Climate change is potentially the most serious environmental problem, and we, environmental NGOs in East Asia, are determined to contribute our share of the solution. Before rushing into blind actions, however, we should understand the nature of the problem, form a vision upon which a long-term solution can be based, and chart out our action plan with East Asia's unique characteristics in mind.
First is to understand the full scope of the problem. It will prove beneficial to make a critical comparison between climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer -- another global environmental problem which similar in nature but different in magnitude. Out of the comparison we shall see that for climate change, unlike the problem of ozone depletion, no quick technological fix is available; that a long-term, perhaps a multi-stage approach is required; and that the competitiveness issues involved are thornier and can not be evaded.
Next is to form a vision on how and when climate change can eventually be arrested. One should realize that this is no small task, knowing that more than 60% reduction from the 1990 CO2 emission levels is needed just to stabilize the atmospheric concentration, and that many developed countries even fail to reverse their upward emission trend. We shall examine a feasible long-term global scenario, in which several factors, including the accelerated phase-out of fossil fuels, continuous market penetration of efficient technologies, and coordinated North-South resource transfer, join forces to stabilize the climate by the year 2100.
Finally, without concrete actions the scenario, no matter how desirable, will not turn into reality by itself. When considering AANEA's action plan, it is important not to lose sight of the special characteristics of our region. Economically East Asia is one of the most dynamic region of the world, thus faces an even more challenging task in curtailing its future greenhouse gas emissions. CAN Taiwan is delighted to take this opportunity to lay out a few elements that can be considered in our action plan, and look for constructive discussions from all sister organizations of AANEA.