Thursday, November 30, 2006

Ethanol in Brazil: The Debate

A few days ago I posted my Report of The Week. I had chosen a report by the World Resources Institute as it contains a lot of interesting information on Carbon Capture and Storage(CCS) and road transport in China.

Almuth of Biofuelwatch picked up on another aspect of the report, namely its promotion of ethanol in Brazil.

The discussion on the issue can be found here The WRI also acknoledged this debate on there website.


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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Monbiot tells it like it is.



George Monbiot has just written a book on climate change, but this is more than a book it is a plan.

The book, called "Heat: How to stop the planet burning" can be found here. Two talks by George are available to download via RadioEcoshock the first talk was given at Bookmarks a well known Socialist bookstore in London, the other in Vancouver.










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Sunday, November 26, 2006

What does unmitigated climate change look like? Not busines as usual anyway!

Anglia TV (Southeast England) takes a look at the future in the case of unmitigated climate change.






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Saturday, November 25, 2006

Report of the Week: Growing in the Greenhouse

This weeks report of the week is Growing in the Greenhouse by the World Resources Institute.

A very interesting an informative report that somehow managed to evade me for an entire year!
I`m reading it for what it has to say on carbon capture and storage (CCS) in asia and the growth in car travel, perticularly in China.

There is an audio summary on this report here.

This report explores an approach to reconciling development and climate
priorities, termed sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs).


This approach was first put forward in this form by Winkler et al.
(2002) and describes policies and measures that are firmly within the national
sustainable development priorities of the host country, but through inclusion in
an international climate framework seeks to recognize, promote and support means of meeting these policy priorities on a lower-carbon trajectory.
The SD-PAMs


approach has been the subject of some discussion within the climate change
literature and has been presented as a component of a climate regime by the
Climate Action Network (2003), among others. It has thus entered the climate
policy vocabulary. However, a great deal of work remains to be done to explore
the operational implications of SD-PAMs as part of an international policy
framework.


This report is a contribution to that effort. We first discuss the
merits and limitations of SD-PAMs (Chapter 1) and how an SD-PAMs pledging
process might fit within the international policy context (Chapter 2). We then
examine in detail four case studies of policy options in developing countries:
Brazil’s use of biofuels for transport (Chapter 3), efficient urban transport in
China (Chapter 4), options for rural electrification in India (Chapter 5) and
carbon capture and storage in South Africa (Chapter 6).

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Friday, November 24, 2006

European Commission Launch Action Plan on Energy Efficiency

The European Commission have launched a plan to make increase energy efficency by 20% above the baseline given current policy.

The European Comission has published a list of 75 Kekey actions for "ambitious" efficiency improvements in energy usage. The energy efficency actiop plan was unveiled in Brussesls by the energy comissioner Piebalgs on 19th OCtober.

Officials say the proposals will deliver an annual saving of 200 billion euros per year and help the EU meet its Kyoto Protocol target to cut emmissions by 8%. Total savings would be almost 4000 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2020.

The action plan has identified 10 priority areas:

Minimum enery efficiency requirements and labelling for equipment.

Better energy performance in building, including a strategy for "passive houses".

More efficienct conversion and transportation of energy (focusing on smaller capacity units).

More efficienc cars (with legislation to ensure this).

Spur energy efficiency in new member states.

Upgrading the use of taxation.

Raise public awareness and level of education.

A covenant with Mayors of large pioneering cities.

An international fromework with key external trading partners.


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Thursday, November 23, 2006

Green Day + NRDC: Moving America Beyond Oil

More on this Greenday/NRDC partnership.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Marketing Climate Change

Apart from a report on global emmissions which has been occuying me to a large degree recently i`m also looking into marketing action on climate change.

This may become a significant theme of the site, i`m increasingly thiking that this is an area that needs a stronger focus in the green movement. Or rather that the green movement is a niche that climate action desperately needs to move out of, and therefore a new more effective way of communicating is needed.

A couple of reports that I have recently read ( suggestions for futher reading wellcome).

New Rules:New Game


Let them eat cake.


