Reckless gamblers16 December 2010
Friends of the Earth today launched a new report: Reckless Gamblers - How politicians' inaction is ramping up the risk of dangerous climate change.
The report is aimed at the policy community involved in negotiating and agreeing carbon budgets.
Its intention is to provoke debate about what constitutes an acceptable risk of dangerous climate change - a debate which to date has been largely confined to politicians.
This report is uncomfortable but essential reading for all policy makers. It is a refreshing wake-up call for all those with a stake in our global future.
Prof. Kevin Anderson
Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Key issues
Politicians are paying lip-service to limiting global temperature increases to 2 degrees. Yet the pledges made at the UN climate summit in Cancun are more in line with a 4 degrees rise (or more) and are full of loopholes.
A recent review of climate science has underlined the need to keep below a 2 degree rise in global temperatures.
The total amount of carbon pollution that can be released between 2010 and 2050 to give a good chance of avoiding a 2 degree rise in temperature is small and diminishing fast.
Level playing field
Sharing a global carbon budget equally could mean the USA has to reduce emissions by 95% by 2030 from 1990 levels and the EU by 80%.
Emissions from countries like China would need to peak within the next 5 years and then fall.
The future
Rich countries - which have caused climate change - need to take the lead in reducing their emissions first and fastest.
They must also provide developing countries with the funds and technology they need to live within environmental limits and lift their people out of poverty.
Further information
To read more about the reckless gamble politicians are taking with our climate, read the full report:
