My Scarlett Pimpernel

At first when I thought of writing an article on Climate change and the urge to react, I thought of explaining with simple words what was going on. However the result what a vague summary of general information that would not give out the message I was aiming for. Why is that? Humans are not rational creatures. Although they know a problem is hanging out somewhere their ability to react will only emerge in confrontation. Therefore I will give out facts and not blind words.

The 2007 IPCC report highlights the dangers of the climate challenge; however it seems it only shares a best-case scenario as it is missing out on several points. Other than a deep need of an update as it does not take into account the latest science, the high speed development of China and India has to be acknowledged as well. As the global emission of co2 is much higher today than it was a few years back, the data of the report is even more unreliable. Correcting it will not only draw a more alarming prospect of the future as it would also underline some catastrophic consequences.

To avoid this apocalypse scientists agree we should keep temperature under a 2°C rise. Although we already attained half of this safe increase the MIT report on probabilistic forecast of the 21^st century shows that this is only the beginning as we can expect a 5°C rise before 2095. How come such prospects could even happen?

The poles are melting and this is no big news. However, who has ever talked about permafrost? When melting out, this frozen peat will give off co2 or, if decaying in water, methane. As methane is 21 times more dangerous as a greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide, and considering that the permafrost contains as much co2 as the entire atmosphere holds, then if released there will be no safe exit.

While our planet is warming up, floods will wipe out our cities, and the wild climate and increasing precipitations will affect our health, lifestyle and environment. Forests such the Amazon will burn out and meaning less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. Of course these are horrific images however it will happen if the matter is not taken seriously. Don’t close your eyes on the subject. We are in this together and action starts at home.

“This is the most serious threat we have ever phased in all of history and it is happening very rapidly”, our generation “will see it, our children will live it and it is a question whether our grandchildren will get through it”, says Dan Miller. This member of the Copenhagen Climate Council is dedicated to create awareness of the importance of the COP 15. As the UN conference will be held in December in order to replace the Kyoto protocol, he believes there is still time to reverse the tide.

Therefore taxing emission of greenhouse gases, banning coal plants and managing energy efficiency as to prefer a renewable source than fossil fuels is a start. However, as a developed country such as Britain “generates far less renewable energy, as a proportion of the total, than most of its European neighbours” no optimism lies in the present, though maybe in the future.

Copenhagen is just around the corner so let’s hope for the best.