Preventing climate chaos
 Chris Summerlin
If Europe and the world do not act now on climate change, societies worldwide, including ours and those of our children, will face unprecedented disaster, far outweighing the current economic crisis.
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The evidence is overwhelming. If Europe and the world do not act now on climate change, societies worldwide, including ours and those of our children, will face unprecedented disaster, far outweighing the current economic crisis. Climate change is likely to cause the extinction of many of the world’s species. To-date Members of the European Parliament have often recognised this need and have been at the vanguard of ambitious climate policies. The next five years will make or break our approach to climate change. MEPs have the power –and the responsibility– to take action.
MEPs should:
• Press for an ambitious global climate change agreement at the December 2009 Copenhagen climate summit. The EU should commit to a 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2020 (based on 1990 levels) – at least 30% to be achieved through domestic action.
• Ensure we reach the EU’s 2020 target of 20% renewable energy without harming the environment upon which we depend. As part of this, the EU’s environmentally damaging 10% biofuels target should be scrapped, and all bioenergy properly assessed for its environmental impact and benefit.
• Give political momentum to a robust climate change adaptation strategy, so far neglected. At its heart, the strategy should identify diverse and healthy ecosystems as a key weapon in the fight to adapt to a changing climate.
• Champion a strong and comprehensive carbon financing regime to stop the destruction of tropical forests, which harbour a large part of global biodiversity alongside extensive carbon stores.
Biological diversity is our natural ally in the fight against climate change.