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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Video of Prophets of Hope Projections (Pass it on)

Prophets of Hope Myspace Prophets of Hope Website


Just copy the code bellow to insert this video onto your site.
If you have blogger then when you 'publish' tick the box to ignore errors.


To add the video to your MySpace, blog or website, copy the code below.







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Speaking of climate skeptics...?

Is not something I usually do. I shared my thought with Jeff at Sustainablog and thought that I would explain this stance to my blog readers aswell. Here is my comment:

In reply to this post.

Hi Jeff,

Just a few thought on climate skeptics.

First off there are several kinds of 'skeptics'. 1. It isn't happening, 2. It is but its not human caused (or its good)3. Its bad but to expensive (e.g lets spend on development), 4. It is and its disasterous but its to late to act.

None of these arguments hold and none of them can be beaten with logic.

The people to take on these messages are comedians, marketers, artists etc., and they are to be taken on with creative media not with acute arguments.

I am personally not perticularly creative but realise the irationality of taking on ideology with rationality. If someone genuinely dosent know all the facts then I do my best to explain and contextualise the issue.

I do not however take on skeptics and I wonder if you would reconsider your approach to this?

1. We do not have time.
2. We do not have the energy to waste.
3. Progress and examples of action argue far more strongly than an acurate critique.

Best Wishes. Calvin.

p.s I found a very interesting video on presenting climate change, a topic that I wish more green blogers would take on.

http://climatechangeaction.blogspot.com/2006/10/communicating-climate-change-video-and.html







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Monday, November 20, 2006

NPower and Palm Oil


Before the plantations comes the deforestation. After planting
palms a biological desert is replaced with a monoculture.


Cattle ranching is well known as a driver of deforestation. Another, more recent, but equally disturbing factor that is increasingly worrying both climate activists and indigenous groups is the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations.

Ostensibly in the name of sustainable development and carbon neutrality, in reality the expansion is largely a result of poor regulations and rampant free market capitalism.

For a short briefing on some of the related issues see this short report by Friends of the Earth. For a more detailed look try this report by Environmental Defense or a whole collection of sources on the biofuelwatch website.

In the face of this threat, a british company NPower has decided to commission a power plant to run on palmoil. So in the name of sustainability a british power company has decided to drive deforestation in the tropics and ship in the so called 'carbon neutral' fuel from the other side of the globe four us to claim as progress in climate mitigation.




Don't think this sounds like a good idea? Please send the following email to the email addresses bellow (Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Relations).

---
anita.longley[at]rwenpower.com
richard.frost[at]npower.com
---

Dear [Sir or Madame],

I am deeply concerned about your plans to burn palm oil in power stations under the Renewables Obligation.

The Renewables Obligation is supposed to help companies develop clean, climate-friendly technologies and a viable domestic renewable energy sector. Palm oil comes from rainforest nations and is neither clean nor climate-friendly. Millions of hectares of virgin rainforests have already been destroyed to make way for oil palm plantations. Local communities have their land taken from them and often suffer human rights abuses. The peat and forest fires in Indonesia alone account for three times the greenhouse gas emissions which the Kyoto Protocol sets out to save.

Burning palm oil in power plants will further drive up the price of palm oil, and make rainforest destruction ever more profitable - even if you were to buy from ‘certified’ sources. This is a travesty of the idea of ‘renewable energy’. Your customers want you to invest in truly renewable and sustainable energy, such as wind and solar power, and small-scale sustainable biomass grown locally. Please drop your plans now and assure me that palm oil, palm kernel (containing useable animal feed) and other tropical feedstocks linked to deforestation will not be used by Npower under the Renewables Obligation.

I look forward to your reply. Many thanks in advance.
Yours faithfully,

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Sign petition to support contraction and convergence and carbon rationing.



The petition is on the 10 Downing Street website, please sign it if you live in the uk and make it clear that there is support for these measures.

"The best indicator of whether a person truly grasps the scale of the global climate crisis is not wether they drive a hybrid car or offset their flightd, nor wether they subscribe to the Ecologist or plan to attach a wind turbine to their house. The most reliable indicator is whether they support carbon rationing."

