Sustainable Development Can Reduce Global Warming

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Recommended: Effects of human activities on climate change

"Global warming is too serious for the world any longer to ignore its danger or split into opposing factions on it."

-- Tony Blair, speech, Sept. 27, 2005

According to the latest scientific data there is a direct human influence on the climate system. An upward trend in global temperatures can be clearly seen over the last three decades. The effects of this human induced climate destabilization can be seen in the present and are projected to worsen over time, regardless of the level of carbon emitted into the future. This does not mean that global and regional systems should not be overhauled to reduce carbon emissions. A rapid decrease in emissions is necessary to avert further warming of the planet and changes in the climate system. As the various effects of the shifting climate are being seen now, it can be clear that a level of dangerous climate change has been reached, although not threatening on a global scale. In order to ensure the perpetuity of our species in conditions that are not life threatening, a new development pattern must be adopted. The old way, some may say the “dirty way,” is no longer feasible. No longer may we dig up energy reserves that were sequestered over millions of years and burn them in a matter of hours. This is not as sustainable as once was thought. The planet is telling us that we must radically shift the way we build, develop, live, connect, move, eat, recreate, etc.

Sustainable development is a young notion, but a powerful one. Around it, is a conversation that attempts to unite every person on the planet in the hopes that we all might work together to further our species. Climate change fits into this conversation very well. Results of unsustainable development, the effects of climate ...

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...” UN News Center. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.

“Can Renewable Electricity Reduce Poverty? – Institute of Development Studies.” 13 Jan. 2014. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.

“Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, Longer Report.” Intergovernmental Panel on Cliamte Change. November 1, 2014.

Gerland, Patrick, Adrian E. Raftery, Hana Sevcikova, Nan Li, Danan Gu, Thomas Spoorenberg, and John

Wilmoth, et al. 2014. “World population stabilization unlikely this century.” Science no. 6206: 234.

Resutek, Audrey. “Study: Cutting Emissions Pays for Itself.” MIT News. 24 Aug. 2014. Web. 2 Nov.

[1]http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/cutting-carbon-health-care-savings-0824

[2]http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml

[3]http://www.ids.ac.uk/news/can-renewable-electricity-reduce-poverty

Tony Blair Quote

http://www.notable-quotes.com/g/global_warming_quotes.html#sdpRyJzEeS5ObBYq.99

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