Grim implications

Research presented at the Copenhagen Climate Congress touched upon six key issues around climate change.

The first issue was that things could be worser than presented in the IPCC report of 2007. This is mainly because of the enormously varying patterns in global mean surface temperature, sea-level rise, ocean and ice sheet dynamics and ocean acidification.

The second issue is related to social disruption. Even modest levels of climate changes can cause havoc in social life, especially in the poorer nations.

The third issue calls for rapid, sustained and effective measures to avoid “dangerous climate changes”. If weaker targets are set, adaptation will take longer than usual!

The fourth issue was concerted towards providing a safety net to the poor and vulnerable nations. It’s essential to provide a effective, well funded adaptation safety net.

Deciding upon taking corrective actions but not actually carrying them out is utterly inexcusable. Hence, the fifth issue was based on implementing the innumerable tools that must be vigorously and widely implemented to achieve the societal transformation required to decarbonize economies.

The sixth and the final issue was about meeting the societal challenges.

Interestingly, IPCC chairman R Pachauri spoke on the ethical side of climate change at the meet, saying ‘Why has the world been so concerned with human rights violation in Darfur, or some other place, when the same criteria don't apply to something like climate change? I mean, we are really causing human misery, and will be causing human misery of unimaginable proportions if we don't do something about the problems. And why is the world not focusing on it? That's what worries me.’

All these issues are not just the concern of the governmental organizations. It is up to each individual to make a difference to save our planet. Can you think of three ways in which you can make a difference? Let us know so we can talk about it here.