Climate Change—Five Things Governments Can Do
1. Support the Development of Renewable Energy
Energy from this solar park at Sanlucar La Mayor in Spain is cleaner than energy from oil or coal, while not posing the risks of nuclear power. Renewables like solar could be central in cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
According to a report from the French think tank REN21, Germany and China are the biggest investors in renewable energy, each contributing 7 billion dollars to the total 30 billion invested worldwide in renewables in 2005. The German government plans to supply half of the nationally energy consumption from renewable sources by 2050. U.S. city Portland hopes to purchase 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. (Photo: Reuters)
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1. Support the Development of Renewable Energy
Energy from this solar park at Sanlucar La Mayor in Spain is cleaner than energy from oil or coal, while not posing the risks of nuclear power. Renewables like solar could be central in cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
According to a report from the French think tank REN21, Germany and China are the biggest investors in renewable energy, each contributing 7 billion dollars to the total 30 billion invested worldwide in renewables in 2005. The German government plans to supply half of the nationally energy consumption from renewable sources by 2050. U.S. city Portland hopes to purchase 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. (Photo: Reuters)
Climate Change—Five Things Governments Can Do
2. Promote Sustainable Transportation
Colombian workers ride their bicycles during "no car day" in Bogota. Conventional transportation accounts for around 14 percent all greenhouse gas emissions. City governments can take effective steps to reduce emissions by incorporating bike lanes, sidewalks and public transportation into neighborhoods.
The U.S.-based World Resources Institute has helped local governments in some of the world's biggest and most congested cities like Mexico City, Shanghai, and Istanbul to promote local public transportation and improve traffic conditions and air quality. (Photo: Reuters)
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2. Promote Sustainable Transportation
Colombian workers ride their bicycles during "no car day" in Bogota. Conventional transportation accounts for around 14 percent all greenhouse gas emissions. City governments can take effective steps to reduce emissions by incorporating bike lanes, sidewalks and public transportation into neighborhoods.
The U.S.-based World Resources Institute has helped local governments in some of the world's biggest and most congested cities like Mexico City, Shanghai, and Istanbul to promote local public transportation and improve traffic conditions and air quality. (Photo: Reuters)
Climate Change—Five Things Governments Can Do
3. Cooperation with Other Governments
A global threat, climate change can only be tackled through international cooperation. Countries like Japan and the United Kingdom participate in the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Members of the European Union trade emissions certificates to achieve cost-effective emissions reductions. Some countries are exchanging environmentally sound technologies and know-how through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Non-binding agreements, such as the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, are preferred by countries like the United States or Australia that are reluctant to accept mandatory cuts. (Photo: Reuters)
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3. Cooperation with Other Governments
A global threat, climate change can only be tackled through international cooperation. Countries like Japan and the United Kingdom participate in the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Members of the European Union trade emissions certificates to achieve cost-effective emissions reductions. Some countries are exchanging environmentally sound technologies and know-how through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Non-binding agreements, such as the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, are preferred by countries like the United States or Australia that are reluctant to accept mandatory cuts. (Photo: Reuters)
Climate Change—Five Things Governments Can Do
4. Influence Consumer Behavior
The Subaru hybrid vehicle named "Elten" might not win a beauty contest, but is highly efficient. Under a "green tax regime," an "Elten" would be way cheaper than a conventional car. Many countries have debated taxes on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to support environmentally friendly products and services. The aim is to reduce demand for carbon-intensive activities, such as air travel.
Germany has introduced the so-called Ecotax and the UK government raised taxes on air fares in December 2006. The British government is also investigating the feasibility of a system where every household would have annual limits on the amount of CO2 it can emit. (Photo: Reuters)
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4. Influence Consumer Behavior
The Subaru hybrid vehicle named "Elten" might not win a beauty contest, but is highly efficient. Under a "green tax regime," an "Elten" would be way cheaper than a conventional car. Many countries have debated taxes on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to support environmentally friendly products and services. The aim is to reduce demand for carbon-intensive activities, such as air travel.
Germany has introduced the so-called Ecotax and the UK government raised taxes on air fares in December 2006. The British government is also investigating the feasibility of a system where every household would have annual limits on the amount of CO2 it can emit. (Photo: Reuters)
Climate Change—Five Things Governments Can Do
5. Strengthen Environmental Education
Most political leaders agree that climate change is a major challenge of the 21st century. The question is how to mobilize the public to take action and vote in favor of various climate policies.
Governments around the world have begun to fund educational initiatives that inform students and the public about what is already known about climate change. The UK government, for example, offered a free copy of Al Gore's film about global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, to every secondary school in the country. The move, however, has been criticized as presenting a one-sided and incomplete view of the issue to students.(Photo: Reuters)
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5. Strengthen Environmental Education
Most political leaders agree that climate change is a major challenge of the 21st century. The question is how to mobilize the public to take action and vote in favor of various climate policies.
Governments around the world have begun to fund educational initiatives that inform students and the public about what is already known about climate change. The UK government, for example, offered a free copy of Al Gore's film about global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, to every secondary school in the country. The move, however, has been criticized as presenting a one-sided and incomplete view of the issue to students.(Photo: Reuters)
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