Madiba Nelson Mandela turned 91 on July 18, 2009. The former President of the Republic of South Africa and ANC leader, was honored in Africa and throughout the world. Mandela was a political prisoner for over 27 years.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
By Festus Akanbi, 11.01.2009
Nigeria ThisDay
As the world prepares for the historic climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark in December, The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders brought together by former South African president, Nelson Mandela, have told world leaders that nothing short of a decisive, ambitious, binding and effective deal would be expected from the meeting.
The group said urgent help is also needed for millions of families who are already suffering hunger and hardship, and to reduce the risk of conflict due to the effects of extreme weather patterns linked to climate change.
Elders’ Chair, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: “No one is immuned – rich, poor, developed and developing countries. We are all in this together. I will probably be spared the worst effects of climate change but I’m worried for our children’s future and for the millions of people who are already being impoverished and displaced.”
The Elders urged all heads of government to attend the talks in Copenhagen and reach an ambitious, fair, effective and binding agreement in which they agree to a two degree Celsius target as the outer limit of global temperature increase that humankind can tolerate.
They also agreed that global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 50 per cent by 2050 to stop further global warming.
The Elders group also agree that the G8 and other industrialised countries must accept their historic responsibility for the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, and commit to emissions cuts of 25-40 per cent by 2020, and at least 80 per cent by 2050, relative to levels in 1990, backed by verifiable national action plans.
They insisted that the big emerging economies should reduce their emissions through national action plans that are measurable and verifiable.
They also want industrialised countries to provide the majority of financial support of at least 100 billion euro a year to help developing countries – particularly the poorest and most vulnerable - to shift to low carbon prosperity and adapt to the damaging effects of climate change that are already taking place.
Former Prime Minister of Norway and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, said:
"Coming generations expect that today's leaders will see the opportunities and take responsibility for a low-emission, sustainable world. We urge all leaders to take action to safeguard our common future; one that requires a new level of shared commitment, based on common, but differentiated responsibilities."
Former US President, Jimmy Carter, in his contribution to the Elders position said: “Averting climate change is possible, and is much cheaper than living with the consequences. But no meaningful agreement can be reached without the United States. I urge all Americans to think carefully about the fact that our own young people face a harsh and perilous future if nothing is done to stop climate change.”
Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, said: “Climate change is not an abstract or future threat. It is happening now, with damaging consequences. Failure to take meaningful action in Copenhagen will not only fail those who are suffering today, but will also jeopardise the wellbeing of our planet and future generations.”
In his comment, former President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, said: "Developed nations and fast growing economies like Brazil, China and India must share in the common effort to put the future of the planet before short term profits.”
Graça Machel, international activist on women’s and children’s rights, said: “First of all we urge all leaders to attend the talks – this is a critical international turning point and its outcomes affect us all.
And we urge all leaders to leave behind ‘political as usual’ with its deals and delaying tactics. Leaders must lead, and do all that is necessary to preserve a livable and sustainable planet by reaching an ambitious, fair and effective agreement.”
Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland and 2008 Nobel Peace Laureate said: “Compromise has its place, but climate change is different. The laws of physics and chemistry do not wait, nor will they compromise. Either Copenhagen sets us on a course of radically reduced greenhouse gas emissions or the future of humanity is in jeopardy.”
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