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面對氣候變遷 北極理事會的首要任務

2013年05月23日
摘譯自2013年5月16日ENS瑞典,基努那報導;藍巧軒編譯;蔡麗伶審校

加拿大北極理事會部長里歐娜●阿盧卡克簽署基魯那協定。(照片提供:北極理事會)8位北極地區國家的部長和原住民代表本月中旬達成共識,以「一個和平、穩定的區域」做為北極地區未來的發展目標。

《北極展望》宣言中提到,「北極地區的經濟潛力是相當高的,該地區的永續發展是其復原和繁榮的關鍵。氣候變遷造成的影響加重、北極地區大規模冰雪、永凍土融化對當地及全球所造成的衝擊,都讓我們感到憂心。我們將持續採取行動,減少溫室氣體和短週期氣候污染物的排放,並支持氣候變遷調適的相關措施。」

加拿大是目前北極理事會的輪值主席。

加拿大衛生部長里歐娜‧阿盧卡克表示,「我們加拿大很榮幸能接下理事會主席的位置,『北方地區人民的發展』會是加拿大擔任理事會主席期間的主要議題。其他次要的議題包括北極地區社區的永續發展、有限度的資源使用和北極地區航運安全等。

在加拿大任北極理事會主席期間,理事會將會進行下列計畫,其中包括建立北極圈商業論壇,提供機會讓商業活動共同參與理事會的計畫中;持續進行溢油汙染的防治;還有採取行動解決短週期氣候污染粒子─如黑碳和甲烷的問題等。

北極理事會還簽訂了一份新的、具有法律約束力之《北極地區海洋溢油汙染預防及應變合作協議》,這份協議為處理北極地區溢油事故提供了緊急處理的合作框架。

俄羅斯外交部長拉夫羅夫(左)和美國國務卿約翰●凱瑞,2013年5月15日在瑞典基魯那。(照片提供:美國國務院)部長們在會議中簽署的《基努那宣言》(Kiruna Declaration)中也提到,「我們必須了解到,全球溫室氣體的排放導致氣候和北極地區的物理環境產生劇烈變化,也在全球社會、生態系統產生了廣泛的影響。」協議中也再次重申「增加國際和全球行動以減輕並適應氣候變遷的必要性‧‧‧」

北極理事會成員國包括:加拿大、丹麥、芬蘭、冰島、挪威、俄羅斯、瑞典和美國。另代表北極地區原住民團體參與會議的6個國際團體則具有永久參與的資格。

Arctic Council Prioritizes Sustainable Development, Climate Action
KIRUNA, Sweden, May 16, 2013 (ENS)

Ministers from the eight Arctic states and representatives of the Arctic Indigenous Peoples Wednesday adopted a shared vision statement for the future development of the region as a "zone of peace and stability."

"The economic potential of the Arctic is enormous and its sustainable development is key to the region's resilience and prosperity," states the "Vision for the Arctic."

"We are concerned with the growing effects of climate change, and the local and global impacts of large-scale melting of the Arctic snow, ice and permafrost. We will continue to take action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants, and support action that enables adaptation," says the vision statement.

Canada now takes the helm. "Canada is honored to assume the Chairmanship of the Council," said Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative MP for the Arctic territory of Nunavut and Canada's Minister of Health. "The theme for Canada's Chairmanship is Development for the People of the North," with sub-themes of sustainable Arctic communities, responsible resource extraction, and safe Arctic shipping.

During the Canadian Chairmanship, the Arctic Council program will include the establishment of a Circumpolar Business Forum to provide new opportunities for business to engage with the Council; continued work on oil pollution prevention; and action to address short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon and methane.

Arctic Council States signed a new, legally-binding Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in the event of an emergency to improve procedures for combating oil spills in the Arctic.

The Kiruna Declaration, which the ministers also signed at the meeting, expresses "concern that global emissions of greenhouse gases are resulting in rapid changes in the climate and physical environment of the Arctic with widespread effects for societies and ecosystems and repercussions around the world," and reiterates "the urgent need for increased national and global actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change…"

The Arctic Council includes: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. Six international organizations representing Arctic Indigenous Peoples have permanent participant status.

※ 全文及圖片詳見:ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.