Climate change is "spiralling out of control"

When teenager Isabelle Ellis-Cockcroft ended her recent letter to The Independent with the profound words "The next generation is being handed a world of climate chaos spiralling out of control" she could not have realised it would become the centrepiece of last week's Edge Debate*. Her words hung over the proceedings at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London like a dark cloud.

It was a meeting packed with positive suggestions and dyer warnings of the situation in which the planet is now irreversibly immersed. Indeed it was very sobering that such an erudite gathering should even be contemplating Armageddon. But the fact that we're heading for Armageddon seemed to be the chilling consensus.

The meeting's chairman, Peter Guthrie, Professor of Engineering, University of Cambridge, suggested Isabelle's letter on our global warming dilemma was a "call to arms". He said now was the time "for recognition to be radical and soon. There is a whole list of important measures we should take forward and convert into pressure and action!"

PARACHUTE HAS FAILED
Usually in a crisis "technology 'parachutes' the way out, but it's too late this time," said Professor Guthrie. Aubrey Meyer, the leading light on the global warming stage later pointed out: "We are like the victim of a terminal illness. Now we can only do our best for the rest of our lives!"

MP, Collin Challen, chairman of the All-Party Climate Change Group, spoke about the two private members bills he is pushing through Parliament. One is the Climate Change (Contract and Convergence) Bill with Aubrey Meyer has been instrumental. And the other is Domestic Tradable Quotas (Carbon Emissions) Bill (DTQs), who Challen considers is the "best way forward". The Bill aims to "Introduce a domestic trading scheme for carbon emissions; to set a national ceiling for carbon emissions; and for connected purposes."

He says that none of us "has any greater right to pollute than anyone else!" His Bill will load those big domestic emitters of carbon - such as the jetset and Chelsea Tractor brigade - against the more modest sector. He also drew attention to the recent controversial MORI poll.

Apparently 62% of MORI respondents indicated that every possible action should be taken to limit climate change and a further 32% considered that some action should be taken. But only 8% admitted, "They should be doing something about it."

MP APATHY
Challen pointed out that, rather disappointingly, only 44 MPs where 'subscribing' to the global warming challenge and that only if the electorate nationwide started to raise the profile of global warming would other MPs become motivated.

Chris Beauman of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Professor David Fisk, Department of Engineering for Sustainable Development, Imperial College both made important keynote contributions.

Beauman underlined the startling messages about global warming coming from the world's climate scientists. He stressed the importance of targets "otherwise nobody knows where we are" and the great dependence on making energy efficiency work.

Prof Fisk suggested, "think carbon emissions, think fur coats, because these things are ephemeral". He also raised the question "what if DTQ's work" do we adopt the Piaffian attitude "je ne regrette rien !"

It was agreed that the professional institutions should take a greater lead and Jack Pringle, president of the RIBA, said that in the Spring a new "tool kit" for architects was to be launched. Also the important point was made that schools had next to nothing on the curriculum to address the energy efficiency issue for young people.

In addition to the Armageddon insinuation, the most profound message to emerge from the debate was the shear importance of getting the "Action Now" solution across to everyone - not just in the UK but around the world too! But as Challen said: "If the solution doesn't work faster than the problem, then we are not solving the problem!"

So it seems that the UK government's Climate Change Review Programme, whenever it emerges, will never get us back on track! Sadly our planet's problems are now bigger than the sum of the parts that could have solved them.

There will be another similar Edge Debate in March.

WHAT IS "THE EDGE"
"The Edge" is dedicated to addressing important political, social and professional issues. It seeks to stimulate public interest in policy questions that affect the built environment, and to inform and influence public opinion. It was established with support from the Arup Foundation. Presently it is sponsored by the Carbon Trust.

It developed from a joint Institution of Civil Engineers and the Royal Institute of British Architects seminar in "Shaping the 21st Century" (May 1995). At this seminar delegates were invited to consider how the two professions could fruitfully collaborate to influence public policy on matters related to the built environment. The group started by focusing on energy and sustainability and so expanded to embrace the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

The Edge is not tethered to any parent body and is free to express radical and original views. All three institutions are able to use The Edge as a means of promoting public debate and interest in architectural and engineering issues without committing themselves to the particular points of view expressed. Above all, The Edge provides a continuing way of stimulating a joint architectural and engineering debate at the highest level and in the public interest.

For more information www.at-the-edge.org.uk