Threatened environment

In the period at the turn of the new Millennium the theme of climate changes was scientists’ main concern. It was a central theme in political debate and media reports. The latter “inundated” the entire world with catastrophic scenarios deriving from global heat warming, sea level rise, disappearing rainforests, the depletion of natural resources, starting with water and oil. Thus came into play the key concept of “sustainable development”, purposely conceived to underline the problem. With the economic crisis the environmental question became a secondary issue. Now the matter has gained renewed relevance, also in the framework of upcoming international meetings. The “Special Eurobarometer on Climate change” poll – carried out past June, presented on October 7 – found that climate change was seen by European public (a large, representative sample), as the second most serious problem facing the world, after poverty, hunger and lack of drinking water. “More than two Europeans in three see climate change as a very serious problem”, Eurobarometer writes in a report. However, it is surprising that the distress linked to climate change and its consequences are deemed more important that the impact of the economic crisis, that resulted the third major concern. The survey found, on a different front, that almost 80% consider that taking action to combat climate change “can boost the economy and jobs”. The survey also shows “widespread expectation in the 27 member states that the European Union will become a climate-friendly, low-carbon society by the middle of this century”. The findings of the poll were issued almost simultaneously with a report by the European Environment Agency according to which the European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The EU will address these issues during the European Council (EU27 heads of government or state meeting) scheduled to take place next October 23, when the Community position for the international Durban Conference on climate change (November 28 – December 9 2011) will be discussed. As regards the findings of the Eurobarometer survey, there is more matter for reflection. In fact, 68% of those polled support basing taxation to a greater extent on energy use, “with a majority in every Member State in favour of such a shift”. In other words, all interviewees expect that in the future Europe will make a greater use of renewable energies. Conversely, “tackling climate change is seen as the responsibility mainly of national governments, the EU and business”, while only one out of five considered they had a personal responsibility, claiming they took some kind of action (separating and recycling waste separation, reducing energy and water consumption, regular use of energy-efficient transport) in order to decrease global pollution levels. Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said: “This survey shows that the citizens of Europe can see that the economic challenges are not the only challenges we face” and that “the clear majority of Europeans expect their politicians and business leaders to address the serious climate challenge now”.Hedegaard, from Denmark, who played a major role in the failed Copenhagen conference on climate change, is careful not to underline other findings of the Eurobarmoter survey. In fact, it’s hard to avoid wondering on which foundations can an average citizen take a stand on such complex themes, where a scientific understanding is critical to their comprehension? Thus what is the impact of the media on the public opinion and what is the bearing of the scientific community? How is it possible that the fears linked to the gradual environmental deterioration are perceived as more urgent compared to the concrete visible consequences of the economic recession? Also, why are collective responsibilities regarding climate change being highlighted while individual responsibilities – which to a certain extent precede collective ones – remain in the background? The questions could go on. Indeed, the worries conveyed by citizens are authentic. A determined political and economic action aimed at the protection of the Creation and of the whole of humanity is equally important.