Carbon emission cuts needed 'within decade'
CO2 emissions threaten to upset Earth's delicate balance
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Wednesday, 08, Nov 2006 08:33
Governments around the world must take steps within the next ten years to dramatically reduce global CO2 emissions if they are to avoid a potentially devastating 2C rise in average temperatures, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Publishing its report on climate change today, the UK-based thinktank argues that a 70 per cent drop in carbon emissions must be achieved by 2050 if a variety of negative impacts on climate change are to be avoided.
The report paints a bleak picture for a global population living under an average 2C increase, with water scarcity affecting two billion people, diminished agricultural production and a "higher chance" of flooding caused by rising sea levels.
Despite these forecasts, the IPPR's head of climate change, Simon Retallack, says the report is "not a counsel of despair".
"The technology exists to meet this challenge: we know how to achieve substantial increases in energy efficiency, generate energy without fossil fuels, and reduce emissions from the destruction of forests and soils," Mr Retallack said.
"The challenge for governments is to adopt the policies and direct the level of resources needed to do this in time."
Today's report coincides with this week's UN climate change negotiations in Nairobi, which the IPPR is hoping will see the US adopt a cap on its emissions.
Last week the government published its Stern report, which said that while dealing with climate change would cost governments one per cent of their GDP, failing to deal with its negative impacts could cost 20 times more.