Soham Baba, leader of the Soham Baba Mission Foundation, says more efforts are needed to preserve nature than to destroy it. Speaking at the Inkosi Luthuli International Convention Centre, he stressed that climate change effects have drastically changed the livelihoods of the Himalayans. –> He vows to continue fighting on behalf of the indigenous people, saying what could not be done in Cancun can still be achieved in Durban. Emphasising on the hardships of the Himalayans, which he says are a result of the impact of climate change, he says there is a growing concern because people of the Himalaya will soon starve as crops start to dry-out. Baba – who claims to own seven caves in the Himalaya, two ice caves and one storm cave – went to length to explain how glaziers are melting and getting thinner, saying there is danger posed to the existence of the wonders of the people of Himalaya.
Island nations say there is a need for increased political will to upscale talks around vulnerability issues
His briefing came just after a presentation by Climate Analytics’ Joeri Rogeli and Michiel Schaeffer, who will be providing scientific advice to organisations during the COP 17 duration. –> The larger part of their presentation, commissioned by the Alliance of Small Island States, held at the Island Pavillion at the ICC’s Lower Level Area 3, focused more on indicating how energies can be channelled to bridge the gap in fighting the carbon emission battle. They have called for strict implementation of immediate negotiation issues as well as strategic interventions to reduce emissions of the global energy system. The presentation, which mainly focused on impacts of climate change and the struggle of island nations, highlighted the need to increase a share of energy from biomass. Island nations say there is a need for increased political will to upscale talks around vulnerability issues. They have noted that the European Network of Environmental Professionals will present an Emissions Synthesis Report to delegates at COP 17 tomorrow and hand it over on December 6.
– By Tshepo Tsheole, Durban
