Since 1997 we are witnessing conferences and meetings on climate change, but no effective measures have yet been taken to address climate change impacts. Industrialized countries should ensure helping developing countries with technologies and financial assistance to reduce carbon emissions and adopt environmentally friendly projects.'

IT is amazing to note die world leaders as yet did not realize fully that widespread degradation of environment and its effects on our planet is devastating, as can be seen from Rio conference, known as the Earth Summit, to Kyoto protocol. The industrialized countries made commitments in Rio Conference to extend financial support for sustainable development projects in the developing countries. Unfortunately, such commitments have not yet been translated into action by way of providing financial or technical assistance to the developing countries. It seems that world leaders did not carry' the message of Rio

conference home for implementation

People in industrialized countries consume ten times more commercial energy than people in developing countries and they account for 71 percent of the World's carbon monoxide and 68 percent of industrial waste. Environment is polluted by the industrial waste and carbon monoxide of the North, while poverty of the South, on the other hand, poses a serious threat to the environment. Land degradation, desertification, deforestation, effect of urbanization, over population, endangered species are indeed contributing to environmental degradation.

Industrialized countries along with rising developing countries like China, India and Brazil are contributing to

current problems of CO 2 emissions. According to one report, the United States, the European Union, China and India account for 63 percent of global carbon emissions between 2000 to 2050. US energy Information administration points out that China accounts for about 29 percent of total global emissions by 2030. China, meanwhile, announced that she would cut carbon emissions per unit of its gross domestic

product by between 40 and 45 percent by 2020, but it would not be subject to international verification. That remains a big question about China's sincerity in this context.

India, another emitter of CO 2, announced to cut emission by 20 to 25 percent until 2020. The United States proposes to cut carbon emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 while the European

Union has agreed to reduce about 20 percent below 1990 levels during the same period. Given the recession, though it is far from certain that Congress would give green signal to pass legislation to implement those cuts. It would mean imposing considerable costs on consumers and businesses in the United States.

Now let us talk about Kyoto protocol which was signed on 11 December, 1997 and United States under the leadership of George W. Bush walked out of it. This protocol plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. Industrialized countries are committed to stabilization or reduction of 5 percent in their emissions for the period from 2008 to 2012. However, developing countries are under no obligation, but were told to reduce CO 2 emissions under clean development mechanism programme (article 12).

Recent reports from a British university reveal that climate change theory is manipulated by scientists to exaggerate global warming. That has caused skepticism in many parts of the world, including the United States. According to Washington Times, UN top climate official, Yvo de Boer admitted that had damaged the image of global warming

research, but he said evidence of a warming Earth is solid. While defending UN efforts, he said rigorous review process by some 2,500 scientists involved in climate-change research is solid and thorough. This is about the most credible piece of science. On the second day of the summit, UN declares 2009 could rank among top five warmest years and display of globe balloon in the conference reflects rising sea temperature.

Unprecedented enthusiasm has been marked in attending the UN sponsored conference in Copenhagen and President of the largest industrial country, Barack Obama, likely to be present at the fag end of the conference among more than 100 world leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh and some other countries, including Maldives and New York City are certainly to be affected by rising sea levels earlier than projected.

Copenhagen conference would replace Kyoto protocol which expires in 2012. The conference is likely to define the coverage period for the targets in the next protocol define the CO 2 emissions reduction commitments by

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29