From Davos to Copenhagen: "We Are Running Out of Time"
By Per Meilstrup | January 30, 2009 | In: Business, Policy
Decisions on a global response to the climate crisis must be taken this year. This was the consensus of a session moderated by Thomas Friedman at the World Economic Forum Friday that included Al Gore and Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Decisions on a global, long-sighted response to the climate crisis must be taken in Copenhagen in 2009. Not in 2010 or 2011. In 2009. Ambitious investments in low-carbon grids, electric cars, and renewable energy will be a smart way out of the economic crisis.
These were the conclusions when former Vice President Al Gore; Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC Executive Secretary; Jacques Algrain, CEO of Swiss Re; and Jeroen van der Veer, CEO of Shell, met with moderator Thomas Friedman at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Friday in a plenary session to discuss the road to Copenhagen and COP15. (Click here for the webcast.)
The panel acknowledged the fact that the industrialized countries must go first on reductions but that the developing world should also commit to transforming to a low-carbon economy. This could require, Yvo de Boer noted, that the global governance structure is reorganized so that major emerging economies like China, India, Mexico, and Brazil are invited to be part of what is now the G8. Action on climate change from these countries is vital – and they should be part of the major political forums, he argued.
Prime Minister Rasmussen stated that while the industrialized countries should reduce emissions by 30% in 2020 compared to 1990 levels, developing countries should also make commitments. He suggested reductions of carbon emissions by 15% to 30% in 2020 compared to business as usual (this accords with targets released by the EU Wednesday; for more on the EU climate change blueprint, see the Weekly Roundup column published Friday at this website).
Both Rasmussen and Gore expressed optimism in the run-up to Copenhagen, first of all because of the new climate and energy policies being implemented in Washington. "My friends in the new administration tell me that when they gather to discuss these options, the greenest person in the room is President Obama. He is pushing hard," Gore said.
But, he added, action is needed now: "We need a decision this year. Not next year. We are running out of time."
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Comments feedI have heard over and over again that co2 gases are going to cause global warming. Extensive research has been done and I believe, like most people, that the Earth is going through a normal cycle and that our trying to buy under-developed countries a free pass to clean air is insane. I, for one hope the President will carefully weigh the facts before he signs the Accord.
Every time and again there has been a problem in climate change; much has not been achieved since the dabate started. In most developed countries, the problem is high because of the indistrial sectors. I'm appealing to all governments, researchers, professionals, students, and the common man to take this issue seriously. Many global conferences have been conducted, but nothing has come out of them. Please we are ruuning out of time.
Thank you
Mosoti Joseph
New Horizons for Africa,
Kenya
Everyone talks about carbon reduction targets. Nearly all proposals are to move to alternative energy and energy efficiency. Few talk about the need to reduce populations, consumption and reduction in waste.
The economic turmoil shows that even when GDP growth, as we measure it today, suffers relatively small decline (1-2%) there is mass unemployment with China losing perhaps 20-30 million jobs and the United States losing well over 3 million so far.
No matter what we try to do we can not strive for both full employment, rising living standards, increasing populations and significant net reduction in CO2.
Until an honest debate about the choices that humanity has to make about the numbers, I see very little impact on the reduction in climate risk. The only hope I see is new technology that may one day fix CO2 from the atmosphere.
Am I wrong in seeking honesty in the Climate debate?
Paul
Tipping point was reaxched in 1967 and here is the evidence why.
Global Ocean Cooling is on NOAA grafts for the last five years.
Ask your self...what happens when cooling water hits heated air?
None of the scientists mention that since 1967, the salinity in the oceans are accumulating on the surface. It is the opinion that it is caused by evaporation.
Hmmm...If the oceans are getting saltier on the surface than evaporation is being surpressed. Next, salt is a crystal substance and therefore reflects sunlight. Also if evaporation were causing this phenomenom, it would be in pockets and differing depths.
This salinity change has spread out evenly over the oceans surface at only a couple inches deep.
How does pressure build-up in our atmosphere being shown?
Since our surface is sloid and liquid, the pressure has to exert out into the atmosphere as shown by mountain growth rising up them.
Gravity has difficulty in grasping gases and water vapour but compress these and gravity will pull. So this means that the pressure exerted out is compressing the upper gases and slowing the rotation of the atmosphere.
This causes greater winds which causes even more evaporation in the higher hemispheres which reflects more sunlight.
We are in the first stages of a long ice age.
Previous evens caused mini ice ages to occur which delayed this.
These evens will become quite obvious with cooler tempertures, more winds and greater amounts of precipitation.
Here is the website of an oceanographer who has been tracking the salinity changes.
The deep fresh water she has been tracking under the Ocean is H2 18 0 (hard water). It is the only water that can seperate in salt water on this planet as it is heavier. Seems that H2 18 0 is found in shells in core samples indicating when Ice Ages have occured.
http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455&tid=282&cid=