Inter Press Service News Agency Friday, December 22, 2006   22:06 GMT      

CHALLENGES 2006-2007:
The Climate Change Tipping Point? http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35886

Stephen Leahy

BROOKLIN, Canada, Dec 18 (IPS) - This was the year that most people in the U.S. and Canada began to take climate change seriously and express hope that their governments would take action to reduce emissions -- but it is unclear if they will take action themselves.

Last month, thousands of people stood outside electronics stores for three, four and more days and nights to be the first to spend 600 dollars for the latest electronic video game console, but how many would spend two hours protesting the inaction of their governments on climate change?

"There is increasing public support for action but I'm not sure there's a willingness to do anything," said Eileen Claussen of the Pew Centre on Global Climate Change, a U.S. environmental think-tank working with business leaders and policymakers.

 
The David Suzuki Foundation launched such a programme four years ago called the Nature Challenge. It asks people to sign up and commit to taking action on the 10 most effective ways to reduce emissions and protect nature. These include reducing home energy by 10 percent; walking, biking or taking public transit to regular destinations; eating meat-free meals once a week; and choosing energy-efficient homes and appliances. More than 238,000 people have joined the programme, which also provides monthly tips on making sustainable choices.

"Canadians are willing to make modifications in their lifestyles -- hundreds join the programme every week," Carter said.

However, to achieve the deep cuts that many scientists say are needed -- 80 percent by 2050 -- major industries that are responsible for more than half of Canada's emissions have to play a significant role. Emissions caps are the best and fairest way to do that, Carter says. And it need not be costly. Canada's oil and gas sector, which is making billions of dollars in profits, could become carbon-neutral at a cost of only pennies per barrel of oil, studies have shown.

However, Canada's government has made it clear that it prefers voluntary measures.

...
Germany will provide stiff competition in the emissions cuts race with a recent proposal to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2020 if the European Union (EU) takes on a target of 30 percent.

"These are extremely ambitious targets but there is a great deal of activity in the EU to move away from importing oil and gas to domestic renewable energy programmes," Pearce said.

The EU believes it should show leadership and set the standard for rapidly industrialising countries like India and China to follow, said Pearce.

Meanwhile, many politicians in the United States and Canada complain that they shouldn't have to do anything unless India and China make commitments of their own.

"The world community is exasperated with Canada's and the U.S.'s irresponsible attitude," Pearce concluded. (FIN/2006)