Brussels - In a clear signal that the issue of global climate change should be the number one priority over other issues was given to us by Sir Nicholas Stern in his report.
There is also a need for a drastic rethinking of the United Nations and World Bank which are not equipped to oversee a carbon-trading scheme which includes the principles on which carbon emission allocations would be handed out to individual countries.
The United Nations reported this week that cumulative emissions from forty nations it tracks had increased in 2004 to the highest levels since the early 1990s and the United States remains the biggest polluter.
Excluding former Soviet bloc economies, industrialised nations saw an eleven percent increase in pollution from 1990 through 2004. From 2000 until 2004, it was two percent.
The publication of the review into the economics of climate change by Sir Nicholas Stern of the British Treasury says, that the "business as usual" method could result in temperatures rising by five degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels which will lead to a cut in global living standards by five to twenty percent, which means that it is not enough anymore for the economy worldwide to be based on growth and employment.
In this century there must be put new objectives forth such as growth, employment and environmental responsibility. It will cost the world more later if we do not spend the needed resources in order to avert climate change.
The report also proves that the scientific evidence for global warming is "overwhelming" and the results will be disastrous.
It foresees floods from rising sea levels that could displace about a hundred million people; melting glaciers could cause water shortages for one in six people of the world population and droughts would create millions of "climate refugees".
This bleak picture presents Europe, as well as the international community, with a challenge it has not faced for decades, and can only be addressed by a united approach.
This report also underlines Europe's political leadership on environmental issues.
European governments stand under heavy pressure from the European Commission to comply with the emissions reductions which are required by the Kyoto Protocol.
Furthermore, the European Commission is trying out several new mechanisms to reduce emissions, including the scheme under which the largest factories in Europe will be given specific carbon emission limits.
Some of the world's biggest carbon dioxide emitters - among them the United States, Australia, China and India - are not bound by the Kyoto Protocol which aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels lower than those that existed in 1990.
Among the measures that should improve the performance of the international community are the greater use of renewable energy in electricity generation and of biofuels in transport, to name only a few.
Observing the speed in which the different governments are sending out their press releases it is hard to say if they will be able at the same speed to impose the sanctions needed on industry, especially the principle of "polluters pay."
There is also doubt if there is the political courage to take on the car industry, as well as the airline industry. Without dealing with them, no serious progress will be possible.
Britain, has led the way by pushing for airlines to be included in the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) which limits the emissions of major polluters and is hoping for the support of other European Union countries.
The United States might not very happy about the idea of taxing all flights to the United States and the subject could further complicate the negotiations with the European Union over liberalising transatlantic air traffic, which is currently stalled.
World leaders must act now to avert the looming environmental catastrophe.
Politicians must stop thinking of the environment as if it were a political football during elections and must understand that what is at stake is not their electability. What we are talking about is the future and the survival of this planet.
The environment does not need cheerleaders. It is too late for words. Now is the time for action.
A real political leadership by Europe is needed now or the stakes could be higher.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
U.K.: Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2742&blz=1
There is also a need for a drastic rethinking of the United Nations and World Bank which are not equipped to oversee a carbon-trading scheme which includes the principles on which carbon emission allocations would be handed out to individual countries.
The United Nations reported this week that cumulative emissions from forty nations it tracks had increased in 2004 to the highest levels since the early 1990s and the United States remains the biggest polluter.
Excluding former Soviet bloc economies, industrialised nations saw an eleven percent increase in pollution from 1990 through 2004. From 2000 until 2004, it was two percent.
The publication of the review into the economics of climate change by Sir Nicholas Stern of the British Treasury says, that the "business as usual" method could result in temperatures rising by five degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels which will lead to a cut in global living standards by five to twenty percent, which means that it is not enough anymore for the economy worldwide to be based on growth and employment.
In this century there must be put new objectives forth such as growth, employment and environmental responsibility. It will cost the world more later if we do not spend the needed resources in order to avert climate change.
The report also proves that the scientific evidence for global warming is "overwhelming" and the results will be disastrous.
It foresees floods from rising sea levels that could displace about a hundred million people; melting glaciers could cause water shortages for one in six people of the world population and droughts would create millions of "climate refugees".
This bleak picture presents Europe, as well as the international community, with a challenge it has not faced for decades, and can only be addressed by a united approach.
This report also underlines Europe's political leadership on environmental issues.
European governments stand under heavy pressure from the European Commission to comply with the emissions reductions which are required by the Kyoto Protocol.
Furthermore, the European Commission is trying out several new mechanisms to reduce emissions, including the scheme under which the largest factories in Europe will be given specific carbon emission limits.
Some of the world's biggest carbon dioxide emitters - among them the United States, Australia, China and India - are not bound by the Kyoto Protocol which aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels lower than those that existed in 1990.
Among the measures that should improve the performance of the international community are the greater use of renewable energy in electricity generation and of biofuels in transport, to name only a few.
Observing the speed in which the different governments are sending out their press releases it is hard to say if they will be able at the same speed to impose the sanctions needed on industry, especially the principle of "polluters pay."
There is also doubt if there is the political courage to take on the car industry, as well as the airline industry. Without dealing with them, no serious progress will be possible.
Britain, has led the way by pushing for airlines to be included in the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) which limits the emissions of major polluters and is hoping for the support of other European Union countries.
The United States might not very happy about the idea of taxing all flights to the United States and the subject could further complicate the negotiations with the European Union over liberalising transatlantic air traffic, which is currently stalled.
World leaders must act now to avert the looming environmental catastrophe.
Politicians must stop thinking of the environment as if it were a political football during elections and must understand that what is at stake is not their electability. What we are talking about is the future and the survival of this planet.
The environment does not need cheerleaders. It is too late for words. Now is the time for action.
A real political leadership by Europe is needed now or the stakes could be higher.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
U.K.: Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=2742&blz=1