More on carbon trading can be found on the carbon rationing action group website or in this short overviewby the ECI in Oxford. More on Contraction and Convergence can be found in this very affordable short guide or on this website.

The petition has been highlighted by the following blogs, they are mainly green uk blogs, have a browse. If you blog about this then please link to this article and let me know, I will place a recipricol link here.

Friends of the Earth Falkirk

Charlie Bolton's Southville blog

Peak Oil and Simpol

Green Party UK Blog

Purpletigron

Hybrid Vehicle News

The petition states that:

1. We believe Climate Change is one of the most serious threats to mankind, and to biodiversity on this planet, and that rapid action is required.

2. We believe, we need a global cut in emissions of 60% by 2030, and that this is likely to require a 90% cut in UK emissions by 2030.

3. We believe, the fundamental international framework that can deliver these cuts is Contraction and Convergence. We urge the government to campaign tirelessly at an international level for the adoption of Contraction and Convergence. We believe this approach of sharing emssions fairly per capita worldwide, and a process of aligning all nations to that is vital.

4. We believe that supporting C&C in the UK requires adoption of carbon rationing, with a tradeable ability, not green taxation.

5. We believe, green taxation will alienate much of society and will be unpopular with many of the people whose emissions we seek to lower. Green taxes will hurt poorer people more than the rich. Green taxes will not enforce reductions. Green taxes take away personal choice in how we live our lives.

6. We believe, by implementing carbon rationing with binding targets we can force the country to only use its share, rewarding those who have spare ration, and allowing an element of personal choice in how a person spends their ration.

7. We believe, we must implement rationing with a trading ability as otherwise there will simply be a black market.

8. We believe, carbon rationing can bring personal and business emissions within an overall target and ensure fairness between interests of corporations and citizens.

9. We believe supporting these frameworks we need incentives for energy efficiency in the household, and for the use of renewable energy sources.

10. We believe we need regulation for businesses to drive changes in fuel consumption, energy efficiency, food miles etc.


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Sunday, November 19, 2006

How US Emissions Compare

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Saturday, November 18, 2006

Monthly Update: Fossil Fuel Consumption and its Implications

Great udate on the current fossil fuel usage situation, via WRI.

From small businesses to large economies, the long-term availability of energy worldwide is paramount to growth and development. Energy provides industry with a means to manufacture goods, generates the electricity and heat that we require on a daily basis, allows for the rapid transport of people and products, and enables food production and access to potable water.

The availability of energy in our current global framework relies extensively on the availability of fossil fuels: the oil, natural gas, and coal that together constitute 80 percent of global energy consumption.

Consumption of fossil fuels varies by region and by country. The biggest consumers are the United States, China, and the European Union, accounting for more than half of all fossil fuel consumption (see above). Coal, which is not easily transported long distances, accounts for a large percentage of consumption where it is locally available, while oil and natural gas can be consumed far from their source of extraction--in 2004, trade in fuels totaled US$715 billion worldwide (World Bank, World Development Indicators 2006).



A Resource With Limits

Fossil fuels are an unsustainable resource; formed from the decay of plants and animals over millions of years, our planet has a finite number of deposits. Fuel reserves are also disproportionately distributed throughout the globe: the United States contains one-quarter of the world's coal reserves, while five countries in the Middle East contain approximately 60 percent of the world's oil. Global markets direct the buying and selling of fossil fuels between countries with ample resources (see below) and those with limited reserves, insufficient technology, or high energy demand. Trade in energy adds a socio-economic dimension to fossil fuels, with implications for energy security and the geopolitical landscape.



Although estimates of available reserves vary, at current annual rates of production about 155 years of coal, 40 years of oil, and 65 years of natural gas are left, worldwide (BP plc, Statistical Review of World Energy 2006).

The ability for each country to sustain its own energy demands without importing fuel can be measured by a nation's reserves-to-production ratio, which measures the number of years that proved reserves would last at current production rates. The map below shows reserves-to-production ratios for proved reserves of oil.

