Bali Climate Change 2007 –saving the Kyoto Protocol and the World

To the outside world, Bali has been known as the Island of Gods and 1000 temples for its rare combinations of natural beauties and its vibrant culture which seamlessly mix religion into almost every aspect of the daily life.  For decades it has been playing host to travelers and visitors from the neighboring regions and the far flung corners of the earth.  Its tropical climate provides solace to those who have to go through the bleak winter months.  Access is bountiful as many major airlines provide daily direct flights to Denpasar, the capital city, from major cities in Asia from Taipei, Singapore,  Tokyo, and Seoul just to name a few.

 

This December of 2007, Bali is also playing key roles to the future well beings of the world by hosting the climate change talks as the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol.  Despite Bali’s serene and beautiful surroundings, all eyes and hears are attuned to the tones and messages of the delegates from both the developed and developing countries.  There are high hopes that significant progresses will be made as the recent UN report on climate change indicates that global warming is real and so are its threats, and calls for fast and concerted global actions to combat it. 

 

 For Bali, this important event carries blessings in so many respects.  From the ruins of the recent bombing of 2005, Bali’s hosting of this important event should serve as one of the key milestones for Bali on its road to recovery.  There is no doubt that the presence of delegates of countries from virtually every corner of the globe is good for the Balinese economy.  For accommodations, the delegates would have plenty of choices from the 5-Star resort hotel such as Four Seasons, and wide arrays of more affordable ones.  After the long days of stressful negotiations on the green-house gas emissions, they could rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit from the many activities that Bali could offer.  For example, they could take long strolls at the Sanur or Kuta beach.  Jimbaran known for its excellent seafood has emerged as one of the favorites places for people to enjoy the quiet evenings on the beach, having their dinner served under the stars. 

 

From advertising perspective, this event is also a great platform for Bali to reclaim its image as a safe haven that welcomes anyone who believes in and seeks for ultimate peace and truth beyond any religions, races, and nationalities.  Of course, it is now more than ever up to the Bali local government along with its security apparatus to ensure that Bali has learnt the hard and painful lessons from the past bombings and should do whatever it takes to prevent those events from occurring in the future.  By now, more stringent security measures are in place not only at the prominent port of entry such as at the Ngurah Rai airport but perhaps more importantly at the Gilimanuk port that welcomes mostly domestic travelers and migrant workers from the neighboring Java island.  And if my instinct is right, there should be even more visible security presence at popular public places especially the ones that foreign travelers frequent.  By and large, this event is the culmination of the great efforts of many who want Bali to reclaim its glory and definitely away from the destructive perceptions of the one of the Asia hotspots. 

 

Going back to the climate change talks, of course Bali welcomes the handful of great news coming especially from Australia with its newly elected PM Kevin Rudd who sticks to his election campaign promises for his government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.  The Rudd government also takes the next step in its initiative to go green by formally yet peacefully going against the Japanese whaling.  This change of tune from Australia is a definitely welcome sign since the recent UN report points Australia among the leading contributor of the green house gases.  As noted by Al Gore, the recent Nobel Peace laureate and is present as a private citizen, the Australian people have indicated that they disagreed with the Howard government and they want change, and now he hopes the American people will follow suit in the 2008 US Presidential election.  

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