The *official* complain about XemaSab thread

[Nihil]

16. Most people agree with "renewable energy sources can contribute substantially to human well-being".

I'd be very surprised indeed if anyone who posts on E/E thinks otherwise.

Similarly with the other extracts, e.g.,
> Developing countries have an important stake in this future—this is where
> most of the 1.4 billion people without access to electricity live yet also where
> some of the best conditions exist for renewable energy deployment

(I've been supporting this aspect since before this forum existed.)


The big snag is with the interpretation of the bracketing and qualifying text:
> "With consistent climate and energy policy support, renewable energy sources
> can contribute substantially to human well-being by sustainably supplying energy
> and stabilizing the climate" ... "However, the substantial increase of renewables
> is technically and politically very challenging" he added.

> "The IPCC brought together the most relevant and best available information
> to provide the world with this scientific assessment of the potential of renewable
> energy sources to mitigate climate change. The Special Report can serve as a
> sound knowledge basis for policymakers to take on this major challenge of the
> 21st century."

Q: How long has the IPCC been around?
A: Since 1988.

Q: How long has the IPCC been providing the best & most relevant information
to assist policymakers?
A: Since 1990.

Their first report was in 1990 and stated (in 1990) that "they are certain that emissions
resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations
of the greenhouse gases, resulting on average in an additional warming of the Earth's surface."
(Quote from the IPCC wiki page)

The fact is that the IPCC can continue to churn out more & more statements of the
situation and the dangers of ignoring it but the policymakers will continue to ignore
every single one because they are purely concerned about money and the votes of
those who provide that money.

Hence the answer to

Q: When will the planey see any form of "consistent climate and energy policy support"?

is "Not until the seats of government & financial centres have been destroyed".

That is the only way to break the "technically and politically very challenging" barrier
to climate change awareness: with pain that is felt *BY* the decision makers rather
than "merely" by the poor and some foreign chappies in a far-off land.