More Climate Change

Continuing on the same theme (picking up where I left a few weeks ago), several estimates of the cost of environmental destruction have been published. Turns out climate change may become more expensive than expected. According to a British study published on Monday, the Stern review, the world economy may shrink by 20 per cent. The cost for Sweden may be several billion SEK.

The Swedish government has launched a few studies to find out what needs to be done to decrease emissions and cope with the effects of climate change as well as estimate some of the costs. An initial report from one of the inquiries into the effects of climate change was published today. Tom Hedlund, principal secretary of the inquiry, predicts that global warming will increase rain and snow falls, which will threaten the waterways and coastal areas. Warmer weather will have an effect on agriculture and forestry.

So what can the individual citizen do? S/he does not need to stop driving but must look at what kind of car to drive and as soon as possible change to environmentally friendly fuel. Citizens should also demand that politicians increase access to and benefit green fuel in different ways. The individual can also look at trying to save energy at home, maybe by changing the old oil burner to a more environmentally friendly alternative.

At the global level it is about putting in extensive measures against the reasons for the climate changes, which foremost depends on the emissions of greenhouse gases. The new Swedish environment minister wants Sweden to be active and lead the global work in this area. He's planning a environment ministerial meeting in Sweden in June next year. One problem to solve is how to deal with the fast-growing economies, such as India, China and Brazil, which will be responsibnle for the biggest emissions in just a few years' time. Another problem is the USA.

I'm not expecting too much from the new Swedish government - in their election campaign the main coalition party downplayed the climate threat - but I'm hoping that these recent and forthcoming reports will give them the right push.