Climate change – challenges and opportunities

The temperature of Earth’s surface rose by 1.6°C last year. What does that mean?

Globally, the figure was above the 1.5°C target set out in the Paris Agreement for a year. This target will almost certainly be exceeded in the long term too. The fact is climate change is already under way and is having an impact everywhere – a good example is last summer’s extreme weather events in places like Valle Mesolcina, Valle Maggia, Saas-Grund and Brienz.

Is the 1.5°C target set too high?

The opposite is true actually. The global climate targets fail to show enough ambition and the measures to achieve even these goals are inadequate. On top of that, President Trump now plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

Does the US government’s announcement worry you?

Most definitely. The signalling effect can’t be underestimated. Wealthy and influential countries shirking their responsibilities presents serious problems. This is not the way to tackle global issues. Action is what really matters now.

What do you mean exactly?

Measures may include CO2 taxes, regulatory tax, incentive systems and information campaigns. Appealing to people’s sense of reason is not enough. The ban on incandescent light bulbs illustrates this point well. There was uproar briefly, but it is no longer an issue today.

What will happen if we simply carry on as before?

1.5°C isn’t a cliff above the abyss. The impact will be a bit like a scree slope that suddenly starts to give way. The slope will simply get steeper and steeper. We’re living far too extravagantly in various ways. In Switzerland, our lifestyle uses up our share of the Earth’s global resources by May each year.

Can we still bring global warming down?

We can’t prevent climate change entirely. But limiting it to 1.6°C, 2°C or 3°C is still within our means. In other words, this means restricting how quickly conditions become unpleasant on Earth. Our future actions will determine the level of additional emissions we emit from this point onwards.

Do you see any rays of hope?

Great technological progress is being made. Coal is too expensive, whereas alternatives such as heat pumps and photovoltaic systems are becoming more attractive. CO2 emissions are set to peak soon. But we’re not making progress rapidly enough and temperatures are therefore continuing to climb.

What role do companies like Migros play in protecting against climate change?

A vitally important one. Firstly, major distributors can reduce their own emissions – in their transport chains, production operations and buildings. Secondly, they can stock sustainable products. People don’t tend to want to save the world out of the kindness of their hearts. However, if they’re offered a better and ideally less expensive alternative, they will opt for it.

How can we turn the situation around?

Switzerland has a well-educated population and we have the financial and technical means to invest in climate protection. This is a more cost-effective option in the long term than trying to remedy things afterwards. A colleague once told me: “First you pick the low-hanging fruit, then you need someone to make a ladder.” He can then sell them too. Switzerland could take up this pioneering role.