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Global ChallengesClimate ChangeJuly 4, 2008 | Global Challenges Require Urgent ActionsClimate change and economic “stagflation” threaten the very future of our planet. ++ The only way to solve these challenges is to act globally. ++ Essentially, to resolve the food crisis, export restrictions need to be lifted …More July 2, 2008 | Geoengineering an Answer to Climate Change?Geoengineering as a solution to the problem of global warming deserves more attention from policymakers. ++ Solutions such as injecting ultra-fine sulfur particles into the stratosphere or spraying clouds with saltwater to increase …More July 2, 2008 | Recession Pushes the Planet Down the AgendaA recent Ipsos Mori poll suggests a gradual loss of interest in the issue of climate change. ++ The specter of recession intensifies political pressure to abandon green policies. ++ Governments try to save the economy and the planet at …More June 30, 2008 | Global Boom in Wind-Generated PowerA Scottish island was a trendsetter for second hand wind turbines in 2004, now covering almost all its annual demands. ++ Long waiting lists for new turbines, the EU CO2 reduction targets, and 40% price reduction makes used turbines attractive. …More June 25, 2008 | Global Warming Heats Up the Issue of Arctic SovereigntyMarkus Kaim: Climate change is causing a growth of possibilities for the use of the Arctic. Canada’s Arctic policy, dominated by claims to sovereignty and territory, conflicts with that of its direct competitors in the region (Denmark, Canada, USA, Russia, and Norway) and is at odds with German and European efforts to support multilateralism and uphold international legislation. …More June 24, 2008 | Using the Oil Shock to Prevent Climate ShockReducing the West’s dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East requires lowering reliance on this type of energy altogether. ++ Many governments are “doing their utmost to increase and subsidize supplies” but this is not …More June 18, 2008 | Are Second Generation Biofuels a Curse or a Blessing?In the debate regarding climate change and the shortage of fossil fuels, biofuels were for a long time considered to be the ideal solution. However recently, they have increasingly come under fire. Critics denounce the fact …More June 18, 2008 | Climate Change Brings Forth a Century of ViolenceUntil now, no one really seems to realise what kind of threat climate change represents for human beings living together on Earth. In his book “Climate Wars”, the social psychologist Harald Welzer therefore warns us against only …More June 16, 2008 | Inefficient Water Use Will Leave us High and DryRising demand for foodstuffs and the biofuel craze are causing an agricultural crisis requiring a significant increase in productivity. ++ Yet for this to succeed, the reasonable and efficient use of water needs to be urgently …More June 14, 2008 | Pollution as a Human Rights IssueLeah Strauss: Both the UN Environment Program and Human Rights Council have acknowledged the ever-present human element of environmental degradation. Globally, the recognition that those who pollute are violating human rights is of urgent importance, nowhere more-so than in China. …More June 11, 2008 | Addressing the Emerging Challenges of Climate ChangeFrank-Walter Steinmeier & David Miliband: Germany and the UK want to develop an effective European and multilateral strategy to anticipate the new policy challenges of climate security. Indeed, an off-balance global climate will spawn ravaging crises, conflicts, and disasters that require an international response. …More June 9, 2008 | Tourism and Climate Change: The Guilty GainInternational tourism is undergoing very rapid changes. New travelling habits, an increased awareness of price, short notice and short term holidays - and the wish for more flexibility and individuality as well as rising energy prices …More June 5, 2008 | High Oil Prices Increase ConsumptionWhen “greenies” sing the praise of high oil prices, perhaps they are praying to a false god. ++ Science is yet to produce hard evidence for climate change. ++ Emissions reduction lobbyists are ridden with corruption, and left leaning …More June 4, 2008 | Antarctica's Sea Ice is Deceptively GrowingSince the late 70s, scientists have observed that the size of Polar South’s sea ice is expanding. ++ At a first glance, this could be mistaken for a positive development, however, other readings have shown that inland ice is …More June 3, 2008 | Climate Change in EU Environmental Policy NeededWhile the EU champions progressive environmental policies, further inspection reveals that the EU-15 only reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2% between 1990 and 1995, and that they will fail to meet their