Stern reports on global warming

The headline writers have had a field day with the recently released review by Treasury economist Sir Nicholas Stern.

From the USA: Stern Warning on Global Warming Costs
[http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2006/10/29/9652/2432]
(That one being a shave too close to the original title for this blog entry.)

New Zealand: Climate Change Minister David Parker believes the "scary" consequences of global warming are finally dawning on New Zealanders.
[http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3847390a11,00.html]

Germany: Weltwirtschaftskrise durch Klimawandel?
(Worldwide economic crisis due to climate change?)
[http://www.tagesschau.de/aktuell/meldungen/0,1185,OID6048728,00.html]

India: Global warming may heat up India
[Nilanjana Bose, CNN-IBN]

UK: Global warming could cost up to seven trillion dollars: British report
[yahoo.co.uk]

Around the world the message has largely been one of "Oh my god, we're all going to die! Or at least have to pay higher taxes". The picture painted by the media on Monday morning was one of shock, awe and terror. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no climate change denier (I wouldn't be in this business if I were), but honestly, we won't get anywhere using only government backed scare stories.

In a whole days worth of liberal left wing media there was not one single mention of positive steps that your average Joe could make to make a change. (No, No, No, telling people to turn standby off does not count).

If we are to make a real difference we need to start educating ourselves about the choices that we make. So called Green taxes are all well and good (if properly utilised) but they do not guide us in making ethical life choices. For example, carbon offsetting without carbon reduction is merely a means to make us feel better but is no solution, but to understand why we must have at least some background knowledge of the ins and outs of the situation.

A new legally binding post-Kyoto deal on emissions to which all governments are signed up to is needed now and not in 2010/11 (the last years of the Kyoto agreement), and could be on it's way if Sir Nicholas' world tour as Britain's "climate ambassador" is a success (minimum CO2 output of 5.5 tons not counting all the hot air of diplomatic courtesies). However, we should not depend on our great leader(s) to show us the way, as individuals we must also take responsibility for our own actions.


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