The Changing Climate for Development

Here is an intriguing presentation of Dr. Rosina Bierbaum, co-director of the World Development Report 2010.

The presentation is focused on climate change and how the developing world can grow (significantly) while adapting to the climate. This she calls a "climate-smart" world.  However, to reach this phase; the world must:

ACT NOW, because 1) today's actions determine what options are left for tomorrow; and 2) or the 2°C trajectory (as opposed to an increase of 5°C in global temperature over the following 100 years. Dr. Bierbaum explains earlier in the presentation that there is a huge significant difference of impact between these two trajectories). 


ACT TOGETHER, because 1)  all have a role to play to manage (research, mitigation and adaptation) costs, although high-income countries need to take the lead; 2) cooperation helps buffer shocks (such as climate change causing a global food crisis).


ACT DIFFERENTLY, as 1) we need to radically transform energy systems thereby moving from a fossil-fuel focused energy system to biomass and carbon-capture-and-storage based energy system; 2) we need to make robust rather than optimal decisions, giving the best outcome for a range of outcomes (such as developing seed varieties that perform well droughts or heat situations); 3) we need to manage contingencies better; 4) we need to manage for multiple stresses (that appear simultaneously in various places).


To make it all happen, Dr. Bierbaum proposes:
- increase funding for adaptation and mitigation now and over the years, which would cost for about 0.4% of GDP until 2100.
- challenge immediate needs, such as reforming carbon markets
- new instruments that support communities and decision-makers
- increasing the pace of innovation
- supporting financial policies leading to more efficient energy, renewable energy and new technology. 
- new pressures to turn awareness into the needed actions

In conclusion, this was definitely a good and clear presentation which included some ideas that were new to me. It is a nice introduction into how the whole world can cope with and adapt to the changing climate. Everything was well argumented and there's a certain optimism that I would love to share with Dr. Bierbaum.

However, the presentation is superficial. It only touches the surface and the details aren't discussed, which is understandable as one can only do so much. Despite the fact that I like the motto of the presentation "act now, act together and act differently", it is all easier said than done. Firstly, it will already be a very difficult task to convince even the majority of all governments of the developed world to support the policies that Dr. Bierbaum suggests. Secondly, it is not certain that the new policies and reforms will have an (positive) effect on the people that need it the most (because of e.g. corruption). Therefore I find it a shame that there is a lack of ideas that effect communities directly and/or the link between the community and the government.

But I don't want to end on a negative point. As I've said before, the presentation is definitely interesting and is a good read.

I'll close this post with a link for anyone who's interested:

Blog: Development in a Changing Climate