The Western Isles Climate Change Summit 2017 (IC|TWI ONLY)

[Tectonix]

Valdr Maxwell chortled to himself mildly, but was greeted by a rather stern nudge in the back from his Secretary of State. "Oi, behave yourself," the Secretary muttered as the Valdr cracked a wide grin.

[Ipland]

Verejn turned her head towards the delegate from URL, surprised by his words.

"GURL what?"
She thought to herself.

"To the delegate from URL, can you please explain how all nations here can realistically follow what you have proposed?"

Verejn said

[United Republican Lands]

Verejn turned her head towards the delegate from URL, surprised by his words.

"GURL what?"
She thought to herself.

"To the delegate from URL, can you please explain how all nations here can realistically follow what you have proposed?"

Verejn said

Jack Venison Replied, "The first point is self explanatory. It would involve having a bad placed on the use of fossil fuels after the year 2030. Thirteen years should be enough time to research and implement alternative fuel sources."

"The second point involves setting aside at least a billion dollars for use in inventing in or researching renewable and/or clean energy sources. This one would simply need a slight budget realloction."

"The third point protects the deep-ocean ecosystem."

"The fourth point prevents the mass destruction of trees due to the fact that trees filter carbon dioxide out of the air."

"The fifth point, CFC and HCFC molecules are extremely long lasting greenhouse gasses. Removing these greatly helps the environment."

"The sixth point, well, it is just common sense to ban chemical and biological warfare."

"The seventh point, it is common sense to make those that cause spills to clean up said spills. it shaves down on tax dollars that the government would normally need to spend on that task."

"The eighth point, the habitats of wild animals are important to combating global climate change."

"The United Republican Lands has already been working towards these for a while now. CFC and HCFC's have already been banned, and this list of proposed actions is actually less strict than our 1975 Environmental Standards Act. In fact, the only parts not covered in the 1975 law are points one, three, and eight. Point two is part of the fiscal legislation and has been since 1975."

[Polar Svalbard]

Severi looked at the delegate, "I believe you are going way to far with this. It is this kind of overinflated goals that usually sink these kind of summits. Polar Svalbard is looking for a good starting point for all of us, that everyone can agree to, and which will provide the basis for future treaties. Our hope is to get nations to start limiting carbon emissions and encouraging the use of green energy. Banning fossil fuels is out of the question, it is impractical, ill-advised, and would be a detriment to the economies of our nations. The fishing is out of line, maybe the whaling can be put into use. I find bio and chemical warfare should be limited in a different convention. The spills are more of a nation-corporation relationship thing, not an international community-nation thing. And your eighth point overall seems shoehorned in without thought to what it entails."

Severi took a sip of his whiskey and coke. "Those are just my thoughts, but I'm sure many follow the same line of thought as me."

[Ipland]

Verejn sipped some tea, making sure not to spill it

"I agree with the delegate from Polar Svalbard"

[Kalorphi]

Zsacu reached for his water bottle, only to realize that he forgot to bring it. He frowned a bit before putting his had down and speaking.

"We also agree with the delegate from Polar Svalbard. This agreement can't work if we don't inject a bit of realism into it."

[Tectonix]

"We as well agree with the delegation from Polar Svalbard. However, Tectonix would support stricter regulations for fishing and nautical activities in both international waters and water passages, such as streams, lakes or fast-moving sub-oceanic/oceanic currents that move from one nation to another. For example, if Tectonix dumped coal into one of our rivers that flowed into Ipland, that would be a detriment to Ipland that should in no way be permitted."

[United Republican Lands]

Severi looked at the delegate, "I believe you are going way to far with this. It is this kind of overinflated goals that usually sink these kind of summits. Polar Svalbard is looking for a good starting point for all of us, that everyone can agree to, and which will provide the basis for future treaties. Our hope is to get nations to start limiting carbon emissions and encouraging the use of green energy. Banning fossil fuels is out of the question, it is impractical, ill-advised, and would be a detriment to the economies of our nations. The fishing is out of line, maybe the whaling can be put into use. I find bio and chemical warfare should be limited in a different convention. The spills are more of a nation-corporation relationship thing, not an international community-nation thing. And your eighth point overall seems shoehorned in without thought to what it entails."

Severi took a sip of his whiskey and coke. "Those are just my thoughts, but I'm sure many follow the same line of thought as me."