Kyoto Protocol commitments. …More June 2, 2008 | High Hopes for an US-EU led International Climate Change PolicyAxel Berg: After the elections in the US, Europeans are expecting to forge ahead with transatlantic cooperation on climate policy. Whoever is in the White House, expectations are high, especially among the Germans who want to set precedents and increase pressure on the international community. …More May 30, 2008 | A 10-Point Plan for Tackling the Food CrisisThe global food crisis is not a natural catastrophe, but a man-made one. ++ The nexus between high energy and food prices is unlikely to be broken, and will be exacerbated by climate change. ++ To ensure that the poor do not suffer, a …More May 30, 2008 | US Must Lead the Global Climate Change InitiativeThe climate change bill currently being debated in the US Senate is paramount for actual, sustainable improvement. ++ Not only for the sake of the environment, economies have recently experienced that innovation and emissions …More May 29, 2008 | A New Cold War Heats Up the North PoleSparked by a recent Russian territory claim at the North Pole, a meeting has been called this week in Greenland over the future of the Arctic. ++ In the midst of a decade old rivalry, the US, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark have a huge …More May 29, 2008 | G8 Adopts a Cooperative Approach to Climate ChangeAt this year’s G8 summit, the focus will be convincing big emitters (China, US) and developing countries to commit to the Kyoto protocol. ++ Making attractive proposals to encourage emission cuts and highlighting their benefits in …More May 9, 2008 | Saving Lives is the Immediate Priority in BurmaThe reluctance of Burma’s military rulers to help their own people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis is criminal. ++ The international community should use a measured approach in encouraging Burma to accept aid and de-prioritize the …More May 8, 2008 | "Mass Starvation is Completely Avoidable"Even without the food crisis, hundreds of millions do not have enough food. ++ We should demonstrate utmost concern and use this crisis as an opportunity to bring long overdue reforms and help vulnerable populations overcome …More May 6, 2008 | Fighting Global Warming While the Earth is CoolingGerman researchers have reported that natural climate variability may offset the noticeable effects of human-induced global warming over the next decade, until 2020. ++ In the short term, policymakers should not ease efforts to …More May 2, 2008 | The Children Will Pay for Climate ChangeSince global warming – by causing “natural” disasters, disease, and conflict – is threatening the lives and livelihoods of ever more children in the third world, we need to increase our contribution to the cost of …More April 30, 2008 | Resentment Could Fester Deadly AngerClimate change, resource shortages, and crippling, high food prices caused by the increased consumption of advanced and developing economies has unleashed a tide of resentment in poorer regions. ++ If Western culture and influence gets the blame …More April 24, 2008 | International Institutions Are in a Crisis of ConfidenceWhile the most global threats like climate change or terrorism are at an impasse, the existing international institutions do not provide the needed framework for their solving. ++ They do not reflect the real distribution of economic and military power and ignore the needs and interests of developing countries. ++ To overcome mutual mistrust, G8 und G5 should be combined into one grouping. April 23, 2008 | The Failure of Food-to-Fuel MandatesThe production of foodstuffs for biofuels was intended to reduce US energy dependency, mitigate climate change, and encourage crop-price stability. ++ Since they have proven highly inefficient, detrimental to the environment, and largely …More April 23, 2008 | Curbing Capitalism Could Contain the Food CrisisCapitalism and luxury consumption are responsible for the world’s environmental problems, and the emphasis on biofuels has created the global food crisis. ++ The solution is to change economic models, give up excess consumption, …More April 23, 2008 | New US President Must Deliver Hope for ConservationWhile it is undisputed that a new Democratic president would improve environmental policies, it might not be enough. ++ A call for the US to set an example in conservation for rising industrial economies must be heeded. ++ Restricted by domestic approval, each candidate proposes little in the way of emissions reduction, whereas studies show that a greener policy would hardly dampen the economy. April 22, 2008 | Google Gathers Earth Day PledgesGooglers from around the world are exchanging ideas and intentions on how to combat climate change on the Earth Day-specific mashup