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EIGHT PROPOSALS FOR A SCIENTIFIC AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS AFTER THE COPENHAGEN SUMMIT 2009

The Copenhagen Climate Change Summit represents an unprecedented opportunity at the local, regional and world level for international organizations, countries, their economies and societies to face the climate change problem, and all the attendant effects on health, biodiversity, economy, immigration, regional conflicts, etc.
           While it is true that non-governmental organizations and the public can not express their views to influence the decision making process at the Copenhagen Summit they can formulate a common vision informed from their civil society knowledge base to guide countries, societies, civil groups and the economy with strategic responsibility.

We strongly support a binding and effective agreement to be ratified at the Summit. An agreement to include ambitious targets and efficient “tools” to address all aspects of the issue. The Copenhagen Summit must have teeth and applicability to impose minimum emissions targets, deadlines and the apportion of responsibility. The resulting agreement must encourage support countries to make radical changes which go well beyond whatever is agreed. This debate for “more than Copenhagen targets” should begin in Greece forthwith. This must be done around the world. We need a global integrated approach on the issue of sustainable development.

          Our organisation proposes eight key points that will help humanity move towards a holistic approach towards climate change and the looming environmental crisis. Here we analyze these points in depth.

1- Going forward it will become obvious that economic growth and population growth is not environmentally sustainable and the following will become a necessity. Fair trade linked to a reduction of consumer good demand and production. An agreement which addresses the root causes of excessive consumerism, particularly in Western society. Reduced amounts of excessive waste – The application of sound waste management principles, recycling and re-using materials wherever possible.

2- Promotion and support of environmental, energy and consumer good production research as well as promotion of innovation and energy saving technology for all goods and resources. The development of a sustainable consumer good life cycle..

The next two points refer to the promotion of a green economy.
3- The development of well-planned green Keynesian economic policies of employment and welfare. Corporate costs that have been externalised should be charged back to the corporation. The development of global, regional and local economies. Policies to ensure equitable, social justice, solidarity and wealth re-distribution. This section is related with the direct state role for adaption to the changes with the minimum possible cost.

4- Make corporations responsible for all their externalised environmental and social costs. Adoption of instant penalties against corporations who externalize costs. This would lead to the Sustainable Integration of Markets. 

5- Adoption of structural, legal and administrative measures that will reinforce climate and environmental policies. The necessity of reinforcing environmental policies that will lead to the Sustainable Integration of the public sector  and the formation of policies for social, economic, environmental and cultural development, which is a crucial for the development of environmental policy.

6- Transparent and open development of comprehensive, innovative co-operative systems, structures and networks. Development of corporate social responsibility in terms of economic growth, management, innovation and ethics related to climate change and the environment. Systems that are both socially coherent and promote human solidarity. There is also a  need for Sustainable Integration of NGO’s and other aspects of the Social Sector of Economy and voluntary work.. 

7- The creation of a global, open knowledge bank of best practices, systems, concepts and models. Support for climate and holistic environmental research. Fully open access to the knowledge bank so that anyone can make proposals..

8- The creation of organizations and establishment of efficient frameworks for the handling of all climate and environmental emergencies. The assessment, prevention and minimization of social and environmental cost and danger at the local, state, regional and world-wide level with effective international and social coherence as well. 

There are three aims (targets) behind these eight points (and sections);
1- Fair policies that are inclusive of all of humanity to avoid the creation of “environmental apartheid”,. This sort of subtle apartheid would only serve to deepen the economic, political, social and cultural chasm between rich and poor and would identify the regions that are already burdened or environmentally “bankrupt” and in severe environmental crises.

2- The comprehensive and long term tackling of climate change and environmental crisis, as the Earth and its Climate have no Emergency Exit.

3- We should confront climate and environmental crisis in synergy with other humanitarian problems from the basis of a sense of human unity and a completely democratic plan as well.

         These eight points and their implementation require detailed specialization for the accomplishment of the three targets. Consequently, an open, instant and detailed debate targeting an agreement for action is required.

          Moreover, from this framework of a responsible, environmental approach a new direct dealing with the issues of climate change should also be put into effect by international economic organizations such as the IMF, the World Bank and the OECD.

By Yannis Zisis – member of Solon NGO
info@solon.org.gr