Solutions

The latest report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that hundreds of technologies are already available, at very low cost, to reduce climate damaging emissions and that government policies need to remove the barriers to these technologies.

Implementing these solutions will not require humans to make sacrifices or otherwise impede their quality of life.

Instead, they will enable people to usher in a new era of energy, one that will bring economic growth, new jobs, technological innovation and, most importantly environmental protection.

However, for green solutions to global warming to find a foothold in the market, governments and corporations need to lead the shift away from polluting technology.

At present, fossil fuel industries are provided with billions of dollars in subsidies so that dirty energy stays cheap.

Polluting industries are allowed to pollute for free, while clean technologies remain under-funded. Developing nations, which have the fastest growing energy needs, are locked into old fashioned fossil fuel technologies by Export Credit Agencies.

The time has come for humans to wean themselves off fossil fuels and other climate damaging technologies.

Oil companies must stop exploring for more fossil fuels that the world cannot afford to burn. Governments need to subsidise renewable energy and force polluters to pay.

Green technology is ready to take over

Wind power is already a significant source of energy in many parts of the world. It can supply 10 percent of the world's electricity within two decades.

Solar power has been growing in a global capacity by 33 percent annually. Greenpeace and industry research shows that with some government support, the solar industry could supply electricity to over 2 billion people globally in the next 20 years.

By 2040 solar photovoltaics could supply nearly 25 percent of global electricity demand.

A report conducted by global financial analysts KPMG shows that solar power would become cost competitive with traditional fossil fuels if the production of photovoltaic panels was increased to 500 megawatts a year.

Policy corner: Kyoto Protocol meeting in Milan