|
See All Tags
|
Tags
Most popular
All items tagged climate change
Open Think Tank Articles
Zulfiqar Shah: Pakistan’s Sindh region has witnessed the devastating impacts of climate change. The region now faces security problems due to increasing rural poverty, ethnic and demographic tensions, and internally displaced persons. Regional and federal policy needs to step in to prevent further conflict, food insecurity, and state failure.
... More
Balazs Ujvari: In sharp contrast to media assertions, there is an international legal framework which is applicable to the Arctic Ocean, namely the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which will be discussed in this paper, along with the practice of five Arctic coastal states.
... More
Bobur Nazarmuhamedov: The detrimental effects of climate change can be felt throughout the world. In Central Asia, which is especially prone to these externalities, climate change primarily interrupts the regions’ ecological and socio-economic systems. The region’s leaders should devise a strong and targeted policy agenda.
... More
Stephan Vormann: Due to the finiteness of fossil fuels, the development of a low-carbon industry has become an economic necessity. A new approach to energy security that goes beyond NATO’s current “safeguard foreign energy supply” is in dire need. A focus on secure energy after “the age of oil” is therefore in.
... More
Markus Fraundorfer: Brazil has turned into a crucial actor in several policy areas of global governance, surpassing fellow emerging powers like China and India to take important roles in health, hunger, and climate change policy. The EU can no longer afford to neglect Brazil as a decisive partner for the future.
... More
Vijeta Rattani: Climate change is a broad concept of which global warning is just one facet. NGOs should take the lead in informing the world about the complex reality of climate change and move away from focusing exclusively on carbon emissions.
... More
Editorial Team: At the culmination of atlantic-community.org’s policy workshop competition, German students Julia Grauvogel, Philipp Große and Sascha Lohmann discussed their team’s policy recommendations with US Ambassador Philip D. Murphy and CDU/CSU Foreign Policy Spokesman Philipp Mißfelder.
... More
Vijeta Rattani: The EU was weak at the Cancun Summit last year, but it cannot afford to lose its influence in the climate debate as it is the most credible player to take a lead on the issue. Climate change should be given precedence over other objectives in view of its global implications and greater emphasis should be put on assisting developing countries.
... More
Roni Kay Marie O'Dell: NATO must be concerned with current and future adverse effects of climate change as a major unconventional security threat. In order to address the threat, NATO’s interests and identity must shift in three key areas: client focus, core mission, and strategies and activities.
... More
Shubha Jaishankar: While deniers cite that climate change is only a rich man’s problem, however, the issue transcends class. Both the rich and the poor, and the believers and the skeptics, will benefit from the job creation and economic boosts of promoting green technology.
... More
Jean Pierre Schaeken Willemaers: The issue of climate change was politicized decades ago and has lost its purely scientific character in the service of ideological, political and economic aims. For the past 10 to 15 years, emotions and feelings appear to be progressively taking precedence over science.
... More
Editorial Team: We would like to thank you for voting in our recent survey on transatlantic priorities. Three key issues which Atlantic Community members would like to focus on in the year ahead are China, the debt threat and climate change. These results as well as your suggestions will guide our thematic focus in 2011.
... More
Editorial Team: We invite you to tell us which three topics you think should top the agenda for the transatlantic partners in 2011. Your preferences will determine atlantic-community.org’s focus in the New Year.
... More
Memo 29: The United States and the EU countries need to lead by example on climate change in order to reestablish moral authority. Environmental sustainability should be made part of the criteria for diplomatic relations. An online and democratic global patent pool will enhance technology transfers.
... More
Editorial Team: As the delegates at the Climate Change Conference in Cancun search for solutions, atlantic-community.org is focusing on how the transatlantic partners can best cooperate. As the final part of our student competition sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Germany, we are publishing six short-listed articles.
... More
Jan Schierkolk: A transnational collaborative knowledge pool with digital grassroots involvement would enable and incentivize unprecedented climate change technology transfer. The online medium would help bypass current political constraints and promote sustainable development and empowerment by providing measureable reputation gains for contributors.
... More
Julia Franziska Grauvogel: The EU must foster reduction targets that are superior to those proposed by the US and engage both the US and China in order to establish a new threesome leadership of climate protection. Financial concessions to developing countries and the governance struture for a future Green Fund are key.
... More
Edson Ziso: Post Copenhagen, the emphasis should no longer be on just reducing emissions, but rather creating viable alternatives. Taxation on both the production and consumption of environmentally unfriendly products is required. Also, the EU and US should provide clean technology transfers to developing nations.
... More
Philip Strothmann: Actions against climate change need to be global. However, the US and the EU have a historical responsibility to ensure that they lead by example. Accordingly, EU-US should realize that climate policy is energy policy and focus on renewable energy technology as a way forward.
... More
Dominik Hübner: Diverse national interests have halted progress during previous climate negotiations. The EU and US can lead efforts in combating climate change by advocating smaller, regional cooperation forums with fewer actors. These would prepare the ground for a future workable global treaty.
... More
Salvador Santino F Regilme: For the EU and US to tackle global climate change, they need to adopt a three pronged approach: Revive their identities as normative powers, incentivize companies toward cleaner technology and act upon their soft power to convince the developing world.
... More
Matthias Conrad: Russia’s top security priority is the need to adapt to socio‐economic challenges that will be aggravated by the effects of climate change. The West with Germany playing a leading role should engage in bilateral cooperation with Moscow and intensify energy interdependence.
