The Conference of Copenhagen (2nd part)

HOW WAS THE LIMIT OF 2 DEGREES CHOSEN?

 

It is considered the point of non-return. It is the point

beyond which the life of the 6 billion people living

on the planet will start to get considerably worse.

The WWF thinks that if 2 degrees is exceeded,

50 million men and women will become

environmental refugees. The costs of “lack of action”

could reach as much as 20% of the GDP in each

country.

 

(Francesca Congera)

 

 

WHAT CAN BE DONE?    

 

Europe’s ambition is to become the leader of the

campaign against greenhouse gases. In spring 2007

the 20.20.20 plan was decided, that is  20%

reduction in emissions by 2020 and 20% of

energy to be obtained from renewable sources of

energy (such as solar and wind energy). In

Copenhagen the EU would like to obtain

its countries’ commitment of 30% on condition that

the others will reach 20%.

 

(Eva Fenu)

 

 

IS THE RESULT LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED?

 

We are still far behind. In 2005 Obama promised to cut

carbon dioxide by 17%, that is the equivalent

of 3% if we consider the European parameter in

1990. India announced that it may reduce its

own carbon dioxide intensity, that is the amount of

greenhouse gases emitted to produce one unit of GDP,

by 24% by 2020 compared to the levels of 2005. China

has promised double that rate.

 

(Luca Faroppa, Francesca Luciano)

 

 

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE

CONFERENCE?

 

Nobody expects a final agreement. The most optimistic

ones, the European countries, hope to find a common

agreement regarding the limit of a 2-degree increase

in temperatures, an indication of ambitious commitments

to reduce emissions, the establishment of a financial deal

that  includes an agreement for a quick action, the reiteration

of the need for a legal binding act to be agreed upon by

mid-2010 at the Conference in Bonn. (Elena Lerda)

 

 

WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

 

Observers believe a less stringent is possible

agreement binding on the issue of a 2-degree

increase in temperatures and on the objectives, but with a

series of loopholes for the major polluters. The treaty

itself, with mandatory legal contents required for

participants, will be drawn up at best in Mexico City

in a year’s time.

 

(Valentina Serra)

 

 

 

 

WHAT DOES ITALY WANT?

 

We are among the countries that urge to action. Our

Foreign Minister, Mr. Frattini, said that Italy is willing to

accept the European decision. Other governmental

sources are sceptical about the hypothesis whether to

accept the 30% reduction by 2020.

 

(Lucia Blengino)

 

 

 

 

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE WHY DO

WE USUALLY POINT OUT THE ROLE OF

MEANS OF TRANSPORT?

 

Nowadays trains, cars and airplanes contribute towards

gas emissions with 27% and the industrial sector with

about 21%.

 

According to a recent survey it could be enough to shift

one quarter of transport from air or road to train transport.

This could reduce global gas emissions by 21%.

 

(Sara Curtetti)

 

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES ALL THIS COST?

 

A lot of money. The EU estimates that the advanced

economies will have to invest 100 billion Euros in 2020 to

help the countries which are developing their economies.

A first estimate could already reach 10 billion Euros in 2012.

 

 

(Enrica Borelli)