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24 April 2008
Analyst Elliot Diringer Addresses Global Climate Crisis
Ask America webchat transcript, April 22
Elliot Diringer, director for international strategies at the Pew Center for Global Climate Change, participated in an April 22 Ask America webchat on Earth Day 2008 and the global ramifications of climate change.
Following is the transcript:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Earth Day 2008 and the Global Climate Crisis
Guest: Elliot Diringer
Date: April 22, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT)
Moderator: Welcome to today's Earth Day webchat! The live chat will begin at 10:00 A.M. EDT/14:00 GMT. You may begin sending in your questions now.
Please be advised, there are many questions coming in for today's chat. Our guest speaker will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.
Hello everyone! We'll be getting started in just a few minutes. (Welcome Abidjan!)
Elliot Diringer: Earth Day greetings to all! My thanks to all of you for joining us today and to the U.S. State Department for hosting this webchat. I look forward to receiving your questions and sharing our perspective on the critical issue of global climate change.
I’d like to begin by briefly introducing my organization. The Pew Center on Global Climate Change is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit NGO based in the United States. We were launched 10 years ago to promote practical and effective policies to address global warming. We publish peer-reviewed reports on climate science, economics, policy, and solutions, and our work is informed by input from our Business Environmental Leadership Council, a group of 42 major corporations dedicated to addressing climate change. (You can learn more about our work and our business council at www.pewclimate.org.)
Based on our research and analysis, and on our ongoing dialogue with the business community, we advance climate policy solutions in the United States (at both the federal and state levels) and internationally. As director of international strategies, I head the Pew Center’s efforts to help policymakers and stakeholders reach consensus on options for a new international climate agreement.
Since Earth Day 2007, we have seen a tremendous surge in concern about the risks of global climate change. In its latest assessment of climate science, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded more definitively than ever that global warming is underway and that urgent action is needed to avert dangerous climate change.
In September, at a high-level U.N. meeting convened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, more than 150 nations, most represented by heads of state, called for a “breakthrough” at the U.N. climate negotiations in Bali. And when governments gathered in Bali in December, they launched a new round of negotiations with the ambitious goal of reaching a new global treaty in 2009.
These developments are encouraging, but there is a tremendous amount of work ahead if we are to effectively address the risks of climate change. So let’s turn now to your questions.
Question [Biva Nag]: What is Global Warming? Please explain the causes of Global Warming. How can we reduce the bad effect of global warming?
Rabbani, Nayem, Rakib from Yusuf M.T High School, Comilla, under GCEP, Relief International, Banglaesh
Answer [Elliot Diringer]: This is a great place to start. Global warming is caused by the buildup in the atmosphere of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released as a result of human activity. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet and disrupting the climate. The major source of GHGs is the combustion of fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and gas. These, of course, are our major sources of energy. So reducing GHG emissions will require major changes in the way we produce and consume energy. Other major sources of GHGs are deforestation and agriculture.
Q [communakate]: Global warming sounds too massive a problem sometimes... Is there anything we can do in everyday life to stop it?
A [Elliot Diringer]: Yes, there are things each of us can do to address global warming. Most of them have to do with the way we use energy. We should try to conserve whenever possible. At home, we can turn off lights when they're not needed and switch to compact flourescent bulbs, which use much less energy than incandescent bulbs. We can drive less and purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids.
We can let companies know that we want products that produce fewer GHGs. While it's important that we all do our part, this is not a problem we can solve only by individual action. It will require structural changes across our economies and that will require new laws. So we must all let our governments know we want them to take the actions needed to dramatically reduce GHGs.
Q [lazina]: Azad, Shirin, Sathi from British American Technology and Management Institution, School under GCEP project in Bangladesh Implemented Relief International. What is the main role of rich/developed countries to stop pollution in their own countries as well as the whole world?
A [Elliot Diringer]: A core principle of the 1992 U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which nearly every nation has ratified, is the idea of "common but differentiated responsibilities." Every nation bears some responsibility to address this problem. But obviously the richer nations have contributed far more to the problem historically, and have greater resources to address it, so they must take the lead.
That said, emissions are growing fastest in the developing world, so the major developing countries also have a responsibility to limit and ultimately to reduce their emissions. From our perspective, all of the world's major economies -- both developed and developing -- must commit themselves to stronger action. To be fair, these commitments can be different -- in form, in level, in timing. But we all must commit.
Q [oels – Fanja (Express-Madagascar)]: How would it be possible to underdeveloped and developed countries or nations to have the same strategy of addressing the message of climate change?
A [Elliot Diringer]: We can't expect all countries to adopt the same strategies. National circumstances vary widely. These include our resource bases, GDP levels, economic structures, etc. So every country must develop a strategy that fits its circumstances and its broader development and economic objectives.
But we also must find a way to weave these different national strategies together in a strong international effort. To do that, we need a new international agreement that is binding enough to deliver strong action but flexible enough to accommodate different national strategies.
Q [LC Karachi Participant]: How developing countries can fight against global warming as they cannot afford the use of latest technologies?