Global Oil Reserves-to-Production Ratios, 2004

Beyond issues of availability, our pervasive use of fossil fuels is having significant environmental effects. The emission of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse" gases from the combustion of these fuels is rapidly warming the planet, altering our climate system, and jeopardizing the well-being of both people and ecosystems. Fossil fuel combustion currently accounts for 61 percent of greenhouse gas emissions (WRI, Navigating the Numbers, 2005).




Changing Course

With a rapidly growing world population and burgeoning economic development across much of the world, issues of energy security and environmental degradation will likely grow increasingly prominent in national agendas. Achieving solutions will not be easy, but enhancing energy security and averting future harms to the environment is possible, and can also be profitable.

To reduce dependence and demand on fossil fuels, governments, businesses, and individuals can:

- Develop fossil fuel energy alternatives,
- Increase energy efficiency, and
- Reduce energy consumption.

Many countries, either by choice or necessity, utilize alternative forms of energy as one of their principal energy sources. Fossil fuel alternatives, including hydropower, solar power, and biofuels, each have their own set of social and environmental consequences, both positive and negative (discussions of which are beyond the scope of this summary), but unlike fossil fuels, do provide opportunities for sustainable energy. Increases in energy efficiency can be achieved through both market mechanisms and technological innovations.

Individual actions can make a substantial difference in reducing global energy consumption. For example:

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's)--a little more expensive upfront, but CFL's last longer and use much less energy Walking, biking, using public transportation, or car pooling whenever possible Moderating heating and cooling--a couple of degrees can make a significant impact on energy consumption Turning off lights and electronic equipment when not in use--even in "standby" mode, electronics still consume energy Buying high efficiency cars and appliances Investing in renewable technologies "Greening" your office or company (please see highlighted publications)

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Friday, November 17, 2006

Greenhouse Development Rights (An Update)


Paul Baer of EcoEquity has recently contributed to a new report for the Institute of Public Policy Research.  Entitled, "High Stakes--Designing emissions pathways to reduce the risk of climate change" the report looks at the levels of emissions cuts required to avoid the worst possibilities of climate change. Some of you might remember how impressed I was by Pauls work when i first encountered it last year. If 'contraction and convergence' is the only framework you have read about that takes human rights seriously then you may be interested in Greenhouse Develoment Rights. Whilst C&C is extremely simple--a huge bonus in terms of opporationalisation it also leaves out some important issues.

We don't have a right to emmit, do we? We have a right to a certain level of development...equity in living standards is the important factor. In currently wealthy nations the ability to move towards a low carbon can be argued to create an onus to do so. This is the argument that Paul makes, in a very convincing manner, GDR's suggest an even more dramatic challenge for the developed world and the requirement for a large flow of capital to support the global "South".

A futher report written for Nairobi can be found here.


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Wind farm NIMBYism alive and well in UK


Back in 2004 when there wasn't much happening on the Greenpeace front, the heroic Shaun (Area Networker for Essex) led a heroic charge into Kent to mobilise people to campaign on behalf of the Thames Array windfarm.

Loads of letter's got signed, lots of fun was had and the London, Essex & Kent networks combined to support what promises to be the UK's largest Offshore Windfarm

That development is now under threat as a bunch of NIMBY's in Swale have rejected planning permission for the onshore substation.

If you would like to take action to do something about this.

1) Go to the greenpeace website and take e-action. (about 30 seconds work)

2) Organise a day trip to Swale to campaign to get the Council to change it's mind. Use the above email to run off some letters, print up some petitions whatever.

3) If you think the Thames Array is relevant to Londoners, get out on the streets of London to get stuff done? or if you're out anyway on a Decentralised Energy stall, why not takes some too.

4) Drop me an email, and I'll pull some events together

If you live in the UK near london then please spread this message around on any lists you are a member of and your blog if you have one.

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Thursday, November 16, 2006

Quest 1. Create Worlds Largest Beaurocracy...

Quest 1.----Level Complete!
Quest 2. Use Beurocracy to save the planet...
.COP
.1
.2
.
.
.
.
COP 12 Still Trying, wish us luck!

