Climate Change-We Need to Act Now
The Gazette's weekend Op Ed piece (October23-24) noted we must get down to 350 parts per million (ppm) CO2 and that we can do it and still grow the economy. Dr. James Hansen of NASA and 2700 other scientists agree that 350 is the safe upper limit for humans and our ecosystem that has developed over the past 10,000 years. The science is clear. Currently there are 389ppm and experts note that all the computer models have underestimated the rapidity and severity of climate change.
Burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests and other human activities move us closer each year to the tipping point where loss of artic ice and other events create self-reinforcing natural systems that we will be unable to alter. A too little, too late response to this possibility could result in a sea level rise that would imperil New York and Boston and many of the world's most populous cities. At the same time, the loss of water from disappearing glaciers and drought would devastate food crops and farms in this country and abroad causing massive economic losses, migrations (affecting 1.3 billion people in Asia alone) and, according to a number of retired U.S. generals, cause enormous political instability leading to conflicts.
It is important that each of us continue to do as much as we can individually and in our communities, but we cannot get to 350 with isolated efforts alone. The scale of the problem makes it essential that our Federal and State governments set 350 goals as a priority.
The U.S. can improve efficiency through tax policies, regulations and subsidies, tools that both parties use frequently to encourage citizens to reach stated goals. Improving efficiency alone could reduce U.S. energy needs by as much as 60-80% according to a 2003 study by the Swiss Technology Institutes.
Japan and the European Union have pledged to reduce greenhouse emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 if other nations make substantial commitments. The U.S. must step up to this challenge.
The technology already exists to get to 350ppm, we just need to make it available and affordable. And, of course, we need to encourage the development of new innovations. Researchers at Stanford University found 825 sites with wind speeds strong enough for economically viable power generation. These potential sites are in every region of the world and could produce 1.5 times current annual world electricity use.
With current technology, photovoltaics (PV) could provide almost half of current electricity use by 2025. PV innovations are expected to cut costs in half. Long-term technical potential of PV in US is over 3 times current world energy use. U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab
According to the European Renewable Energy Council (2004) it is not only economically feasible, but also economically desirable, to cut CO2 emissions by almost 75% within the next 43 years. These reductions can be achieved without nuclear power, and while virtually ending U.S. dependence on coal.”
On Saturday (10/24) there were over a dozen events in our valley, part of the 5200 events in 181 countries around the world advocating for 350ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere. We must continue to urge our politicians to step up; the U.S., a major polluter, must take a leadership role in addressing climate change at the Copenhagen Conference this December. You, and organizations you belong to can get support and learn how to do this more effectively by going to www.pvclimate.org , the website of the Climate 350 Campaign. When the U.S decides to step up to a crisis it can change direction and mobilize resources very quickly. We sent a man to the moon in ten years. Now, with an impending global crisis we must step up again. Time is short--government leaders must hear from their constituents.
Alan Eccleston and M.A. Swedland
Climate 350 Campaign