"It is too late to just 'start' limiting emissions. The prohibition of CFCs, and HCFCs is definitely crucially needed part. The other most important part is the elimination of fossil fuels by 2030. These are especially reasonable demands, as well as the mandatory cleanup of chemical and oil spills by those who cause those spills. Did you really show up to a climate change summit without expecting the attendees to actually try fixing the problem?"

[Athara Magarat]

"It is too late to just 'start' limiting emissions. The prohibition of CFCs, and HCFCs is definitely crucially needed part. The other most important part is the elimination of fossil fuels by 2030. These are especially reasonable demands, as well as the mandatory cleanup of chemical and oil spills by those who cause those spills. Did you really show up to a climate change summit without expecting the attendees to actually try fixing the problem?"

"While we agree with your statement that fossil fuels usage and carbon emissions need to be reduced a lot, we also want to make sure that each nation has to work on this matter but treated according the harm they have done."

Immediately the Atish man translated the Minister's words into English.

[Polar Svalbard]

Severi just laughed, "I certainly don't expect them to come here with their head in the clouds trying to ramrod their idealistic beliefs down all of our throats. I would have thought we were all realists here. No its not too late to limit emissions and I will tell you right now that your banning fossil fuels is stupid and Polar Svalbard will not stand for it. You solve no problems, your proposals only seek to create them."

Severi looked off into the distance for a moment, "Your CFCs do make sense though, although I would have believed that most of us would have banned CFCs with the rest of the world when we all learned that we had burnt a hole in the ozone. Polar Svalbard certainly did."

[Kalorphi]

Zsacu looked at the United Republician Land's delegate, eyes squinted. "What are nations, like Kalorphi, that have their entire economy based on fossil fuels and mining, supposed to do with ban like that? It is almost impossible for us to switch our economy over in a span of 13 years." Zsacu then folded his hands in front of him, as he spoke to the rest of the gathered delegates. "I agree that limitations need to be put in place, but nothing that will irreparably harm our economies. This needs to be done slowly."

[Tectonix]

Severi just laughed, "I certainly don't expect them to come here with their head in the clouds trying to ramrod their idealistic beliefs down all of our throats. I would have thought we were all realists here. No its not too late to limit emissions and I will tell you right now that your banning fossil fuels is stupid and Polar Svalbard will not stand for it. You solve no problems, your proposals only seek to create them."

Severi looked off into the distance for a moment, "Your CFCs do make sense though, although I would have believed that most of us would have banned CFCs with the rest of the world when we all learned that we had burnt a hole in the ozone. Polar Svalbard certainly did."

"Building off on this, Tectonix banned CFCs decades ago. However, it is irrevocably clear that the danger they pose to our environment is insurmountably more than any convenience for refrigeration they may bring. Tectonix proposes our stance of dumping waste waters and this one to the Summit's final agreement, and plead the rest of our community to pursue these goals."

He turned to the Kalorphi delegation. "I'm certain a multi-step process of removing fossil fuels from the economy would be in order. Obviously it would not eliminate them entirely, but at the bare minimum remove, to use an arbitrary number, 15% of all emission outputs, as well as set the groundwork for renewable energy firms to gain a better footing in the economy."

[Vancouvia]

"It seems to me," began Rochester, "that the best place to start is on a topic that is the least prone to debate or push back. We should work together to establish one attainable goal first off, then move from there into more controversial ones. That is, if you all don't want to be arguing here for the next month. Nothing against Ipland nor its meeting halls, of course."

[Bhikkustan]

Ansur smiled once the translators gave him a translation of what had been said. He gestured to Sridhar, who spoke some english. Sridhar stood and spoke.

"I appreciate the zeal of the Republican delegate, but his statements are unpleasing to Bhikkustan. As a deeloping nation we desire to have access to the quality of life that yo developed nations have. We also desire to share our power among all Bhikkus, so that kind of a reduction to fossil fuels is too great. We also believe that the ban on certain weapons is irrelevant. This is an environmental meeting, not a military one. The monetary commitments are very high to a nation like ours, but also to a nation such as our partners Moukere. They cannot scrape together a billion dollars in GDP on the whole. Whaling ban is not likely to be accepted by us a well. Whaling is a pat of our tradition, and we do it humanely and respect the animals. We are also sustainable in both our whaling and deep-sea fishing, so to cut out a large proportion of our people's tradition and food is not an option. Unlike your nation, we believe in the right to food and it is provided by the state. Deforestation as well, we are sustainable but with a burgeoning population we must conduct some large operations.

I agree on CFCs and HFCs though, and on the whole I am happy that this meeting is begun."

