Saturday, October 24, 2009

UK congratulates Philippines on climate change act but...

GMA News TV: As it congratulated the Philippines over the signing into law of the Climate Change Act Friday, the United Kingdom warned of more challenges ahead due to climate change. British Embassy Charge d'Affaires Colin Crorkin noted the challenges posed by climate change can be seen in an online map the UK launched.

"(Cyclones) Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) gave us a glimpse of what's in store for us if we neglect climate change," he said. But he said the world must act against climate change soonest, saying the Philippines and other countries may experience more typhoons, floods, droughts, and heat waves.

He said a temperature change of four degrees may present a "truly global problem that needs a global solution and it is a solution we have within our grasp." Food shortage, disease and conflict as a result become very real possibilities, he added.

In the Philippines' case, he said the country "may experience more typhoons, floods, droughts, heat waves and crop production shortage in the coming years." The UK government launched the new map 45 days to go before international climate change talks begin in Copenhagen. British ministers are pressing for the most ambitious deal possible to avoid these dangerous impacts….

1 comment:

Special K said...

On 350 day....
73°
HI 76°LO 48°
Truth Or Consequences, NM
Weather forecast
****
(Link to the following available on request)

"On October 24, thousands of student groups, faith groups, community organizations and outdoor
enthusiasts around the world will participate in 350.org's International Day of Climate Action , and we’re rallying the paddling community to be a part of it all.
Why 350? In 2007, NASA’s chief climatologist, Jim Hansen, released a study marking 350 PARTS PER MILLION of carbon in the atmosphere AS THE SAFE LEVEL FOR HUMANITY. Anything higher than that and we risk reaching environmental tipping points that could make our planet much less hospitable--THE LEVEL IS CURRENTLY 390ppm" (emphasis added).

[What will happen between 390 and 350
350.org hasn't yet said
But, theoretically, as between life and death ("planetarily speaking"),
The latter will by then be ahead].