06/05 World Environment Day 2008
CaterinaA
Posts: 572
A little information 
We must kick carbon habit, Secretary-General stresses,
likening dependence on fossil fuels to addiction in message for world environment day 2008
Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, makes us deny important truths and blinds us to the consequences of our actions. Our world is in the grip of a dangerous carbon habit.
Coal and oil paved the way for the developed world’s industrial progress. Fast-developing countries are now taking the same path in search of equal living standards. Meanwhile, in the least developed countries, even less sustainable energy sources, such as charcoal, remain the only available option for the poor.
Our dependence on carbon-based energy has caused a significant build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put the final nail in the coffin of global-warming sceptics. We know that climate change is happening, and we know that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that we emit are the cause.
We don’t just burn carbon in the form of fossil fuels. Throughout the tropics, valuable forests are being felled for timber and making paper, for pasture and arable land and, increasingly, for plantations to supply a growing demand for biofuels. This further manifestation of our carbon habit not only releases vast amounts of CO2; it also destroys a valuable resource for absorbing atmospheric carbon, further contributing to climate change.
The environmental, economic and political implications of global warming are profound. Ecosystems -- from mountain to ocean, from the poles to the tropics -- are undergoing rapid change. Low-lying cities face inundation, fertile lands are turning to desert, and weather patterns are becoming ever more unpredictable.
The cost will be borne by all. The poor will be hardest hit by weather-related disasters and by soaring price inflation for staple foods, but even the richest nations face the prospect of economic recession and a world in conflict over diminishing resources. Mitigating climate change, eradicating poverty and promoting economic and political stability all demand the same solution: we must kick the carbon habit. This is the theme for World Environment Day 2008. “Kick the Habit: Towards a Low-Carbon Economy”, recognizes the damaging extent of our addiction, and it shows the way forward.
Often we need a crisis to wake us to reality. With the climate crisis upon us, businesses and Governments are realizing that, far from costing the Earth, addressing global warming can actually save money and invigorate economies. While the estimated costs of climate change are incalculable, the price tag for fighting it may be less than any of us may have thought. Some estimates put the cost at less than 1 per cent of global gross domestic product -- a cheap price indeed for waging a global war.
Even better news is that technologies already exist or are under development to make our consumption of carbon-based fuels cleaner and more efficient, and to harness the renewable power of sun, wind and waves. The private sector, in particular, is competing to capitalize on what they recognize as a massive business opportunity.
Around the world, nations, cities, organizations and businesses are looking afresh at green options. At the United Nations, I have instructed that the plan for renovating our New York Headquarters should follow strict environmental guidelines. I have also asked the chief executives of all United Nations programmes, funds and specialized agencies to move swiftly towards carbon neutrality.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Environment Programme launched a climate-neutral network -- CN Net -- to energize this growing trend. Its inaugural members, which include countries, cities and companies, are pioneers in a movement that I believe will increasingly define environmental, economic and political discourse and decision-making over the coming decades.
The message of World Environment Day 2008 is that we are all part of the solution. Whether you are an individual, an organization, a business or a Government, there are many steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. It is a message we all must take to heart.
Peace!
Caterina
We must kick carbon habit, Secretary-General stresses,
likening dependence on fossil fuels to addiction in message for world environment day 2008
Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, makes us deny important truths and blinds us to the consequences of our actions. Our world is in the grip of a dangerous carbon habit.
Coal and oil paved the way for the developed world’s industrial progress. Fast-developing countries are now taking the same path in search of equal living standards. Meanwhile, in the least developed countries, even less sustainable energy sources, such as charcoal, remain the only available option for the poor.
Our dependence on carbon-based energy has caused a significant build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put the final nail in the coffin of global-warming sceptics. We know that climate change is happening, and we know that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that we emit are the cause.
We don’t just burn carbon in the form of fossil fuels. Throughout the tropics, valuable forests are being felled for timber and making paper, for pasture and arable land and, increasingly, for plantations to supply a growing demand for biofuels. This further manifestation of our carbon habit not only releases vast amounts of CO2; it also destroys a valuable resource for absorbing atmospheric carbon, further contributing to climate change.
The environmental, economic and political implications of global warming are profound. Ecosystems -- from mountain to ocean, from the poles to the tropics -- are undergoing rapid change. Low-lying cities face inundation, fertile lands are turning to desert, and weather patterns are becoming ever more unpredictable.
