This article was first published in New Scientist, 27 July 2013.
DOOM-MONGERS of the climate variety might want to look away now – we apparently have more time to save the planet. A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests it will warm more slowly than feared, perhaps buying an extra decade for action.
There are other reasons to be cheerful. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has just said nations can get back on track to keep warming below 2 °C at no net economic cost. President Obama is talking tough on emissions and the US and China, the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, are, incredibly, collaborating on efforts to curb them.
So it all adds up to an unexpected opportunity to get ahead of the crisis – or at least catch up. Or does it?
Read the full article at New Scientist.
This is interesting, though I would like to know exactly what Obama plans to do about controlling emissions. Thus far I have not seen him own up to any of his promises, backing renewable energy sources included. I believe that making a real difference in our climate and renewable energy gets severely halted in a government controlled by major oil companies.
As far as I’m concerned, the real story about fossil fuels is air pollution and the massive number of people that die every year due to air pollution related illnesses. While climate change may still be controversial, there’s no confusion about air pollution. We should switch to renewable energy sources for no other reason.
Nick, if you think air pollution is not controversial then have a look at the Republicans’ disagreement with the EPA.
Of course it wouldn’t be for any sane person. But then neither would climate change. Or peak oil …