Global Warming Far Bigger Threat Than Terrorism
... London Under Threat
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Chimneys - global warming |
Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism, the UK Government's
chief scientific adviser has said.(Report by BBC News, Jan 04).
On this West London site we do not usually report on national stories, as there is lots of coverage of these
elswhere. But we feel this story is so striking and links so well to issues that we cover in West London, that
it bears repeating here.
"Climate change is the most severe problem we are facing today" said Sir David King. See story of how Tony Blair has tried to gag David King
But Sir David King is still speaking out. He said that carbon dioxide levels the highest for 55 millions years and that low-lying cities such as London are under threat from rising sea levels. (Metro 15 July 04)
Flood risk - and more
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Floods - global warming |
Without immediate action flooding, drought, hunger and debilitating diseases such as malaria would hit millions of people around the world.
In Britain, the number of people at high risk of flooding was expected to more than double to nearly 3.5 million by 2080, Sir David said. And damage to properties could run to tens of billions of pounds every year.
Britain was trying to show leadership by cutting energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable sources, Sir David added. But the UK was responsible for only about 2% of the world's emissions while the US, with just 4% of the world's population, produced more than 20%.
The UK was asking the world's developed economies to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% of 1990 levels by about 2050, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), Sir David said.
The big problem - the US
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Esso - George Bush's biggest backer |
US President George Bush says more research is needed before he introduces punitive carbon taxes on industry. But Sir David criticised the Bush administration for relying too exclusively on market-based incentives and voluntary actions.
He told Science, the 'house magazine' of the US scientific establishment: "As the world's only remaining superpower, the United States is accustomed to leading internationally co-ordinated action. But at present the US Government is failing to take up the challenge of global warming."
But despite declaring support for the UNFCC's (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) objectives, the US had failed to ratify the Kyoto accord for emission reductions and "refused to countenance any remedial action now or in the future".
One is tempted to ask - where is the real "axis of evil"?
As an appointee of the government, Sir David King is taking a huge risk. He is telling the truth about the real priorities for the planet and at the same time attacking Tony Blair's god and master - George Bush. How long will Sir David King last? We have already seen how others that speak out about the environment, such as Micheal Meacher, are sacrificed.
Climate risk to millions of species
At the same time as Tony Blair's chief scientific advisor was putting his head on the block, an international study confirmed the dangers from global warming to the world's wildlife.
Do they care?
The evidence is that George Bush cares little about climate change and even less about the loss of a million species. He is far more interested in the oil companies such as Esso who have a vested interest in burning as much oil as possible.
Tony Blair's position is less clear. Wnile the government rarely talks about the enviroment now, the UK does seem to be making real attempts to cut energy consumption and reduce global warming. Pity that Tony's Blair seems so hell-bent on helping George Bush to get his hands on Iraqs oil!
Links
US suppresses global warming report
Blair gags his chief scientist
Back to climate change introduction
Threat to world's wildlife