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Reports from Nairobi Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP/MOP)

Interest in all things Nairobi not sated by the huge number of blogs originating there?

Perhaps its time to read some dispatches from the professionals. And you better know I don't mean the media!

The International Institute for Sustainable Development produces a very dispasionate and somewhat technical two page report on the conferences progress every day. You could love it or hate it for these reasons.

The CAN International produce a somewhat less detached daily report, which is still very interesting, many will probably think more interesting.


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Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Blogs on/from the unfccc COP12 / MOP2 talks in Nairobi, Kenya.

Last year a good number of blogs where developed by various groups to cover the cop11 /mop in Montreal. Some of these are still going, most are not. This year I have collated the best UNFCCC blogs that have come to my attention.

Itsgettinghotinhere Set up last year as "Dispatches from the Global Youth Climate Movement", this is definetly one of the best blogs about climate change campaigns, with a whole section currently dedicated to Nairobi.

CAN International The umbrella group for many NGO's at the climate negotiations, CAN provide a more indepth look at the issues than you may be used to, discussion of Article x part y are fairly common but the assumption is of an understanding of the main issues rather than a legal training. Fossil of the week is also a popular activity of their's.


CDM A blog about the clean development mechanism from the people involved in the process. Facinating stuff, looking at the practice of largescale carbon offsets rather than the theory.

Climate Equity Watch Some strong coverage by an on location jornalist. Probably one of the best blogs around for an overview of what is really going on.

Daily coverage of the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Nairobi
2006 6 - 17 November 2006 United Nations Office at Nairobi, Gigiri (Coverage
from November 10-17 2006)


Can the Climate Change its Spots A blog from Greenpeace's "solar generation", news from Nairobi on the progress they are having promoting a renewable future.

A youth movement against Climate Change demanding Clean Energy NOW!

Generation Kyoto A newly created blog by the College of Atlantic Students ( sounds like a clandestine group of people from Atlantis dosent it?) Interesting--and regularly updated, blog.

Dispatches from COP12/COPMOP2 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol

WRI As you would expect from the World Resources Institute, and invaluable guide to the main currents at this years climate talks.

Some tips I have recieved:

Jake Torrie Greenpeace Canada are posting the blog enteries of Jake Torrie, nice coverage from a representative of the ever vigorous Canadian Youth Movement
(they have every reason to be pissed dont they!?)

Lucy Giarud is blogging on the world bank's Private Sector Development (PSD) blog. If you think my blog is to traditionally 'green' or leftest (i do at times) then you might
like to take a look at this blog with a business orientated slant on things.

The blogs bellow are good climate blogs but dont (or havent yet bloged from nairobi about recent developments)

Canadian Youth Climate Coallition A blog about climate activism in Canada. No reports back from Nairobi yet but there should be soon as they have representatives at the talks.

UN Dispatches The official UN blog on climate change and issues of key concern. Hardly a news blog but worth a read for the latest UN announcements.

Blue Climate A very nice general USA based climate change blog. Large domestic focus but also international negotiations coverage.

Climate Progress A general climate change blog that is well worth a read if somewhat light on UNFCCC coverage.

DePaul University A general climate change blog with current focus on Nairobi, this isn't on site but I include it as I have learned a couple of new things from reading it.

Cool The Planet Interested in a non-western perspective? This communal blog is from Greenpeace south asia. The focus is only partially Nairobi but a different perspective on climate politics.

Greenpeace A range of blogs from greenpeace supporters.

If you have a blog that you would like to be included in this list then please leave a comment or email me the link. I am trying to make this a useful index of the best relavent blogs so that people can find them all in one place.



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Sunday, November 12, 2006

Interested in Going Solar, live in the US?

Interesting, hastle free way of going solar. I recieved this email, liked the idea and decided to share. Great to see new business models comming forward on this. Amory Lovins would be pleased, buying a service not a product, power, not pannels.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Calvin:

Please join us in the effort to make as many people as possible aware of this chance to make PV something significant. One of the newest companies in the renewable energy market - The Citizenre Corporation - is offering Solar Power to all homes within net-metering territories at virtually no cost to the home owners. The Program, called REnU - which stands for Residential Energy Unit - represents the most forward-thinking initiative toward energy independence and preservation of the environment, to this day.

