Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent declared on Monday that his country will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. This decision has drawn criticism and is perceived as a step backward from the achievements of the Durban climate conference.
Canada is one of the richest countries in the world. Its natural resources per capita are also among the highest. Yet it has failed to honor its committed emissions target. Staying in the Protocol would force the country to pay a $14 billion fine which drove it to quit.
Western countries have not enjoyed good reputations in curbing their emissions. Despite their lofty slogan of saving the earth, Western countries prioritize their own interests much more than cooperation. The US, for instance, is still outside the Protocol. The climate change campaign was initiated by those developed countries, but it seems that they are quite at ease with the contradiction between their big words and their selfish actions.
Can international relationships become more civilized? Can humankind put aside individual interests for the larger good of the world? The outcome of the climate change campaign will provide answers to these questions. Canada's decision has warned us not to get too optimistic, as it has revealed the bitter truth that morality is still powerless to overcome selfishness in policymaking.
The Kyoto Protocol was agreed in 1997, a time when the West was at its golden age. The world the Protocol aimed to protect was not only a "common home" but also one dominated by the West. However, the rapid rise of emerging countries over the following decade brought about deep changes.
Feeling threatened, the West has become increasingly worried about their dominant status than about sharing a world with erstwhile challengers.
Disputes seen in Durban indicated the changing attitude of the West. The global pattern settled at the end of the Cold War is collapsing and this unnerves the West. It used to criticize third-world countries for "uncivilized behaviors," but this criticism may now run in both directions
Some predict that Japan and Australia may follow Canada's course. If these predictions come true, they may spark an irreversible negative chain reaction.
The climate change campaign is not simply an attempt to cut carbon emissions. It is tied to a deeper topic of how to distribute globe responsibilities and interests peacefully. Force may rear its ugly head should we fail this attempt.
China should carefully examine the mixed signals coming from Durban. It needs to better prepare for the forthcoming challenges posed to its national interests.
The West is becoming more impatient. Its anxiety over losing its authority is getting worse and it will need more channels to release the pressure. The danger of an unexpected "showdown" is rising.
China will likely be the primary target of an impatient West. Avoiding direct confrontation may help reduce tension, however, this does not mean China should slow down its development.