China will return to the negotiating table, but Carlos Fuller from the Climate Change Center told News Five that the walkout was precipitated by the attitude of the delegation of Australia that showed up to the meeting wearing T- shirts and short pants and made a mockery of the entire process. The objective of the negotiations in Poland is to reach an agreement, which would be signed in France in 2015 and to come into force by 2020.
There we go begging again!! Are our memories so short? Think of all the fires and smoke we endure in the dry season here, people coughing and choking and you cannot see the sun. We probably emit more carbon than most countries, per capita, yet we are trying to act squeaky clean. What about all the slash and burn that is practiced here? What has this country done to encourage tree planting and other such projects, sweet nothing! The private people who plant trees in this country have zero consultation or support from Forestry, because the FD has neither the knowledge or the will to become involved. They are more interested in collecting stamp duties on natural forests and giving rosewood concessions to their friends for peanuts. What ever happened to the Pine Ridge? Given to two political lackeys who raped it and never planted one tree back. How hypocritical for our Minister to stand up and make such a statement in front of the UN. Maybe she thought she was preaching to the cabinet who could not, or choose not to see past the big picture.