He sat down and Ajahn Kusalo lit another three sticks of incense, the pungent smoke filling the air. But unlike smoke from cigarettes it was not a coarse and painful smoke, but a calming one.

[Tectonix]

Maxwell nodded at the Bhikkustan delegation's words, but looked back to see his Foreign Ambassador wrinkling his nose. "Hey, you're supposed to be our ambassador, right? Aren't you used to the smell?" The ambassador, after a brief startled look, laughed softly and whispered back, "Hey, I signed up to shake hands, not smell them." Maxwell nodded back, and returned his attention to the table.

"Tectonix agrees with the delegation of Bhikkustan, and is delighted they also see that something must be done regarding CFC/HFC pollution."

[Wellsia]

Hamish Dewar listened in shock at the proposals from the URL, Wellsia could never survive bans such as this, coal was the lifeblood of his nation and a mere thirteen years would not change that. He came close to exploding in anger over such proposals, but the outbreak from the other delegates calmed him down. Slowing rising to his feet, Hamish tapped his microphone to draw attention to himself, as the other delegates looked at him, a bout of stage fright almost caused him to sit back down. Taking a deep breath and the light touch of his secretary's hand on his armed reinforced his nerve. "Honored delegates, unlike most of you, I have little experience in diplomacy and even less in speaking to large crowds. While some of the proposals of delegate from the United Republic, has merit, I am afraid that Wellsia will have to protest more then one of them. As a former administrator, I may see things a little different from many of you. Mr."
Agnes stood up and whispered into Hamish's ear.
Excuse me, Mr. Venison, ummm the same as deer meat, that reminds me." Hamish felt a nudge from Miss Weatherberry, "oh, yes my point, Mr. Venison let's take each of your nation's proposals one at a time. The first one calls on all fossil fuels to be banned, this is coal, oil, gasoline, diesel, air-plane fuel, etc. Please explained to me in small words, so that I may follow you, how without these items, what are we to use in replacement, Wellsia has no nuclear plants, and I'm afraid a windmill would look rather funny on top of my car. My good friend Senior Flagofficer Halfhyde may reminisce about the old days of ships powered by sails, but I don't think I can convince him to trade in his battleship for an old ship-of-the-line. Please explain to me how our automobiles, air services and military will function in a world without fossil fuels. Thank you ladies and gentlemen'. With that Hamish collapsed into his seat.

[Ainslie]

"It is too late to just 'start' limiting emissions. The prohibition of CFCs, and HCFCs is definitely crucially needed part. The other most important part is the elimination of fossil fuels by 2030. These are especially reasonable demands, as well as the mandatory cleanup of chemical and oil spills by those who cause those spills. Did you really show up to a climate change summit without expecting the attendees to actually try fixing the problem?"[
- Jack Venison

Whitford shakes his head in disbelief for what this nation believes in, processing the inconsistency between the environmental laws and their political ideology. Whitford takes his glass of water and drinks part of it, and then delivers his response:

"The delegate for United Republican Lands is pointing out an idea which in theory would be beneficial and a positive change, however, I believe some realism is required if we are going to have more moderate and conservative nations to also sign this document. We agree that CFCs and HFCs should be banned. However, on the issue of ecological preservation and protction, I believe that it is not in the wider interests of this summit to aspire to such a large comprehensive document in the intial stages of negotiations. Ainslie is prepared to honour a reduction of 30% in fossil fuel sources in our electricity network within the same time frame, I present this as a more moderate compromise compared to the extreme and idealistic views of the delegate from the United Republican Lands".

[Xrevaro]

Joche Guyen, the Xrevaran diplomat assigned to this meeting, had been listening carefully to the arguments proposed. As everyone continued to throw around the phrase fossil fuels, he was perplexed no one had mentioned the agriculture and diary industries. Cows and other livestock produce tons of methane, that even if The Western Isles had ceased use of fossil fuels, the methane from landfills, livestock and their manure would keep the global climate snowballing into disaster. Not to mention the amount of grain and water it takes to feed livestock and the deforestation to make room for them.

Patiently waiting for Ainslie's delegate to finish, he spoke into his microphone with a heavy accent.

"I do agree with the delegate of Vancouvia that controversial matters should be spoken towards the end but on the topic of fossil fuels and all, I'd like to get the conversation on the agricultural industry. Banning fossil fuels might achieve nothing if we continue to raise livestock and continue to use landfills due to their production of methane. Now I'm not saying we all must go vegetarian, but I think it'd be within all our best interests if we put some blanket regulations in place. I understand this varies from nation to nation and may be seen as a domestic matter but seeing as it is an environmental summit, I thought it should be discussed here."

