Newsletter

Spring 2002

Forum 2002: Global Climate Change
By Sir John Houghton, IPCC WGI Co-Chair

The Earth is warming up. Unusually large icebergs are breaking away from Antarctica and many of us are experiencing warmer weather. Compared with 30 years ago, it is now warmer at the earth's surface, on average, by about half a degree C. There is strong scientific evidence that this is due to emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from our increased burning of fossil fuels - globally over 6 thousand million tonnes per year and still growing. With the increased warming come changes in climate, the rate of change being greater than for at least 10,000 years. Adapting to such change will be difficult for many human communities and many ecosystems.

It might seem at first sight that a bit of extra warmth might be welcome. But, as we look more carefully we find that most of the impacts will be adverse. Two of the main impacts will be a rise in sea level as ocean water warms and expands and a more vigorous hydrological cycle leading to more frequent and intense floods and droughts. Parts of North America will be substantially affected. However, much more serious will be the impacts in many parts of the developing world, for instance tens of millions of people will be displaced in areas of Bangladesh, in China, in other sub tropical regions and in many low lying islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

These serious environmental consequences of human activities cannot be completely avoided. But they can be mitigated through a reduction in our use of fossil fuels. This can be done in two main ways, through much greater efficiency in our use of energy and through an increase in the proportion of energy from renewable sources. Technology is available to provide what is required.

At Forum 2002 to be held in Oxford, England in July 2002, leading scientists and economists from North America and Europe will be presenting the scientific evidence concerning human induced climate change, its likely impacts and the associated uncertainties. The options for action that could be taken by governments, industry and individuals will also be debated.

Recognising the imperative for Christians, as stewards of creation, to be in the forefront of genuine environmental concern, there will be presentations at the Forum on the theology of creation care and on the consequences of inaction especially for countries in the developing world. It is planned that the conference will develop proposals for effective action by churches.

You could refer if you wish to the IPCC and its web site (www.ipcc.ch), as well as the Forum website (www.climateforum2002.org), for more information.

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