Author: Houghton, John;
Published: 14
December
2006
Abstract
The large increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, occurring because of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas, is leading to a substantial increase in global atmospheric temperature. The global warming with its associated climate change is often presented as arguably the greatest challenge facing humankind in the 21st century. The science and impacts of climate change have been thoroughly studied and documented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The most damaging impacts are likely to result from sea level rise an increase in the frequency and intensity of climate extremes such as floods and droughts.
The objective of the International Climate Convention signed by all countries in 1992 is to stop further climate change occuring by reducing carbon dioxide emissions eventually to a small fraction of today's emissions. This has large implications for the energy sector. Much greater energy efficiency is required as are moves to non-fossil energy sources. Much of the technology is in principle available. The challenge to world governments and industries is to make changes that satisfy principles of sustainable development and equity. Human attitudes to change are key to the realisation of solutions.
Sir John Houghton was co-chairman of the Scientific Assessment for the IPCC from 1988-2002. He was previously chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (1992-1998), Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office (1983-1991) and Professor of Atmospheric Physics, University of Oxford (1976-1983). He is currently chairman of the John Ray Initiative, a Trustee of the Shell Foundation and Honorary Scientist at the Hadley Centre.