[Tectonix]

Alexander Maxwell was mildly surprised by the Xrevaran delegation's route. "The delegate from Xrevaran is correct. Methane output from livestock and landfills are a major concern, and should be dealt with accordingly. However, seeing how these measures are, to say the least, invasive to local national politics, I would prefer this to be encouraged rather than be enforced."

[Verdon]

Bernat de Aro spoke up, having finally found a seat behind the Xrevaran delegate; fortunately so, as the delegates hints toward an agriculture debate were not on his nation's agenda.

"While I think Mr. Guyen's suggestions come from a place of benevolent concern, I would reason that this summit already has far too many issues currently at debate." no way in hell we're having the methane conversation

"It would seem that the issues most in accordance with every nation's concern and ability, would be fossil fuel usage, and CFCs plus other ozone depleting substances. If I may, I think any resolutions focusing on resource management - of which, includes fisheries, forestry, water, and ecosystem management - should be shelved for a different summit. While useful, we should keep our accord focused, as other delegates have mentioned."

"I think many nations have already taken steps to phase out CFCs, maybe fewer with HCFCs. I would propose adopting the phase-out schedule we have in Verdon:

A ban on production, trade, and use HCFCs, excepting cases of existing equipment needs by 2020. A ban on all use of HCFCs, and production, trade, and use of HFCs, excepting cases of existing equipment needs by 2025. A ban on all use and complete phased out of HFCs by 2030.

If a nation has not already banned, full-stop, the use of CFCs, which seems rather unlikely, as less detrimental and cheaper alternatives exist, I would recommend implementing such a ban within 1 years' time."

"If it may be permitted, I would ask all present delegates to debate this ban and scheduling before moving on to another topic."

[Ainslie]

Whitford turned to one of his Federal Corporals and rolled his eyes. He whispered to his FedCore "Agriculture. At a climate change summit. We mays well hook some tubes up to the back sides of cows and give it to URL for Biofuel"

The FedCor chuckled a bit but kept quiet.

Whitford waits for everyone to finish, and then speaks again, " If we are going to bring Agriculture into this, I believe that there is enough different issues around the industry that there could be a seperate summit. However, the whole idea of regulating how much methane-producing animals there would be too complicated to enforce, even for such a nation like ours which does not have a large agriculture industry. Right now, our delegation believes that we as a summit, should get through the more bigger topics first and get some pens on paper for that. The smaller issues should be discussed later in the summit"

[Kandana]

Dr. Jai had been listening to the other delegates debate, wincing a little at the overly enthusiastic Republican delegate, and wrinkling his brow a little when the summit seemed to take a turn towards agricultural problems. He was about to propose a more reasonable course of action, such as the gradual phasing out of HCFCs, when the delegate from Verdon, Bernat de Aro, beat him to it. He listened with approval to de Aro's words, voicing his agreement after de Aro had finished speaking.

[United Republican Lands]

"It is not reasonable to purposefully wait to do something that could be done right now. An immediate ban on CFC's and HCFC's should be implemented. In addition, a complete ban on fossil fuels by 2030 must be implemented, as not doing so will endanger the environment even more than it already is. According to current estimates, sea levels will rise by half a meter by 2050 if such measures are not taken! I am not sure about the nations that the rest of you represent, but the URL has most of its population along the coasts, which will be greatly affected by such rise in sea level."

[Ostehaar]

"a complete ban on fossil fuels by 2030 must be implemented, as not doing so will endanger the environment even more than it already is. According to current estimates, sea levels will rise by half a meter by 2050 if such measures are not taken! I am not sure about the nations that the rest of you represent, but the URL has most of its population along the coasts, which will be greatly affected by such rise in sea level."

"We're all aware of the dangers," Mehnard said with a sigh, "but I've yet to see a feasible tank or aircraft design that doesn't include the use of oil products as fuel. If you have anything of that type, we would all be glad to hear, but at the moment we're trying to put our minds on things that we can actually do. There's absolutely no sense in setting high standards, no matter how justified they are, if we don't have any chance of keeping to them. Things are achieved gradually, not hastily, and no climate crisis would change that."

[Ainslie]

We agree with the delegate from Ostehaar. As for the delegate from the United Republican Lands, we also have a coastal population. We are planning to put in place coastal management guidelines for housing and infrastructure. We suggest that you do the same if you have not done so already.