Climate change procrastination will cost more and more

Governments continue to put off strong climate change initiatives globally, as new studies have now revealed that the yearly cost of reversing global warming will be estimated between $130 to $190 US Billion dollars per year before 2020.

It is a difficult dilemma for the major polluters of the world, most of them first world and developed nations. They must all but willingly handicap many of their major industries if these trends are to be reversed.

A large part of this falls on the shoulders of the energy sectors.

An estimated 80-90% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, and global energy consumption is growing at the rate of at least 2% a year.

But there are so many other factors.

Cars on the road, livestock, even the presence of humans themselves.

Few governments are willing to openly handicap their Gross Domestic Product when it means that their economies will shrink accordingly. It is unfortunate that the global financial crisis occurred when it did - at a time when climate forums and environmental groups were finally getting the point across - the focus and direction of the world’s leaders were irrevocably changed.

Climate Works has now estimated that reversing global warming will cost up to $185 US Billion (130 Euro Billion) a year before 2020, and that current government proposals will simply not be enough.

The World Wildlife Fund’s Global Climate Initiative gave a cost estimate of $160 US Billion (112 Euro Billion).

Most studies and experts estimate the reality is that to reverse the damages to the planet, it will cost the world’s economies 1 percent of global gross domestic product – the equivalent of over $400 US Billion (280 Euro Billion).

These figures will be all but ignored by most governments, who have spent far beyond this trying to stave off the effects of the financial crisis.

This money (estimated by the above studies) would need to be spent on new initiatives, green power, carbon emissions trading and capture, and even basic strategies such as mass tree plantings to overcome huge amounts of damage that has been inflicted on the planet.

Of course, incorrect or mistaken information doesn’t help, with the sceptics of climate change (yes, there are people that still hold firm to the belief that this is all just a natural cycle of mother nature) still delighting over Green peaces reversal of their statement that the Arctic will have ice free summers as soon as 2030.

The organisation has since retracted the comments.

The United Nations holds a climate change summit on September 22nd in New York. Hopefully it will not be another major international assembly where no formal implementations are achieved.

Before any of this has any success, the first initial hurdle is for governments to quite simply agree. In many countries any climate initiatives or carbon deals are being held up in senates or opposition houses.

For the sake of the next hundred years, for the future of our planet and children, let us hope that the changes occur soon.

Every minute hurts.

Preview: England V Australia – Fourth Ashes Test 2009

For the tourists it is simple. Win this test match at Headingley and reclaim the Ashes. They will also restore the pride of the home team in this time honoured contest, after being thumped 5-0 in the 2006/07 series.

Oddly enough, that series has all but disappeared from the psyche of the English fans, with the various rain delays over the current series giving way to constant replays of the 2005 heroics. If England does indeed win this series, then no doubt the most recent clashes in Australia would never have really even happened.

Coming into this crucial fourth test, the pendulum may have swung slightly back towards Australia.

The first test in Cardiff, in which the home team valiantly defended their final wicket to hold out for a draw, was as good as a victory for the English.

The second test at Lords was a strong win for England, buttressed by a 196 opening stand by Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook on the first day, and cemented with magical spells by Andrew Flintoff (5-92) and Graham Swann (4-87) to make it advantage England.

But the last test at Birmingham, again played to a draw, saw Australia draw numerous positives and they themselves would have viewed the match as a win. Decimated by James Anderson’s and Graeme Onion’s master class of seam and swing bowling in the first innings, Michael Clarke and Marcus North batted to an Australian record fifth wicket partnership in the second dig.

But more importantly, players out of form such as Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson rediscovered some touch, while the most talismanic player of either side, Flintoff, continued to physically deteriorate.

For Australia, the news only gets better.

While Clarke (mild abdominal strain) and Brad Haddin (broken finger) are both carrying niggling injuries, for the first time this series Australia has a full complement of fit pace bowlers.

When combining this with the expected fast bowling friendly conditions at Leeds, and reports that the visitors may field a full pace battery at the expense of Nathan Hauritz, the baggy green of Australia has good reason to be confident of squaring the series.

While Brett Lee has declared himself fit, history has proved that he is far from a guaranteed option, with a underdone Lee played in India last year and in the Boxing day test against South Africa, to Australia’s expense.

But with Stuart Clark, the metronome who has been unused this test series in sound form, the trick for the on duty selector Jamie Cox is to get the right balance.

Australia has been unable to take 20 English wickets so far in the three tests, and with Headingley yielding a result in 10 consecutive test matches back to 1997, such a KPI must be achieved if the tourists are to remain in the series.

However, four of the five leading wicket takers are Australian, so equally it is not as if the visitors bowling attack has been insipid.

With new opener Shane Watson showing form with the bat, overall the Australian batting line up is looking stronger, especially with Clarke in such good form (the series leading run scorer) and North and Hussey finding their touch in the third test.

For England, it is looking a bit more complicated. They are confident no doubt, facing the weakest Australian Ashes team in a long time, but their own house is not in order.

If Andrew Flintoff is not fit, irrespective of whether he is included in the batting line up or not, then the home team will look vulnerable, already without batting pillar Kevin Pieterson.

Equally with the bowling.

The England bowling attack looks world class when the ball is swinging, but Flintoff aside, they struggle to make inroads with the comforting shield of cloud above their heads.

Their spinners are not offering the required support, taking only seven wickets with a 50+ average and a strike rate of well over a 100.

If Flintoff is not passed fit, it is likely Steve Harmison will come into the line up, but despite terrorising his comrades in the nets, he is far from a cast-iron match winner.

So in theory, Australia look to be in a slightly better position coming into the test, but have only won five of their last 15 test matches, and will need to win the next two matches to win the series as well as retain their number one ranking in the ICC standings.

But England has tasted their blood, and has the crowd baying for more.

Once again, we have an intriguing Ashes contest on our hands.