Opinions | Columnists
Change isn't just a slogan, you have to live it
Barack Obama used it as his campaign theme, as did John McCain. Change is the political refrain of 2008 and that is a good thing, because change is needed now more than ever before across the globe.
- By R.K. Pachauri, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:27 November 27, 2008
Barack Obama used it as his campaign theme, as did John McCain. Change is the political refrain of 2008 and that is a good thing, because change is needed now more than ever before across the globe.
We need to change our attitudes toward climate change, toward the use of hydrocarbon fuels and also toward the way we use our other natural resources.
Our planet is faced with serious challenges. Mankind is, by failing to take full account of the impact of its behaviour, creating serious environmental stresses. Scientific evidence of warming of the climate system is now unequivocal, and the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report has stated clearly that most of the average global warming over the past 50 years is very likely due to increases in concentration of greenhouse gases caused by human actions.
'Very likely' translates to over 90 per cent certainty. Emissions of greenhouse gases, due to human activities, are highly likely to be the cause of the warming we are now experiencing. Further warming and sea level rise is in store even if greenhouse gases are stabilised today. Hence, the world would have to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the immediate future.
The consequences of climate change are now well understood: changes in precipitation patterns, melting of glaciers in different parts of the world, the increased frequency of droughts and floods, and possibility of irreversible changes such as partial loss of ice sheets on polar land implying metres of sea level rise. Food security is increasingly threatened, as are our world's water supplies.
These changes could lead to sudden mass migrations and serious and recurring threats to stability and peace.
We need to change, to upset the complacency which now inhabits our discussion of steps to control emissions. And, our leaders need to confront the consequences of their decisions at every level.
However, this isn't going to be enough to vote for a leader who says he, or she, is going to bring about change. You have to do more than that. The leader of the Indian independence struggle, Mahatma Gandhi, urged people 'to be the change you want to see in the world.'
Personal effort
Each of us has to become the change; we have to emphasise the positive and recognise those who are leading the change - wherever that change may appear. Much work is underway in the laboratories and out in the field here in the US, in Europe and in Asia.
There are also groundbreaking initiatives in other parts of the world. I am humbled to chair the jury of one such programme, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, which has been established by the Abu Dhabi government in the Middle East and its $15 billion sustainability initiative, Masdar. Abu Dhabi makes much of its money from oil but its government has recognised the need to diversify its economy through the exploration, development and commercialisation of future energy sources.
The most ambitious sustainability programme ever launched by a government, the Masdar Initiative includes projects targeting solar, wind and hydrogen power; carbon reduction and management; sustainable development; manufacturing; research and development; and education. This includes the world's first graduate university dedicated to renewable energy and clean technology - The Masdar Institute, developed in partnership with MIT - as well as the world's first carbon-neutral, zero-waste, car-free city.
Ground-breaking change from an oil producer in the Middle East? Yes, it is possible and, in Abu Dhabi, they are showing it can be done. They have seen the challenges and the opportunities of the future and they know it is time for change.
Certain cultures have always been quick to change - when they've seen the necessity. Now it is the turn of every citizen on Planet Earth to become part of the change. We should not sit back and assume others are going to make the changes necessary, because we all have to work together in meeting this challenge. It's much too important to leave to the politicians.
Dr R.K. Pachauri is a Nobel Laureate and Chairman of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury.
Share this article
Popular in Opinions
-
Opinions
Speak Your Mind: World hunger
Who is responsible for world hunger? Are there any solution?
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Parochialism versus India
The idea of India gets defeated if people are governed by domicile considerations
-
Between crime and insanity
Major Hassan's actions debase the universal parlance of the very faith that he professed to embrace so ardently
-
Its time for Karzai to show his mettle
He may have fallen out of favour, but for now there are no other leadership options
