As delegates, politicians and heads of NGOs from around the world gather in Cancun, Mexico this week and next for the COP16 conference, the follow-up to the climate talks in Copenhagen, or COP15, many are wondering what will result from these talks, and more importantly, what, if any, internationally binding climate contracts will be made.  Many speculate that any progress at COP16 will be frozen by continued immobility on the parts of China and the United States, who held their own separate talks earlier this fall, however refuse to budge on overarching climate agreements unless the other moves first.

Reports have suggested that the Cancun talks are only a stepping stone to the 2011 conference in South Africa with little tangible action expected to result.  Nevertheless, climate change must be taken seriously and acted upon right away.  A recent report out of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at Oxford University states that up to one billion people will lose their homes to climate change (rising sea levels, droughts, crop failure) by 2100. Furthermore, fresh water scarcity is a growing concern as rising sea levels lead to fewer fresh water resources.

While it will be interesting to monitor the COP16 talks over the coming weeks, it’s important to keep in mind that the atmosphere is at a critical tipping point, with many climate scientists allotting 5 years before we’re at the point of no return.  2010 is posed to be one of the hottest years in recorded history and weather patterns are notably shifting in many regions of the world. To continue to push serious action off until the future is a critical mistake; there is simply no more time to waste.