Development Office Presents Three Climate Change Scenarios
The Government Development Office presented on Friday the results of a project addressing the challenge of adapting to climate change. The project lays out three possible scenarios for Slovenia's development through 2035, which are entitled "A Green Oasis", "Without Ideas", and "Chameleon".
The aim of the project, carried out by international consultancy Scenario Development, was to launch the search for ways that will enable Slovenia to stay or become a society of prosperity in the light of climate change challenges and opportunities, the office said.
The "Without Ideas" scenario portrays a prevailing lack of adequate activity by governments and their failure to acknowledge the effect climate change has on the environment.
More extreme weather and the resulting negative effects lead to the adoption of strict and severe measures. There is no technological development, which is why Slovenia becomes a new destination for dirty technology. Tangible measures are adopted only at the very end, when it might already be too late.
In line with the "green oasis" scenario, the best result can be achieved though early measures, which are based on technological change and a change in the value system.
The economic system also changes to become less carbon intensive. This scenario is about addressing and mitigating the impact of climate change in the most effective manner possible. Its realisation requires global cooperation, consensus and a coordination of policies across a longer time period.
The "Chameleon" scenario meanwhile envisages small and individual measures, devoid of a proactive approach that wants a long term solution. Certain measures are adopted, but lack coordination.
This scenario provides the right direction, since it lets people feel that a stronger reply to climate change is needed, it is however insufficient and its measures come too late to bring a tangible difference.
Development Minister Ziga Turk said at today's presentation that around 80 people worked on the study, which was launched in March, and that the scenarios developed are their ideas as opposed to the confirmed government guidelines.
"I am convinced that a timely switch to a low carbon society is a development necessity," Turk said. He added that this is not only the task of the state, as new conditions also require an adaptation by municipalities, cities, as well as a response from business.
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