(Faraz Ahmed INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN)
A [Elliot Diringer]: In the U.N. Framework Convention, developed countries agreed to provide financial and technology assistance to developing countries. That commitment was underscored in the Bali Action Plan, which calls for developing countries to take action supported by technology, finance, and capacity building. Turning those broad statements into concrete support must be an essential element of a new climate treaty. Without that, we can not expect developing countries to deliver their strongest possible efforts.
Moderator: If you are just joining us welcome. There are many questions coming in. Please be patient as our speaker is answering them.
If you would like to introduce yourself to our global audience please select "comment". Tell us who you are and where you are joining us from.
Q [LC Karachi Participant]: What are the alternate sources of energy which can be use in developing countries which can reduce pollution generation as well as they themselves produce least pollution?
A [Elliot Diringer]: The key for all countries is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and develop more sustainable energy sources. The best sources depend on national circumstances so vary from country to country. Those with plenty of sun and wind can develop these renewable sources. Brazil has proven to the world that ethanol (fuel from crops) is a workable alternative to gasoline, although we are now seeing that if not done properly, this can cause other environmental damages and drive up food prices.
Countries like China and India will continue to rely on coal, because it is relatively cheap and plentiful, but they must do it in a way that is least damaging to the climate. That means ultimately coal-burning power plants will need to have equipment to capture the carbon dioxide they release and bury it underground so it doesn't reach the atmosphere and cause warming.
Q [LC Karachi Participant]: What will be the effect of climate change on diseases? How can we get current data about them? - Waqar Ahmed, Lecturer, Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi.
A [Elliot Diringer]: Let me suggest some resources that may be helpful. The Pew Center has published some reports on climate impacts in the United States. "Regional Impacts of Climate Change" includes information on health-related effects of heat waves. The co-author of this study, Kristie Ebi, testified about climate-related heath impacts this month -- here’s her testimony. Another report "Human Health & Global Climate Change: A Review of Potential Impacts In the United States" is available by the Pew Center.
And here are some other resources:
• The National Center for Atmospheric Research
• The CDC has material available online
• Fact sheets from the World Health Organization
Q [Chat Participant - DJE Famien]: What about the Kyoto Protocol?
A [Elliot Diringer]: The Kyoto Protocol, which was negotiated in 1997 and took effect in 2005, established the first binding international limits on greenhouse gas emissions. These limits cover every major industrialized nation except the United States, which has not joined. Kyoto was a major step forward but is not nearly enough. Its limits cover just one-third of global emissions and expire after 2012. That is why we need a new agreement that builds on the Kyoto Protocol and sets commitments for all the major economies of the world, including the United States and the major developing countries.
Q [oels - Frederica (Aody.com/Mcar)]: Has the selling and buying carbon emission become a profit based activity instead of protecting environment as an environmental cause?
A [Elliot Diringer]: Emissions trading is a market-based approach to reducing emissions that has been used successfully in the United States to fight acid rain and is now being used in Europe and elsewhere to reduce GHGs. The Pew Center strongly supports this type of market-based approach. The idea is to harness market forces to reduce emissions as cost-effectively as possible.
Basically, companies that find ways to reduce emissions at a lower cost can "sell" those reductions to other companies reap a financial reward. That's putting the profit motive to work for the benefit of the environment. Climate solutions will work only if they can sustain strong economies. So we believe market-based approaches like emissions trading must be part of the mix.
Moderator: There are many questions still coming in. Please be patient as our speaker is answering them.
Comment [Chat Participant]: Kouame Victor, Ph D student in Abobo Adjame University from Abidjan.
Comment [Chat Participant]: I am m'bahia roger from Abidjan.
Q [Chat Participant - DJE Famien]: A lot of nations said that the USA does not want to solve the environmental world changes because of their mainly advantages in petrol industry.
A [Elliot Diringer]: I believe that the lack of strong action by the United States is the single largest obstacle to an effective global effort to address climate change. The United States is the world's largest economy and largest historic emitter but has not yet set limits on its GHG emissions. President Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol but has not put forward a credible alternative and has opposed proposals in Congress to limit and reduce U.S. emissions.
Fortunately, we are seeing strong and growing support for enactment of such limits. Many states are taking action. Business leaders are calling on the federal government to act. Congress may soon vote on mandatory legislation. And all three candidates for President support mandatory limits on U.S. emissions. We are hopeful that such limits will be enacted in the next couple of years and that the United States can then demonstrate the international leadership needed to forge a strong, effective global effort.
Moderator: America.gov’s environmental issues webpage has more information on this topic. Please visit: http://science.america.gov/science/environ/earthday.html.
Comment [Chat Participant - SEU-ANOI]: I am a student at University Abobo-Adjame from Abidjan.
Q [Chat Participant]: I am Agnissan Jean Paul from Abidjan. How can we avoid forest destruction in developing countries?
A [Elliot Diringer]: This is a critical question. We must do two things: understand the causes of forest destruction, and create economic incentives to preserve forests. The situation is different in different countries, but in many, the causes of deforestation are survival - people clear land to grow crops.
