Nigel Sheinwald

Washington Post climate change panel

I have been asked to contribute opinions to a series of questions on the Washington Post's website about climate change. You can find my first answer here, explaining why the UK believes nuclear power should be part of the energy mix in order to meet the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

Posted at 10:02 30 October 2009 by Nigel Sheinwald  |  Comments[1]

The Perils of Four Degrees

Today in London, our Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and Climate, David and Ed Miliband, published the latest findings from the UK's foremost climate change science research institution - the Meteorological Office's Hadley Centre. Their conclusions are sobering, and come less than 50 days before the world's governments meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the United Nations climate change negotiations.

The scientists as the Hadley Centre have produced a map detailing the impact across the world of a global temperature rise of 4 degrees centigrade (7 degrees Fahrenheit).   This risk is real.  Respected scientists, using the best available scientific and climate data, are now concluding that, if emissions continue to rise, we could see this kind of dangerous global increase in temperatures within our lifetimes.

The map makes clear that not all countries would be affected in the same way by such a rise. The land will heat up more quickly than the sea, and areas of higher latitude, particularly the Arctic, will have much larger temperature increases. The impacts for the human race are shocking and profound.  The map flags only a small selection of these, but they include severe effects on water availability, food production, and rising sea levels.

The US does not escape these. Tropical storms and hurricanes could become more frequent and intense, putting America's coastal populations at greater risk of disaster.  In the interior, the risks of major forest fires will increase, whilst agricultural production decreases. And major US cities such as New York, Washington DC, and Chicago could experience an increase in their hottest days of the year by as much as 18-22°F, affecting more than 30 million Americans.

This is not apocalyptic scaremongering: these are the best assessments by leading British scientists based on the most recent research.  So we need to listen, and act.

This is no longer just an environmental issue: it's geo-political. Profound changes like these risk creating a more unstable and divided world, with intensified competition for dwindling resources, and all the implications for global security that flow from that.

The British government is committed to avoiding this 4c degree rise. We need to minimise the risks of these catastrophic developments by making sure that we ensure global temperatures don't rise by more than 2c degrees. And that's why an international agreement at Copenhagen this December is so important - for all our future security and prosperity.

Posted at 11:58 22 October 2009 by Nigel Sheinwald  |  Comments[1]

Countdown to Copenhagen

Last weekend the British Embassy launched our new "100 Voices 100 Days" countdown to Copenhagen on the website. In just three months, world leaders will gather in the Danish capital to try and find agreement on a climate change deal that Ed Miliband, our Secretary for Energy and Climate Change, describes as "ambitious, fair and effective".   
 
Without a deal, the world risks catastrophic climate change, with huge implications for water and food resources, security and our environment. It is a top priority for the British Government. This Embassy, along with the UK's other Embassies across the globe, is working hard in support of it.
 
In the run up to Copenhagen, there is a huge amount of international activity going on, especially here in the United States.  September is going to be an important month. In the next couple of weeks we have the Major Economies Forum in DC, which Ed Miliband will attend, and will help shape the outline of the climate deal that will be negotiated in Denmark. This will be immediately followed in New York by the United Nations' Climate Week and the General Assembly, at which our Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary will discuss these issues with the Secretary General and other leaders. All this just before the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, where the focus will be on the global economic outlook and a sustainable recovery.
 
So it's going to be a busy time. As it should be, since time is the one luxury we do not enjoy. Action is needed now.
 
The United States is central to this whole endeavour.  Not just because it has the world's largest economy (with a fifth of the world's global CO2 emissions), but because American engagement is vital to persuading other countries, especially India and China, to act too.  So I warmly welcome President Obama's pledge to help lead this global effort. But American attitudes to climate change, and the country's willingness to take the measures necessary to help prevent it, cannot be settled in the White House alone. Congress is clearly vital too.  In the coming weeks the Senate will restart the debate on climate and energy legislation.  We'll be watching this closely.
 
But it goes even broader than that. This is a subject for the whole of American society and all age groups. State and local governments, business and unions, think tanks and media, universities, school and individuals will all want to pitch into this debate and help shape a collective resolve.  
 
Our "100 voices" campaign is a small contribution to that, allowing everyone to participate in this debate and share ideas about how we go forward. I encourage you to take a look, offer a comment, and even contribute a video yourself. For all of us who share a deep concern about this grave threat, we need an equally deep commitment to take action.
 

Posted at 08:42 04 September 2009 by Nigel Sheinwald  |  Comments[1]

The Embassy's open house

The Embassy opens its doors this Saturday as part of EU Open House day - where the embassies of EU members in Washington, DC welcome the public.

These open houses are about more than seeing embassies. Although we are quite proud of our Embassy, this open house is mostly an opportunity to showcase the UK to the American public.

In keeping with one of the top priorities of the UK government, there will be a green theme to our open house. Visitors will have a chance to tour the Residence Gardens, learn how to green their homes and check out the new electric Mini Cooper. We'll also exchange plastic grocery bags with reusable, environmentally friendly bags.

I hope visitors will leave knowing that the UK is a leader on green action.

But equally I hope that they will enjoy a day of British culture and food. The Washington British School will provide entertainment and there will also be traditional British food and whisky available.

In true British fashion, we'll be doing all this rain or shine.

Posted at 15:43 07 May 2009 by Nigel Sheinwald  |  Comments[0]