In the absence of any concrete action to combat climate change, what can be done?
Perhaps it is useful to examine again why the effort to combat ozone depletion has been so successful. The key
ingredients are still largely missing when it comes to the climate change issue.
(1) We need to generate more sound science on climate change. There is a
very effective mechanism in place to bring new scientific findings to the attention of policy makers: The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
(2) We need to come up with economically-viable alternatives to fossil fuel burning. This could involve energy conservation and efficiency measures, alternative energy sources, carbon sequestration, or perhaps most effective, some combination of these three.
(3) We need to envision a truly global
agreement where everyone makes commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.