JustShare debate highlights urgent climate issues

28/01/10

All Hallows-by-the-Tower hosted a lively JustShare debate on 26 January where the topic under discussion was 'Could the Recession Slow Down Climate Change?'.

Greg Barker MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Mark Lynas, Environmentalist and Author joined chair Brian Cuthbertson, Head of Environmental Challenge for the Diocese of London to consider whether the financial crisis presents an opportunity for a new, greener economic model.

The speakers generally agreed that, yes, recession could reduce the emissions which cause climate change - but only if economies were allowed to suffer devastating damage, which would affect the lives of millions, especially those in developing countries.

Therefore ways must be found to tackle climate change that allow for continuing growth and prosperity. In particular, new, green technologies must be developed to greatly reduce the emissions caused by burning fossil fuels, added to by deforestation, agriculture and cement manufacture.

Only by providing a framework within which these technologies can flourish can the gap be bridged between economic growth and sustainable living.

Mark Lynas commented:

"The Maldives is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. President Nasheed of the Maldives has now formally committed his country to becoming carbon neutral by 2020 - I'd like to challenge the Government of the UK to match his ambition by announcing a carbon neutral target for this country too. To keep temperature rises below 1.5C, as poor countries require for their survival, the whole world must be zero carbon by 2050: Britain's current target is too low to meet this ambition."

Greg Barker said:

"While the recession may have created a temporary lull in the growth of carbon emissions, we need the return of economic confidence to drive the billions of dollars of private sector investment required to deliver the transformation to a competitive, low carbon economy."

Brian Cuthbertson said:

"The task is urgent. We have to take firm and decisive action, as fast as we can. Governments have not come up with any adequate international agreement yet, but meanwhile as a society and as individuals we must still press ahead with the necessary changes."

JustShare is a coalition of churches, agencies and other bodies committed to global development and social justice.