Global Warming

Landmark Global Warming Decision in Netherlands Court

In a landmark case that may set a very important precedent for other countries around the world, especially within Europe, the Dutch government has been ordered by the courts to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.

The ruling came from a class-action lawsuit that was brought before the Dutch courts by Urgenda in 2012. The case, rather magnificently, was based on human rights laws. Specifically, Urgenda asked the courts to "declare that global warming of more than 2 degrees Celsius will lead to a violation of fundamental human rights worldwide," and that the Dutch government is "acting unlawfully by not contributing its proportional share to preventing a global warming of more than 2 degrees Celsius."

Today, a Dutch court at The Hague ruled in favour of Urgenda, ruling that the Netherlands' plans to cut emissions by only 14-17 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 were illegal. Moreover, the wording used by the judges in the ruling is incredibly strong and clear-cut: “The state should not hide behind the argument that the solution to the global climate problem does not depend solely on Dutch efforts ... Any reduction of emissions contributes to the prevention of dangerous climate change and as a developed country the Netherlands should take the lead in this.”

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Global Warming

Greenhouse Gas Milestone to Be Reached This Month

Greenhouse gas emissions are accelerating even as their effects on climate are becoming more evident.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere is on the verge of exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm) this month, a concentration of the climate-warming gas not seen on the planet in 3 million years.

That projection is based on observations made at Mauna Loa Observatory, the volcano-top Hawaiian lab where measurements of atmospheric CO2 have been collected since 1958.

Since then, the seasonally fluctuating levels have risen from 316 ppm at an escalating rate.

According to Ralph Keeling, a geochemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the surpassing of the 400-ppm mark should serve as a warning that despite increased public awareness of the danger posed by global warming, worldwide carbon dioxide emissions show no sign of reversing.

"We are starting to move toward alternate fossil energy — non-conventional fossil fuels like tar sands and so forth," warns Keeling. "And that’s a little troubling because it reflects our willingness to expand and use reserves of fossil fuels that probably ought to stay in the ground if we take this problem seriously."

Exceeding 400 ppm does not correspond to any specific climatological event. However, as politicians, scientists, and activists around the world push for new policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming, the new record-breaking figure may increase the sense of urgency for some.

Prior to the mid-18th century, when humans first began burning carbon-based fuels for industrial use, concentration of carbon dioxide is thought to have been stable at approximately 280 ppm.

Environment

A study conducted for governments of 20 developing countries suggests that more than 100 million people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 if the world fails to tackle climate change.

As global average temperatures rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, the effects on the planet, such as melting ice caps, extreme weather, drought and rising sea levels, will threaten populations and livelihoods, said the report conducted by humanitarian organisation DARA.

It calculated that five million deaths occur each year from air pollution, hunger and disease as a result of climate change and carbon-intensive economies, and that toll would likely rise to six million a year by 2030 if current patterns of fossil fuel use continue.

More than 90 percent of those deaths will occur in developing countries, said the report that calculated the human and economic impact of climate change on 184 countries in 2010 and 2030. It was commissioned by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a partnership of 20 developing countries threatened by climate change. Link