For more information, please visit our website.

Simply put, The Citizenre Corporation will pay for, install, own and operate the solar systems. Home owners are completely relieved from the hassle of obtaining permits, waiting for incentive rebates, dealing with engineering, financing or any other concern typically related to the adoption of a solar system.

All the home owners are required to do is to pay a rental fee for the solar electricity generated by the solar panels and, since the solar panels are engineered to meet your exact needs - based on your historical usage - your new electrical bill will be equal or lower to your current bill.

What is even more appealing is that, with the REnU program, home owners have the ability to fix their electrical rates for up 25 years gaining an incredible advantage against increasing utility rates. How is that possible? The fuel supply for solar panels - sunlight - is free, renewable and unlimited, and the solar panels have a life expectancy of over 25 years. All you get is clean, green, ever-present power - day after day.

As if that were not enough, Citizenre also takes on the responsibility of monitoring the performance of your REnU and ensuring that it is performing at its optimum capability. This value-added service is offered at no cost to the home owners and is already paid for by your rental fee. The REnU program is made possible by "net metering" laws". Under net metering laws - present in most states - home owners have the right to generate power at their homes and receive the full retail value for the excess generated from their current utility company. If you are passionate and serious about preserving the environment and want to contribute to cleaner, green energy independence, Citizenre REnU program is what you have been looking for.

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Renewable energy can provide for our needs?



Can renewable energy provide for our needs? Easily, yes.

Now onto a serious question, i`m not going to answer this one - just share a few pertinent (?) thoughts.











Can we decarbonise the global electricity sector by 2050?
A few points:

  1. Our consumption of electricity is increasing rapidly.
  2. Increasing energy prices would have a serious impact on those who can least afford electricity but for whom it provides many valuable functions.
  3. Renewables are typically smaller in unit size and have availability charachtersistics that are different from large traditional power stations.
  4. Increasing a proportion in a growing energy pie is a formidable challenge.
  5. We are starting from a very low base.
  6. Many people support an energy system more fully integrated through electricity as the carrier i.e electric cars or onsite H2 generation from electricity (less common).

Straight to Hell: We are on the right path.

If you have ever read the IEA energy projections then you will know what a roadmap straight to hell looks like. Globally emissions to 2030 are predicted increase by an eneromous amount (roughly a doubling?) rather than the dramatic cuts that we need.

How ambitious are the IEA projections for renewable energy? Surely they must be wholly conservative values.

IEA Projections for the USA a focus on renewables.

In 2002 the primary energy supply of the US is split between coal, oil, gas, waste/biomass, nuclear, hydro and other renewables.

Other renewables constitute 16 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe). By 2030 this figuer is predicted to climb to 77 Mtoe. An increase of 61Mtoe.

How much energy is 61Mtoe; lets look at this qauntity in terms of wind power.

61Mtoe is 708,000 GWhrs. A gigawatt hour is however, a qauntity of energy, how much installed wind power would we need to produce this much energy per year?

First off lets work out the qaunity of power per hour we need. 708,000 GWhrs divided by the number of hours per year (365*24) is 81 GW of installed capacity if energy is produced 100% of the time. Depending on where a wind farm is sited a capacity factor of somewhere over 30% may be expected. There are also, however backup costs, the degree of backup depends on many factors but given low wind penetrance in absoloute terms we will guess that 17% of our energy is wasted by backup. An effective capacity factor of 25% seems reasonable. This means that we require 324GW of installed wind to provide this qauntity of energy.

This looks like a huge number, largely due to this being a large number! On a yearly basis 13.5GW of wind power would need to be installed. Last year 6'000 MW or 6GW where installed in a record year.











A final thought. This scenario is the IEA's world destroying scenario leading to massively increased GHG emissions in the US. Renewables expandng at this rate in absoloute terms are being overwhellmed by parrallel increases in fossil fuel usage. The described renewable energy would consitute only 2% of primary energy demand by 2030.

