Questions Work Miracles
Would you allow us some questions? re: Leaked G8 Draft Climate Decisions http://carroll.org.uk/archives/2005/05/25/leaked-g8-draft-climate-decisions/2 Draft G8 Climate Change and Sustainable Energy text for FASS- May 3rd Climate Change and Sustainable Energy What has been done to effectively protect our climate? 1. Our world is warming. Climate change is a serious long-term threat that has the potential to affect every part of the globe. And we know that by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mankind's activities are contributing to this warming. This is an issue we must address now. What has been done to sustainably secure energy supplies? 2. At the same time, the world's energy needs are growing rapidly. Access to secure, reliable and affordable energy sources is fundamentally important for economic stability and growth. What has been done to satisfy increased energy needs? 3. Meeting these energy needs in a sustainable way is one of the greatest long-term challenges we face as a global community. What has been done to ensure our preventive programme works faster than climate deterioration? 4. We have already made a start. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was a landmark agreement. We reaffirm our commitment to the UNFCCC and to its aim, to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. How far do present efforts overcompensate present green house gas concentrations? 5. At Evian and again at Sea Island, we agreed on the need for the G8 to work together to develop innovative clean energy technologies. And there are already many examples of progress at all levels, ranging from the actions of individual companies, to cities and states, to national and international action. What new technologies are employed successfully at an ever-increasing scale? 6. Now, we need to accelerate our efforts. There is a powerful case for urgent action to develop and deploy cleaner and more efficient technologies: What use is knowing there is a need for action as long as action is not intensified ever more and more and more? * There is now compelling evidence that [statement on scientific evidence of the need for action]. What use are possible benefits? What really counts is what has ben achieved so far! * Local air pollution is a serious threat to human health and to ecosystems, particularly in the developing world. Every year, it causes millions of premature deaths, and suffering to millions more through respiratory disease. Through efficiency improvements and cleaner technologies, significant improvements to air quality and major human health benefits are possible. What is the use of using up remaining fossile energy supplies in a short time, if that destroys nature and makes it impossible to return to sustainable energies? * Diverse and reliable energy supplies are essential to economic growth. Security of energy supply is a major concern to us all, particularly at this time of higher energy prices. We need to work together to make the most efficient use of our existing energy resources, and to shift to new, non-fossil fuel sources of energy. What use is a potential if not used as long as the threat is active and working? * Access to energy is essential for economic development, poverty alleviation and quality of life. Innovations in technology offer the potential to provide energy even to remote communities both sustainably and at a competitive cost. Would you like to wait until it is too late? * Climate variability and natural disasters already seriously undermine economic development and political stability. Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, threatening future economic growth and human security. Could you imagine that signals were set 30 years ago and everything has developed very nicely since? * Clear and early signals about the direction of policy from governments, and stable long-term policy frameworks, can promote innovation and provide the private sector with the confidence it needs to invest in cleaner technologies, minimising the costs of adjustment. Can we use opportunities? Could we? Would we? When? 7. We now face a moment of opportunity. Some $16 trillion will be invested in the world's energy systems over the next 25 years. If through our combined efforts, a growing share of this investment can be directed towards cleaner technologies, then we have a real hope of transforming our energy systems. Can you imagine us using every opportunity? 8. If we miss this opportunity and fail to give a clear sense of direction, then we will be locked into an unsustainable future that will threaten our long- term security and prosperity. What use is there dreaming of responsibility, if we are nor really responsible? 9. The world's developed economies have a responsibility to lead this agenda, and to work in partnership with the developing world to support strong and sustainable economic growth. The G8 therefore pledge to take action to promote a fundamental step change in the way we produce and use energy. All hat counts is what we have done increasingly. 10. We will improve the policy, regulatory and financing environment for clean energy technologies, to support rapid deployment and encourage private investment. We will implement new measures to promote research and development. We will encourage businesses and consumers to consider the energy implications of their choices. And we will promote the transfer of technologies to developing countries, taking into account their own energy needs and priorities. Could you imagine for a moment that you had all the power and wisdom of the world. What would be your first step to save the climate? 11. These actions will demonstrate that we are united in our aim of achieving substantial greenhouse gas reductions and moving towards a low-carbon global economy. What risk is greater than NOT doing the right thing NOW? 12. We also need to consider how we deal with the impacts of our changing climate. Many developing countries already struggle to cope with existing climate variability and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. We are concerned that the long-term effects of climate change may threaten the very existence of some small island developing States. We therefore pledge to take steps to improve the resilience of the world's most vulnerable countries to the risks of further climate change. Could you see us having done more and more and more with a really sustainable effect, so having saved the climate, never mind the costs? - - It would have been more and more costly - - NOT having done that. 13. Tackling climate change, and promoting clean technologies, is a challenge that will require our concerted efforts over a sustained period. [To be added: section on implementation / follow-up] What can we do? What could we do? What would we do? What if we had all the wisdom, what might we be doing? What if the US sign Kyoto? WHAT will the mightiest MAN in the world HAVE DONE? Questions arising from Winfried Honig http://EnergyChallenge.de/G8.htm If we can attract Millions over Millions to a dictionary, can't we attract 8 men to save the climate! http://dict.leo.org