2030年之前全球暖化必須保持在1.5C(34.F)以下 click here to view the english version Author: Caroline Sylger Jones Translator: SP 半度氣溫的分別對地球和旅客影響之大,令人驚訝。因此,政府和個人務必馬上行動,國際政策務必馬上改轅易轍。 2018年聯合國發表了一份堪稱里程碑的報告,全球最知名的氣候科學家警告,地球暖化必須在2030年之前(距離現在只餘下12年)不得超過1.5C(攝氏1.5度)(34.7F)(華氏34.7度)。如果超過這限度,那麼地球暖化即使只多上升半度,也會大幅提高洪澇、旱災和極高溫的風險,殃及數以億計人的生計。 和工業革命之前比較,地球氣溫已經升高了1C。報告稱,必須作出緊急和前所未有的改革,才可以保持地球暖化在1.5C(34.7F)的最高目標之下。巴黎協議的與會各國,同意力求將地球暖化維持在1.5C(34.7F)和2C(35.6F)之間,而前者是較高的目標。 這對於旅客來說究竟有什麼意思呢? 天氣狂態 氣候變化已在影響着人們,野火、颶風、熱浪、旱災和暴雨不停影響着全球不少旅遊地點。聯合國的報告指出,倘若地球暖化2C(35.6F),極高溫的日子(例如2018年夏季在北半球出現過的)便會變得更為頻密和極端,導致更多人因高溫死亡,造成更多森林大火,擾亂人們的旅遊計劃,令到各類旅客非常不便。此外,世界銀行提出警告,除非馬上採取行動制止全球暖化,否則在2030年之前,非洲、拉丁美洲和南亞地區可能會有超過1.4億人被逼遷徙,逃避氣候轉變不斷惡化的影響。在全球範圍內,人們都因為旱災、沙漠化和海面上漲而四處流徙,氣候難民舉目皆是,到時候旅客還有心情去遊玩嗎? 金錢困擾 旅遊會變得昂貴得多。氣候變化經常殃及的旅遊地點,當地物價必然上升,而且旅客前赴當地所需交通費用,亦必上漲。值得留意的是,全球航空公司簽署了一份協議,名為「國際空運碳抵銷及削減計劃」(CORSIA)(Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation),針對國際空運超 越2020年二氧化碳總排放量的加幅,這勢必加重空運成本。消費者的選擇餘地,定必縮小。此外,旅遊業是全球僱用人數最多的行業,受影響的旅遊地點,就業機會萎縮,可以預期。購入旅遊區物業,或參加酒店、度假村或郵輪的時光分享計劃者,今後需繳付更多保險費或承擔更大投資風險。在高風險地區和易受波及的海濱區,物業價格將會下跌(在美國佛羅里達州,沿海物業價格的跌幅,比內陸地區的多出7%)。 缺水壓力 聯合國的報告還提到,若暖化只有1.5C(34.7F),地球上受到缺水壓力的人口,比暖化2C(35.6F)的少50%。報告又指出,缺糧問題會相對緩和,而與氣候相關的貧困人口,尤其是在貧窮國家,也會少幾億人。缺水對健康、糧食生產和能源供應,都會構成威脅,推高幾乎所有貨品的生產成本。一直受到貧窮和社會不安困擾的各國政府,會因此面對更大壓力,可能引發戰爭和恐怖主義活動。如果你想追求悠閒的假期或一生難忘的旅程,而又關注地球和人類的福祉,這樣的氛圍實在令人掃興。昆蟲為穀物和植物授粉繁殖,角色至為重要,其棲息地減少,定必對農業和生物多樣化構成威脅。2C暖化令到昆蟲棲息地減少一半的機會,比1.5度暖化高出一倍。 珊瑚亂狀 聯合國的報告又說,地球暖化2C,99%的珊瑚會從此消失,但如果暖化只有1.5C,有超過一成的珊瑚會有生存的機會。珊瑚礁只覆蓋全球海洋面積的1%,卻養活着25%的海洋生命,其生物多樣性堪與阿瑪遜河雨林相比。全球有2.75億人,依靠這片面積細小的海洋獲取生計和食物。希望觀賞健康茁壯珊瑚的遊客和潛水者,會大失所望,而相關的商業活動亦受波及。形態猶如水下森林的珊瑚礁,散佈在一百多個國家和地區,每年吸引大批遊客,帶來的旅遊收益高達350億美元。 海洋的悲哀 地球暖化多半度,會令到沿海地區的海面多升高10cm,到2100年,受影響的人口便多了1,000萬。而在隨後的世紀裏,由於冰塊融化,受波及的人數還會大幅飆升。北極的暖化速度,比全球平均速度快兩三倍,如果地球暖化1.5C(34.7F),完全無冰的夏季,每一百年出現一次,但如果暖化多半度的話,每十年便會出現一次。對遊客來說,這意味着島嶼沉沒、旅遊勝景消失,不少美麗的地方從此一去不還,令人感到惋惜。可供食用的魚類,會大幅減少。可以吃的魚,很多還吞下了人們拋棄在海洋裏的塑膠製品。由於氣候變化,海洋已經飽受酸度提高和氧氣下跌之苦。在聯合國的報告裏,其中一個模型預測,海洋魚獲在2C(35.6F)會減少300萬公噸,是1.5C(34.7F)跌幅的兩倍。 安全措施 在本世紀末以前,極度的雷暴、洪水和熱浪,連同海面上升,都會損毀各類基本建設,例如道路崩塌,造成數以百億元計的損失。如果還不行動,人們便會受傷或喪命。對旅遊業來說,實在是無處可避。綠漂、忽視環保和社會表現,是不可再被容忍的。現在需要的,是以負責任和透明的方式行事。各類型的旅客,對地球面對的挑戰,以及商業機構應該如何管理其營運足跡,越來越了解。我們必須善用手上的一票和消費力,促進正面的改變。
NOW可持續旅遊指南
Editor’s Notes: You may recall that in the 2018 Social Enterprise Summit, there was one overseas speaker who addressed us on the topic of Sustainable Tourism. She was Alexa Poortier, co-founder of ItMustBeNow, a Certified B Corp in Switzerland whose mission is to transform the hospitality industry into a force for good. This is an … Continue reading NOW可持續旅遊指南
