Climate Challenges & Solutions Discussed at Leading Green Forum
Ivan Chan on September 16th, 2009The main theme at this year’s Green Intelligence Forum in Washington, DC presented by The Atlantic magazine is climate change- perhaps the greatest environmental challenge to face the world, as the problem affects every nation and ways of life. Industry, NGO and government representatives participated in today’s discussion on both policy and pragmatic approaches to solving climate change. I attended on behalf of Carbonfund.org.
Most participants see the value of cap-and-trade as a policy and economic solution. A good analogy of cap-and-trade was expressed by Phil Sharp, president of the policy organization Resources for the Future. “Cap-and-trade is like a budget on how much carbon is allowed to be emitted into the atmosphere.” Bills such as the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House, use the mechanism to cost-effectively reduce emissions over time.
Timing-wise, while healthcare is currently debated in Congress, some see a climate bill debated in the Senate this year. Maggie Fox, president and CEO of the Alliance for Climate Protection, said the momentum to move legislation exists this year, and that’s necessary for political will. World Resources Institute (WRI) President Jonathan Lash said, “Congress will decide that doing nothing is worse than doing something.” A lot of the momentum will come from the Administration, which over the summer has engaged key Midwestern states on the issue of global warming and why proposed legislation would benefit farmers and other stakeholders.
The chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative of the former president’s foundation, Ira Magaziner, said that what motivated the foundation to get involved on climate change pilot projects is the sheer avoidance of the problem by many. The US and other countries have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or “our children and grandchildren will pay very serious consequences.” The Initiative has worked with cities such as Los Angeles on ways to reduce energy consumption, such as by street lighting. 80 percent of the electricity used for street lighting in many cities is wasted as heat; whereas new approaches such as using light-emitting diodes (LED’s) can result in up to 60 percent energy savings.
Some of the major needs cited in addressing climate change are more access to capital and financing for research & development (R&D), and more focus on energy efficiency by companies as well as individuals to reduce energy consumption. Google’s director of climate change and energy initiatives, Dan Reicher, said it will take a commitment by the US to invest in clean energy and other technologies to address climate change. A wind farm, for example, can take $500 million to build. By comparison, it took about $25 million in venture capital to start Google. If the US doesn’t invest in R&D to address climate change, technologies will be developed in other countries rather than here.
Siemens Industry sees a lot of opportunities for energy savings from buildings. Daryl Dulaney, the appointed president & CEO of the company, estimates that 38 percent of all carbon emissions come from buildings. Institutions, commercial building owners and lessees will need to do what they can to reduce this substantial carbon footprint.
The country’s commitment to addressing climate change doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, notes WRI’s Jonathan Lash, from the carbon trade part of cap-and-trade, states as well as the federal government can realize savings and revenues; about $12 billion a year could be realized by states from carbon credits allocated for renewable energy and energy efficiency. As we know at Carbonfund.org, carbon offsets are supporting innovative projects in renewables, energy efficiency and reforestation that are making emissions reductions today and help the transition to a clean energy future. Offsets are part of current bills such as Waxman-Markey to help achieve emissions reductions.
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Climate change is happening now. It is already costing the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people; those who suffer first and worst. This is a problem that can be solved. In December, in Copenhagen, the world's leaders will meet to discuss a united response to the problem of climate change. This conference offers the world its best chance yet to agree a solution. The solution must be fair and safe for all – and it must be binding.