What to expect from Rio+20?

Taking place in 2012, twenty years after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, it is marked as an opportunity to look ahead to the world we want in 20 years, how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet.

Environmental protection should be in focus of millions living in disaster-prone countries. Yes, Thailand is included. But how many in Thailand know about this conference?

Some may be too busy with rehabilitating their flood-damaged houses. Many already have their houses repainted. New furniture is bought. Uncertain of what will happen this year, amid unclear forecasts of rainwater volume that indicate both drought and floods, some manage to live light. Moveable furniture is bought. Some move all properties upstairs, leaving the lower floor empty – just in case for a revisit of floods. 

Villagers are all ears if their land would be part of the designated water-retention areas. 

In this circumstance, it is favourable to learn that Bangkok is dredging all waterways while the government is expected to unveil detailed investment plans to prevent another huge loss to lives and properties.

It is good to have infrastructure ready, but it is a big question if it can withstand accelerated environment degradation. How much more do we need then? It is alarming to learn that Asian Development Bank estimated Asia Pacific would require US$40 billion a year to mitigate the global warming impacts, through 2050. 

Would it be cheaper if all in the world change lifestyles, to cut down energy consumption or live a greener life? In the inter-connected world, this requires a global scale of cooperation. Certainly, I know that it is impossible. Several European countries should be commended for their initiatives to become greener. They, including Germany, target to raise renewable energy ratio to 20 per cent in 2020. 

Airlines operating in Europe are told to cut down carbon emission. But in this interconnected world, this initiative drew strong opposition from many countries which also operate aviation business in Europe. Chief among them is China, which threatened to cancel orders worth US$1.2 billion for Airbus aircraft. It is just a matter of time that pressure would lead to a policy reversal.

Cheering up the mood is news that BMW is introducing its hybrid car to Thailand, at the motor show later this month. Toyota Motor Thailand’s new Camry Hybrid also comes with engine that promises 24 per cent energy saving compared to the old models. It would be nice if the number of these green vehicles all over the world skyrocket. Then, we are promised the same commuting comfort, but at lower cost to the environment. (I don’t take into account the need for garages, at the cost of some trees.)

Hmm, how good would it be if half of the $40 billion investment, that ADB forecast, can be turned to research and development of green lifestyle products? If the pace of environmental degradation slows, we should need a fewer amount for infrastructure to mitigate the impacts, right?

It is just a dream, though. Just for this year, the Thai government is borrowing Bt400 billion for the infrastructure investment. However, R&D spending, if assumed to be at 2 per cent of Bt10 trillion gross domestic product, would be just Bt200 billion. 

It seems we are forced to deal with short term problems that we have no energy and resources left for long term ones. We have mouths to feed. We need infrastructure to protect our assets. That explains why I don’t expect much change to be induced by the resolutions reached at Rio+20 and I completely understand why people still buy houses in flooded areas. Yes, they need a place a stay. 

Sorry for being pessimistic this time. Yet, I’m still hopeful for crucial resolutions. In the meantime, I will grow more trees and I’m ready to share the oxygen with others living on this interconnected planet.