2009 ended as an upheaval for Surfrider and the associations committed in the fight against global warming.
As everyone understood, Copenhagen summit was a blaring failure with a disappointing minimum agreement on the 2 degrees Celsius and the obligation to publish the figures of reduction of greenhouse gases emissions by January 31st, 2010. Negotiations got stuck and our expectations were revised downwards to fit to the lack of political ambition. Eventually, we are definitely far from objectives that we had settled.
Nevertheless, this disappointment doesn’t affect our determination and we keep acting for the protection of our oceans.
Ongoing stakes are to reach a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions up to 50 % in 2020, to prepare a legislation adapted to the opening of new maritime roads coinciding with the Arctic ice melting down, and to lead the debate on indisputable consequences which will lead to sea level rise and the coastal retreat.
An important preparation has already started in anticipation of next Mexico City summit which will take place this year. In spite of failures and disappointment, we keep acting and making world leaders consider our expectations.
Find the interview of Antidia Citores, Surfrider’s environmental lawyer who attended Copenhagen summit, in PSI n°64 - Winter 2010
