A new report released by the United Nations top experts has been hailed as a turning point in global warming by the BBC. Once again though, I fail completely to see what is so groundbreaking about it.
Taken as barebones recommendations, they have suggested that we can solve global warming, but that we need to bring down greenhouse gas emissions, and that we can do this by increasing energy efficiency, using more environmentally friendly fuels and cutting carbon emissions all round by using greener renewable energy sources. Truly groundbreaking.
The only new idea here is a confirmation that global warming is indeed solvable. Wheteher or not we solve it is going to take more than a report though.
Trouble is, no matter what group of experts say whatever they want, it’s going to take political guts to force people to change their lifestyles.
While most people acknowledge the threat posed by global warming, they are not willing to actually do anything about it. A system of passing the buck has developed, with government dodging commitments to renewable energy and individuals arguing that they can’t afford to become eco-friendly Karl Kennedy look-alikes. Both have points.
Essentially, it’s clear for anyone to see that continuing on this path is never going to solve the problem of global warming. The paper wasted on churning out incessant reports far outweighs the benefits of them by now, surely.
It needs a domestic government with the guts to introduce legislation to stop individuals and industry from polluting and to make a long-term commitment to long-term, clean renewable energy sources in the face of popular disapproval. That’s the problem with democracy, nobody elects someone who upsets them even if they’re doing it for the greater good.
Reports are a way of applying pressure and more of this needs to be applied at a government level where a real difference can be made with the swoop of a pen.
Currently, we’re missing our next target for lowering carbon dioxide emissions, and unless somebody gets some political gumption, that won’t change. Endless reports are all well and good, but concrete and radical change is what I would like to hear.
