Major Gorebot and Kyoto treaty symptoms are less evident in the latest U.N. report. But, despite the modicum of rationality now emerging, the report is best described in the celebrated words of Rowan and Martin's World War II German soldier:
Very interesting, -- But stupid!
I report and link. You decide. - J :)
From a Guardian [U.K.] article, UN: we have the money and know-how to stop global warming:
UN: we have the money and know-how to stop global warming [/] Report obtained by the Guardian spells out strategy to reverse climate change [/] David Adam, environment correspondent [/] Saturday April 28, 2007
Global climate change experts will this week lay out a detailed plan to save the planet from the catastrophic effects of rising temperatures. Climate change could be stopped in its tracks using existing technology, but only if politicians do more to force businesses and individuals to take action.
The UN study will conclude that mankind has the knowhow to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 26bn tonnes by 2030 - more than enough to limit the expected temperature rise across the planet to 2-3C. [/] Such a move would cost the world economy billions of pounds over the next two decades, but this could be recouped by savings due to the health benefits of lower levels of air pollution. [/] Cheaper solutions could bring down emissions to 1990 levels, but that would still see average temperatures rise by as much as 4C this century, with devastating consequences for wildlife, agriculture and the availability of water.
[...] The best way to limit future emissions is to focus on clean development in developing countries.
[...] The report says that taking "optimal" mitigation measures might by 2030 stabilise greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere at 445 to 534 parts per million, up from an estimated 430 ppm today. [/] It indicates that stabilising concentrations relatively quickly at 450 ppm - an unlikely scenario - could still limit the temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial temperatures, which scientists say could avert severe damage. Achieving the 445-534 ppm range could cost up to 3% of global gross domestic product (GDP) over two decades, the draft says.
[...] Greater use of renewable energy, nuclear power and biofuels will be needed to stabilise emissions, [/] [...] And it calls for the wider use of technology to capture carbon dioxide spewed from power stations and store it underground, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS). The draft says: "A critical issue is how quickly new coal plants are going to be equipped with CCS, because retrofitting power plants with CCS later is economically unattractive." Energy companies in the developing world are building a handful of "capture ready" power stations, which can be adapted when the CCS technology is ready, but hundreds of plants being built throughout China and India are not so advanced and there will be no way to constrain their pollution./[...] Jim Watson, an energy policy researcher at Sussex University, said: "A lot of the plants that are being built and discussed in China are not up to the highest standards because they are being built by regional governments and utilities, and there isn't much coordination from the centre."
[...] The draft report says such voluntary agreements are not effective, but it also raises questions about the success of Kyoto-style treaties based on targets and carbon trading. It says the best approach is to tie development to investment in clean technology.
[...] Sector by sector [/] Transport [/] Despite breakthroughs in cleaner options, such as hybrid cars, the sector is the fastest growing source of emissions, the report says. It highlights emerging technologies such as cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels. Some campaigners warn that increasing use of biofuels could worsen problems such as food shortages, as farmers scramble to meet demand. The IPCC suggests this could be eased by a switch to biofuels made from waste cellulose. The report says government policies such as mandatory carbon dioxide emission standards are crucial, but that hikes in car tax, fuel duty and moves such as road pricing will be less effective as incomes rise. Better public transport can make a significant contribution.
[...] Waste [/] The IPCC says post-consumer waste, such as plastic bags, generates less than 5% of global emissions, [...] [My ellipses and emphasis]
