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11 August 2005 - Time to Turn Down the Heat
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A new report by the World Wildlife Fund - UK (WWF-UK) which
analysed summer temperature data of 16 EU cities shows it is time to turn down
the heat and has called for the power sector to reduce their C02 emissions.
The WWF-UK report shows London as having the largest average
maximum summer temperature increase of 2 degrees celsius since the early 1970's,
whilst 13 of the 16 cities looked at were shown to have risen by a minimum of 1
degree celsius during the last 5 years of the 1970's.
We in the UK are already aware of the rising temperatures, lack
of rainfall, freak showers causing floods and even tornadoes, which only
reiterates the UK Department of Health's predictions of a 250% increase in
heat-related deaths by 2050. They recommend that the UK Government
strengthens and extends current legislation with a bill to ensure a 3%
year-on-year reduction in CO2 emissions.
The WWF report compared efforts from companies to reduce CO2
emissions, their development and investment in renewable energy efficiency
measures and ranked them as follows:
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Centrica (which owns British Gas).
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Scottish & Southern Energy.
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Scottish Power.
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EDF Energy (which owns London Electricity and Seeboard).
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Powergen (now owned by E.ON-UK).
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Innogy (now owned by RWE-npower).
Matthew Davis, Director of WWF’s Stop Climate Chaos campaign,
commented:
“A stronger 2nd phase EU Emissions Trading Scheme is key to
reducing emissions from the power sector, but this requires strong leadership
from the government - and the power companies.
"This is a golden opportunity for the UK government and power
giants to lead the way internationally on climate change and set the power
sector on the path to a low carbon future.”
Imogen Zethoven, Director of WWF’s Global PowerSwitch! Campaign
said:
“Summer temperatures in Europe’s cities are heading for an
'unbearable' reading on the thermometer. Scientists estimate that
man-made greenhouse gas emissions are doubling the risk of more record-breaking
hikes in temperature.
“To make Europe’s cities liveable in summer we must guarantee
the cuts needed in emissions to switch off global warming. EU
governments must enforce stricter CO2 limits required under the European
Emissions Trading Scheme."
Further information on the report and Stop Climate Chaos
campaign can be accessed from the WWF website by clicking the following:
WWF-UK: Stop Climate Chaos!
Further information on the European Emissions Trading Scheme can
be accessed from the DEFRA website by clicking the following:
EU Emissions Trading Scheme
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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