THE gloomy view from the international climate change negotiations, held in Milan in December 2003, was that the Kyoto protocol was 鈥渄ying a death of a thousand cuts鈥� (快猫短视频, 13 December 2003, p 6). This is also my impression. But a minister tells me: 鈥淭he government鈥檚 view is that Kyoto is the only game in town.鈥�
The trouble with the Kyoto protocol, which commits countries to limiting their greenhouse gas emissions, is partly the US opt-out 鈥� the US is responsible for more than 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emission 鈥� and partly the Russians鈥� delay in ratifying it. Environment minister Elliot Morley agrees that the 鈥渃ontraction and convergence鈥� approach, which 快猫短视频 outlined, is a possible alternative to Kyoto. But he says that the approach requires, among other things, global participation and an agreement on target levels for stabilising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. And if the Milan negotiations are any indication, Morley believes there is no immediate prospect of securing these two vital ingredients.
Ministers say the UK鈥檚 track record in reducing domestic emissions and its commitment to cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 are important. It shows that it is possible to cut emissions and yet to achieve economic growth. The UK should persevere in trying to be an example.
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THE boom in herbal medicines threatens to wipe out up to a fifth of the world鈥檚 plant species on which the practice depends (快猫短视频, 10 January, p 10). Natural habitats are being wrecked and the health of millions of people in developing countries is in jeopardy as a result. Morley says that the UK, as a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), is committed to banning or controlling trade in endangered wildlife species. A UK discussion paper titled Traditional Medicine and Endangered Species was endorsed in the 10th CITES conference in 1997. It included a call for more research into substitutes for endangered species used in traditional medicines.
Morley went on to say that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) works within the Convention on Biological Diversity on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. The strategy provides a framework for action aimed at stopping the continued loss of plant diversity. In response, DEFRA is funding a number of research projects, such as a review by the Royal Botanic Gardens of trade in artificially propagated plants, and a study by Middlesex University, London, on a range of plant substances for use as alternatives to animal products in traditional medicine.
Clearly this issue requires vigilance. I would be pleased to hear from any reader who knows of countries or areas that are suffering unreasonable destruction for the sake of making a quick buck on herbal medicines.
