The UK government’s Climate Change Act of 2008 committed this nation to an ambitious but essential aim – an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That this goal has been set is an important step, showing the UK’s commitment to edging humanity back from the ecological brink, but the absolutely critical step will be meeting it.
The demand and consumption of energy that leads to the annual pumping of millions of tonnes of carbon and other damaging gases into the atmosphere is beginning to render our existence as a species quite literally unsustainable.
‘Sustainability’ is often used as common parlance for vague notions of eco-friendly activity – but in truth it is far more fundamental. Internet godhead Wikipedia describes sustainability as “the capacity to endure” – essentially, ensuring our future. Sustainability is the best humanity can hope for – and it’s going to be an uphill struggle all the way.
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Image: Detail from NASA Blue Marble 2007 West Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stöckli
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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