Spending a day at the Royal Society discussing the latest climate science does not automatically give rise to optimism. But I left the joint WWF, Natural England and RSPB conference in better spirits that I had expected.
Yes, the evidence about our warming planet and future climate projections are grim - as Friday’s news of 6% rise in global emissions confirmed, we are not currently on track for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak and then decline by 2015 to allow us to stay within safe limits.
Yes, the predicted and observed impacts on global biomes (such as rainforests, the marine environment, the polar regions and even our own country) are both dire and complex – but at least I feel a little better equipped to understand the implications.
Yes, the macro-political situation feels intractable.
And yes, Professor Bob Watson, the indefatigable Defra Chief Scientist, did say that we should prepare for a world which is 3-5 degrees warmer than it is today.
It is impossible to contemplate that scenario. Just look at the likely impact of temperature rises on wildlife: the latest science suggests that with every one degree C rise in temperature, 10% of the world’s species could be committed to extinction. So if Bob is right – it means a loss of 30-50% of the world's species .
This is not the sort of reality that I am prepared to face.
And, that is where the optimism comes in. We can and should be better communicators to get traction with political leaders. This means simplifying the message, remaining united and being creative about how we engage people on this issue. We could all start by joining the African Climate Connection.
What’s more, in the Government’s own UK National Ecosystem Assessment we have the basis to challenge traditional economics. A new economics would see us value of the environment so that we make different decisions which deliver wider benefits for society.
And, we still have committed people who, in the words of Professor Chris Thomas, refuse to be reviled as the generation that failed to act to stop catastrophic climate change.
This may have to become our life’s work, but we shouldn’t make a fuss about it. We should get on and deal with it.
What gives you optimism that we can get out of the climate change mess we are in?
It would be great to hear your views.
As I understand it, one of our moderators explained that the RSPB community forum is not the place to air personal grievances and for this reason, felt it was appropriate to lock the post.