Prayers on the Eve of Doom at the COP18 Economic Group
Last week brought the U.S. presidential election and the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and Japan may also hold a cabinet reshuffle before the end of December; in the final two months of 2012, on the eve of the doomsday predicted by the Maya, the world's top three economies are all changing leadership in unison, drawing the dividing line of a new era. Climbing to the peak of power, the U.S. president, the Chinese premier and the Japanese prime minister will lead every person on Earth into another unknown and breathtaking "post-European-debt-crisis period" and "post-Kyoto Protocol phase."
Over the past four years, as the financial tsunami itself and its aftermath have continued to affect the economies of countries around the world, the chaotic economic situation has left the major powers at a loss, with no time to respond head-on to the issue of climate change. Yet it is worth noting that, in fact, more and more people have begun to care about the potential threat that global warming poses to human life, and awareness of green consumption has gradually drawn people's attention as well, including organic food, the use of building materials free of chemical substances, and even the use of public transportation; therefore, COP18's final subgroup -- the Economy Group -- will focus its appeal on expanding awareness of green consumption, so that more people understand the important concepts and ideas involved.
↑Postcard design of the COP18 Economy Group
Awareness of green consumption is gradually being shaped, and government agencies, NGOs and consumers at large have already achieved a considerable degree of recognition; the significance of green consumption lies in the fact that it is not merely a sound way of responding to climate change -- these green products and services are no longer high-priced, and therefore they need to be adopted and procured more widely and extensively.
In order to spread awareness of green consumption more rapidly, besides using the power of the crowd to plant green seeds deep in society, even more important is each individual's awakening to green awareness, and enabling professionals in related fields to apply their strengths and offer creative ideas within organizations and enterprises, which can at the same time respond to the needs of society.
In addition, we all hope to live in a safe, environmentally friendly environment, so we need clean energy and a well-developed framework for energy use. This involves the question of the efficiency of corporate energy use. Because Taiwan, China lacks domestically produced energy, and industrial and commercial development has also raised energy consumption, reducing energy use, or improving its efficiency in order to lower the formation of pollution, is a rather important task; we must use clean energy and understand how to save energy, so as to reduce the impact on the environment.
On the eve of setting off for Qatar to take part in this session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP18's three subgroups (the Food Group, the Policy Group and the Economy Group) continue to absorb relevant new knowledge on their own and to discuss their content and appeals with one another, so that during the conference they can more quickly understand the progress of the issues they follow, exchange ideas with young people from other countries, and achieve the greatest results.
COP18 will record the conference process and constantly update the latest information on climate change. Thanks to the friends who continue to follow COP18 and TWYCC; we also sincerely welcome all young people who are interested in and care about issues related to COP18 to share their thoughts and opinions with us!
Linking together everyone's concern and passion for climate change, the young representatives of COP18 will carry the dreams that everyone on this island longs for, and travel together to Qatar to seek a solution that stops the doomsday clock from ticking on!
Related articles:
COP18 Food Group – The Tick-Tock of the Doomsday Clock
COP18 Policy Group – Ringing the Doomsday Alarm
For more COP18 information, stay tuned to the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition COP18 section