Obama’s oratory: does it make any difference

So we’re closing in on an outcome.  Obama has spoken – moving and eloquent rhetoric.  But was there anything new?

I feel not much was there beyond what has already been stated.  Perhaps because Obama said it, there might be some movement today.  There certainly seems to be a growing willingness to achieve something that’s concrete.  How optimistic do you feel today?

Here’s my take (Obama’s points in bold – not exactly verbatim, I can’t type that fast!):

• all major economies must put forward targets - ignoring the fact that USA’s are weak targets
• need a mechanism to ensure we share information and keep commitments … not infringing on sovereignty … but ensure credibility - a jibe at China?
• finance to help developing countries to adapt … USA will be part of a ramp up to $10bn by2020, and $100bn by 2020 – BUT the latter if it is part of an accord as he described, and that’s a big IF.
• Common but differentiated responsibilities - the cynic in me says, how differentiated!
• Will we split?  Preferring posturing to action? - an attempt at using guilt to move people? Makes me think of the pot calling the kettle black.
• No country will get everything we want.  Some want aid with no strings attached. Some developed nations think they cannot afford the aid, and that developing economies must take a greater part of the burden – well, of course! Everyone knows that.  The problem is that the equitable solution cannot be agreed.  I wonder why?
• Negotiation in recent years have produced little while emissions have increased - we need to be reminded of this more often
• Time for talk is over; we can take this accord and build on it and be part of a historic endeavor for our children and grand children, or we can delay and be back for the same stale arguments until climate change is irreversible – a nice quote for the history books
• No time to waste, USA has made their choice, now the nations of the world need to come together, there has to be movement on all sides – yeah, yeah, so USA has made their choice and we take it or leave it? I would have liked a little more expression of accommodation.
• Better to act than to talk … choose the future over the past. An inappropriate either/or choice?  Isn’t our daily challenge to talk and act, take the future with the past?

OK, so a cynical response.  Sorry. Obama probably went as far as he could and still get his home legislation enacted.

China’s speech was no better, and in effect said you don’t have to have mechanisms to monitor us and enforce agreements, trust us!  Right.

Lastly, just imagine if Mugabe was given such an opportunity to motivate and move the nations of the world (shudder).  So let’s take what was said for what it is, a step in the right direction.  Perhaps the truest works Obama spoke: “let’s take this accord and build on it“

Now there are merely hours to take the last decisions.

[EDIT] Zuma now speaking: A somewhat ponderous recitation of facts … but some points that stuck out:

• Developing nations emissions must increase in the short term, with common long term responsibilities.
• Developing nation response will be conditional on technological and financial support from developed countries … rich countries must take the lead.
• With support from developed countries SA can reduce emissions 34% below business as usual by 2020.

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