Climate change:renewed energy

摘要

Who hasn't started to feel the debate on CO_2 is in danger of wearing itself out? Less than 12 months ago, advocating biofuels put you firmly on the side of the angels, today it's the opposite. Such dramatic reversals are unhelpful, casting doubt on sugar cane ethanol and even second generation biofuels. And they detract attention from the key issues: energy, emissions and economic growth.rnIn Copenhagen next year, the world's leaders are due to gather and make decisions on a framework for global emissions trading. There has to be a break in the current deadlock, but according to the United Nations Environment Programme's executive director, Achim Steiner, progress through the formal negotiation process is behind schedule. In the meantime CO_2 emissions are growing at an unprecedented pace.rnSteiner was speaking at an environmental forum organised jointly by Daimler and UNEP. Speakers from all sides of the issue - industry, science, environmentalists and government - gave a series of informed and often impassioned presentations on the issue of climate change and what needs to be done.