The ‘billions at risk’ mentioned by co-chair Martin Parry during the press conference only appeared in the original table produced before the final day of IPCC discussions. This table was discussed by representatives from countries all over the world for as much as one and a half days!  Eventually the ‘billions’ was deleted from the final published version, but, as Parry said, the main message from the summary ‘may have been boiled down, but not watered down’.

Although this was the first official confirmation of drastic ecological changes by the international scientific community, we already knew this was happening. Al Gore already presented this inconvenient truth, be it in the form of a feature film, rather than being the consensus of 300 international scientists.

But the important lesson already emerging from this report is that we can still do something about climate change. Next month, Working Group III will publish a full report on the opportunities and challenges provided by climate change, including the costs. But we’ve already learned from this report that mitigation can reduce or delay the effects of climate change. We can parry the climate doomsday by making the most of opportunities in sustainable energy. Let’s turn warnings into action, let’s do some new business!

It is important to stay positive. But we also need this entrepreneurial spirit for another important reason. A major clue to this reason comes from the IPCC report which says that is the poor countries who are at the largest risks from climate change. The consequences – increasing droughts, floods and hunger - will hit the poor the hardest, in particular in Asia and Africa.

So we owe them our major efforts in fighting climate change. If we have any responsibility left, we will help the developing countries out, by making our own energy systems sustainable, but also by helping developing countries to put up sustainable energy systems for themselves. Sustainable energy has to become key in international co-operation. It is the key for development, and it is the key to mitigating the effects of global warming.

Rolf de Vos

Editor in chief

GreenPrices