by Sasha Pei-Silovo – EM TV Online
“Be strong to fight global warming” is the message that rings out throughout the world with top United Nations climate change expert, Rajendra Pachauri, sounding these words of encouragement towards world governments as they embark on negotiating a new agreement to fight global warming.
The people of PNG’s Carteret Islands (also known as Carteret Atoll, Tulun or Kilinailau Islands/Atoll) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville became the world’s first climate change refugees, saved from rising sea levels which threaten to submerge the islands by 2015. The islands are now only 1.2 metres above sea level – a sure sign of things to come if climate change isn’t taken on seriously by world leaders.
The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark this week. They’ve issued a warning that time is fast running out while also choosing to keep climate change in-check by suggesting actions that provide guidance world over.
A final assessment report of climate change will be adopted at this meeting, and it has been stated that the report should provide the direction needed for which policymakers can incorporate and use to finding a solution. Essentially, the goal would be to reverse the course of climate change and its negative impacts on earth.
Scientists and governments are now working together to go over the report – still in its draft stages, before the final assessment is released.
A leaked draft gives insight into the report, seen as being blunter and distinct in tone, as compared to previously submitted reports. With the stated warnings all the more obvious – and that is, that if the world does not place constraints and put an end to our emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, we will be faced with “severe, pervasive and irreversible” climate impacts.
The draft indicates that impacts of climate change currently being experienced are already proving dangerous – with the rise in sea levels, heat waves and other extreme weather patterns, famines, droughts, flooding and other catastrophic natural disasters fuelled by the global effects of climate change.
Chairman of UN’s IPCC Rajendra Pachauri is urging governments to stand firm and to not be overcome by feelings of hopelessness when addressing climate change.
“Tremendous strides are being made in alternative sources of clean energy. There is much we can do to use energy more efficiently. Reducing and ultimately eliminating deforestation provides additional avenues for action”, said Pachauri.
With the aim of reaching an agreement come 2015, policymakers are seemingly under great pressure to deliver whilst negotiations are being hindered by on-going disputes between rich and poor countries. The burden of climate change and how it is to be divided is a significant issue.
There is a greater threat for island nations, like PNG and coastal communities around the world as temperatures continue to rise due to global warming and amidst on-going efforts by UN’s IPCC, governments and citizens of the world are being urged to take control of climate change and join the fight against global warming.
