The heat is on

And there they are gathered in Copenhagen. The world’s representatives talking about how to face up to reality and do something about the obvious: global warming.

The Earth Summit is unique opportunity to get real and do something practical and right away to tackle the undeniable, negative effects of human development on our planet.

And yes there are still denialists. Many. Those that will accept the truth when it’s too late. When hurricanes increase in frequency and devastating strength. When longer periods of draught devastates harvests in Africa. When longer periods of rain leads to increased flooding across Asia. When Pacific islands like Kiribati plan mass evacuations as sea levels rise. There will always be denialists till death. Those that rather hide from the truth than be bold and act.

It is not about a Hollywood end-of-the-world blockbuster, nor about which University has the best climate data, nor about the West versus India and China. The majority of scientists all over the planet acknowledge that the planet is warming up and that this will have a direct effect on sea levels, storms and draught. It’s not fatalism. It’s realism with the optimism that the human race is smart enough to do something about it. If they want and have the courage.

Copenhagen is the time for leaders to lead. To show vision and boldness. Not to sit and hide and just care about the next opinion poll. Good leaders lead.

CO2 emissions can be lowered. New, cleaner energy can be developed. Solar energy is the obvious one. It’s amazing in fact how little research, tax incentives and promotional campaigns there are for solar power. Let’s take a country like South Africa. Sunlight all year round while its main energy source for providing electricity is still burning coal. A massive CO2 producer. An obvious case for solar power investment. And hybrid cars should also be stimulated – in campaigns, with tax breaks, with sexy ads,....

This is not about stopping development or a government that wants to curb personal freedom (the ultimate American lie). This is about the future.

And Copenhagen should not be a PR exercise or a game of numbers. Action is required. After agreeing on something, the real boldness is the implementation.

And for those denialists,... talk to African farmers, talk to the resident of Pacific islands,... they will tell you how global warming is already affecting their life. Every day.

Human behaviour remains a challenge. The need to look beyond the next headline is urgent.

And then Obama faces another reality check. Afghanistan. He has recently announced 30.000 extra troops to deploy and his NATO allies have committed an extra handful. It feels more and more like a quagmire. Sadly. More troops, informal exit-deadlines, a weak central government, an enemy hiding out in the mountain caves awaiting spring. It just feels rotten with no easy answers to the challenges. So far the policies of the US and NATO have not really worked. That is undeniable. Would the automatic conclusion then be to just pack and leave? What about the Taliban then? It is not unthinkable that they would easily overrun the Afghan forces and rule once again. Flash back. And then what. Move back in in a few years? Merry go round and round. Honestly,.. there is no straight solution nor a simple answer. And the US Secretary of Defence admitting he doesn’t know where Bin Laden is hiding out. Well it would be a shocker from hell if the US would know where the Al Queda boss is hanging out but not doing anything about it. That would be the ultimate betrayal.

It’s complex and sad and wasting plenty of money and without a clear vision what the future in Afghanistan might bring. Peace or extended warfare?

From the Afghan mountains to Africa. From the grand politics of war, to simple actions with a PR swing.

Ugandan President Museveni apparently flew back from London in economy class. Kick that! A stunt to shame big-spending civil servants. Nice one.

His office admits it was a public relations effort to scold Ugandan officials whom have been submitting extravagant travel expenses. Let’s hope it will be more than just a headline grabber and action against money wasting government officials will be taken. Right on.

Staying in the ‘hood.

Sudanese authorities still behave madly. Last Sunday the opposition parties wanted to hold a rally in the capital Khartoum, but it was banned last minute. Political tensions in the war-torn, oil-rich country are rising ahead of national elections in April next year.

The usual reason was used. Police claimed the necessary paperwork to get a permit to demonstrate wasn’t issued. They need an urgent lesson in democracy!
And after next April’s elections Sudan’s southern region is expected to hold a referendum on independence. Tensions ahead guaranteed. Watch this space.

Finally. Leaving grand politics and threats of war aside for some high-end example of ridiculousness. Human behaviour as a joke.

A man has wasted more than US$100 million in a casino in Las Vegas. For sure people can do with their money what they want. But such a waste is just plain ridiculous and proves this rich fool just has no heart, no soul, no humanity.

It’s human behaviour below zero.

Throw out. Listened to The Flatliners’ new release “Cynics”. It’s a 3 track ep. Previously these Toronto lads blended punkrock, reggae, and straightforward rock, but their latest songs are purely punkrock. And nice sounding too. Power and melody, and a great voice on top of it.

C-Ya

collateral – early December 2009