The Stern Review
The final version of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change was released yesterday. It is a 700 pages long mammoth, so dont believe anyone that says that they actually have read it just yet, perhaps save Stern himself ...
Both Barroso and Blair now are tooting that the last arguments for inaction on climate change now at last have been blown out of the sky!
Let us see if this report actually will turn into action. The EU commission already had started on a plan for making EU more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly on all fronts. Lets see what the deny-climate-change-fundamentalist in the white house will to say about this.
Some of the highlights (from the First Post - see link below):
* The physical and human geography of the planet will be profoundly affected: 300 million people could become refugees as their homes succumb to drought or flood. Poorer countries will be among the worst affected.
* The world's economic growth will be cut by 20 per cent or more. Each tonne of carbon dioxide that we emit now is causing damage valued at $85 or more.
* The cost of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change can be limited to around one per cent of global GDP each year.
* Reducing emissions will make us better off. The long-term benefits of shifing the world onto a low-carbon path could be in the order of $2.5tr each year.
* Barriers to energy efficiency must be removed. People must be educated about what they can do to respond to climate change.
More in the media:
* Eupolitix.com
* BBC gives the highlights - they are not easy to find in the 700 pages long report ...
* The Fist Post
* Grist Mill
* EurActiv
posted by Johan @ 10:35
4 comments
4 Comments:
although I wonder how serious Barroso is in this regard. in an recent article (in portuguese) he says that the commission is ready to support nuclear energy.
FYI: during the entire life cycle a nuclear plant it emits as much carbondioxide per kWh as do a fossil fuel plant.
but the portuguese seem to be doing better since they just signed a deal for seven (7!) wind turbine factories.
just let us all hope that Pinho realises the stupidity of having nuclear plants in Portugal!!!
" 300 million people could become refugees as their homes succumb to drought or flood. "
There's 300 million ppl now in the US, maybee the table will turn someday... and finally will sign the dang Quioto agreement.
its a lot of ppl!
but i am not sure the bush administration will become pro-active all of a sudden. it think there was a comment in washington post from one press person who said something along the lines that that the Stern review is just another analysis, we have done plenty already, and so no reason for change of course of action. the comments on the grist mill to that was that the white house choice of action is inaction - so business as usual ...
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