Live Earth: The Pledge

The Live Earth concerts are broadcast on 7th July 2007, and Live Earth is asking us to all sign the pledge to help ensure a better, more habitable world. Here is the pledge (which I think is a good thing) with some additional points suggesting we need to go further to reduce the problems we already have and not simply reduce the amount of growth in emissions.

Live Earth Website

1. To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next two years that cuts global-warming pollution by 90 percent in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;

90%. In 2 years. That’s drastic. But only 50% worldwide? Is it enough? If you look at Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” you will see graphs showing rapid, almost exponential growth in carbon emissions which is directly linked (according to the reports) to global warming (see also The Problem is of course the Humans). With only a 50% reduction in emissions, we will only serve to delay the consequences of our actions – an inevitable environmental catastrophe of potentially biblical proportions; unless there is a technology just around the corner that will help resolve the problem as long as we can keep our emissions under “enough” control. That’s a big IF!

2. To take personal action to help solve the climate crises by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become “carbon neutral”;

Carbon neutral is a 0% nett balance of emissions – ie what we use we repay. If the popluation become carbon neutral en masse, would this equate to an average 50% reduction in global emissions over the next 2 years? Forgive the synicism, but we all (businesses included) need to address the issue (see Deforestation is Killing Us) in order to prevent the problems just around the corner. Carbon negative is a better goal – put back more than you take out!

3. To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2;

Fair play.

4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;

OK.

5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;

Maybe the law is the only way some countries will adopt them, but attempting to implement wide-reaching international law on a planet well-known for its terratorial and intra-racial squabbling is not going to be easy. Furthermore, it’s one thing to make laws, it’s another to ensure they are followed.

6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,

Good plan – although we could do with a few new forests!

7. To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crises and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.

Much more likely to get results than any laws (see 5) – after all, supply and demand is a major driving factor in business and if there is no demand for non-sustainable businesses, then the balance will naturally shift to the sustainable ones.

What do you think?