Greenpeace pointed out that climate change is already devastating nations, destroying lives, and costing billions of dollars in damage, and that renewable energy is the key against climate change.
Environmental organization Greenpeace stresses that renewable energy is key to getting out of the climate change “mess” – a statement made ahead of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting in Japan.
Greenpeace pointed out that climate change is already devastating nations, destroying lives, and costing billions of dollars in damage, and that renewable energy is the key against climate change.
“This is a crisis that knows no boundaries. Our climate is on the precipice and every ton of oil, coal and gas we are digging up and burning pushes us closer to the brink. But there’s a way out of this mess. Renewable energy has made a breakthrough faster than though and is ready to challenge our old hazardous energy system,” said Greenpeace International campaigner Kaisa Kosonen.
“While the I.P.C.C. report will make grim reading, the key message here is choice. Will we continue drifting from one disaster to another, or will we take control of our future? We’re at a crossroads and the choices we make now will determine how history judges us,” Ms. Kosonen said.
Ms. Kosonen explained that coal burning is the biggest single driver of climate change, adding that aside from air pollution, coal also has massive water footprint as well, making it one of the largest threats to water security.
The I.P.C.C. is meeting to finalize the Working Group II report on “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” and will discuss climate action in the context of sustainable development.
With the meeting taking place in Japan, Greenpeace also noted that the country is failing to meet I.P.C.C.’s challenge. According to Greenpeace, Japan has lowered its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the biggest public investors of coal expansion overseas, and is now planning to use nuclear energy once again despite the ongoing Fukushima disaster.
“A choice between nuclear and coal is a false dichotomy. Japan could completely phase out nuclear power and still meet its old climate target of 25 percent cuts in emissions by 2020 in the energy sector with efficiency and green energy. What is needed is government policy to enable a faster transition to renewable energy,” said Greenpeace Japan campaigner Hisayo Takada. – EcoSeed Staff
