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Tehran, Iran -- The G8 must show that it is in touch and relevant. The group has risen above two world wars and has been ideologically united against conflict over the last 100 years. Such unity is now necessary to engage festering issues. Transparency, an even hand and (financial) muscle, are needed.
Climate change is no longer a theory; it’s a harsh reality, impacting the lives of everyone. Its pace and momentum of the change is perhaps its most alarming aspect.
The question leads to several thoughts. The first thought is that the Olympic selection committee was not concerned with environmental issues some eight years ago when Beijing was chosen as a host. They were too busy with issues such as airports and hotel rooms, stadiums, finance, and government support. Somehow, they did not look into the future and neglected to forecast the environmental issues. Global Warming was not the fashionable topic in those days!
**Editor's Note: This piece was written in response to a question asking panelists to choose the best of six proposals on how to move forward on climate change. Read More Panelist Views**
Oh, sure! A meeting in Bali, about a 16-year-old festering document, is going to change the rigid mindset of the whole world! The hollow words like roadmaps, consensus and “leadership” really ought to do it this time!
More seriously, I think these challenges must first compel us into a paradigm shift and a modernization of principles--security, competition, fairness and development. Without rewired logic, none of the proposed methods will happen. All will heap on the last pile of broken promises.
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