Climate Change Concerns: Our growth has limits PT 2

You’re on your own. Address climate change concerns by yourself.

I think the recent UN climate summit delivers the same message.

Gwynne Dyer, author of Climate Wars and Crawling from the Wreckage (his latest book), thinks otherwise. (I hope he’s right).

In a recent column in the local paper, under the headline ‘No Climate Progress At Cancun,’ he writes:

“The UN climate summit in Cancun, Mexico, is nearing its end, but there will be no global deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions this year. However, there is some hope for the longer run.” (Dec. 7, London Free Press)

Upon what does he base his hope?


The slim chance that rich countries will some day in the future help poorer, developing countries grow their economies without bearing all the costs of doing so in a cleaner, greener fashion.

Will rich countries one day bear some of the costs that would allow, e.g., China, India, Brazil, to grow their economies with the help of expensive (much more expensive than coal-fired energy plants) solar-, wind-, water-based energy systems?

Well, they should.

Dyer says the following re rich countries:

“...it was 200 years of burning fossil fuels that made them rich, and they are responsible for 80% of the greenhouse gases of human origin in the atmosphere now.”

At this point in history, rich countries may all know this but have unrealistic expectations for poorer countries.

Dyer says, “...the rich countries ignore the history and demand similar cuts from all countries, rich and poor.”

Such demands are unreasonable to the poorer, developing countries.

Dyer says:

“ ...the developing countries refuse to accept limits on their emissions for fear of stunting their economic growth. They also resent the fact that the past emissions of the rich countries have brought us all so close to the point of no return.”

How can any hope be found in the positions of the rich and poorer countries?

There is this notion: Poorer countries may be willing to switch to more expensive energy systems - and get off coal - with financial assistance from rich countries.

Is there any hope of this happening?

Dyer writes:

“People in the rich countries don't even understand that history, so they are still a long way from accepting that deal. It won't happen at Cancun, and it may be years before it does. Maybe too many years.”

If he sees any hope, it is a faint, faint hope, and not for the long run, but as he said earlier, “for the longer run.”

While we wait, let’s not hold our breath.

Let’s realize there are limits to economic growth, live small and save money for tough times ahead.

More to follow.

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Please click here to read Our growth has limits PT 1.

Please click here to read more Climate Change Concerns.

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