Earthscan Sustainability 2

Earthscan recently held a conference in London 'Does Sustainability need an update?'

Brilliant speech by Professor Bill Adams - available as a video download - really recommend it.

Watch the video here

Climate Safety

This new report from the Public Interest Research Centre brings the science of climate change up to date since the publication of the IPCC AR4 reports - although these were only published last year they were based on peer reviewed science which was 5 years old. Climate Safety updates - particularly on Arctic Ice Melt and carbon sink effectiveness.

Their report can be downloaded here.

The foreword is written by Sir John Houghton - co-chair of the IPCC and former DG of the Met Office. He states "I wish to commend the authors of the Climate Safety report for their carefully researched assessment of the climate future, the severity of its likely impacts as currently understood and the urgent demands that are made on both global and national action. They point out the 2°C target as currently pursued will almost certainly turn out to be inadequate and will soon need to be substantially strengthened."

The main conclusion of the report is that as climate change is occurring much quicker than originally predicted, in order to maintain global temperature increases below 2 degrees C CO2 levels will have to be stabilised at 300ppm and not the 450-550ppm recommended by the Committee on Climate Change or in the Stern Report.

The report concludes with a series of required actions.

An important read.

Mark Lynas - author of Six Degree said the following of the report “Climate Safety plainly shows us that we need to inject a sense of urgency into the debate about how we respond to climate change. It’s not about gradually reducing emissions any more, it’s about recognising the risks we face and cutting our emissions to zero as quickly as possible.”

George Monbiot, Guardian columnist said “You cannot overstate the importance of this report: it has opened my eyes to levels of climate risk far beyond those of which I was aware. Crisp, clear-headed and profoundly shocking, this report should be read immediately by everyone who cares.”

80% by 2050 - legal assent

80% by 2050 is now legally binding! The Climate Change Bill received Royal Assent on the 1st Dec.. The Climate Change Committee has been set up to over see monitoring - they have have new web site - see here.

The CCC have recommended a 34% (cf 1990) cut in CO2 emissions by 2020 - see their press release here.

In addition they have published a huge document on creating a low carbon economy based on the new legislation. This is clearly and important document which I have yet to read - it is downloadable here.

This is important stuff - visit the web site - 34% cuts in CO2 in 12 years time is a stiff target which can only be achieved by major change