We must be sensitive to these needs and make sure they are addressed. But we must recognize the value of forests for other purposes, including to protect the climate. And we must create financial incentives to preserve those values.
This can be done through international agreements that recognize market-based carbon "credits" for preserving or restoring forests. This is one of the key issues in the negotiations launched in Bali.
Comment [Chat Participant]: I am Aliko Nguessan Gustave, a Ph.D student from Abobo Adjame University from Abidjan.
Comment [Chat Participant]: ADON Paulette: Good morning, I am Adon Marie Paulette. I am student in University Abobo-Adjame from Abidjan.
Q [Frederica (aody.com/Madagascar)]: If we start now to protect climate change, how many years we may have until we reach the concrete result? And what measure should be taken in developing countries, which mostly undergone bad affects of climate change?
A [Elliot Diringer]: Climate change is a long-term challenge. It is the result of decades of human activity and will require action over several decades if we are to avert the worst potential consequences. The critical thing is to get started now.
There are immediate steps we can take to reduce emissions, but also we must invest more heavily now in researching and developing new technologies to reduce emissions further in the future. We can see immediate results in lower emissions. But the real results we want -- avoiding drought, sea-level rise, disease, etc. -- will come much later. We have to be willing to invest now to avoid much higher costs later.
Comment [oels]: As appeared in the screen, my name is "oels", but I am working for the American Press center-U.S. Embassy of Antananarivo in Madagascar. There are many journalists members of this center, that is why, we have many of them who wish to participate to this interesting chat. Thank you for replying our questions and comments.
Comment [Chat Participant]: Hello, I am Gommun Kapeu Charles from Abidjan.
Comment [Chat Participant]: ADON Paulette: I am student in University Abobo-Abidjan from Abidjan.
Q [Chat Participant - m'bahia roger]: Why was the U.S. so reluctant to ratify the Kyoto Accord about the protection of environment?
A [Elliot Diringer]: Two reasons are most often cited: the potential impact on the U.S. economy, and the fact that Kyoto does not limit emissions from large developed countries such as China and India.
I think the real reason is that Americans had not yet become attuned to the reality of global warming and there was insufficient political support for strong action to address it. That has now changed. Americans are very concerned and many political leaders, including the three remaining candidates for President, are responding.
Q [Chat Participant - Marthe GNAYORO, ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE, AFRIQUE]: Please, what is the consequences of climate change?
A [Elliot Diringer]: One of the best sources of information on potential climate impacts in different parts of the world is the report of Working Group 2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The summary can be found at: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-spm.pdf.
An interactive map of climate impacts using IPCC information can be found at: http://www.sciam.com/page.cfm?section=climate-map.
Comment [Chat Participant - Martin Kouame]: Hi, I'm a student (Ph.D) in sciences of environment at the University of Abobo-Adjame (Cote d'Ivoire).
Comment [Chat Participant]: I am Outtara Ismaila from ABOBO ADJAME University in Ivory Coast.
Q [Chat Participant]: Hello, I am Martin Kouama, from Abidjan. What may happen if after 2012 the major developing countries don’t respect their engagement?
A [Elliot Diringer]: It's my belief that we will have an effective international agreement only if the major developing countries are prepared to assume some type of commitment. These commitments must be fair and suited to their national circumstances -- not the same level or necessarily even the same type taken by developed countries.
If we can not agree on reasonable commitments, the developed countries will not take new commitments either. Some of them will continue and strengthen their efforts at the national level. For instance, the European Union has already unilaterally committed itself to a stronger target for 2020. And I believe the United States will begin mandatory domestic limits even without an international agreement. But over time, it will be harder to sustain these efforts without confidence that all the major economies are contributing their fair share.
Comment [Chat Participant]: Good morning, I'm Kouassi-N'gohesse Edwige,student PhD in University Abobo-Adjame from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
Moderator: Our guest speaker has agreed to answer questions after the hour mark. Thank you for submitting your questions.
Q [Chat Participant]: I am ALIKO N. GUSTAVE, as a NGO, how do you help developing countries?
A [Elliot Diringer]: We are a small organization and, unfortunately, do not have the resources to offer real assistance to developing countries. However, we are very actively engaged with government negotiators from all the key countries, both developed and developing.
We share our ideas for the post-2012 framework and convene sessions where negotiators can meet informally to share views. Hopefully this will help contribute to a new global consensus. You can find our reports on post-2012 options at www.pewclimate.org/international.
In closing, I would like to thank all the participants for the many excellent questions. I am sorry I was not able to answer all of them. Your participation is very encouraging to me, as it demonstrates the strong level of concern worldwide and the quest for answers and solutions.
I hope that my responses are of value to you. I encourage you to keep searching for solutions that will help all of our countries to contribute to the effort against climate change in ways that build strong, sustainable economies for all the peoples of the world. Happy Earth Day!
Moderator: We wish to thank Elliot Diringer for joining us today. The webchat is now closed. We hope you will understand that there were many questions coming in. He may not have been able to answer your direct question, but please check the transcript for similar questions. A full transcript of today's webchat will be published (usually within one business day) to our Ask America homepage.
(Speakers are chosen for their expertise and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of State.)
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
