Together we can make a change for the Climate Change
One of the biggest problems facing the world today is a climate change, a phenomenon which often is going unnoticed by conflicts and political crisis across the world. The attention is drawn only when we hear news about hurricanes and floods which many times result with human casualties. Each day we are witnessing abrupt weather changes that affect greatly our health. The global warming caused by the climate change brings an increase in heat waves and we know what this means for people with cardiac problems, asthma and other diseases.
Little is understood or accepted that human activity has a great deal in causing these disasters, first of all with the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are having a heating effect on the atmosphere. The most visible effect of this phenomenon is rising of the sea level, which results in the flooding of low coastal areas and as such can be a real threat for many countries.
Scientists warn of more powerful storms and more frequent droughts throughout the planet. Such things can only bring hunger. And wherever there is hunger, there is a conflict. The worst kind of conflict. The world will eventually become less safe and stable and more and more violent. But, what can we do to reduce such risks and find a long-term solution? Switching from oil, coal and gas to renewable energy, planting more trees and recycling more products can significantly improve the situation. What can an ordinary person do to stop the climate change? My answer would be: a LOT. Using public transport instead of private vehicles, using durable bags instead of plastic ones, using heaters and air conditioners only if absolutely necessary are only some of the things that can significantly contribute to stop the phenomenon. This is something we all can do.
Climate change is a global problem and Kosovo is not immune to risks and threats coming from it. Besides this problem, we are all aware of other environmental challenges Kosovo is facing. Throughout the winter we received reports indicating an alarming level of air pollution, which most of the days was labelled as hazardous. It was just impossible not to get worried and scarred about our health. And then there is the problem of waste management, which is probably the worst in the region and is far from meeting the EU standards in this area. We don’t need strong arguments for this, since it is enough to look around and see the distribution of garbage and number of illegal dumpsites beside the roads and rivers. We all have responsibilities that extend beyond our own backyards, which means having clean streets and public area as clean as our houses. There is no doubt that we all want to live in a clean and safe environment, drink clean water and breathe fresh air. Therefore this is an issue that should be taken as a priority by everyone.
It is quite encouraging to see that the global political determination to act on climate remains high. 148 countries have already ratified the Paris Agreement that entered into force in November 2016 and that directly tackles the issue. But, it is not just governments that should take action. Businesses, civil society and ordinary people have a crucial role in delivering action on the ground that will really make a difference which applies also for Kosovo. We will continue to support Kosovo's efforts to deal with climate challenges, we stand ready to share our experiences and lessons learned – we have already established extensive climate policy cooperation with some of our key partners.
During the period 2007–2013 (IPA I instrument) the EU has invested over EUR 40 million to the environment sector in Kosovo including institutional building and investment in infrastructure. Well over 20 million have been spent on energy efficiency measures, including 19 million for measures in 65 public buildings. (Under the IPA II financial framework (2014-2020), more precisely the period 2018-2020, the EU is planning to substantially invest in the improvement of services and infrastructure in this sector. I hope this support will make a difference in Kosovo.
In conclusion, climate change is one of major threats to our planet. And with our future at stake, it's an imperative to work together in order to make the climate solution a reality. If we make changes now in the way we live, we can avoid huge problems in the years to come. Scientists, governments and individuals must work together to overcome this threat. This is something that unites us all. If we don't act now, the first climate change refugees should not come as surprise to anyone. Together we can make a change for the Climate Change.
(This OP-ED is written for the occasion of Climate Diplomacy Week 2017, organized by the EU Office/EU Special Representative in Kosovo. The initiative will gather representatives of EU Member States, representatives of Kosovo institutions, civil society and general public in Kosovo to raise awareness on climate change topics through a series of events including: exhibitions, round-table discussions, movie screenings, drawing/video competition for students etc. Climate Diplomacy Week initiative was established in 2014 by the European Union and aims at raising the awareness on Climate Change. The activities in Kosovo related to this initiative will take place from 23 June to 30 June 2017).