Climate Change

Human and industrial activities (energy production, transportation, industry, housing, stockbreeding, etc.) generate huge Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions particularly of carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists across the globe have widely accepted that the accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere has as a consequence an increase of the surface temperature of the earth. This phenomenon is called “global warming” and is provoking major climate changes that drive catastrophes such as flooding and desertification due to change in the rain patterns, melting of the ice at the poles leading to an increase of the level of the seas, increase of the frequency and violence of hurricanes, etc. The IPCC is an international body bringing together more than 2’500 scientist that study these changes and publicizes regularly reports on this topic. The IPCC, together with Al Gore, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, recognizing their contribution.

Scientists and politicians have recognized this threat and took the first measure in 1997, by signing the Kyoto Protocol that aims at reducing the emissions of GHG at the least 5% below the reference level of 1990. Different mechanisms have been developed such as the trading of emissions between countries (carbon market) and the possibility for a country to develop projects reducing emission in other countries under strict parameters (CDM). Nevertheless these mechanisms are complex and do not allow to companies and single individuals to contribute towards a sustainable reduction of the GHG emissions, therefore other alternatives must be found.

What can you do?

There are three main options to act at a personal level Reduce, Reuse/Recycle, Compensate