[Late to post but written on the day part 1.]

Today’s poem & factoid are both indirectly about a topic that long has bugged me — the fact that the 5 permanent members of UN Security Council have veto powers, thereby significantly maiming the ability of that body to deal with world issues. The “serious” poem concerns the US behaviour during negotiations for what would become the Kyoto Protocol.

There’s also a bonus Factoid about Kyoto itself.

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The United States Government vs Kyoto

greedy industrialised countries are responsible 
for the bulk of historical emissions —
he protocol attempted to cap theose emissions
then systematically reduce them by taxing carbon
so beginning a shift to renewable energy

instead the US wanted to create
international carbon trading 
modelled on the cap-and-trade system 

these “pollution permits” 
could be used — sold if not needed — 
even purchased to allow more possible pollution

projects that kept CO2 out of the atmosphere
like carbon-sequestering tree-planting programs 
— producing low carbon energy
— upgrading a dirty factory to emit lower emissions 
were carbon credit eligible

the US was so passionate about this strategy
carbon trading’s inclusion was a deal breaker 
in the negotiations

ironically — despite belligerently getting their way
the US then — failed to even ratify the Protocol

[Note: this in itself is not the worst thing because I believe carbon trading is an inherently flawed concept
— however, what is hubris-smackingly irritating is that the US’s tactics tied up so much time energy with this as a keystone component of the negotiations thereby prevent other better options being discussed & potentially adopted.]

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Day 5 – TIWTR about something ludicrous

The P5 Veto

the United Nations’ Security Council 
has five permanent members, 5 big boys
5 bullies — Russia, the US, China, France, & the UK

any one can veto a resolution, scupper it
— even if it’s supported by the rest of the world

since the U.N.’s founding — the USSR/Russia 
has cast 119 vetoes — the United States 82
The People’s / Republic of China has vetoed 16 times 
     (13 since 2000 – & always in conjunction with Russia)
The UK cast 29 vetoes & France 16 
     before both voluntarily ceasing to use it at the end of 89

the US has vetoed resolutions critical of Israel 
45 times out of its 80+ total — Russia’s vetoed 
condemnations of Syria — China : Myanmar, Zimbabwe
& of course — & so sadly on — 

some of the world’s worst atrocities 
get overlooked due to petty politics

               the veto                    needs                                  to go go

*Veto statistics are from the Dag Hammarskjöld library.
These numbers are for vetoes on draft resolutions & do not include vetoes on amendments other proposals.

*Veto numbers may have changed slightly since the research for this poem was undertaken.

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Fun Fact BONUS Day 5 – TIL about the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years

Capital City

Kyoto’s nickname is City 
of Ten Thousand Shrines

there are over 3, 000 temples 
& shrines in & around the city

so why is its nickname not
City of Three Thousand Shrines?

that to me sounds just as beautiful
& has the benefit of truth too

these are the type of questions
— that keep me awake at 3am