OPINION

. Photo: Activists with the group Climáximo gathered in Lisbon, Portugal on October 5 as part of the Climate Care Uprising — a wave of actions across Europe organized by the By 2020 We Rise Up platform. (WNV/Pedro Alvim)

'Glasgow Agreement' Seizes the Initiative on Climate Action

Viewpoint by Andrea(s) Speck*

SEVILLE (IDN) – After more than 40 years since the first UN conference on climate change in 1979 – and after more than 25 years of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) – the world is still far from any serious climate action. Although carbon emissions keep rising, there has been a bend in the curve this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, serious concerns about a major rebound remain, and China’s emissions have already rebounded beyond pre-COVID levels in May.

: Phil Harris; OPINION; 08 October 2020

Photo source: The JHU Hub - Johns Hopkins University

A Long Road Ahead to COVID-19 Immunity Even with Vaccines

Viewpoint by Prabir Purkayastha*

NEW DELHI (IDN) – As the pandemic continues to spread throughout the world, many countries seem to have given up the fight against COVID-19 and are now waiting for a vaccine to protect against the virus. With cases exceeding 32 million, and more than a million dead, the world economy has taken a bigger hit than at any other time since the end of the Great Depression of 1929-39.

The U.S. and India are now showing the highest numbers of total and new cases of COVID-19. Both have stopped talking about how to stop the pandemic, and are only focusing on reopening—or as India calls it, “unlockdown.”

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 07 October 2020

Photo: One of the two Chinese warplanes which briefly crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in August 2020. Source: Alert5 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

China Intimidating Taiwan

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – China has decided once again – as it does periodically – to up the ante with Taiwan, the big off-shore island, it claims as its own. Last month China sharply increased its military manoeuvres close to Taiwan’s borders. In return, Taiwan sent its fighter planes aloft every day for two weeks. U.S. diplomats in Taiwan are saying this is the worst escalation of Chinese military activity in two decades.

: Jonathan Power; OPINION; 06 October 2020

Photo: Manish Uprety F.R.A.S., an ex-diplomat, and Ritesh Tandon, the Republican Party candidate for the US Congress from California’s 17th District.

Californians for Equal Rights and Prop 16

Viewpoint by Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. and Ritesh Tandon

Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. is an ex-diplomat and Ritesh Tandon is the Republican Party candidate for the US Congress from California’s 17th District. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of IDN-InDepth News.

CALIFORNIA (IDN) – On September 19, a huge fleet of cars drove down the streets of California to spread the message to vote NO on Prop 16 among the local constituents.

The event endorsed by Californians For Equal Rights (CFER) and planned by a team of local volunteers reminded one of an old adage that the road to hell is usually paved with good intentions.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 04 October 2020

Photo: President Trump as the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its September monthly employment situation report. On October 1, he and First Lady Melania Trump tested COVID-19 positive. Credit: White House.

Trump Should Be Facing Impeachment Over COVID-19

Viewpoint by Sonali Kolhatkar

This article was produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute. Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder, host and executive producer of “Rising Up With Sonali,” a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations.

LOS ANGELES (IDN) – President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have both tested positive for the coronavirus in what is perhaps the most shocking “October surprise” in the history of presidential races. If he recovers with only mild symptoms, he will undoubtedly make the case that he was right all along in downplaying the virus. If he suffers, he will gain sympathy from the public at large.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 02 October 2020

Photo: Countless Berliners and visitors cycled and walked through the German capital’s city center on September 26 night. The Festival of Lights gave them some beautiful sights and a portion of culture during a difficult year. Credit: Imanuel Marcus | The Berlin Spectator.

Tide Might Be Turning in Britain's Ties with Germany and the EU

Viewpoint by John Kampfner

The writer is author of 'Why the Germans Do It Better; Notes from a Grown-Up Country'. This article was first published in the International Politics Society Journal of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

LONDON (IDN) – The fall of the Berlin Wall could and should have been a great moment for celebrating Britain’s role in the rebirth of democratic Germany. An oppressive communist system was dismantled with extraordinary success. Margaret Thatcher, alongside Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, had an important part to play. Yet all she saw was danger.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 02 October 2020

Photo: Allison et al. 2017. Trees, forests and water: Cool insights for a hot world. Global Environmental Change 43, 51-56.

Cool News in a Warming World: Why Invest in Future Forests

Viewpoint by Finn Grundmann *

GÖTTINGEN, Germany (IDN) – Forests capture more than carbon! While plants are experts at retrieving carbon dioxide from the air, they have also perfected strategies to retain water in their natural surroundings. When thinking of the benefits of future forests, it is crucial to think beyond the tree level.

Tree roots loosen the soil, and by creating macropores, they drastically increase infiltration rates and help recharge groundwater levels. The effect of just one tree on those soil properties can be measured within a radius of 25 meters around the tree crown. Therefore, by planting just a hundred trees, an area as big as 32 full-size football fields can be restored.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 01 October 2020

Actions Needed to Protect Wild Species and Natural Habitats

UN Summit on Biodiversity Provides an Opportunity

Viewpoint by Amy Fraenkel

The writer is Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

BONN (IDN) – The UN Summit on Biodiversity was meant to galvanize commitments to stop the impending biodiversity crisis, and to underscore the need for effective actions in a new Global Biodiversity Framework. Few could predict that it would take place in the middle of a deadly global pandemic -- which in all likelihood was brought about by human activities that exploit wild animals and nature.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 30 September 2020

Photo: Western visitors to Moscow and St Petersburg are often struck by how “European” these cities are. Russians in these cities dress like Europeans. The picture shows people walking on the main street of Saint Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt C BY 2.0.

Whether Trump Wins or Not, Europe Must Move Towards Russia

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – If Donald Trump wins re-election as president, is Europe going to bellyache about him for another four years without, as now, having any firm, cohesive, strategy for dealing with him and his foreign policies?

There is a chance that Trump will surprise the political establishment, as he did last time, and win. Europe can’t continue with its wing and a prayer approach, hoping that his perniciously volatile policies will be terminated in the very near future. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.

: Jonathan Power; OPINION; 29 September 2020

Photo: In Chad and other countries where it is working, SWEDD-The Swedish Development Aid Organization has already provided professional training to almost 100,000 women so they can pursue income-generating activities. Credit: Vincent Tremeau/The World Bank.

Beijing +25: Overcoming 21st Century Challenges to Deliver for Africa's Women

Beyond legislation, countries must tackle negative social norms and rising bias.

Viewpoint by Angela Lusigi*

NEW YORK (IDN) – The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action signed in 1995 committed the world to end discrimination, promoting women’s rights and advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This Platform for Action remains a guiding framework for realizing women’s rights. African countries have responded by translating commitments to action in twelve critical areas of concern including environment, decision making, the girl child, economy, poverty, violence, human rights, education, institutions, health, media, and armed conflict through continental, regional and national frameworks.