| HUMPHREY INSTITUTE REPORT IDENTIFIES CRITICAL LINK BETWEEN POVERTY AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
In partnership with several international experts, practitioners, and global leaders, the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs has issued a new report on global warming, "Global Climate and Economic Development," which concludes there is an inseparable relationship between poverty and climate change mitigation. In this path breaking work, researchers and practitioners have determined that a viable climate change strategy cannot be achieved without a viable economic development strategy, and vice versa. The researchers conclude that because impacts of climate change will be felt largely by the poor, development strategies should alleviate global warming and poverty at the same time.
Held at the Humphrey Institute in October 2004, the workshop which led to this report aimed to examine ways of promoting economic and social development while being mindful of the health of local residents and the surrounding environment. Participants worked to identify ways of slowing greenhouse gas emissions while promoting economic development at the same time, often through technology.
"Development programs and policies are most likely to be successful and sustainable when countries take climate change into account at the same time," said Kenneth H. Keller, Humphrey Institute professor and director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy. "This raises a major issue, however, for countries that are still developing their basic foundation and framework, and cannot afford advanced, cleaner technology."
The report argues that developing countries and poor nations cannot afford the technology needed to build "clean" power plants. A global strategy must be adopted by all countries to help alleviate climate change and the growing disparity between rich and poor nations.
Among the contributors is international expert Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In the report's forward, he writes, "Given that a large part of the developing world is struggling to shed the burden of persistent poverty, a discussion of the nexus between climate change and development is a major area of concern that the global community must understand and seek answers to."
Participants identified global initiatives underway that are addressing climate change and poverty separately. Specifically, they cited the endorsement by the U.S. and most other developed countries of the U.N. Millennium Declaration and its ambitious programs for alleviating poverty. They urged leaders to see the connection between the two challenges. "We have the resources and the interest to lead the world towards solutions to the linked challenges of global warming and poverty," said Humphrey Institute Dean and former USAID administrator J. Brian Atwood. "These issues are inseparable and we must devise strategies reflecting that connection."
The full report including all recommendations and findings is available online through the Humphrey Institute's Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy.
Held Oct. 14-Oct. 15 at the Humphrey Institute, the Climate Change workshop was the first of three events in the Paths to Progress workshop series. The remaining workshops will look at how regions can partner with developing countries to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation along with sustainable development and needed international policy changes that will foster a collaborative climate for change.
The Paths to Progress workshop series is sponsored by the Humphrey Institute's Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy. The center strives to understand the role of science and technology in society, particularly relationships to economic growth, health, the environment, education and national security. Researchers examine the effects of science and technology on society and on the political and economic relationships among nations. Click here for more information on the center. |
