CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is caused by the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) released from burning fossil fuels and from land use change, particularly the removal of forests which accounts for almost 20% of global emissions (more than the transport industry). The countries that developed first, for example the UK, US and France, have emitted vastly more GHGs then the countries currently called ‘developing’, such as Kenya, Namibia and Bangladesh.

Ironically, scientists say that it is the developing countries that will be hardest hit; African countries in particular. A just response to climate change must therefore include a comprehensive compensation package from the developed countries that have polluted the most to the developing countries whose total historical emissions are very low and are the most affected.. Climate change isn’t just about the ‘environment’. People around the world are suffering the effects of climate change now, and for these people climate change is an issue of justice.

The urgency of now
Earth’s climatic systems are incredibly complex. Despite an increasing intensity of work by scientists around the world details of how a warmer world will impact climate, the facts are elusive. In the face of uncertainly climate scientists have drawn a line in the sand. Consensus is that an average surface temperature rise of the planet by more than 2° Celsius would have catastrophic effects for the biosphere and humanity’s place in it.

In order to avoid temperature increases of more than 2° Celsius and dangerous runaway climate change we must reduce emissions by something in the region of 80% by 2050. Given population increases over this time this is really the same as saying we must become carbon neutral.

Failure to act now will be catastrophic. This means that we are the only generation of humans ever who are able to effectively respond to this challenge. The decisions we make today will have a greater impact on the future of the planet then the decisions made by any previous generation. We have to get it right!

If not us, who? If not now, when?
THINK ABOUT IT, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU HAVE THE POWER IN YOU!