Humanity is more important than money — it’s time for capitalism to get an upgrade
What capitalism prioritizes, the world does more of. So how can we change capitalism so that it focuses on what humans really want and need? Entrepreneur Andrew Yang has a surprising proposal.
Nine B Corps Leading in Ethical Fashion
Editor’s Notes: Impakter, an online magazine on business and current affairs, has collaborated with B Lab to publish a series of articles on B Corps in specific fields. Below are nine B corps in ethical fashion. (February 7, 2019) Find Companies Making Style More Sustainable + Socially Just Gone are the days when choosing ethical fashion … Continue reading Nine B Corps Leading in Ethical Fashion
Danone rethinks the idea of the firm
The food industry is going nowhere. Pretty pictures on food packets mislead. Big companies have disconnected people from their sustenance. Consumers, especially millennials, are sceptics about industrial-scale food production.
Sharing from B Corp Consulting Group (BCCG)
The global B Corp movement is about a new kind of business model that balances purpose and profit. Increasingly, millennial talents and consumers are looking for businesses that are acting in a way that deserves their choice of where to work, what to buy or when to invest.
A Breakthrough in Beijing on Social Enterprise Certification
Editor’s notes: Below is an article on the recent development of social enterprises in Beijing. Please note this applies to Beijing as a city only, not the country as a whole. But it is reflecting the growing acceptance of social enterprises as a powerful force in tackling social issues.
The 100-year Life: Living and Working in An Age of Longevity
Could you imagine that you will have a 100-year life? The chances are it is likely. But will you be happy, healthy, fulfilled? You are sure. So will most people who will reach that age. This fascinating book may come as a shock to you.
A Must-read Book: New Power: How it’s changing the 21st century – and why you need to know
In this issue, I would like to recommend a book to the readers – a MUST READ book: New Power: How it’s changing the 21st century – and why you need to know by Henry Timms and Jeremy Heimans (2018)
A Must-read Book for Social Entrepreneurs
Editor’s note: This book will change how you look at the world, your business,and your new ventures. I will be reorganizing all my existing and new businesses with insights from this book. - by K K Tse