The cost will be borne by all. The poor will be hardest hit by weather-related disasters and by soaring price inflation for staple foods, but even the richest nations face the prospect of economic recession and a world in conflict over diminishing resources. Mitigating climate change, eradicating poverty and promoting economic and political stability all demand the same solution: we must kick the carbon habit. This is the theme for World Environment Day 2008. “Kick the Habit: Towards a Low-Carbon Economy”, recognizes the damaging extent of our addiction, and it shows the way forward.
Often we need a crisis to wake us to reality. With the climate crisis upon us, businesses and Governments are realizing that, far from costing the Earth, addressing global warming can actually save money and invigorate economies. While the estimated costs of climate change are incalculable, the price tag for fighting it may be less than any of us may have thought. Some estimates put the cost at less than 1 per cent of global gross domestic product -- a cheap price indeed for waging a global war.
Even better news is that technologies already exist or are under development to make our consumption of carbon-based fuels cleaner and more efficient, and to harness the renewable power of sun, wind and waves. The private sector, in particular, is competing to capitalize on what they recognize as a massive business opportunity.
Around the world, nations, cities, organizations and businesses are looking afresh at green options. At the United Nations, I have instructed that the plan for renovating our New York Headquarters should follow strict environmental guidelines. I have also asked the chief executives of all United Nations programmes, funds and specialized agencies to move swiftly towards carbon neutrality.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Environment Programme launched a climate-neutral network -- CN Net -- to energize this growing trend. Its inaugural members, which include countries, cities and companies, are pioneers in a movement that I believe will increasingly define environmental, economic and political discourse and decision-making over the coming decades.
The message of World Environment Day 2008 is that we are all part of the solution. Whether you are an individual, an organization, a business or a Government, there are many steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. It is a message we all must take to heart.
Peace!
Caterina
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Comments
I like how you refer to "my boss" as the Ban Ki-moon
Not sure about the smoking crack (I've only seen the man once) in person, but actually the UN High Panel on the Environment is not proposing that developing nations should follow the steps of the OECD countries in terms of carbon habits. The HP is proposing a proportional scheme: something like "the more you pollute the more you have to reduce". So, developing countries, for the most part, will maintain their development patterns. Yet, OECD countries should support and promote the transformation into eco-friendly production technologies in the developing world, as well.
This an extremely summarized version of the HPE proposal. You can check a comprehensive version at the Human Development Reports site
http://hdr.undp.org/en/
Peace
Caterina
LOL...just noticed that. I think I was going to write "the secretary general" but decided instead to use his name.
That policy is a bit short-sighted and threatens to hamper growth. For instance, China could still be referred to as a "developing nation", yet they produce more carbon than anyone. I don't think it wise to stand in the way of a nation that is producing lots of carbon, but only has 10% (or some minority) of its population actually living developed lifestyles.
In terms of climate change, blanket rules from the UN is a poor approach. The UN should be working with member nations to craft domestic policies in each specific member nation.
Cool -- thanks for the link. I'll take a look -- perhaps my preconceptions as actually misconceptions here.
EDIT: Gah! I shouldn't commit to reading things until checking if they're 400 pages long
ha! ... i know - i'm still reading the thing ... i'm almost at that point where i need to reread the beginning ...
lots of it is repetitive so, it's really not that bad ...
Nevermind, it was funny. It made it sound like he was Oprah Winfrey
In terms of pollution both China and India are not considered as developing countries, their input to carbon-print is significative.
The UN's approach is pretty much in line with what you stated, they'll be working hand in hand with countries, NGO's, etc, etc. There's a concrete proposal to let the Kyoto Protocol expire and sign a new one in 2015 (if I'm not mistaken), which will tackle the failures of the KP and will bring all of the relevant players to the table.
Hahaha, you should know by now that a thing UN HDR never are is short
Even I haven't read the whole thing!! I read the overview and a few chapters.
Anyway, goodluck with your reading
You haven't finished yet? Oh the horror
You don't need to reread anything, just go through the overview and the conclusions
Have a great weekend!!!
Cate
Agreed.
that was my philosophy in university ...
you guys have a good one too!
edit: ps go roger