http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03258792.htm


Cut emissions now or pay, UK tells climate talks
03 Oct 2006 23:29:37 GMT
Source: Reuters
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By Catherine Bremer

MONTERREY, Mexico, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Britain told the world's worst
polluting nations on Tuesday that acting now to cut emissions of
heat-trapping greenhouse gases would be vastly cheaper in the long run
than doing nothing.

British government scientist and former World Bank chief economist
Nicholas Stern told a meeting in northern Mexico that it makes economic as
well as environmental sense to pursue green energy sources.

A long-awaited study by Stern on the economic effects of combating global
warming is due in the coming days.

"He shows that the longer action is delayed, the more expensive it is,"
British Environment Secretary David Miliband told reporters.

"What he says is that ... it is imperative we take action to prevent
further climate change because the economic costs -- never mind the human
costs and the costs to the environment -- will far outweigh the costs of
mitigation."

The closed-door meeting in Monterrey, Mexico of energy and environment
ministers from the world's 20 top greenhouse gas emitting nations
including the United States is aimed at continuing dialogue on climate
change and comes amid a shift in scientific thinking.

Most experts are now convinced global warming is caused by burning fossil
fuels, rather than a natural cyclical phenomenon.

Last year was the warmest year at the Earth's surface since records began
in the 1860s, according to NASA, and new estimates suggest temperatures
could rise by 3 degrees Celsius this century, triggering floods, droughts
and famine.

"ECONOMIC NONSENSE"

The United States, which has withdrawn from the Kyoto accord aimed at
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, participated in the closed-door
sessions but did not brief reporters.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said climate change could spell
crisis for the developing world as people fight over fresh water and
crops, noting the conflict in Darfur is partly rooted in competition for
farmland and water.

Experts predict an exodus of millions from low-lying countries like
Bangladesh if sea levels rise by just three feet (a metre).

Beckett, a former environment minister, said putting off action to cut
emissions and pursue green energy sources was "economic nonsense."

Economists are divided over the benefits of preemptively tackling climate
change, with some saying the cost of taking a slower approach would be
insignificant. Some predict higher farming yields in cold countries could
offset damage elsewhere.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03258792.htm


Cut emissions now or pay, UK tells climate talks
03 Oct 2006 23:29:37 GMT
Source: Reuters
Printable view | Email this article | RSS XML [-] Text [+]

By Catherine Bremer

MONTERREY, Mexico, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Britain told the world's worst
polluting nations on Tuesday that acting now to cut emissions of
heat-trapping greenhouse gases would be vastly cheaper in the long run
than doing nothing.

British government scientist and former World Bank chief economist
Nicholas Stern told a meeting in northern Mexico that it makes economic as
well as environmental sense to pursue green energy sources.

A long-awaited study by Stern on the economic effects of combating global
warming is due in the coming days.

"He shows that the longer action is delayed, the more expensive it is,"
British Environment Secretary David Miliband told reporters.

"What he says is that ... it is imperative we take action to prevent
further climate change because the economic costs -- never mind the human
costs and the costs to the environment -- will far outweigh the costs of
mitigation."

The closed-door meeting in Monterrey, Mexico of energy and environment
ministers from the world's 20 top greenhouse gas emitting nations
including the United States is aimed at continuing dialogue on climate
change and comes amid a shift in scientific thinking.

Most experts are now convinced global warming is caused by burning fossil
fuels, rather than a natural cyclical phenomenon.

Last year was the warmest year at the Earth's surface since records began
in the 1860s, according to NASA, and new estimates suggest temperatures
could rise by 3 degrees Celsius this century, triggering floods, droughts
and famine.

"ECONOMIC NONSENSE"

The United States, which has withdrawn from the Kyoto accord aimed at
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, participated in the closed-door
sessions but did not brief reporters.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said climate change could spell
crisis for the developing world as people fight over fresh water and
crops, noting the conflict in Darfur is partly rooted in competition for
farmland and water.

Experts predict an exodus of millions from low-lying countries like
Bangladesh if sea levels rise by just three feet (a metre).

Beckett, a former environment minister, said putting off action to cut
emissions and pursue green energy sources was "economic nonsense."

Economists are divided over the benefits of preemptively tackling climate
change, with some saying the cost of taking a slower approach would be
insignificant. Some predict higher farming yields in cold countries could
offset damage elsewhere.

Many developing countries want industrialized nations to make deeper cuts
before they consider curbing emissions from their own factories, power
plants and cars.

Yet emissions from emerging giants like China, India and Russia, all
represented in Monterrey, will soon catch up with the United States, the
world's No. 1 polluter. China currently builds a new coal-fired power
plant every few days.

Among proposals being mooted by developing governments are burying
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide deep underground and taxing consumers
who use too much energy.