This year climate change and energy will once again be among the most discussed issues at international level. The EU summit in March and the G8 meeting in June will follow up the work that started in December at the Bali Conference. The clock is ticking and we have to act fast to safeguard future generations.
The petroleum crisis together with the global warming issues must be addressed while at the same time new forms for clean and efficient energy must be found. The reduction of CO2 emissions is an important factor and it must be assured that all economic sectors contribute to their reduction.
However, the economic sector on its own cannot make the change. Public awareness and investment in science and research towards achieving cleaner technologies are of utmost importance.
In this regard on Wednesday 23 January, the European Commission presented a new set of proposals on energy security, competitiveness, and climate change in an extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels. This package follows an agreement that was reached last year by the European Council. The European Union leaders agreed to commit themselves to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2020.
The global situation is becoming quite critical. New emerging economies are contributing to an increase in CO2 emissions. Since 1970, CO2 emissions have grown about 80 per cent and CO2 concentration today exceeds the natural range over the last 650,000 years. Many scientists believe that a more than 2°C increase in global temperature, compared with pre-industrial age levels, will make the consequences of global warming very difficult to manage and very costly. To limit global warming to +2°C requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50 per cent from 1990 levels by 2050.
The EU faces increased energy import dependence, rising energy prices, and the global challenge of climate change. The Commission proposal is a good policy paper for the European Parliament to work with.
“Responding to the challenge of climate change is the ultimate political test for our generation.
Our mission, indeed our duty, is to provide the right policy framework for transformation to an environment friendly European economy and to continue to lead the international action to protect our planet. Our package not only responds to this challenge, but also holds the right answer to the challenge of energy security and is an opportunity that should create thousands of new businesses and millions of jobs in Europe. We must grasp that opportunity,” said Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, during the policy paper presentation.
The challenge we are facing is one of the toughest in the last decades.
This is because the European Union, apart from doing its part and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions, must continue lobbying with other countries to assure that they are doing their part.
We must take this challenge and transform it into a success. Finding a reasonable compromise that will safeguard the globe while at the same time increase our industries’ competitiveness. If we manage to generate a low carbon economy, we will be promoting innovation, while at the same time drive forward investment and create jobs.
Agreements such as the one reached by the Maltese government with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva are very important so that our country can start its very own research and development projects.
An important part of the collaboration will be the provision of hands-on training, for which there is a definite thirst. This is another important achievement for the Maltese education and economic sectors. Opportunities that will help us face new challenges while at the same time attract further innovative investment.
The European Union is playing a leading role in facing this challenge and if we had opted out from becoming members, we could not voice our interests. Issues such as climate change show the importance of becoming a member of the European Union since we work together to find a common and agreeable solution for the benefit of all.
It is a time to take action while being cautious not to hinder developing economies that is why it is of utmost importance the sharing of climate-friendly technologies and financial support for climate change adaptation and climate protection efforts. This is a global issue and no country or region on its own can handle it. Cooperation is the key in succeeding in the fight against climate change and global warming.
Succeeding in this challenge is no easy task. Everybody must contribute to reach our goals. Simple measures such as walking instead of using car, using more renewable sources of energy are easy tasks that may lower our bills and at the same time save our planet.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP
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www.davidcasa.eu