How can you influence climate change (From Smallholder)

How can you influence climate change

2:38pm Wednesday 13th June 2007 in

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DELEGATES at IPCC Bangkok (Working Group III of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change April 30 - May 3, 2007) managed to agree on measures to combat world climate change! Their report, The Mitigation of Climate Change', was issued on May 4.

With unequivocal evidence that temperatures are soaring, all countries agreed that it as time for cleaner technology to be put in place. Technology already exists to fight climate change at a reasonable cost. Nuclear, solar and wind power can be used more extensively, plus more energy-efficient buildings. The use of carbon capture to address carbon dioxide emissions from power stations can also be increased. Changes in agricultural techniques will also mitigate greenhouse gases such as methane.

The draft report proposed the world limit concentrations of greenhouse gases to between 445 and 650 parts per million, with Europe wanting the lower figure, and China not wishing to be so constrained.

The use of better technology in itself may not be enough. The implication is that real cuts in energy consumption are needed - fast. When the average person in China uses 2.7 units*, and the average American 20, then who is expected to make cuts first? Even in the UK we use 9.5 units per head - and then import our manufactured goods from China. So can we blame the Chinese? We cause their pollution by buying their manufactured goods.

Temperatures continue to soar in India during this dry season preceding the monsoon rains. 50 degrees was reached in one region, and 40 degrees was widely reported. Average temperatures are 6 degrees above normal.

In the UK, the average temperature for April beat all records, which date back to 1659. April 2007, and the preceding 12 month average, are the warmest for the last 348 years. It has rained in many regions just once in the last six weeks. The ground is looking distinctly parched and the question of thinking about water reserves was raised in Parliament. Why leave taking last minute measures until the crisis looms?

Periods of very hot weather are expected in the UK and the 40 degree barrier may be broken. It's likely to be the warmest year ever. Although predictions about rainfall are less certain, high temperatures will mean higher evapotranspiration and higher water demand.

France too is on alert. It's been the warmest April for 57 years with average temperatures at 4C above the April norm of 10C.

Optimists will say that the extraordinary weather in Western Europe has been brought about by an unusual high pressure system which has persisted for a very long time. Clear skies, hot sunny days and drought are typical of anticyclones when they persist. So maybe this is a chance event. The signs from around the world, though, are in keeping with the April 2007 IPCC Report: weather will become more extreme.

One problem with this IPCC report is that the group's predictions may be too conservative. One indicator is that Arctic meltdown is now well ahead of schedule, so action needs to be taken fast. The ice was predicted to shrink at a rate of 5.4% per decade. The actual rate is 7.8%.

IPCC recommendations won't be binding either, but they will influence government policy and the G-8 summit of industrialised countries in June. The IPPC now carries a lot of clout: Politicians, industrialists and consumers should heed the thousands of scientists whose work is involved.

Consumers are a key factor IF codes remain voluntary. Let's hope more consumers will become aware of the problem and downsize what they need'. Full marks to the garden centres for choosing NOT to sell patio heaters. How much consumer junk do you need? With current gas concentrations now reported at about 430 ppmv* of CO2-equivalent and rising sharply we need to see the answer fast.

* tonnes of CO2 per annum *parts per million volume)