I find it disappointing that till the last day for the COP 17 UNFCCC Conference in Durban, South          Africa, I did not perceive a meeting of         the minds on a tangible agreement that would reduce Green House Gases -- so badly needed to protect the planet and people from the harsh and destructive effects of Climate Change.

Yet, there were over 20,000 participants lobbying for some kind of acceptable agreement to save the planet from further destruction.

Will there be life after Durban?

If nothing happens, then it is goodbye to most of us and the planet -- we can expect more typhoons, floods, droughts, poverty and shortage of food for the people. The storms and hurricanes will be more severe.

As I write this, UK and Europe are being ravaged by strong winds and snow, threatening to close down their transport systems.

People will continue to suffer as poverty rises and the poor get poorer.

Biodiversity will continue to get destroyed and ecosystems will disappear. Ice caps will continue to melt and there is no way to stop the heat. The Earth will be warmer and hotter next year, making climate-related calamities more severe.

The effects of climate change this year have been very destructive. We have seen floods in Australia and in Thailand and typhoons and rains in the entire globe.These effects will only amplify themselves if there is no action and reduction of Green House Gases.

As I write this, our country is suffering from strange rains during this December month when normally there are no rains in December.

We call on all concerned to do what they need to do to lower their carbon footprints and reduce GHG -- if there is no action in Durban.

We all need to unilaterally put an end to this heat and warming:

• By slowing down pollution and consumption.

• By going into renewable and clean energy.

• By following the example of Germany and getting out of Nuclear Power and  going full blast on wind and solar.

The world has seen that the technology for wind and solar power is there and is affordable. It is the only way to combat climate change.

There is life after Durban, with wind and solar power.

We need to do all on our own and unilaterally reduce GHG and save our planet.

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(Antonio M. Claparols is President of the Ecological Society of the Philippines, IUCN- Member IUCN-CEESP. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; http//www.esp.org.ph)