Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
difficult to take action accordingly [36]. These arguments and this
psychological context merit close analysis.
Analysis of the potential impact of climate change indicates that it is
essential to act immediately, by launching a decisive action plan designed
to reduce CO 2 emissions:
- There is increasingly convincing evidence demonstrating the risk of
major catastrophes if a suitable response is not found. The observa-
tions and the forecasts of the models available all converge to the
same conclusion.
- If the actions required to reduce CO 2 emissions are delayed, it will
prove increasingly difficult to respect the limits which must not be
exceeded to avoid catastrophic effects. The longer we continue
behaving as we do now, in other words increasing the quantities
emitted every year, the more drastic the future reduction will have to
be; we will reach a point of no return when it will be quite impossible
to reach the targeted objective.
- The more we deviate from the current equilibrium, the more the
uncertainties concerning the maximum amplitude of the climatic
differences increase, with a rapidly growing risk of totally uncon-
trolled phenomena. In addition, positive retroaction effects, such as
the release of methane trapped as hydrates or the disappearance of a
sea current may occur above a certain threshold, with sudden
consequences.
The urgency of the measures to be taken is therefore evident. Given the
contribution of fossil energies to CO 2 emissions, it is vital to initiate
without delay the energy transition which will allow us to prevent a major
energy crisis as well as an irreversible climatic catastrophe. Strong action
by the Public Authorities is therefore necessary, firmly backed by public
opinion in the various countries.
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