The snow, sleet and ice blanketing much of central, eastern and southern China killed more than a hundred; cut power; and crippled transportation just before the Chinese Lunar New Year. The snow and ice wreaking havoc at the start of 2008 is hardly unknown to China. Rather, it sounds alarm bells for global climate change.
The United Nations Meteorological Agency (WMO), based in Geneva, recently released a report saying the recent month-long snow and ice storms in central, southern and eastern China could be related to the La Nina phenomenon: the climatic opposite of El Nino.
However, the WMO report also pointed out that China's freeze-up had several causes, including a cold surge from the north and west.
Meanwhile, China's meteorologists tracked down the root cause of the abnormal weather; and also attributed the climatic anomalies to the La Nina phenomenon.
The brutal weather has cost over billions in economic losses and over a hundred lives. Since January 10, snow, sleet and low temperatures swept through China – a rare occurrence for the areas affected, according to the China Meteorological Bureau.
"La Nina" is the name given to a weather phenomenon, the direct opposite of El Nino, in which unusually cool water from the Pacific Ocean affects weather conditions nearly the world over.
Climate change is an issue shared by the entire world, and the international community needs to make substantial steps and negotiations towards securing a global agreement.
Representatives from over 100 countries and international organizations attended a two-day, upper-level session; and exchanged views on how to make progress in climate change negotiations, known as the Bali road map, launched at the Bali Conference.
To secure a new, global post-2012 agreement on climate change within the next two years, both developed and developing countries should adhere to common but differentiated responsibilities.
Developed countries should strengthen emissions reduction policies. Additionally, effective participation by developing countries will largely depend on whether developed countries will provide financial and technological assistance.
Therefore, effective mechanisms should be set up immediately to ensure that measurable, reportable and verifiable assistance be provided to developing countries, with regard to financial resources, technology and capacity building. In this manner, developing countries will be able to make greater contributions to the fight against global climate change.
China, which has been plagued by the most severe snow disaster in half a century, has adopted policies and measures to respond to the challenge; and will enhance its ability to adapt to climate change. Meanwhile, China vows to assist other developing countries; and advocate for post-2012 international cooperation on climate change.
In conclusion, the important components embraced in the roadmap—mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financing—should be given equal emphasis in order to effectively respond to climate change.
By People's Daily OnlineAuthor：China Others Time：2008-05-24 From：china daily
