South Africa is host of the next round of talks under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held in Durban from 28 November - 9 December 2011. The timing is critical, as the only legally binding international agreement to limit emissions that we currently have – the Kyoto Protocol – is due to end in 2012.
As a backdrop to the talks, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that the risk from extreme weather events due to climate change is likely to increase. And the International Energy Agency has announced that it will not be possible to stop global temperatures rising 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels, without a rapid decision to stop the growth of the current fossil fuel infrastructure.
Meanwhile, according to the Guardian, rich nations have 'given up' on a new climate treaty until 2020. And new batch of emails from the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit has been released on the internet, timed shortly before the annual UN climate summit just as in 2009 the original 'climategate' emails were released before the critical Copenhagen talks.
What can we do?
1. Lobby Chris Huhne
Christian Aid is asking supporters to write to Chris Huhne, the secretary of state for energy and climate change, and ask him to act in the interests of the world's poor when he represents the UK in Durban
2. Take part in the climate change march on 3rd December
The Climate Justice March takes place in London on Saturday 3rd December, followed by a rally outside Parliament.
3. Pray
The climate change march on 3rd December will be preceded by climate prayers led by Christian Ecology Link at 11.30 am at St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside. Operation Noah will be there!
4. Be informed
Official conference website
Statement on Durban from the World Council of Churches
Guardian series of articles on Durban
Stop Climate Chaos: The African Climate Connection
Blog documenting South African civil society's part in COP17.
