The conference of Copenhagen

The conference of Copenhagen

The  complete name is the United Nations Climate

Change Conference.

192 countries and 5-6,000 observers and journalists

are taking part in the conference from 7^th to 18^th

December.

It is divided into two main parts:

The 15^th Conference of parties (Cop15) and the

5^th Conference of the parties (Mop5) linked to the

Kyoto Protocol.

The objective of the two events is to define a world

strategy to obtain a reduction in CO2 emissions as

from 2012, the year in which the Kyoto Protocol expires.

(Francesco Tonoli,  Michela Ribero, Elena Eandi)

WHY IS EVERYTHING SO URGENT?

Scientists have established a direct connection between

greenhouse gases deriving from human activities

and global warming, with dramatic consequences

on the Earth, such as climate change, desertification,

deforestation, ice melting at the Poles and a rise in sea

levels.

It is like the screenplay of a catastrophic Hollywood

film: unfortunately it is all happening these days.

(Sofia Mondino)

WHO ARE THE GREAT POLLUTERS?

Most industrialized countries pollute the atmosphere

with about 250 million tons of CO2 every year,

while the developing countries – led by China,

India and Brazil – account for about 80 million tons

every year.

The EU Commission has foreseen that from 2020,

the developing countries will cause the greatest

amount of pollution, if the policy remains unchanged.

(Jessica Garino)