The Bachelor and Three Graces, in the Mariposa Grove of giant redwood trees, Yosemite National Park, California. Photo: Photo: Hayball/ shutterstock.
Spirituality: the forgotten dimension
Our environment editor Laurie Michaelis reminds us that Quaker simple living remains the best defence in climate uncertainty
With climate negotiations underway in Copenhagen, commentators tell us that this is one of the most important international conferences ever held: the last chance to save the planet. Government delegates have been wrestling together with the challenge of cutting greenhouse gas emissions since 1988 when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change began its first scientific assessment. The current talks are to develop new provisions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed by governments at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. But does the public commentary pay too much attention to the science and policy process? The assumption is that first we must have scientific proof of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Then governments can negotiate a global agreement on targets for emission cuts. Then they will introduce new policies and measures – such as emission trading schemes, efficiency standards, and investment in clean energy. Finally, the policies will bring about the necessary changes in technology, and in the behaviour of corporations and consumers.