map. ++ The “nifty map” is part of the initiative “go green with Google” which provides …More April 21, 2008 | "International Rice Market Has Become a War Zone"Cereal stocks have not been this low since 1980, but the food crisis can be explained by human greed. ++ To avoid mass hunger, climate change and trade protectionism must be addressed. ++ If international cooperation is brokered …More April 8, 2008 | Green Lighting OpportunitiesLondon’s goal to become the first city with streets illuminated by LED’s indicates a promising trend towards green lighting technology. ++ Indian cities should pay more attention to LED lighting. ++ Through LEDs India could “leapfrog the ‘dirty’ phase …More April 3, 2008 | Sascha Müller-Kraenner, European Representative of The Nature ConservancyForeign policy, European integration and environmental policy are subjects of predilection for Sascha Müller-Kraenner and questions on which he has extensively published in the past. He previously …More March 27, 2008 | After Bali: A Shift in Climate Policy LeadershipSascha Müller-Kraenner: The EU and the US have the responsibility as well as the financial and technological means to address the climate challenge. Yet their approach needs to be internationally orientated so that it also offers a platform to the new assertive voices of China, India, Russia and others. …More March 14, 2008 | The High Cost of Decarbonizing the EconomyThe US and the EU should stop priding themselves for having slowed or reduced their CO2 output mainly thanks to the outsourcing of production to other parts of the world. ++ Environmentally sustainable consumption will require cutting living standards and massively restructuring major economies. ++ As consumption rather than production matters, biofuels and renewables are compounding the problem. March 10, 2008 | The Perverse Effects of BiofuelsDespite progress on climate change, there is an imminent threat on food security. ++ Decreased rainfalls and the rush to grow biofuels in an unsustainable manner is causing food prices to soar and putting the world at risk of a food crisis. ++ …More February 10, 2008 | The Stern Report - A Critical AnalysisMaximilian Müngersdorff: The Stern Report report argues for huge changes to enviromental policy, but are these conclusions sound? …More January 28, 2008 | India and China on Climate Change: Let's Work TogetherApart from hosting international sporting events in the near future, Delhi and Beijing have a lot in common at the moment, according to Narayani Ganesh of the Times of India: both face increasingly serious environmental …More January 24, 2008 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the World Economic ForumDespite climate change being among the chief topics of this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, hundreds of participants have landed in private planes as large as Boeing 767s and traveled to the secluded winter …More January 23, 2008 | Climate Change Threatens International SecurityThe geopolitical consequences of climate change are determined as much by political, social and economic factors as by the climatic shift itself. As a rule wealthier countries will be better prepared to cope with the effects of …More January 22, 2008 | Don't Forget AmericaJames Cricks: The key to the future of the West is respect and cooperation. The US and Europe still have much to learn from one another. …More January 15, 2008 | Should the Polluter Pay?One of the policy recommendations of the Shadow G-8 was to establish the framework for a more equitable system of dealing with climate change. Among the aspects of this suggested framework was the incorporation of the so-called polluter pays principle: …More January 11, 2008 | Why We Can Be Optimistic About Climate ChangeThe world has taken an important step toward countering climate change by agreeing to the Bali Action Plan. The plan may not look like much, since it basically commits the world to more talking rather than specific actions, yet Jeffrey …More January 11, 2008 | EU Achievements for Its Citizens 2007Nanne Zwagerman: of the European Tribune is critical of a list recently published by the EC, highlighting their achievements in 2007. Being relatively low on the radar the EC does need to advertise itself, but hopefully they will have a little more to boast about next year. …More December 20, 2007 | Going Green - Cheaper Than You ThoughtFrom early 2007 a research team from McKinsey and Company worked to develop a consistent fact base to estimate the costs and potentials of different options in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s) in the US over a 25 year period. Still …More December 11, 2007 | New Climate Change Performance Index Reveals Poor Results
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