With Climate Change taking place by the minute and the severe effects of the same being  experienced world over, it goes without saying that serious action to combat Climate change must be taken-fast. In Kenya for example Mombasa City-The Gem of Africa?s Coastline and a popular tourist destination is facing the danger of sinking. A recent warning by scientists and experts said that the island could disappear into the sea in about 50 years due to the rising of sea levels. The rise in sea levels is due to an overflow of water to the ocean, caused by the melting of glaciers in the North pole and South pole, as a result of global warming-a direct effect of increased concentrations of Greenhouse gases.

The world must therefore have a joint vision-to have zero emissions by 2050. Failure to set and meet strict targets for greenhouse gas emissions cuts over the next 40 years could put long-term goals – such as limiting planetary warming to 2? by 2100 – permanently out of reach.

It is important to have both short term and long term goals to combat Climate change. Although the realization of short-term targets is an important first step, to effectively combat Climate change, climate policies need to be conceived as long-term programs that will achieve a gradual transition to an essentially emission-free economy. 

This requires a considerably broader spectrum of policy measures than the primarily market-based instruments invoked for shorter term mitigation policies. A successful climate policy must consist of a dual approach focusing on both short-term targets and long-term goals. An example of a long term target  is a drastic  reduction on atmospheric carbondioxide concentrations which today are rising as a result of human activity and industrialization.

Some research suggests concentrations must remain at or below 450 parts-per-million to prevent drastic climate change. Unfortunately, emissions today are on a path toward 550 ppm or beyond. If a 50 percent emissions cut is deemed too expensive for today's economies, and emissions instead remain flat for the next few decades, the chances of holding atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at 480 parts per million or less become a dream-never to be realized. According to the analysis even a future with 550 ppm carbondioxide becomes difficult or extraordinarily expensive to achieve.

The world must therefore emulate countries like Costa Rica, The Marshall Islands and Samoa that have already taken a significant step by committing to zero emissions by 2050.  Leading organizations should adopt the following best practices to balance their short term and long term goals as they make decisions relating to climate change.

1.      Use climate change as an opportunity to learn

2.      Pay attention to the long-term benefits in addition to the short-term costs

3.      Develop a strong vision to shape the future

4.      Embrace uncertainty

5.      Think beyond the metrics

6.      Explore the future using scenarios

7.      Take the time to understand the issues and avoid quick fixes

8.      Build a sustainability culture

Setting targets and working to achieve zero emissions by 2050 will open doors for innovation, development of green technology and promotion of clean energy. This aligns with the words of Richard Branson "Setting a Net-zero Greenhouse Gas emission by 2050 will drive innovation, grow jobs, build prosperity and secure a better world."

Let Us Save the World together.

 

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