EU governments urged to step up climate change response

EU nations should start using renewable sources of energy  “as soon as possible,” a top scientist told parliament.

Carlo Rubbia, a former Nobel prize winner in physics, said, “At present, renewables, such as solar energy, accounts for a fairly modest proportion of our energy use.

“But it should become a major source of energy as soon as possible.”

Rubbia was speaking at a news conference ahead of a meeting on Monday with parliament’s temporary committee on climate change.

He said, “There seems to be some confusion as to whether we can eliminate CO2 but it is worth remembering that all estimates suggest it would take 35,000 years for CO2 to be re-absorbed into the biosphere. In other words, a huge length of time.

“Despite this we have to be ready to find solutions to the problem of climate change and find alternatives to fossil fuel.”

The Italian, who won the Nobel prize in 1984, added, “However, this is all a question of political will, funding and economic commitment. This is what we have got to work on.”

To those who still question the existence of global warming, he said, “There will always be some uncertainty and people with doubts and reservations.

“However, we are clearly facing global problems for which we have to find solutions.”

His comments were echoed by Italian Socialist MEP Guido Sacconi, who, speaking at the same event, called on the upcoming UN conference on climate change in Bali to give a “clear mandate” for finding solutions to the problem.

“I am also looking to all those taking part in the conference to provide a timescale for the steps which need to be taken.”

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