A good justification must be given for challenging long-held beliefs. A terrible example of how climate policy applies is provided by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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| [IPCC on climate change/EUROPEANS24] |
Humans are the only creatures capable of speculating about the future. They're becoming better at keeping them under control. And now it seems that both of those skills will expire at the same time. A solution to the conflict in Ukraine is now unimaginable, and the climate disaster can only be averted with complete dedication. Both problems are now top-of-mind, and they should be discussed as a unit.
Foreign and security policy has been brought to a screeching halt by Russia's bloody campaign in Ukraine, which has exposed the deadly dependency on fossil resources and the autocratic tendencies of the totalitarian regimes that back it in rapid time. Renewable energy have already been elevated to the status of "liberation energies" by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who generally keeps a low profile on climate matters. He has a point. But his party, as well as his words, must be backed up by action.
It's clear what has to be done. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) outlined it again this week in scientific depth and based on the latest research. Over the next eight years, greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half to stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius. More than 36 billion tonnes will be produced in 2021, and the tendency is increasing. Still, the IPCC's message is that there is still space for manoeuvre..
There's more to it than just speeding up the conversion of renewable energy. Mobility must grow less reliant on fossil fuels in order to reduce traffic congestion. As the research points out, industrial animal husbandry and meat production are major sources of methane emissions.
Many Europeans may have believed that they had the luxury of time to adjust to these demands, only to discover that they were mistaken. Human nature dictates that under stress, you're more prone to react quickly. As a result, politicians might now use this new starting point to motivate themselves to take decisive action. However, in the case of the shift to renewables, efforts are made to retain fossil behaviour, sometimes even referencing WWII.
New natural gas and oil production are being pushed by the British government, which will host a global climate conference in November, in the North Sea. Amidst depleted fields and an unprecedented mass exodus of insects across Europe, efforts are being undertaken to reverse agricultural declines.
The FDP in Germany, despite the lack of a military link, is battling a speed restriction tooth and claw. And if Marine Le Pen, a right-wing fanatic who is ideologically opposed to renewable energy, is elected president of France, the European Green Deal might be put in jeopardy.
Without a war in Ukraine there would be no debate about gas from Russia
A good justification must be given for challenging long-held beliefs. There would still be no serious debate of Russia's energy relations today if it weren't for the conflict in Ukraine. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is aware of this. He has to deal with countries that are more concerned about the now than the future. At a time when many countries' leaders gain from fossil fuels, or are hesitant to demand change from their people.
Governments, however, must not continue to ignore the situation, but must follow the precise IPCC recommendations. Then, everyone in the community is expected to do so. As recently stated by Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck: Everyone may act immediately. His intention was to sacrifice energy in order to help Germany prepare for the next winter and to take a shot at Russian warlord Vladimir Putin. He said this. However, the subject of climate change is considerably more relevant. We must all work hard not to lose sight of the possibility of preserving a future worth living in favour of treasured habits and status symbols.