What’s the science?

The science is clear. Global temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees over the past century, and the speed of this increase is unprecedented. Scientists tell us that if global temperature rise exceeds 2 degrees the consequences could be disastrous. 'The scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change presents very serious global risks and it demands an urgent global response' (Source: Stern Review on the economics of climate change, 2006, executive summary).

A tragic picture of global injustice emerges when we see how climate change is affecting whole villages and areas of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is the most densely populated country on earth, with 157 million people crowded into an area the size of England and Wales. If carbon emissions continue to rise up 18& of its land would become submerged. Yet it has done the least to cause it.

Minu Basar, a wife, mother and community activist in Kayabunia village, Bagerhat District, now has to take a 12 mile round trip by foot and boat to buy fresh water, since her village’s water supply turned salty.

So what actually happened in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen was disappointing. Essentially all the “Copenhagen Accord” does is agree that “climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time” and that “the increase in global temperature should be below 2°Celsius”. However, whilst it recognises these facts its does nothing to remedy this and the path that it suggests in order to curb global greenhouse gas emissions will more likely lead to a 3 or 4° increase. The key problem is that is isn't legally binding and is just a political agreement. This means that no-one is obliged to do anything about it and therefore no-one will be held accountable to make any cuts.

But Copenhagen was only ever going to be the beginning of the fight for climate justice; we must keep up the pressure!