Brussels, 18/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - If we are to believe a new report published on 18 November by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it would be madness not to seek to prepare for adjusting to global climate change, which is already underway. Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, and Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, have no doubt whatsoever about this. With 10 days to go before the UN climate conference in Durban (COP 17, 28 November-9 December), they seize this opportunity to launch a joint appeal to the international community for greater awareness of the urgency of acting in the post-2012 period.
According to the special report that analyses the vulnerability of various countries to climate change-related risks, mankind should be “getting its global act together” to face up to the increasing number and increasing intensity of extreme weather events expected over coming decades. Cyclones and torrential rainstorms are expected in the tropics, drought will be on the rise in the 21st century, erosion of coastlines and floods will continue, and glaciers will continue to thaw - to quote but a few of the events before us.
“Last week, the serious warnings from the International Energy Agency (Report World Energy Outlook 2011 - EUROPE 10493). Today, this IPCC report. It goes without saying that this is yet another wake-up call. With all the knowledge and rational arguments in favour of urgent climate action, it is frustrating to see that some governments do not show the political will to act. (…) In light of the even more compelling facts, the question has to be put to those governments in favour of postponing decisions: for how long can you defend your inaction?”, Connie Hedegaard asked the major economies, which still refuse binding commitments for reduction of their CO2 emissions.
Kristalina Georgieva added to this: “This report serves as a timely reminder of the consequences for us all of the rising tide of disasters provoked by the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather. We have responded this year to floods in Pakistan, Thailand and Central
America and the catastrophe in the Horn of Africa as a result of drought. At home in Europe, we are also affected - witness the recent floods in Italy and Ireland. My message is clear: by building resilience into everything we do - integrating our disaster risk reduction policies and practices with how we adopt to climate change - we will all reap the benefits - saving lives, limiting damage
and preparing in advance in order to be better equipped for the worst that nature can throw at
the most vulnerable”. (AN/transl.jl)