But I’d rather see a ‘sense of action’. Of course the first assessment report (of four) got a lot of media attention. Rising sea levels, increasing numbers or hurricanes and droughts or terrible rainfall: they always make nice headlines. But instead of being frightened, I’d like to think we already have arrived at the next stage. That is: to think of what we can do about it. Or even better: to do something about it!

The recently published report was the outcome of discussions within Working Group 1, about the physical science basis of climate change. In my view, the most important assessment report from the scientific panel is still to be published, at the start of May. Working Group III of the IPCC tackles ‘mitigation’ of climate change. In this report we will get an answer on how we should act, with what technologies and how rapidly.

Although the report is not yet completed, I foresee some main conclusions. One: we can’t afford to wait any longer for serious action. Two: we’ve got all the tools available to start now. Three: We will need a broad global coalition, with a political will that sets the right priorities.

For people in the sustainable energy business, these are not remarkable conclusions. We already know that we have the tools. A lot of solutions are already waiting to enter the market, some already have. And if the political will is in place, remarkable growth can occur, resembling the rise of the ICT industry in the nineteen eighties. Long-lasting growth figures of 20 to 30% per year are no exception in several renewable energy industries.

Instead of being depressed by the latest IPCC figures, let’s roll up our sleeves. Investors, developers, manufacturers, technicians, financial institutions, a whole new industry is ready to take up the challenge.