... More
Manfred Ringpfeil: Controversial opinions on climate change have precluded preventive measures. This hesitance results from a lack of knowledge and experience. Scientists have a responsibility to provide explanations that will convince politicians, industry, and the larger public that a restructuring of energy production is of paramount significance.
... More
Dirk Messner et al.: Germany needs to revitalise the multilateral climate process. Policy makers and civil society in Europe must take on a self-confident leading role in global alliances with selected ‘climate pioneer’ countries. Civil society initatives deserve greater support.
... More
Heinrich Bonnenberg: It is time to look past the close-minded approaches to climate protection, which are being promoted by self-interested groups. Free market competition is being stifled by ‘eco-despots’ to the detriment of our future. A new global ethic must be developed that takes into account the physical demand of the world’s population.
... More
Lyle Brecht: The catastrophic consequences of global warming pose a far greater threat than any national defense initiative, yet military spending consistently trumps climate change legislation in American politics. Rational thought is absent from the decision making process and the public is simply going along for the ride.
... More
May Hu: President Obama’s recent visit to China demonstrated that the dragon has awoken and is able to resist outside pressure and does not feel the need to conform to any western models or values. The US can no longer ignore this rising giant, and will become more reliant on soft power and persuasion in this new world order.
... More
Josef Braml: The US will no longer give Germany a free-pass on sharing “the burden of global responsibility.” As skepticism of American foreign commitments broadens at home, and with Chancellor Merkel’s address before a joint session of Congress, Germany is no longer in a position to drag its heels on issues that the US finds most important. Furthermore, if Germany hopes to have any future sway in US politics, fulfilling expectations now is necessary.
... More
Melissaratos/Slabbert: As global challenges become increasingly technocentric, a concerted campaign to usher the world into a new technological era is sorely needed. Thus, the US and other governments should invest in a global campaign for technological innovation.
... More
Editorial Team: The experts of our Atlantic Task Force “Global Green Recovery” offered fresh ideas on what measures should be taken within the G20 framework to support green technology markets. The next step will be the concrete implementation of selected recommendations. Which initiatives should obtain priority in this process? Your vote counts!
... More
Global Green Recovery Task Force: In a report commissioned by the Policy Planning Staff of the German Federal Foreign Office, an online task force conducted by the Atlantic Initiative with 26 experts from Germany, the US and the UK, derived green technology market recommendations in three broad areas: 1) generating new sources of revenues to fund green technologies; 2) intensifying dialogue on existing national green policies; and 3) spurring new international co-operation on green technologies.
... More
Editorial Team: The Atlantic Community, alongside its partner the German Marshall Fund, proudly presents this year’s summary of emerging trends in the transatlantic debate. As relations between the EU and US improve divisions still remain over climate change, Afghanistan and Turkey that may still serve to define the future of transatlantic ties.
... More
Marc Saxer: To use of the window of opportunity for establishing effective global governance, Europeans should accept that not all countries are willing to cede their sovereignty, but should work to increase the representation of emerging powers in multilateral structures.
... More
Editorial Team: The phenomenon of climate change has proven to be incontrovertible. However, recent studies claim that climatic worst-case scenarios are inevitable because global warming has already outstripped all temperature limits.
... More
Bjoern Lomborg: Some businesses see nothing but profits in the green movement. They are cozying up with politicians and scientists to demand swift, drastic action on global warming. This is a new twist on a very old practice: companies using public policy to line their own pockets.
... More
Editorial Team: April 22nd marks the annual celebration of Earth Day. Founded in the US in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson, the now global events sees people come together to call for a safe and sustainable environment through a range of different community activities.
... More
Jakob von Weizsäcker: It is still possible to stop climate change in this current economic environment. Governments should “green the debt” from their fiscal stimulus packages by repaying it with proceeds from higher carbon taxes and cap and trade systems, improving both economic and environmental sustainability.
... More
The Editorial Team: We are proud to announce the four winners of our student op-ed competition, who will each receive US-$ 200! Thank you for your many articles, that presented solid analyses, new viewpoints, and provocative arguments, on issues ranging from the reorganization of the global financial system to the establishment of an international human rights regime.
... More
Jeffrey D. Sachs: Long term economic growth will only be achieved if accompanied by sustainable investments in green technologies. Yet developed countries ought also to understand that they need to guide and help developing countries towards sustainability.
... More
Marie Grunert: The US and the EU have strengthened their commitment towards global development. Instead of a pretext to concentrate solely on the domestic scene and resort to protectionism, the economic crisis ought to be used as an opportunity to re-define the development strategies in light of the new challenges.
... More
Tony Hayward: The new American energy policy should be a mixture of alternative energies and drilling. Only a compromise will succeed to tackle climate change while guaranteeing energy security and efficiency.
... More
Noah Chutz: Structures of global governance are too clumsy to effectively respond to the challenges of climate change. The international community and the private sector will continue to operate in an uncoordinated and self-interested manner. Only science, a new fourth sector, can rescue the planet from its impending peril.
... More
Memo 13: Atlantic Community members suggest the establishment of a global regulating mechanism for climate change and stress the need to ensure that everyone can live up to the technological demands of a new, climate-friendly economy.
... More
Scott Michael Moore: The complex global environmental challenges of today require a multidimensional approach to environmental governance, one that engages all nations and levels of government and society.
