《2008世界現況》:環境雖惡化但漸朝永續邁進 | 環境資訊中心
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《2008世界現況》:環境雖惡化但漸朝永續邁進

2008年01月16日
摘譯自2008年1月10日ENS美國,華府報導;范仕穎編譯;蔡麗伶審校

丹麥哥本哈根西部外海2000公里處的風力渦輪機;圖片來源:DWIA根據一份國際環境研究團體的報告指出,對環境惡化的擔憂已開始對於全球經濟造成影響,看守世界中心列出一份冗長且令人沮喪的環境問題清單,這些問題多半由全球經濟系統所導致,但是同時也發現某些證據證實世界正向永續發展的未來邁進。

看守世界總裁法拉文(Christopher Flavin)於10日該中心發表一年一度的「世界現況」報告時,向記者表示,「一個創新且充滿生機的永續經濟正在萌芽。」

這項報告詳細記錄傳統經濟系統是如何不可避免地自我毀滅,同時沒有考慮人類創造財富的過程中對環境造成的破壞。

但是改變正在發生。

世界上知名的企業和投資人正在瞭解環境惡化與氣候變遷所帶來的「驚人危機」,法拉文表示,他們也開始以更為環保的政策和技術回應。

這份報告預估,每年已有超過1000億美元的投資直接與環境相關。

這份報告記載,各大企業已採取改善其環境表現的行動,大部分是因為他們了解到這是一個節省成本的方法。

「減少廢棄物即表示減少成本,企業已經漸漸發現到這個事實,」這份報告的主要作者之一格德納(Gary Gardner)表示。

綠色科技已經是第三大創投基金的投資標的,這份報告裡表示,同時中國及歐洲新的可再生能源法規和氣候政策「會保證這樣的投資仍會對未來幾年創造商機」。

《2008世界現況》報告是看守世界對於全球環境情況第25年的檢測,雖然這份報告提供了令人振奮的關於綠色創新的消息,但大部分內容還是呈現全球環境現況嚴肅與令人擔憂的一面,強調目前經濟指標並沒有充分反應出環境惡化的影響。

State of the World 2008: Environmental Woes Sow Seeds of Sustainability
By J.R. Pegg,WASHINGTON, DC, January 10, 2008 (ENS)

Concern about environmental degradation is beginning to impact the global economy, according to a new report by an international environmental research group. The Worldwatch Institute details a lengthy and distressing list of environmental problems caused by the global economic system, but finds some evidence that the world is taking small steps toward a sustainable future.

"There are early signs that a vibrant, new sustainable economy is just beginning to be created," Worldwatch president Christopher Flavin told reporters Wednesday at the launch of the organization's annual "State of the World" report.

The report details how the conventional economic system is inherently self-destructive, failing to take into account the damage done to the environment by a wide range of human activities that create wealth.

But it suggests that is beginning to change.

The world's leading corporations and investors are beginning to realize "the tremendous risks" that environmental degradation and climate change pose, Flavin explained, and starting to respond to growing demand for greener policies and technologies.

The report estimates that more than $100 billion of annual investment is directly related to environmental concerns.

The report notes that major corporations have taken significant steps to improve their environmental performance - largely because they have realized it is a way to save money.

"Reducing wastes typically means reducing costs and companies are increasingly finding this out," said Gary Gardner, one of the report's lead authors.

Clean technology is now the third largest recipient of venture capital, the report says, and new renewable energy laws and climate policies in China and Europe will "ensure these kinds of investments will continue to flow for many years to come."

The 2008 State of the World report is Worldwatch's 25th annual assessment of global environmental conditions. Although it offers an upbeat message about green innovation, much of the report presents a sobering and worrying assessment of the state of the world's environment, highlighting how economic indicators currently fail to adequately consider environmental degradation.

全文及圖片詳見:ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.