Stern climate change report still leaves poor exposed, claims Christian Aid
-30/10/06
Stern climate change report still leaves poor exposed, claims Christian Aid
-30/10/06
The UK-based international development agency Christian Aid today (30 October 2006) broadly welcomed the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, but warned that its conclusions would still expose millions of poor people to an unacceptably high risk of disease, drought and famine.
ìSir Nicholasís report is of major international significance and should leave no-one in doubt about the need for immediate action on climate change,î said Andrew Pendleton, Christian Aidís senior climate change analyst.
However, Mr Pendleton cautioned: ìTalk of economic dangers is all very well but the real danger remains poor people in the developing world whose future depends on our willingness to act.î
He went on: ìIf we follow the reportís conclusions, we may avert economic bankruptcy but we will still be teetering on the brink moral bankruptcy.î
Mr Pendleton welcomed the reportís main message that dealing with climate change was wiser than delaying, but said that Sternís benchmark of economic feasibility was incompatible with the urgent needs of poor people.
ìWe are concerned that the Stern Report has dismissed a level of CO2 and other equivalent greenhouse gases (CO2e) of 450 parts per million as too expensive. But in reality poor people are already struggling to cope with existing climate change as a result of an atmosphere polluted with 430ppm of CO2e.
ìAt Sternís levels, large parts of the developing world would be exposed to a much greater risk of disaster and misery,î Pendleton said.
ìSternís figures means that the worldís average temperature would almost certainly increase beyond the two degree mark that scientists agree is safe. This could condemn millions of poor people on the front line of climate change to death,î said Mr Pendleton.
Christian Aid is a leading member of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, an alliance of secular and faith-based campaigns and development agencies, which is calling for:
ï an annual, contracting carbon budget to limit the amount of greenhouse gases Britain produces each year. This must be commensurate with the science of remaining within a two degree increase in global average surface temperatures.
ï incentives and penalties to significant industries, including transport and energy, to encourage emissions reductions
ï an annual report on whether or not emissions are kept within the carbon budget.
ï an independent audit commission to check emissions are being reduced in line with the carbon budget
ï tax incentives to drive innovation in renewable energy and other clean technology
ï public subsidies to support research and development.
Stern climate change report still leaves poor exposed, claims Christian Aid
-30/10/06
The UK-based international development agency Christian Aid today (30 October 2006) broadly welcomed the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, but warned that its conclusions would still expose millions of poor people to an unacceptably high risk of disease, drought and famine.
ìSir Nicholasís report is of major international significance and should leave no-one in doubt about the need for immediate action on climate change,î said Andrew Pendleton, Christian Aidís senior climate change analyst.
However, Mr Pendleton cautioned: ìTalk of economic dangers is all very well but the real danger remains poor people in the developing world whose future depends on our willingness to act.î
He went on: ìIf we follow the reportís conclusions, we may avert economic bankruptcy but we will still be teetering on the brink moral bankruptcy.î
Mr Pendleton welcomed the reportís main message that dealing with climate change was wiser than delaying, but said that Sternís benchmark of economic feasibility was incompatible with the urgent needs of poor people.
ìWe are concerned that the Stern Report has dismissed a level of CO2 and other equivalent greenhouse gases (CO2e) of 450 parts per million as too expensive. But in reality poor people are already struggling to cope with existing climate change as a result of an atmosphere polluted with 430ppm of CO2e.
ìAt Sternís levels, large parts of the developing world would be exposed to a much greater risk of disaster and misery,î Pendleton said.
ìSternís figures means that the worldís average temperature would almost certainly increase beyond the two degree mark that scientists agree is safe. This could condemn millions of poor people on the front line of climate change to death,î said Mr Pendleton.
Christian Aid is a leading member of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, an alliance of secular and faith-based campaigns and development agencies, which is calling for:
ï an annual, contracting carbon budget to limit the amount of greenhouse gases Britain produces each year. This must be commensurate with the science of remaining within a two degree increase in global average surface temperatures.
ï incentives and penalties to significant industries, including transport and energy, to encourage emissions reductions
ï an annual report on whether or not emissions are kept within the carbon budget.
ï an independent audit commission to check emissions are being reduced in line with the carbon budget
ï tax incentives to drive innovation in renewable energy and other clean technology
ï public subsidies to support research and development.