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PRESIDENT LÁSZLÓ SÓLYOM ON THE CLIMATE THINKERS BLOG

On the COP15 homepage, climate debate leaders from all over the world have submitted entries to the Climate Thinkers Blog in order to focus attention on the world’s climate issues.

President László Sólyoms' entry can be read below or click on the link to the right to go directly to the Climate Thinkers Blog.

Scientific evidence appealing to the responsibility of citizens and crying out for political action is becoming truly overwhelming [1] . As the initiator of the informal network of „Green Presidents” I wish to quote and support these desperate new warnings of science. I urge governments to gather all the human ingenuity, material resources and moral resolve their nation can offer and embark on an unmistakable turn of course towards resilience and sustainability – now!

According to the summaries published by the International Alliance of Research Universities [2] and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change [3] the majority of the new scientific insights are based entirely or partially on direct observations of climate change (as opposed to forecasts or estimates). In other words - to use a shipping analogy - we do not have to calculate with icebergs or forecast the probability of a collision course: we can already see the icebergs in front of our bow.

In general, this observed climate change is proceeding at a more rapid pace than anticipated by previous estimates or model projections. Sea level is rising, global ice cover is diminishing, and biological systems are disturbed. Recent revisions of projected changes are higher than earlier estimates; the IPCC projections published in 2007 now appear rather conservative in light of more recent observations and improved modelling techniques. With unabated emissions, many trends in climate will likely accelerate, leading to an increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shifts.

Rapid, sustained and effective mitigation is required more than ever before. Setting and reaching strong targets for 2020 this year would lower the risk of crossing tipping points, and would make meeting the targets for 2050 cheaper and safer. Adoption and implementation of policies that promote energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies is the key to effective mitigation.

Without mitigation, the disruption of ecosystems spills over into social problems. Societies are highly vulnerable to even modest levels of climate change. Poor communities are particularly at risk. Temperature rises above 2 o C are likely to cause major societal disruptions through the rest of the century. Climate change will also have strongly differential effects on present and future generations. Tackling climate change is therefore integral to enhancing social development and equity throughout the world. Linking climate change with human rights issues and democratic values is crucial for shifting societies towards resilience and more sustainable development.

Climate change is already regarded by many as an aggression by the rich against the poor. The social tipping points the worsening conditions bring ever closer carry grave security risks to everyone. As the Johannesburg Political Declaration warned [4] back in 2002, “unless we act in a manner that fundamentally changes their lives, the poor of the world may lose confidence in their representatives and the democratic systems”. In other words, no less is at stake but the whole multilateral international order that evolved under the UN umbrella during the last half century, because it may ultimately prove unable to secure our survival with peaceful and co-operative means.

Yet strong policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could still avert the worst consequences of climate change. The necessary technology and economic instruments are developed and well-known. Present subsidies that increase greenhouse gas emissions can be re-allocated to provide additional support to kick-start a green economy. We also know that efforts to rapidly achieve adaptation and mitigation would bring a wide range of benefits and save tremendous costs. Job growth in green economy sector, especially building and energy generation, revitalisation of ecosystem services, avoidance of rapidly increasing burden on the health, social, technical and environmental systems would make the new course economically viable. Why then this inertia? What is it that is missing in the political arena? Why are we all sitting on the fence?

By way of an answer, I wish to refer to the Venice Declaration on Environmental Ethics [5] : “The problem is not simply economic and technological; it is moral and spiritual. A solution at the economic and technological level can be found only if we undergo, in the most radical way, an inner change of heart, which can lead to a change in lifestyle and of unsustainable patterns of consumption and production. First, we must regain humility and recognize the limits of our powers, and most importantly, the limits of our knowledge and judgement. We have been making decisions, taking actions and assigning values that are leading us away from the world as it should be. A new approach and a new culture are needed, inspired by environmentally ethical behaviour. Such an ethics fosters interdependence and stresses the principles of universal solidarity, social justice and responsibility, in order to promote a true culture of life.

We must frankly admit that humankind is entitled to something better than what we see around us. We and, much more, our children and future generations are entitled to a better world, a world free from degradation, violence and bloodshed, a world of generosity and love.”

Will the Parties in Copenhagen have the courage to make this admission, and to undergo this “inner change of heart”? Dum spiro, spero.

H.E. Laszlo Solyom is President of the Republic of Hungary

President Laszlo Solyom on the Climate Thinkers Blog

Redigeret 3. december 2009