Launching Global Climate Projects

The earth is emitting clear signals: it is threatened by heat waves, extreme cold and the melting of polar ice. More than 100 million human beings live within three feet above sea level. “After long years of debate, the time has come for action.” This is what Dr Klaus Hug, the President of Academia Engelberg, called for in closing Academia Engelberg’s third science congress in front of more than 150 participants from the realms of science, politics, business and culture, representing twenty countries.

The key drivers of climate change are well-known, i.e. greenhouse gases, aerosols, rising ozone levels and intensified land use. Professor Dieter Imboden of the Institute for Environmental Physics at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich said: “En-ergy demand is an important factor, and it is rising all the time. Apart from high con-sumption in the industrialised nations, China and India will be catching up enor-mously in the years to come. This means that industry will have to introduce tech-nologies for more sustainable use urgently.” Using the example of India, Dr Leena Srivastava of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of New Delhi pointed out the know-how available and the need for action. She said: “While it is important to reduce emissions, we need suitable funds to do so.”

Act now

18 would-be scientists from 15 countries presented a focus plan for readily imple-mentable projects. The group of YES (Youth Encounter of Sustainability) alumni had been invited by Academia Engelberg to draw up three specific projects in a meeting last week. The group focused on measures to be taken in elementary schools and universities as well as at the level of policymakers. Their action plan is designed to make a contribution towards mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions and creating pub-lic awareness. Financial resources will be required for implementation.

Project 1 – Reduction of energy consumption

Under the heading of “How Coo-L are you“ (a phrase based on the concept of “CO2 level”), this project is addressed to future generations. Pupils and students from around the world are to learn about the causes of climate change. To this end, five institutions in the U.S., Scotland, Iran, Pakistan and Japan will participate in a pilot project in which they will be equipped with a device to measure CO2 levels. Action weeks will be held for pupils and students to discuss and record their own consump-tion of energy and to become familiar with reduction possibilities. There will be spe-cial platforms for the institutions to have an exchange and to present their projects to each other.

Project 2 – Change of behaviour related to mobility

From 2005, the young scientists intend to get 50 universities in 20 countries involved in a mobility programme. Project weeks and conferences on climate change will be held to encourage students to rethink their own behaviour and to make them change it. They will be called upon to “Walk for a better climate”, i.e. to use a train or a bicy-cle instead of a car or, better still, to go on foot. Change of behaviour will be encour-aged by means of special cycling and walking paths as well as low-cost parking space for hybrid vehicles or cars carrying several passengers at a time.

Project 3 – Stop deforestation

Forests are tremendously important for a balanced climate because they destroy the harmful CO2. For this reason, they require help by an international lobby that will have to put pressure on governments in regions where forests are endangered so as to put an end to deforestation. For this purpose, the Engelberg Forest Charter will be drawn up. It will define the political goals. The second step will be to enter into con-tact with policymakers in countries whose forests are in danger of being removed, and to get them committed to the Charter. This venture will be based on the student network established for the mobility project.

Accompanied by Academia Engelberg

In the near future, the 18 young scientists will meet for another three days in Engel-berg with representatives of Academia Engelberg to settle details and to deal with the issue of project support. The Foundation will hold intense discussions to secure the financial resources required to implement the young scientists’ action plan.

Professor Heinz Gutscher, a member of the programme committee, briefly presented the theme of the Academia Engelberg conference to be held from September 28 through 30 2005. This conference will be devoted to taking a look at “taboos” from various points of view. Details will be announced at the beginning of next year.