... More
Sam Vanderslott: Successful technology transfer is at the heart of finding a viable solution to the climate change challenge. Powerful private sector interests must be overcome in order to allow co-operation between developed and developing nations.
... More
From the Editorial Team: We are hosting a 5 day run-up to the WEF Conference (conference begins Jan 28) and focusing on two of the major issues: the Global Economy and Climate Change. We are asking you, our readers, to contribute.
... More
Markus Drake: The opportunity for structural change that the economic crisis offers cannot be overlooked. With climate change no longer a “left” question, but rather in the center of society, business is realizing that there is profit to be made. But is it European companies that will benefit from Obama’s policies?
... More
Strobe Talbott: President-elect Obama faces a host of short term crises. Long-term issues, though, such as climate change and nuclear proliferation must be at the top of his agenda. To tackle these challenges he has to recognize these priorities and act quickly together with allies—above all Europe.
... More
Interview with Jackson Janes: The executive director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies tells Atlantic-community.org that Russia, energy security, climate change, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the financial crisis are all pressing issues to be addressed jointly by Germany and the United States under an Obama administration.
... More
Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: Obama will move with regard to matters of detention and climate change in a direction, favoring European interests. However, bridging the transatlantic gap is not definite. With the US economy in danger there is little scope to make dramatic policy shifts. Europe must speak clearly, so that both partners can converge again.
... More
Simon K. Koschut: President-elect Obama faces a tough challenge once he takes office. The world is expecting change from America, but they shouldn’t hope for too much, too fast. Instead, in countries like Germany, the question needs to be “what can we do for the United States?” Likely topics of discussion will regard burden sharing in Afghanistan and possibly even Iraq.
... More
John Mathiason: The Copenhagen Conference will hopefully produce a successor to the Kyoto Protocol; but then the real work begins. Independent organizations will be necessary to tackle adaptation and mitigation requirements, while ensuring, through effective monitoring, that states comply. Self-policing is not an option.
... More
Dale Medearis: Following the collapse of a cap-and-trade climate bill in the US, it is evident that any substantive policies will begin at the local and state levels. Fortunately, this also happens to be the level at which the US and Germany can pursue very solid and mutually beneficial cooperation.
... More
Alexander Ochs: This policy report examines the twin challenges of climate change and energy security for the US and Germany, focusing on the third industrial revolution – the revolution that has to occur to transform our current combustion engine-based societies into an energy-efficient and climate friendly world.
... More
Finn E. Kydland: Six Nobel Peace Prize laureates asked themselves what the most effective way would be to spend $75 billion in order to make the world a better place. The ranking list they developed gives very different answers than those policymakers usually do.
... More
Michaele Schreyer and Ralf Fuecks: Current energy crisis poses a significant threat to international economic and political stability. The current make-up of the EU is ill-equipped to deal with this challenge. The Union urgently needs an institutional reform: a European Community for Renewable Energy which would transform its economy into an energy-efficient system.
... More
Daniel Fiott: Any revision of the European Security Strategy later this year should aim to deal with the security threats posed by climate change, energy security, human security, cyber crime and the incoherence of the European Union’s military capabilities.
... More
Markus Kaim: Climate change is causing a growth of possibilities for the use of the Arctic. Canada’s Arctic policy, dominated by claims to sovereignty and territory, conflicts with that of its direct competitors in the region (Denmark, Canada, USA, Russia, and Norway) and is at odds with German and European efforts to support multilateralism and uphold international legislation.
... More
Parag Khanna & Alpo Rusi: Despite the Irish no vote, the EU’s destiny is to lead the world on security, trade and climate change. Increasingly, globalization requires structure and organization on the local level, and the EU, which benefits from high credibility, is setting standards for other regions around the world.
... More
XXX: This article has been removed from the website in accordance with the author’s request.
... More
Frank-Walter Steinmeier & David Miliband: Germany and the UK want to develop an effective European and multilateral strategy to anticipate the new policy challenges of climate security. Indeed, an off-balance global climate will spawn ravaging crises, conflicts, and disasters that require an international response.
... More
Axel Berg: After the elections in the US, Europeans are expecting to forge ahead with transatlantic cooperation on climate policy. Whoever is in the White House, expectations are high, especially among the Germans who want to set precedents and increase pressure on the international community.
... More
Memo 5: Members of the Atlantic Community are more concerned about the short term consequences than the potential long term benefits of the current high oil price.
... More
Sascha Müller-Kraenner: The EU and the US have the responsibility as well as the financial and technological means to address the climate challenge. Yet their approach needs to be internationally orientated so that it also offers a platform to the new assertive voices of China, India, Russia and others.
... More
Julianne Smith and Alexander T. J. Lennon: We contend that in the years to come climate change will further disrupt the stability of already volatile regions, which has the potential of producing multitudes of discontented individuals prone to radicalization.
... More
Casey S Butterfield: The German foreign minister’s recent visit to California illustrates an important trend: the Atlantic Community as we know it is expanding. Today’s global challenges call for more cooperation between cities, states, civil societies, and citizens.
... More
Josh Busby: I offer solutions on how countries can get from concern about the security consequences of climate change to action on its effects. Expanded support for adaptation and disaster response is needed, with continuing focus on emissions reductions.
