It’s a tale of two conferences in two cities that are both on the science of climate change. One we should take seriously, the other one we should not. One is stacked full of thousands of reputable climate scientists, the other the same old, predominantly right-wing corporate funded climate sceptics with a discredited and out-dated … Read More
Copenhagen Conference
Hopes of Climate Deal “Already Lost”
It may be nine months before the main event, but leading climate scientists are meeting in Copenhagen to discuss the latest scientific research and developments. The findings will be used to inform the politicians when they meet at the crucial meeting in December. But on the eve of this month’s conference, two leading British climate … Read More
Brown to Congress: “End the Dictatorship of Oil”
I have heard UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown speak on many occasions. Often his tone comes across as a drab mixture of dour-Scotsman and Mr. Scrooge after a bad night out on the wiskey. But in his address yesterday to a joint session of Congress, he seemed electrified and animated. Some are now saying it … Read More
As the politicians talk, its a day of Direct Action against Coal
There is no doubt that the main focus of talks this week between UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Obama will be the economic meltdown. They will be talking about a “global new deal”. But let’s not forget climate change needs to be totally and utterly integral in any agreement or action. Brown’s visit … Read More
Great Rhetoric Versus Political Reality
The pundits have been positively purring over President Obama’s first address to Congress, where he warned of the “day of reckoning.” “We will rebuild, we will recover,” Mr Obama said, adding: “Now is the time to act boldly and wisely.” The speech was Obama’s most upbeat assessment of recovery yet, after months of warning how … Read More
1/3 of China’s CO2 Emissions “Due to West”
One of the flawed arguments of the Bush Administration was that it could not act unilaterally on reducing CO2 emissions as it would put the American economy at a competitive disadvantage. It therefore could not act until China and India acted too. As China is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide, much of the … Read More
Scientists Meet to “Influence Policy” on Climate
One of the questions on Australia’s mind this week-end has been whether the intensity of the wild fires devastating large parts of Victoria is linked to climate change. The nightmare is that the scenes of total devastation they are witnessing are a sign of things to come in a warming world. There are those are … Read More
Last Orders in the Last Chance Saloon
Yet another climate conference, yet more hot air, but so little time. Unless a serious deal is struck in Poznan this week, we are all in serious trouble. Although the UN Climate Conference this week in Poznan is the smaller precursor meeting to the huge jamboree that will be Copenhagen next December, it is no … Read More