Stern: revolution
Yesterday, I stumbled upon encouraging words from Lord Stern on the BBC [Former economic advisor to the UK government, senior economist and Chief VP of the World Bank from 2000-2003 and author of the 2006 "Stern Report"]. Stern interview on the Today Programme is available here.
Stern noted the USA and China would be fundamental in creating international climate legislation which could be signed and ratified in the immediate future. “Governments must intervene… in a way that encourages markets, creativity and entrepreneurship to work well” Stern notes on the Today Programme, “We’ve got a real oppurtunity;… an energy revolution.”
Indeed, until Copenhagen 2009, the European economies will have to address other major issues including the global financial crisis. What Stern notes very interestingly is that we must view the solutions to our current climate crisis as positive, revolutionary and opportunities to create jobs and a market for ethical and just products and services.
This, just as the UK Energy Minister, Ed Miliband, noted why firm “carbon budgets” spur the low carbon economy. Also, the UK is close to passing the Climate Change Act. Albeit imperfect, this bill offers comprehensive national legislation; a foundation to continue debate on the best ways to solve our climate crisis.
Low Carbon Communities such as Transition Towns (the first in Totnes, UK) and the Low Carbon Communities Network have changed the way Europe views the environmental movement.
Overall, I’m so glad to hear we’ve finally got carbon budgets. A portion of GDPs associated solely for reducing carbon emissions. Now, maybe we should consider how best we could spend that money.
Whether social entrepreneurs, subsidies or insulation, we need to consider how best our communities will define our solutions to reducing local, regional and international emissions–by up to 80%… ASAP!
Hi- thanks for the link – perhaps you could correct your post though? The refernce you make to the Low Carbon Communities Network is actually a link to Cheshire Low Carbon Communities. We are grateful for the link and would like to point out we are proud members of the Low Carbon Communities Network, which is a national organisation which aims to link, network and support community responses to climate change. You can find out more on their website: http://www.lowcarboncommunities.net