Archive for October 2009
“The climate change bottom line”
Article I had published in the Weekender, 24 October:
THERE’s a widespread and significant misconception about the likely effects of strong action to cut or “mitigate” greenhouse gas emissions: that it will hurt economies.
The chair at a recent climate debate in Cape Town summed up popular perception and prejudice when he said that those calling for a switch to a low-carbon economy are asking for a “huge sacrifice”.
It’s a twofold misconception. First , the damage to gross domestic product (GDP) is usually exaggerated, particularly in the US by conservative opponents of the proposed, and rather modest, Waxman-Markey climate bill.
“Southern Africa in for 10°C temperature rise”
Article I wrote for The Weekender, Oct 3
WITHOUT global cuts in carbon emissions, average temperatures in southern Africa could increase as much as 10°C as early as 2060, according to a study released by the UK’s Meteorological Office last week. The study is based on a range of models, and predicts an average global temperature increase of 4°C by 2060.
But 4°C is just the global average increase — and while some areas will warm by less than 4°C, others will warm by more. For southern Africa, a 10 °C rise is likely in inland areas.
According to Michael Sanderson, co-author of the Met Office report, “The exact impacts of such a large temperature rise on SA were not addressed in this study. However, food production will be adversely affected. The temperature rise will decrease crop productivity and increase the risk of hunger. Some plants and animal species will become extinct…