... More
Joseph S. Nye: We cannot overlook Japan as a global powerhouse. How its people and government respond to emerging China will be “one of the great questions for this century.”
... More
John Kirton: I report on the diplomatic victories of the 2007 G8 Summit. And I praise Tony Blair for helping to finally bring Bush “into the transatlantic club” on climate change. This year’s achievements on emissions reductions, Africa and security should help to boost the G8’s relevance in a globalized world.
... More
Global Must Read Articles
The EU proposal to require all flights to and from Europe to obtain emission permits might spark a new trade war. ++ The US and China are enraged over the new proposal and doubt the sincerity of it. ++ Europe’s trade partners believe this is only the beginning of the EU exploiting climate change in order to enact protectionist policies. ++ However, China and the US should take Europe’s arguments
... More
Merkel’s ambitious plan to shut down all German nuclear power plants urges the renewables to generate “an incredible 42.4 percent” of state’s electricity. ++ Drastic reductions in energy use will not save German industry from as much as “400 million tons of extra carbon emissions” caused by switching from nuclear energy to a heavier use of fossil fuels. ++
... More
Expectations for the Cancun summit are rather low. ++ The main objective pursued will be an extension of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. ++ While agreement on larger issues seems unlikely at Cancun, progress on concrete projects to counter global warming, such as forestation programs and technology transfer, could well be made. ++ Moreover, many multinationals have recently begun their own
... More
Progress on curbing greenhouse gas emissions at this week’s climate conference in Cancun, Mexico, is vital. ++ Yet, after the debacle of Copenhagen last year, expectations are extremely low. ++ The core problem is that the opposing positions of the developed bloc, led by the US and Europe, and the developing bloc, led by India and China, have not changed in the past year. ++ Nevertheless, there
... More
Foreign policy, European integration and environmental policy are subjects of predilection for Sascha Müller-Kraenner and questions on which he has extensively published in the past. He previously worked for the Heinrich Böll Foundation as director for Europe/North America, head of the program on foreign and security policy, and founding director for the North American office in
... More
A exceptionally cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere revealed inaccuracies in climate data, and the Copenhagen Climate Summit debacle have combined to put the issue on the back burner. ++ If climate change negotiations are to be renewed this year, they must take into account lessons of the failed summit. ++ “The first lesson is that climate change is a matter not only of science, but
... More
The EU, despite its historical role as the leader on climate negotiations, lacked any concrete influence at the failed Copenhagen conference. ++ “If the US and China don’t play ball, where does that leave Europe?” ++ A frigid winter in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the flagging global economy, and newly revealed errors in climate research have contributed to a wave of climate skepticism
... More
Record snowfall in Washington has fueled American skepticism of climate change. ++ The scientific community must act tough and stop reacting defensively. ++ “The weather gets weird-the hots are expected to get hotter, the wets wetter, the dries drier and the most violent storms more numerous.” ++ Despite the desire to know to what extend humans are responsible for global weirding, other
... More
The high hopes placed in the multilateral decision-making process at the Copenhagen Climate Conference were sorely disappointing. The meeting brought 192 states and 110 heads of state and government together but failed to bring about an agreement. The only result, other than an agreement on deforestation, was a statement proclaiming adherence to a 2 degree Celsius warming target by 2050. What is
... More
There has been a sharp shift away from the urgency for a climate deal in the lead up to Copenhagen. ++ “Climategate,” the failure to reach a meaningful deal at Copenhagen, and the faulty evidence produced by the IPCC have all undermined the global warming movement. ++ “Whatever the full postmortem reveals, it is clear that the energy has drained from the push for a global
... More
Russia is paving the way for a truly objective review of the causes and effects of climate change with its new doctrine. ++ It acknowledges that the human impact on climate change is still unclear, encouraging new independent studies. ++ Despite Medvedev’s belief that “climate change could be greatly overstated,” Russia did not undermine talks in Copenhagen. ++ Rather the new doctrine
... More
Global governance structures need to be revisited to ensure they work for people everywhere. ++ Multi-lateral engagement is necessary to address major international issues like climate change, which – aside from the environmental effects – “could have serious geopolitical and social repercussions.” ++ The EU cannot meet its challenges without a strong Europe in the World.
