The Temp Is Going Up. What Are YOU Going To Do?
There have been a number of studies released around the UN Global Climate Week activities, but none more alarming than the announcement on the 25th by UNEP, the United Nations Environment Program. In the multipart Climate Change Science Compendium 2009 report, scientists illustrate revised scenarios for climate change, most specifically the increase in global temperature averages forecast over the remainder of the century. The news is not good. Stay on the current path…. up over 8 degrees by 2100. Most scientists agree that any change above 2 degrees will be catastrophic. There are virtually NONE who think earth’s ecosystems can survive an increase of more than 3.5 degrees. Ouch.
But it gets worse. These researchers also analyzed the proposed and newly enacted environmental policies of 200+ countries and calculated the effect that all of this cumulative work would have on the overall average temperature rise. The result? Still up 6.3 degrees. Oops. That’s not going to work.
So what are we to do, as business leaders and environmentally aware citizens? Everything we can. It’s clear that the path we’re on, with no change, leads to certain destruction. There are too many people cruising along, living the same wasteful way they always have, hoping blindly that technology will provide some solution to pull us back from the brink. There are others who think that governmental mandates and changing lifestyle habits are the answer. The truth is, it appears, that we will need all of these tactics and more to meet our goal. By 2050 we could be passing the 2 degree mark. And that’s simply unacceptable. Adopting strong measures now is the only thing that will give emerging technology a shot at saving the planet.
If any country, or any citizen for that matter, is not willing to do their part, we will fail. This much is true. In your personal lives and in your business management, strive to reduce your impact and carbon footprint. As citizens, pressure your governmental representatives and your peers to adopt aggressive emission reduction policies with real teeth. Nothing short of a full court press will get the job done. Achim Steiner, UNEP’s executive director, told reporters at the National Press Club on Thursday that the report updates previous findings with more current research reflecting new physical evidence and a more sophisticated understanding of how Earth’s systems work. But his words that followed really hit home:
“With every day that passes, the underlying trends that science has provided is . . . of such a dramatic nature that shying away from a major agreement in Copenhagen will probably be unforgivable if you look back in history at this moment.” The time is now. Get on the phone. Our children and grandchildren need us. Now.
Read the Washington Post Article >
Read the UNEP Report: Climate Change Science Compendium 2009 >
Tags: climate change, emissions, global climate change, government mandates to reduce emissions, greenhouse gas
September 30th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Human nature dictates that people are averse to change, especially when there are economic implications or convenience is compromised. Another sentiment I hear is that “I’m only one person — whatever I do won’t make a difference.” Remember our efforts are additive. Each one of us CAN make a difference, especially if we’re willing to make the changes to our lifestyles that will reduce the human contribution to global climate change. But it’s true, the need is comprehensive — it’s local, regional, and global. We need personal changes, legislative changes, and technological changes. But it all starts with you.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
[...] impacts are accelerating. Climate change is happening now and it’s happening here in America. A recent US government report compiling scientific data from 13 federal science agencies, details specific climate change impacts [...]