Climate – Let the voice of reason guide us from Geneva to Copenhagen
Bern, 03.09.2009 - Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger, at the High-level Segment of the World Climate Conference, WCC-3, Geneva, 3 September 2009
Distinguished Presidents, Heads of State, and Secretaries General,
Ladies and gentlemen,-
On behalf of the host country, I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the World Climate Conference, which is being held in Geneva for the third time.
- I am particularly honoured to welcome the Heads of State and Heads of Government as well as the United Nations Secretary-General to a conference that aims to help the world progress towards greater solidarity.
I would like to thank the World Meteorological Organization and its partners for having organised this meeting so efficiently.
Tension
Ladies and gentlemen,
The entire world is feverishly seeking a consensus for Copenhagen. We are holding our breath as talks are all focusing on the results that could be obtained, as each country is getting prepared, and as an increasing number of negotiations are conducted.
This is because the stakes are huge: we must stabilise global warming, which should not rise by more than two degrees Celsius above to pre-industrial levels.
Because a consensus needs to be reached among countries with interests as different as those of Tanzania and Australia, Tuvalu and Canada, Brazil and Russia, China and the member states of the European Union, and Bangladesh and the United States.
Because we must all come to an agreement. However, our political systems diverge significantly. Our religious beliefs are not identical. We speak different languages. We do not share the same history, mentality or cultures.
Reason
The conference we are holding this week has not shaken the whole planet. At least not yet! It is of a more discreet and modest nature, and has always been this way, steeped in the scientific world of meteorology, favouring rational thought. Even though, here as in Copenhagen, the countries represented make no secret of their differences.
And yet, it is precisely here, in Geneva, far from the limelight, that some of the foundations of climate policy were laid.
This is where the work was done that led to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. The WMO’s first World Climate Conference in 1979 was a determining factor for the foundation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This panel has, through the preparation of numerous reports, confronted us with the reality of statistics and climate change, and has made us aware of our responsibility.
This is also where the work was done that has given us the global “law” on our climate. The second Climate Conference held in 1990, resulted in the principles of the UN Convention on Climate Change, which were then discussed in Rio.
And, last but not least, it is here that we will create a climate information system for weather forecasts for the decades to come. This should help us to prepare for disasters such as typhoons, and issue warnings with the help of alarm systems,
This will also help us to adapt to future changes,
and to decide where to build and where not to.
Once again, it is reason allied with science that will guide us in our work.
Inspiration
And it is perhaps in part this work and the rational decisions made in Geneva, sheltered from pressing expectations and the pressure of public opinion that will give us the opportunity to achieve positive results in Copenhagen.
Reason places us face to face with reality: climate change is expensive, very expensive, for all countries regardless of whether they are rich, emerging or developing countries.
We must therefore all commit ourselves to reducing our emissions. And we will need to find the financial resources to protect ourselves from the existing effects of global warming.
You may know that Switzerland drew up a proposal for an Adaptation Fund, based on the polluter pays principle. It is a simple approach that seems fair to us.
With a view to the Copenhagen Conference, let us take inspiration from the rational thought and consensus that dominate our work in Geneva.
Let reason guide our work! It is reason that will allow us to rise above our divisions and our short-term interests.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let us be ambitious.
Let us move forth into the Age of Climatic Enlightenment.
Address for enquiries
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), Press and Information service, Bundeshaus Nord, 3003 Bern, +41.31.322.55.11
Publisher
General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications; General Secretariat DETEC
https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html
