14 DAY TRIAL // International economists and UN representatives say that $400 billion is the sum needed to avert the effects of global warming and climate change on our planet, and to ensure that future generations will have a place to live in, without having to experience a world without animals, with a few acres of forest, and with a dull gray sky. Although this sum may seem huge, analysts point out that it would amount to just 0.8 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). This means that it's entirely doable, and that the only thing standing between the cleaning of our planet and the actual investments are political and economical interests that further seek to keep people in their current condition.
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change was in charge of compiling the new study, and Nicholas Stern, who is a former chief economist of the world bank, was given the task of coming up with the numbers. Assisted by three other leading economists, Stern concluded in his research that $400 billion would be more than enough to avert the effects of carbon dioxide on ecosystems, and to eliminate the threats on forests, with a single catch – the funds need to be collected this summer, and spent by mid-2010.
On the bright side of things, Stern is convinced that a swift action could potentially reduce the effects of the global financial crisis as well, thus solving two major problems simultaneously. However, global political coordination must be reached in order for this ambitious project to work, and all countries must pay their part, without excuses or deadline push-backs, as those we are so accustomed to. There seems to be little interest at this time as far as the environment goes, and nations that have otherwise supported reduced CO2 levels now say that the crisis prevents them from sparing money for the climate.
This again goes to show the convenient time this crisis has started in, and the fact that it has been beautifully masterminded, not unlike the 1929 one, which swooped across America and the entire world. Only, this time, it's larger and better, on account of the fact that people, at least in the developed world, are thoroughly connected to banks, and cannot break loose from their influence.
The main goal of the $400 billion would be to reduce CO2 levels by as much as 50 percent below the levels recorded in 1990, even though some argue that the sum is clearly not enough for such a task. Green jobs would have to be created following the dismantling of old oil- and coal-powered electrical plants, and new electricity-producing infrastructure will have to be built. Still, this sum would offer a perfect start in this struggle.