Re: UN Conference Returns to Rio

In Rio, about twenty years ago, 172 countries joined in declaring that the “right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.” Four main concerns surfaced at the Rio summit: these included the scrutiny of production to eliminate toxic byproducts, emphasis on public transport to reduce emissions, the growing scarcity of water, as well as a quest for alternative sources of non- fossil energy. Excluding the first concern, not much has been done to address the others. Carbon emissions continue to be a problem since the U.S. timorously refused to ratify the Kyoto protocol. Governors around the U.S. have rejected federal funding for high speed electronic rail, some Republican Presidential candidates (front-runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich included) are still refusing to acknowledge that global warming is a problem, and safeguarding water supply, is still a perennial hydra-headed monster, even in the U.S.

With no viable successor to Kyoto in sight, this could be a uniquely opportune moment for Brazil to be hosting this conference. This summer, Brazil, as an emerging world power which has reached a take-off point in economic and political sectors, has a chance to reinvigorate the quest for global commitment to sustainable development at Rio+20. The volatility of the European markets has softened the recovery of the Latin American economy. This fact, coupled with the lessons learned from a series of economic crises of the past few years, would do well to serve as a reminder to recommit the South American nation, the region, and the world to the principles first declared at Rio 20 years ago.  Our leaders must excuse and more importantly try to understand the need to secure sustainable development even at the cost of often myopic national interests. Exploitation of resources and sustainable economic growth need not be mutually exclusive. Latin America, led by Brazil, has the opportunity to return sustainable development to the front burner of the global agenda, for the benefit, not just of the region, but hopefully, the world at large.

Sincerely,

Ekow Bartels-Kodwo