... More
Although climate activists have been successful at attracting the world’s attention to the receding ice on Mount Kilimanjaro, with an influx of tourists as a direct result, they fail to bring attention to the people of Tanzania. ++ Although scientists question whether the receding ice is a result of global warming, it is a fact that a large proportion of the population surrounding the famous
... More
Calls for taxes on imports from countries that do not adopt stringent greenhouse gas targets, divert attention from the key issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and risk antagonising developing countries. ++ Developed economies’ fears of carbon leakage and loss of competitiveness when faced with tougher restrictions on emissions than emerging economies are exaggerated. ++ Instead of
... More
With the Copenhagen UN climate summit coming up, the deadlock between the major developed and developing economic powers on how to divide up necessary greenhouse gas reductions, must be broken. ++ It is a common misconception that climate goals can only be met if China and India commit to immediate emissions reductions. ++ Early action by developed countries, together with developing countries’
... More
The panic is over but “although the worst [of the financial crisis] was avoided, much pain remains.” ++ Unemployment still rises in the West, further dislocating the political economies. ++ The US stimulus plan failed to increase public spending whereas Beijing began heavily investing in infrastructure once foreign exports reduced, increasing stability domestically. ++ This failure to
... More
After recent promises, China and the US must find a way of reducing carbon emissions at the Copenhagen summit later this year. ++ It is time for compromise as China insists on “common but differentiated responsibilities” to environmental problems globally but the US maintains its position. ++ “Varying domestic conditions, level of development and historic footprint” are key in Chinese
... More
The fight against climate change proclaimed by European Members of Parliament will have little effect. ++ “Even a great new agreement in Copenhagen is insufficient… [yet] necessary.” ++ The climatic challenge demands a profound reconsideration of political, scientific, and economic agendas. ++ Despite a better-informed public and a slow improvement in the handling of natural
... More
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was wrong to apologize to India for contributing to “most significantly to the problems that we face with climate change.” ++ The United States can be proud of its contributions to mankind’s efforts of “inventing, creating, building and adapting to cope with climate and the broad forces of nature.” ++ US leaders would serve their country much better by
... More
Obama could not get developing countries to accept the idea of binding emissions cuts. ++ Poor countries are unwilling to act on climate change because it would require them to abandon plans to ever conquer poverty. ++ “The Waxman-Markey climate change bill that just passed the House of Representatives wants to force developing countries to
accept this fate by resorting to the old and tired
... More
The repercussions of climate change are far more fatal than expected, a new report says. ++ Millions of the world’s poor are the most directly affected. ++ “This number will likely more than double - making it the greatest humanitarian challenge of our time.” ++ Developing countries “lack capacity to make their voices heard,” but endure 99 per cent of all casualties related to climate change. ++
... More
Supporting green policies as a result of climate change hysteria is misguided not only because of the uncertainty of the dangers that global warming might pose, but also because they will be damaging. ++ The economic downturn means it will be hard to afford expensive new sources of energy and “energy rationing policies like cap-and-trade will be a permanent drag on economic activity.” ++ A wider
... More
In
December the UN Climate Change Conference meets in Copenhagen to negotiate a follow up agreement
to the Kyoto Protocol. For China
this represents a double challenge: on the one side the Chinese government must
guarantee that in the war against climate change their domestic economy is not
slowing down. After all, the most important sources of legitimacy for the sole
governing party are
... More
According to the WWF, the world is living beyond its environmental means. ++ Environmental organizations state that to offset carbon dioxide emissions, new forests are needed. ++ This oversimplifies the problem and does not take technological advances into consideration, creating an “alarming message”. ++ The “ecological footprints” show the only thing the world is running out of is space to
... More
To combat climate change, environmentalists should stop supporting carbon taxes and unworkable market-based cap and trade systems in favor of emphasizing investment in alternative energy. ++ This should be done by implementing “feed in tariffs” which pay a premium to producers of renewable energy. ++ Cap and trade systems don’t reduce emissions, are open to being diluted and are difficult to
... More
Both climate change and the increasingly perceptible scarcity of primary commodities are responsible for the current economic crisis. Endlessly rising energy and food prices have also played their role in destabilizing financial markets and eroding the spending power of national budgets. The goal of any form of crisis management should therefore be a unified infrastructure, through which the
... More
“Brazil’s experience shows how developing countries can contribute to combating climate change globally.” ++ The country derives 46% of its energy from renewable sources against the global average of 13%. ++ Yet, it is developed countries through their consumption and production methods that are mainly responsible for climate change, whilst developing countries suffer most from its
... More
The debate on renewable energy sources produced many failed ideas and attempts. ++ Hence, the motto that viable fusion energy is “20 years away and always will be.” ++ But the government sponsored National Ignition Faculty with its promise to deliver carbon free electricity creates new hope. ++ Time will tell whether the promise will be delivered, but what’s for sure is that
... More
The
inauguration of US President Obama was overshadowed by the financial crisis,
which for the time being will set the agenda in the White House. High on the
list of priorities is the nearly 800 billion US dollar stimulus package. In the
face of this large sum, the political attention it attracts and the sustained
efforts required to manage the crisis, the current Congress will have
... More
Water and energy are the most important resources
for humanity. Both have become more mutually dependent. Beginning in the middle
ages with the water wheel, then used in factories for cooling purposes, to its
