STWR - Share The World's Resources

The relentless pursuit of economic growth promotes the unsustainable consumption patterns that underpin the climate crisis. Only a clearer understanding of the causes and greater public engagement can finally urge governments to act on climate change, argues Rajesh Makwana.

The climate change conference in Copenhagen during March 2009 highlighted a growing gulf between science, policy and action - a fatal flaw that increases the risk of an abrupt and irreversible climatic shift. A backgrounder by STWR.

The neglected policy debate on ecological limits is unable to call out the elephant of unsustainable lifestyles without challenging the very premise of our economic system.

Until the existing profit-driven system is replaced by a more cooperative, equitable framework, more doomsday reports, more fearful warnings of Armageddon, and further predictions of a polarised ‘new world order’ can be expected in the newspapers.

"In order to tackle climate change it is necessary for policy makers to re-examine key aspects of the global economy such as the pursuit of economic growth at all cost; unhealthy export-orientated agricultural practices; biased trade and finance structures; unsustainable over-consumption; and the excessive influence of multinational corporations on the economic and social life of the global public" - Rajesh Makwana.

Despite outright rejection by the Bush administration, the Kyoto treaty came into force this week. Altogether 128 member states have ratified the protocol to reduce greenhouse emissions over the next 7 years to levels below those of 1990.

The greatest threat to the environment is climate change. We need to recognise that the burning of fossil fuels damage the environment and that petroleum is too valuable as a starting material to be merely consumed as a fuel.  We musto promote the formation of an International Renewable Energy Agency, argues Mohammed Mesbahi.