What governments can do about climate change

Climate change as a consequence of global warming is now with us, and the sooner we act the less damage will be done to our society, economy and environment, and to us. With the increasing greenhouse gases and declining glaciers, the threat of our green planet becoming a barren land in future seems real. The elevation in the pollution levels due to the reckless use of the Earth’s resources has created an alarming situation for the people inhabiting the planet.

If this misuse of the resources continues in the future, chances are that our planet might be amongst the other seven planets where life is not possible. To prevent this, Governments, as leaders of this green planet should take strict steps to guard the uniqueness of our planet and let it be green and full of life forever.

·         Governments must put Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the centre of national policy development.

·         Strive for integrated policy development across departments and functions and avoid negative environmental externalities of poorly planned policy interventions.

·         Eliminate environmentally harmful subsidies.  

·         Take the long term view embracing multiple electoral cycles.  

·         Plan and most importantly, implement.  

·         Governed people must be enabled and encouraged to make sustainable choices.

·         Set ambitious goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy conservation in electricity production, energy systems and buildings. Establish mechanisms to track and enforce progress towards these targets.

·         Phase-out investments in and subsidies for fossil fuels for energy generation. Transition financing to the technologies and infrastructure needed for development, adoption, and scale-up of renewable energy sources and investments in energy efficiency.

·         Ensure that climate policies support energy access and sustainable energy for all by promoting distributed renewable energy technologies in energy-poor communities while enabling countries to meet energy needs for development

If we hope to combat climate change, concerted efforts will need to be made locally and internationally by governments, public agencies, businesses, industries, communities and individuals. Achieving major reductions in the use of fossil fuels is essential if Ireland is to secure the major cuts being sought in GHG emissions.

In addition, improvements in energy efficiency, coupled with widespread use of alternative energy sources, will also be needed. Sustainable transport and agricultural practices aimed at reducing emissions are also urgently needed.  Possibilities for development and deployment of low carbon technologies and new technologies such as carbon capture and storage and management systems will also arise.

Ensuring good health of our planet is for our own good. We’ve been exploiting the natural resources since long, but it is high time we realize the damage it has done to the planet and takes necessary steps to protect our only shelter.