application as a fuel source, water has always played a critical role in
generating energy. In return it was necessary to provide access to clean water
- requiring water to be pumped
... More
All US presidents say they want to change our dependency on foreign energy, and yet US oil imports have doubled in 35 years. ++ In the future we should not be choosing between coastal oil drilling and energy conservation, but do both. ++ We need state subsidies, incentives for companies to diversify into “low-carbon” energy. ++ At the same time protected places such as the ocean shelf must be
... More
Europe’s carbon markets are collapsing and this is bad news for climate change. ++ Economics dictates that if the price of a good goes down, demand goes up; this happened with carbon permits, because “if [they] are cheap, and everyone has lots, the green incentive crashes into reverse.” ++ The ridiculously low price of carbon caused by the global recession removes every incentive to buy “costly
... More
The recovery of the economy lies, justifiably, at the center of political attention. ++ But while states are busy coming up with stimulus plans they should not neglect the environment. ++ A three-step plan should be conceived. ++ First, the response to the global recession should be globally coordinated. ++ Second, policies should be “pro-poor” to prevent further political
... More
The attempt of the EU to cut Co2 emissions by setting up high emission targets has failed. ++ The US should draw conclusions from this example and consider alternative measures to fight climate change. ++ Yet, Sen. Boxer, who just released the 6 Principles for Global Warming Legislation, does not seem to have understood the lesson as she strongly advocates for a cap-and-trade regime. ++ The
... More
Davos provided the starting point of the way out of the financial crisis by bringing together G-20 leaders. ++ Climate change can become part of the economic revival, with the job and technology opportunities that sustainable energy offers. ++ An important conclusion is the need to review businesses’ system of renumeration, and short-term greed must be addressed. ++ Davos participants
... More
If the international community acts carefully, the economy and the climate can be healed in tandem. ++ Incentives to cut greenhouse emissions could “kick-start private investment and refuel the economy.” ++ To coordinate developing and developed nations, caps for specific sectors should be set. ++ CO2 capture and storage (CCS) should be promoted as a means for developing countries
... More
Will the massive clean energy investments made in the US over the last couple of years be able to make it through the financial storm? Current perspectives are very encouraging: President Barack Obama seems to be committed, as is highlighted in the framework of his stimulus package.++ Since “the US has proved that it has the will, the capabilities and the courage to invest in innovation -
... More
This age may end up being the Age of Intolerance, Nationalism, or even Decline. ++ At best, it may become the Age of Responsibility that Obama is trying to usher in. ++ This requires completion of WTO negotiations in order to create enough growth to meet the Millennium Development Goals. ++ Carbon emissions will need to be cut, and anti-protectionist but disciplined fiscal policies will need to
... More
Barack Obama, financial crisis, resurgent Russia, G20, Western decline, climate change - in the season of global predictions, current discourse is driven by these and other such catchwords. ++ Yet, predictions from December 2007 were of little value: none predicted the financial collapse, none an Obama victory, nor any vastly fluctuating oil prices or governments’ failure to keep pace with global
... More
Last week’s UN climate conference at Poznan made it clearer than ever that 2009 will be a crucial year in sealing the fate of the planet. ++ The participants showed an egoism and lack of generosity which is particularly incomprehensible in view of the enormous bail-outs which Western governments have granted their banks. ++ The Copenhagen conference in a year’s time will define the
... More
To achieve low carbon emissions and green growth, an “eco- efficient, information technology-based approach” is needed. ++ The US believes that a 7% increase in broadband services will “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.45m tons.” ++ The US and Korea should cooperate to develop a national knowledge infrastructure, which can secure future growth engines that do not
... More
Barack Obama should adopt Al Gore’s proposal for a carbon tax on a global scale. ++ In today’s hyper-globalized economy, cap-and-trade systems that only apply to certain countries are not a viable solution. ++ A harmonized tax would allow for cheaper and cleaner energy in the long term. ++ An incentive for developing countries to participate could come in the form of access to a portion of rich
... More
High-carbon growth must be limited to avoid a climate disaster and prevent a dangerous global transformation - population movements and conflicts. ++ World emissions must be cut by 50% by 2050. ++ Investments in low-carbon infrastructure will likely average $1 trillion a year over next century and allow for a safer environment. ++ The EU and the UN must “sustain a price for carbon, by use
... More
Climate change “is not a traditional problem of national security, but one related to our collective security in a fragile and increasingly interdependent world.” ++ The European Commission recently released a report saying that climate change is indeed an international security issue. ++ The growing scarcity of water will increase migration, and the struggle for resources will breed conflict. ++
... More
It’s tempting to use the economic slowdown as an excuse to dodge ambitious declarations for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. ++ We mustn’t forget that our current economic problems are small compared to the possible long-term consequences of unchecked global warming. ++ The EU should lead the way; it if introduces an aggressive climate plan it will pressure the rest of the world
... More
As the captains of industry continue to rake in profits with the help of bailouts from “government cronies” without a care for the environment, the ecosystem is facing disaster. ++ We live in a “culture of wastefulness,” where a higher standard of living, such as owning a car, often contributes to environmental damage. ++ Education is the solution. ++ The younger generation is more aware of
... More
Given the Bush administration’s obstinacy in refusing to take action against climate change, many US states have stepped up to the challenge - none more so than California. ++ California has taken the bold step of becoming the nation’s first state to introduce a law intended to curb urban sprawl, and hence commuter travel (automobile traffic accounts for the single largest source of CO2 there).
