Tiempo Climate Newswatch

The American Meteorological Society has issued a policy statement regarding geoengineering, deliberate manipulation of the climate system to counteract the effects of global warming by, for example, reflecting sunlight back to space. While geoengineering could make a contribution to a comprehensive risk management strategy to slow climate change, the Society concludes, research has yet to establish whether there are large-scale approaches that would produce significant benefits or whether those benefits would substantially outweigh detrimental effects.

The Society makes three recommendations. First, there is a need for enhanced research on the scientific and technological potential for geoengineering the climate system, including research on intended and unintended environmental responses. Second, a coordinated study of historical, ethical, legal, and social implications of geoengineering should be undertaken. Finally, development and analysis of policy options to promote transparency and international cooperation in exploring geoengineering is required. "We can’t escape the need to dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions starting immediately," commented Paul Higgins, who chaired the statement drafting team. "But even our past emissions bring us to uncharted territory and create risks so severe that we must responsibly consider all options."

"We must get serious about adaptation and we must do so now," argued United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in an address to the Mongolian government. "Adaptation is both a practical need and a moral imperative,". Ban met with the Bayansonginot herder community during his visit to Mongolia, spending a night in a ger, a traditional dwelling. "Expanding deserts suffocate livelihoods and a way of life. The degradation of vital pasture lands directly affects Mongolia’s economy and culture. And you are not alone. You are part of the one third of the world’s population - two billion people - who are potential victims of desertification," he told senior government officials.

The Secretary-General outlined a series of practical steps to support the adaptation process, starting with more detailed information on potential climate impacts so that resources can be targeted to best advantage. He noted that in countries such as Bangladesh, Cuba and Vietnam, disaster risk reduction has "proven to be among the most cost-effective investments." Planting of mangrove trees on unprotected coastlines and community education and evacuation plans were relatively inexpensive ways to reduce disaster risk. "Climate resilience, sustainability and low-carbon growth [should] become the foundations of future prosperity" in green development efforts, he concluded.

India's draft climate plan includes a commitment to scale up solar power generation from near zero at present to 20 gigawatts by the year 2020, equivalent to one-eighth of India's current installed power base. A statutory solar authority would be set up, which would make it mandatory for states to buy some solar power. "The aspiration is to ensure large-scale deployment of solar generated power for both grid-connected as well as distributed and decentralized off-grid provision of commercial energy services," according to the policy draft. India should be able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by about 42 million tons through solar provision. The immediate aim is to provide access to solar-powered lighting to three million households by 2012.

India needs to follow a different development path, avoiding the heavy reliance on fossil fuels typical of the industrialized world, says climate negotiator Dinesh Patnaik from the Ministry of External Affairs. "There are not enough fossil fuels," he commented in an interview with Reuters. "So we have to grow in a more efficient way. Just imagine if we can provide those 500 million people [who do not have access to electricity] with electricity which does not use fossil fuels? What a huge achievement." Assistance will be needed. "All we're asking is that in this endeavour hold our hand while we're growing so that we can achieve our growth and not be derailed by a lack of resources and technology," he continued. Richer nations should also reduce their over-consumption, he argued. "When someone in the United States has to make a sacrifice it goes from a Hummer to a [Ford] Fiesta. For us, it's the difference between having a meal and not eating or a house with electricity and no electricity."