The Peach Report

(Image: Rolf Schuttenhelm)

Climate scientists tell us that we must our reduce carbon dioxide emissions. If we don’t, dangerous disruptions to the climate are almost inevitable. But how much must we reduce? And how quickly?

Forty-four days from now, the world’s leaders will gather in Copenhagen to try to reach an agreement on emissions cuts. Activists and politicians alike are calling the meeting the world’s “last chance” to agree on steep reductions and to prevent catastrophic climate change.

I recently talked with Rolf Schuttenhelm, the Netherlands-based co-founder of 40 in Copenhagen, by e-mail. Schuttenhelm’s network of scientists and activists is pushing policymakers to agree to a 40-percent cut in carbon emissions by 2020.

I asked Schuttenhelm why “40″ is important, and whether he thinks his network will succeed. His answers, which I edited, are after the jump.

Sara Peach: What and who is 40 in Copenhagen?

Rolf Schuttenhelm: The number 40 refers to an ambitious emission reduction target for industrialized countries for the year 2020, which has broad support among scientists, civil society and developing countries. Moreover, it’s regarded by many as a minimal requirement to [avoid] the worst consequences of climate change.

The emission target of 40 is derived from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report of 2007. Over the course of 2008 and 2009, the Climate Action Network adopted it as the official call for Copenhagen, together with India, China, the U.N. Africa Group and the Alliance Of Small Island States.

SP: What are your goals for the December U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen?

RS: We want this emission target of 40 percent to be taken seriously at the negotiations. Therefore, our lobby groups call for countries and governments to follow the example of Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and show that they are willing, under specific conditions, to negotiate a “40″ target.

If we don’t succeed in this on national levels before December 7, it will be up to the streets of Copenhagen. “40″ will be heard. And I do hope even Americans will show up, in large numbers. It really is our last chance to prevent the worst.

SP: What is your chance of success?

RS: The gap between science and politics isn’t being bridged, it’s growing.

With even [U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary] Yvo de Boer stating that hopes are fading, the mood is down – unnecessarily. It’s important to distinguish between “before” and “during” Copenhagen. We are fairly confident that the [number] of countries committed to 40 will increase before the conference starts. We are very clear in our statement: We will not accept failure. That means it depends on our numbers.