The report -- commissioned by Chancellor Gordon Brown -- predicts that rising global temperatures will cause costly floods and famines, as well as widespread destruction of plant and animal species and mass movement of people.
Stern's report indicates that 200 million people around the world could be permanently displaced by a 5.4 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature from pre-industrial levels. Melting ice sheets would raise sea levels, affecting the homes of one in every 20 people, while 15 to 40 percent of species would face extinction, the report found.
The report -- considered the most comprehensive economic study of
climate change to date -- argues that taking swift global action to reduce carbon
emissions would cost 1 percent of global GDP per year. Conversely, waiting until the effects of
global warming set in will cost 5 to 20 percent of GDP every year, Stern found.
The second half of Stern's report focused on the need for international agreements to reduce carbon emissions. Though Britain is leading the international fight against global warming, it contributes just 2 percent of global emissions. Stern emphasizes the need for large countries -- including India, China and the United States -- to agree to an international treaty to reduce emissions.
Stern recommends the creation of a global carbon-trading market, in which countries would set low emissions targets for themselves, and those nations that fail to meet their targets could buy credits from countries that meet or exceed their emissions goals. A carbon-trading market would force high-pollution countries to pay for their excess emissions, which would drive demand for low-carbon emissions technology.
Stern also recommends significantly increasing research funds for developing low-emissions technologies, as well as donating more resources to poor countries to help them compete in the carbon trading economy, which Stern believes will be worth $70 billion by 2010.
Chancellor Brown said he will accept Stern's recommendations on a global carbon-trading scheme, and will also take advice from former U.S. vice president Al Gore on environmental policy.
###
 |
Additional Resources:
emissions
climate change
economic crisis
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/020926.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
Printable Version
