Last year's disappointing climate summit in Copenhagen demonstrated if not proved two important things about "saving the earth": 1. Sustainability is a very emotional topic for some 2. Sustainability is a financial topic for most Unfortunately, what transpired in Copenhagen is probably the rule, rather than the exception. It was disheartening to realize the events probably represent and reflect the domestic and world population's perspective on saving the environment. Perhaps due to decades of protesting, a wide array of real or perceived injustices, unruly public demonstrations have for the most part become unproductive. Even the nightly news has lost interest in well meaning protesters being hauled away by force. I recall the first time I saw an eco activist chained to a tree in the seventies, and thinking "how cool is that." It did not matter what the cause was, I really admired the commitment.
Last year's disappointing climate summit in Copenhagen demonstrated if not proved two important things about "saving the earth":
1. Sustainability is a very emotional topic for some
2. Sustainability is a financial topic for most
Unfortunately, what transpired in Copenhagen is probably the rule, rather than the exception. It was disheartening to realize the events probably represent and reflect the domestic and world population's perspective on saving the environment.
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Perhaps due to decades of protesting, a wide array of real or perceived injustices, unruly public demonstrations have for the most part become unproductive. Even the nightly news has lost interest in well meaning protesters being hauled away by force. I recall the first time I saw an eco activist chained to a tree in the seventies, and thinking "how cool is that." It did not matter what the cause was, I really admired the commitment.
Three or four decades later, I realize what drew attention in that era, is now for the most part perceived as futile acts by someone at the losing end of an argument. Regardless of how sincere the motives or heartfelt the emotions, that type of action is not likely to move on-lookers from their steadfast self-focused positions. I now know that most compromise is made and ground gained in negotiations that are conducted in private and out of the camera's view.
Green Is Indeed the Color of Money
In Copenhagen we learned countries are no different than people in that they tend to think and vote their checkbook, more so than with their heart. When push comes to shove, you can usually count on people doing what is in their best financial interest.
Even when the world economy was booming, we could not expect an underdeveloped country to agree to a deal that was almost certain to keep in its present, underdeveloped state. Just like we cannot expect a country that is growing rapidly in a depressed world economy to agree to a deal that is likely to make it lose jobs, profits or its competitive advantage. While we are all citizens of one earth, it is naturally our own families and nations that we are most determined to protect.
Article continues: http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/02/reflections-on-copenhagen-the-economics-of-green/
