At Home Artistes Continue Clamour.
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THERE seems to be a few positive hints coming out of this year’s Conference of Parties (COP21) now underway in Paris that many of the political leaders from 150 nations really do want to commit to saving the planet from extinction.
Unlike the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol onto which 192 nations signed a non-binding agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012, COP21 makes a definitive statement. For starters, agreement is being sought on a legally-binding pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to maintain average global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius (or 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, small island developing states (SIDS) are pushing for consensus on a 1.5 degrees (or 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) figure, arguing that SIDS stand to lose more from climate change despite doing very little to contribute to the problem. Working groups are currently being convened in Paris in preparation for an anticipated agreement.
Back in Saint Lucia, however, the momentum continues to be maintained enough to keep the anticipated spirit of the Paris talks alive. Last Sunday afternoon, several artistes voiced their support for the highly-vociferous #1.5tostayalive movement through poetry, drama and song.
Held at the Arts Café in downtown Castries, the event drew performances from Marie-Claude Alexander, RegicaHippolyte and Elizabeth Volney (of the Travis Weekes Project), KendelHippolyte, Ayamba Eloise, Zandilli, Stan Bishop, Danielle Lulu Bergasse, TK Da Boss and Garner Raymond.
The audience was small but the message was nonetheless powerful. Even Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Sylvester Clauzel, dropped in to thank the artistes for keeping the vibe alive.
Meanwhile, U.S. President, Barack Obama, seemed optimistic as he addressed a press conference in Paris earlier this week.
“I’m optimistic,” Obama said. “I think we’re going to solve it. I think the issue is just going to be the pace and how much damage is done before we are able to fully apply the brakes.”
The U.S. ranks after China as the world’s biggest producers of greenhouse gases and Obama acknowledged that having played a role in causing the problem, “we embrace our responsibility to do something about it.” Chinese President, Xi Jinping, described the Paris talks as “not a finish line, but a new starting point”, adding that the differences among nations should be taken into account in any agreement.
The consensus among many Saint Lucian artists and others striving for a cleaner planet is that clamouring for the cause will undoubtedly outlive the 12 days of COP21. In fact, many have already adopted OECS Director-General’s catchphrase – “We will clamour if we must, but they will hear us” – as their new climate change anthem.
