Climate Change

The ecological challenge should no longer be addressed solely as an environmental issue. Rather, it should be considered a social one. A riveting French report makes the relationship between the environment and 21st century lifestyles amazingly concrete.

In order for green ideas on energy to resonate in the mainstream, questions need to be answered about how the transition will be financed, and how it will benefit those are already marginalised and struggling economically. A positive initiative targeting the Roma minority in Hungary shows one way in which this can be achieved.

A big risk for Europe stems from its dependency on Russian natural gas and oil.

Poverty and the ecological crisis are different symptoms of the same crisis Europe and the world are experiencing. Only a responsible commitment based on social justice, eco-development and sustainability can assure a safe common future. The case of Portugal illustrates the challenges faced worldwide.

In the Polish context, where environmental awareness and resistance to an energy transition is strong, a broad alliance among diverse actors in society is needed to tackle climate change, such as trade unions and other potential partners.

The two things that will shape Africa’s progress in the coming years and decades are its population demographics and climate change.

The UN and EU, taken over by ‘corporate capture’, aren’t doing enough to tackle climate change. Non-governmental organisations are concentrating their efforts on fostering a broad movement that will go beyond Paris 2015, because if governments do fail to deliver, action to tackle climate change will remain essential.

In the wake of the release of the 5th IPCC report, 12,000 people gathered in Bayonne, France, on the 6th of October 2013, to present ways in which climate change can be tackled. They formed ‘Alternatiba’ – an initiative to spread alternative Green ways of living across Europe.

The difference between five and ten year commitment periods for international climate negotiations shouldn’t be underestimated – with the science, technology and politics moving so fast, it’s vital we regularly re-assess our plans.

On the 20th of September, we witnessed with excitement the greatest international mobilisation against climate change ever held. And while changes appear to be occurring, we’re still waiting for a proper international agreement on climate change to be reached…