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Man-made climate change
is the biggest single threat our planet is facing. The good
news: all we need to save the climate is in our hands.
Our planet is heating up because we release large
volumes of gases into the atmosphere that trap the heat from
the sun. These gases are released when we burn huge amounts
of coal, oil and gas, but also from industrial agriculture and
the clearing of large forests. The projected global average
temperature increase will lead to a catastrophic change of our
climate that could kill millions, force hundreds of millions
from their homes and trigger an unprecedented global economic,
social and environmental disaster. The developing countries
will be hit hardest, but Europe will also suffer.
Preventing climate change starts with reducing
greenhouse gas emissions where they occur: in the rich, industrialised
world. We need a revolution in how we generate and consume energy,
by increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy
sources.
The good news is that affordable alternative technology
is available to shift away from the big inefficient power plants
and industry installations - Europe's Carbon Dinosaurs. Cutting
down greenhouse gas emissions would not only help save the global
climate, but also strengthen our economies. It is crucial that
Europe continues to show leadership in international negotiations,
as only if Europe's positive example is maintained and real
emission cuts are achieved, can we hope to encourage others
to also take action.
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