The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference held in Bali, Indonesia, came to an end Saturday, December 15 with some positive elements. Among the positives were that the way was cleared for a new pact that will empower countries to fight global warming, and that the United States, in the two-week long meeting, decided to accede to the climate change arrangements as a result of massive pressure from the whole world. It should be remembered that the US refused to be signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which is the forerunner of the Bali Summit. In summing up the conference’s achievements, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Bali meet had achieved three objectives, namely the launching of negotiations on a global climate change agreement, getting members to agree to an agenda for negotiations, and agreeing to a deadline for completion - 2009. Two things come to mind out of the Bali meeting: one is that the world, and specifically America, might be learning that pulling together is the way to go to solve Earth’s multiple problems. For recalcitrant America, this might be the beginning of seeing things other people’s way, and even accepting that it is the right way. It is not insulting to say that the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the whole world takes the lead in curbing those emissions, and commits to helping poorer nations in the same noble efforts. The second good thing to come out of Bali is the fact that the world is about to undergo a tremendous change: switching from heavy fossil fuels to alternative cleaner energy like wind-driven turbines and solar. This will be the only way left to go if the treaty is ratified and restrictions start biting those abusing it. Bali is therefore an early call for big energy investors to start ambitious plans to supply cleaner energy and lessen the fears of the depletion of fossil energy that is always threatening the security of the world when richer and powerful nations fight for control of the fast-diminishing oil fields. Rwanda is strong on environmental protection; it will go the way of cleaner energy sources anytime.Ends
