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[Milan-Cop9] "UN to allow GM-Trees for producing carbon credits"

vlo | 10.12.2003 11:28 | Ecology | Globalisation | Technology

Diplomats made a draft-plan at the Cop9 Climate Conference in Milan Tuesday that includes genetically-modified trees as a means to generate carbon credits. According to proponents, trees soak up carbon and can be used to reduce the quantity of CO2 in the air, one of the six main greenhousegases. Ministers will arrive in Milan on Wednesday to further discuss.

Propaganda on www.enn.com, GM-trees that grow high and birds like it.
Propaganda on www.enn.com, GM-trees that grow high and birds like it.


The AFP brings the issue as progress: "The agreement made at an Environmental summit in Milan will allow scientists to develop fast-growing trees with a maximized capability of storing carbon dioxide, one of the gases thought likely to be responsible for the heating of the earth's atmosphere." While including GMO-trees in the Kyoto Protocol will actually make it even economically affordable to replace the trees at your local park by GM-trees.

Among other states, Canada, Argentina and China see benefits from planting "fast-growing disease-resistant GMOs". They were arguing for their inclusion while countries wary of GMO crops like EU nations were opposed, environmental groups told Reuters.

The Ministers of the member states will arrive today to come with a conclusion about this draft plan. According to the plan, states who are to allow genetically-modified forests in their grounds, must carry out detailed risk assessments and avoid the planting of what are known as invasive species trees - those that drive out species native to the region.

Yet, there is still no real agreement, it is the draft plan ministers will further discuss the coming days. An Italian spokesman actually said the agreement was thrashed out by the German and Brazilian co-presidents of the conference, AFP reports.

The forest deal is one of the last to define the flexible mechanisms of Kyoto, means by which countries and companies can produce carbon reduction permits (carbon credits). The use of "sinks" (trees and other green that absorb carbon) is one of the most controversial issues of the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates has turned a complete blind eye to research that actually says sinks will not help anything. Under the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol, companies, consumers and countries can earn and trade their 'cabron credits'.The sinks would be included with the Clean Development Mechanism, originally intended to make it possible for developing countries to get cheap technology.

Other issues that are addressed in Milan include a fund to help developing nations adapt to the feared impact of global warming, ranging from desertification to the melting of polar icecaps. It is clear, the United Nations falls way too short to address instability of the climate, and is already looking for ways to help those countries that will suffer the most. Radical action is needed.


More on the Climate Conference in Milan, the issues under discussion in Milano and various links, see
Debates And Actions Around Climate Conference In Milan
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/12/282600.html

vlo

Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. gmo on kyoto protocol — teresa , 10.12.2003 21:30
  2. Global ban on gm-trees - sign a petition to UN — Hannu Hyvönen