... More
Efforts to address carbon emissions must be undertaken with exigency. ++ Developing countries like China, India and Brazil are responsible for half of all carbon emissions worldwide; their output has doubled over the past two decades. ++ 8.47 gigatons of emissions were released in 2007, up 2.9 percent over 2006. ++ Polluters will not change their energy policy until the US takes action. ++ The US
... More
Alexander Ochs is director of International Policy at the Center for Clean Air Policy. As such, he provides strategic guidance on all aspects of international climate policy at the center. He oversees CCAP’s international efforts and also advises on their US strategy. Alexander is also the founding editor of FACET - Forum for Atlantic Climate and Energy Talks, and a senior fellow at the American
... More
Given the interdependence between the economic growth of China and the world, it is necessary to integrate China into the global economy system. ++ One option is the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), which brings US and Chinese policymakers together to expand the bilateral relations. ++ Due to the long consultation that the Chinese government needs for decision making, the dialogue is
... More
While geoengineering may tempt mankind with promises of correcting global warming, we must not fall prey to the vicious cycle of scientifically tinkering with our planet. ++ Instead, humanity must adapt to a changing and warming environment by utilizing oases on continents and the Artic basin, which would be habitable in a warmer world, to ensure sufficient resources for our survival. ++ Saving
... More
Current “cap and trade” approach to the fight with global warming will not effectively solve the problem. ++ At its core, climate change is not a problem of technology or policy – the problem lies in our frame of mind. ++ We won’t save our planet unless we overcome system blindness and embrace “sustainable thinking,” characterized by 4 steps: “discover, dream, design, and
... More
So far all global efforts to tackle climate change have lacked impact, legitimacy and transparency - the situation is dire and calls for more radical solutions. ++ It is crucial to create a global legal structure of control in the form of an international court for the environment. ++ Such a powerful and imperial body could provide the catalyst for a global consensus concerning the best solution
... More
There are four main problems that deepen the world crisis: incoherence of American leadership, lack of global financing, lack of contact between scientific experts and politicians, and finally the fact that the G8 ignores the UN and the World Bank — institutions offering the best hope to tackle global problems. ++ The Group of Eight summits have turned into photo opportunities and illustrate the
... More
The tendency to use cleaner, lower carbon fuels is gathering speed without mandates or subsidies. ++ Indeed, the necessity to adapt infrastructure and emerging economies’ use of whatever their indigenous resources to industrialize means the process will not be quick or smooth; but change is underway. ++ China and India, for instance, still heavily rely on coal, but in the long term, they plan to
... More
Scientists who challenge the mainstream theory of global warming and claim that the increase in global temperatures is not caused by greenhouse gas emissions struggle to attain funding and publish their findings. ++ Mankind’s culpability for climate change has been elevated to orthodoxy and any dissenters are said to suffer from ostracism. ++ This is a mistake – an overwhelming embrace of
... More
Former Vice President Al Gore said that Americans must abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels within a decade. ++ Although his engagement against global warming is well known, Gore argued in this speech that the reasons for renouncing fossil fuels go far beyond environmental concern. ++ He cited military-intelligence studies warning of “dangerous national security implications” tied to
... More
The Clean Technology Fund - a multilateral initiative developed by the G8 and the World Bank -, would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by financing the use of clean technology in developing countries. ++ CO2 emissions of developing economies will soon exceed those of the developed ones. ++ Only advanced technology can help emerging economies curb their emissions growth without affecting
... More
Bush’s “cowboy diplomacy” is changing the way the world addresses climate change. ++ The new G8 document reflects the approach of the White House since 2002. ++ For the first time, the G8 acknowledged that progress will depend on technological advancements and that any climate program requires the involvement of countries like China and India. ++ It also recognized that
... More
G8 group agreed to cut green house emission by 50 percent. ++ But the final agreement establishes no interim goals that would require prompt and meaningful investments in cleaner energy. ++ China and India made clear that it is the developed world who contributed the most to the man-made emissions and who therefore must do most of the heavy lifting. ++ Scientists believe that cuts of at least 25
... More
The G-8 summit seemed more interested in harmony than in making progress on pressing issues. ++ G8 agreed to cut emissions by “at least” 50 percent, but the old conflict regarding the question who should start retained. ++ Farming subsidies in the Western as well as the massive failures of monetary policy, both responsible for the current food crises, were not even mentioned. ++ G8 remains a club
... More
Climate change and economic “stagflation” threaten the very future of our planet. ++ The only way to solve these challenges is to act globally. ++ Essentially, to resolve the food crisis, export restrictions need to be lifted and a second “green revolution,” - what once transformed Southeast Asia - needs to take place. ++ Climate change can be stopped if new limits are set
... More
Geoengineering as a solution to the problem of global warming deserves more attention from policymakers. ++ Solutions such as injecting ultra-fine sulfur particles into the stratosphere or spraying clouds with saltwater to increase their reflectivity may not be a panacea for climate change but they have a potential to slow it down and it would be much cheaper than mitigating GHG emissions. ++
... More
A recent Ipsos Mori poll suggests a gradual loss of interest in the issue of climate change. ++ The specter of recession intensifies political pressure to abandon green policies. ++ Governments try to save the economy and the planet at the same time though these two aims are contradictory. ++ They base their policies on the false assumption that there is a cheap alternative to a green economy. ++
... More
Reducing the West’s dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East requires lowering reliance on this type of energy altogether. ++ Many governments are “doing their utmost to increase and subsidize supplies” but this is not the revolutionary kind of action needed to avoid catastrophe. ++ Democratic leaders need to “lead, decide, and inspire,” display courage and stop shying away from
... More
In the debate regarding climate change and the shortage of fossil fuels, biofuels were for a long time considered to be the ideal solution. However recently, they have increasingly come under fire. Critics denounce the fact that through production of ethanol and biodiesel, the foodstuffs which are urgently needed in poor countries end up in the gas tanks of Western cars. In addition, the
... More
Until now, no one really seems to realise what kind of threat climate change represents for human beings living together on Earth. In his book “Climate Wars”, the social psychologist Harald Welzer therefore warns us against only perceiving climate change as a natural catastrophe and not as a collapse of the social order. In this sense, the social consequences of this development, rather than the
... More
International tourism is undergoing very rapid changes. New travelling habits, an increased awareness of price, short notice and short term holidays - and the wish for more flexibility and individuality as well as rising energy prices are constantly creating new challenges for the tourism industry. Unpredictable incidents have added to this: terrorist attacks (New York, Bali, Djerbra, Morocco,
... More
Since the late 70s, scientists have observed that the size of Polar South’s sea ice is expanding. ++ At a first glance, this could be mistaken for a positive development, however, other readings have shown that inland ice is melting at much more rapid rates. ++ This, coupled with the melting of earth’s four largest glaciers and cataclysmic melting of the Arctic, could still lead to a
... More
The climate change bill currently being debated in the US Senate is paramount for actual, sustainable improvement. ++ Not only for the sake of the environment, economies have recently experienced that innovation and emissions reduction can be quite lucrative. ++ In this spirit, one can expect the entrepreneurial character of the US economy to deliver a new age of greener policy and consumption.
