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Just trying to do a better job at communicating than the scientists…..5th IPCC report

I have been researching the 5th IPCC report for a course I am giving in London 2015. This is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Its messages are SHOCKING! I am the green industry myself but frankly until I read the report itself as part of my research I had no idea how stark the message is.

It is vital that we raise people’s awareness (share, comment, tweet) of some key facts and put pressure on our politicians to act. The scary thing is that no-one seems to be aware of any of this let alone do anything.

Here are the FIVE main points simply put. Here is the most important one.

Sustainable Development offers business and PROFIT opportunities. It’s there in black and white on page 25 of the “Summary For Policy Makers IPCC Report”

The secondly BIG point: the positive side effects of sustainable development policies are considerable:
• Improved human health
• Cleaner air and water
• Biodiversity conservation
• Food security
• Energy supply security
• Water security
• Improved workplace productivity
• Net employment gains
• Afforestation (& reverse deforestation)

Thirdly and this is what I think people are bored of hearing if we don’t act now to reduce greenhouse gas emission then as one scientist put it “we are all f*cked if global warming releases gigantic amounts of methane gas from the arctic tundra.” That scientist is a is one of the better communicators! Consequences if we get it wrong are widespread death, injury, ill-health, and disrupted livelihoods across the world.

Fourthly ….it’s NOT EXPENSIVE to put right now perhaps 1% to 4 % of GDP. Now let’s be frank………you don’t notice 1% to 4% of anything!! But it could be very expensive if we delay: that’s 300% to 900% expensive. These are stark figures indeed. I think it means the effective break down of society and the end of our civilisation within a couple of generations (most projections are to 2100).

Finally just in case there should be any doubt about it the scientific debate is over. All scientists from all over the world are in agreement. It’s not a controversial issue.

So why are politicians in the UK squabbling over the cost of energy rather than increasing renewable energy? Why does Spain impose an extra tax on homes that generate their own PV electricity? Why are we spending more money on researching new sources of fossil fuels than new sources of renewable energy? I could go on.

Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog
“It’s not that easy being green” Kermit the Frog
• Eco Homes are more comfortable and healthy than conventional buildings
• Eco Homes cost the same for the same quality
• Eco Homes are worth more
• Eco Homes cost less to run

John Wolfendale Chartered Surveyor Granada
John Wolfendale Chartered Surveyor Granada
Author: John Wolfendale
Bio: John is a founder of Eco Vida and is passionate about bringing modern design and construction practices to Spain. He believes a home which is warm in winter and cool in summer is largely a matter of design and selective use of materials. He is British and a Chartered Surveyor with 20 years experience living and working in Spain.

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