... More
At this year’s G8 summit, the focus will be convincing big emitters (China, US) and developing countries to commit to the Kyoto protocol. ++ Making attractive proposals to encourage emission cuts and highlighting their benefits in terms of energy consumption and pollution reduction will require diplomatic leadership. ++ As part of environment ministers’ Kobe initiative, a sector-specific approach
... More
The reluctance of Burma’s military rulers to help their own people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis is criminal. ++ The international community should use a measured approach in encouraging Burma to accept aid and de-prioritize the scheduled constitutional referendum. ++ Greater involvement should be elicited from regional actors such as China and Thailand. ++ Pressuring too hard will only be
... More
Even without the food crisis, hundreds of millions do not have enough food. ++ We should demonstrate utmost concern and use this crisis as an opportunity to bring long overdue reforms and help vulnerable populations overcome long-existing food shortages. ++ Guaranteeing global food security requires solving structural problems, ending unfair trade practices, and tackling climate change
... More
German researchers have reported that natural climate variability may offset the noticeable effects of human-induced global warming over the next decade, until 2020. ++ In the short term, policymakers should not ease efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions but welcome the break as a time to cooperate and plan the planet’s environmental future. ++ While a decade is a short amount of time and
... More
Since global warming – by causing “natural” disasters, disease, and conflict – is threatening the lives and livelihoods of ever more children in the third world, we need to increase our contribution to the cost of adapting to climate change so that it is more evenly shared. ++ Governments, the private sector, and individuals must take action and adapt aid to the level of
... More
Climate change, resource shortages, and crippling, high food prices caused by the increased consumption of advanced and developing economies has unleashed a tide of resentment in poorer regions. ++ If Western culture and influence gets the blame for the health and capacity failures of the Third World, we could witness the rise of a “deadly anger now associated with Islamic
... More
While the most global threats like climate change or terrorism are at an impasse, the existing international institutions do not provide the needed framework for their solving. ++ They do not reflect the real distribution of economic and military power and ignore the needs and interests of developing countries. ++ To overcome mutual mistrust, G8 und G5 should be combined into one grouping.
... More
While it is undisputed that a new Democratic president would improve environmental policies, it might not be enough. ++ A call for the US to set an example in conservation for rising industrial economies must be heeded. ++ Restricted by domestic approval, each candidate proposes little in the way of emissions reduction, whereas studies show that a greener policy would hardly dampen the economy.
... More
Googlers from around the world are exchanging ideas and intentions on how to combat climate change on the Earth Day-specific mashup map. ++ The “nifty map” is part of the initiative “go green with Google” which provides ideas, energy saver gadgets, and a database of NGOs focusing on environmental sustainability. ++ The map is an inspiring platform to raise awareness and
... More
Despite progress on climate change, there is an imminent threat on food security. ++ Decreased rainfalls and the rush to grow biofuels in an unsustainable manner is causing food prices to soar and putting the world at risk of a food crisis. ++ Expected growth of the population and increasing wealth in developing nations will exacerbate the problem by exerting added pressure on food and energy
... More
Apart from hosting international sporting events in the near future, Delhi and Beijing have a lot in common at the moment, according to Narayani Ganesh of the Times of India: both face increasingly serious environmental challenges.
However these common issues offer opportunities for scientific cooperation, as shown by a memorandum on environmental collaboration signed during PM Manohan
... More
The geopolitical consequences of climate change are determined as much by political, social and economic factors as by the climatic shift itself. As a rule wealthier countries will be better prepared to cope with the effects of climate change whilst developing countries are least able to do so. For example, an increase in rainfall could be a blessing for a country that can capture, store, and use
... More
Paul Krugman, Professor of Economics at Princeton, argues in the NY Times that the biggest foreign policy issues for the next president will not be related to 9/11 or the war in Iraq. Rather, they will involve the consequences of China’s rapid economic growth.
The $100 a barrel oil price is a “made-in-China phenomenon,” given that China has been responsible for about a third of the
... More
Idean Salehyan, coauthor of “Climate Change and Conflict: The Migration Link,”argues in Foreign Policy that climate change cannot be the exclusive cause of future wars for water and resources. Corrupt and tyrannical governments should remain under scrutiny. Ban Ki-Moon’s statement linking the horrors in Darfur to climate change is false and misleading: Khartoum is the source of the
... More
America has a “profound misunderstanding of the nature of power in world politics,” says Harvard professor Joseph S. Nye. Power is distributed at three levels: unipolar military relations among states, multipolar economic relations, and transnational issues outside the control of governments. The most urgent challenges faced by the US today, such as the Iraq war, global climate change, pandemics,
... More
Comments
|