Caveats and messages.

We are talking about primary energy demand. Other renewables could include solar, tidal, wave and perhaps significantly, ethanol.

Energy efficiency could lower this demand hugely as could good design of buildings and infrastructure.

However you look at it the challenge of greater total energy usage as a consequence of economic growth and lower total carbon emissions is an imense challenge that will require multiple agressively persued technologies and policies.

I hope this short article has provided a useful perspective on the second question that i posed above.


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Global Action on Climate Change

Phill Thornil of Climate Against Change holds a poster of U.S. President George W. Bush with the words 'Wanted for crimes against the planet' in Nairobi Kenya Saturday, Nov .11. 2006 during a protest that industrialized nations are doing too little to curb global warming. Several thousand environmentalists braved heavy rains.(AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)Kyoto countries seen agreeing steps a





















Maasai women holding a poster reading 'stop climate chaos' took to the streets of Nairobi Kenya Saturday, Nov. 11 2006 to protest that industrialized nations are doing too little to curb global warming.(AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)


b












Members of Kenya's Maasai tribe participate in a procession organised by Climate Change Campaign-Africa and Ecumenical Group as part of the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference in Gigiri, Nairobi November 11, 2006. Kenyan children led a march by hundreds of people through the capital on Saturday to call for rich nations to do more in the fight against global warming. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya (KENYA) c












Global Action on Climate Change
Friends of the Earth (London)
PRESS RELEASE November 10, 2006

Posted to the web November 10, 2006 Nairobi

Thousands of people are expected to join a march in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday 11 November as part of a global call for action on climate change.
The march takes place as government ministers from around the world arrive in Nairobi for the crucial final week of the UN climate talks, aimed at reaching an international agreement on future cuts in climate change-causing gases like carbon dioxide.

The event follows major events in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, including a demonstration and rally in London which attracted more than 25,000 people, and thousands of people at Walks against Warming across Australia, Other events included a demonstration and “lights out” action in the United States and rallies in Bangladesh, South Africa, Taiwan and Brazil.
Friends of the Earth International, in Nairobi to take part in the talks, will be joining the march with representatives from around the world calling for tough action to tackle climate change.

[Photos: Global Climate Campaign or Via AFP, Ed]

Friends of the Earth International Climate Campaigner Catherine Pearce said:
“All around the world people have taken to the streets to demanding action to tackle climate change. These talks here in Nairobi represent a real opportunity for governments to make real progress on an international agreement. Global action is essential if we are to tackle this global problem. Ministers must respond to the urgency of the cause.”

Friends of the Earth International is calling on governments to define a clear work programme for the post 2012 negotiations while in Nairobi, following the progress made at UN talks in Montreal last year.

Countries are committed, under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol, to carry out a rigorous review of the Kyoto Protocol – and this process should begin in Nairobi. On-going negotiations must also take place on the future action of industrialised countries, as set out in article 3.9 of the Kyoto Protocol. These negotiations should be given a clear end date of 2008.

Additional agreements are also urgently required to resolve arrangements for the Adaptation Fund which finances projects on the ground in developing countries to help manage the impacts of climate change. In addition, governments of rich countries must increase funding for adaptation in less developed countries.


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Climate change protest in Nairobi to call for progress in climate talks.

Climate change demo in Nairobi on 11th November



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Friday, November 10, 2006

News from Nairobi the International Climate Talks Cop/Mop and Much More.

The global climate talks have gotten underway in Nairobi.

I don't believe the major political wrangling is currently underway but there have been many side events and the technochrats are already busy looking at a range of issues.

Oppening Press Release: Download

Kenya's President warned that climate change threatened the development of billions of the worlds poor.


"We face a genuine danger that recent gains in poverty reduction will be thrown into reverse in coming decades, particularly for the poorest communities on the continent of Africa."


While i`m looking at the UNFCCC website here are a few recent pieces of news:

A new report by UNEP has also been release to coincide with the start of the conference, this report highlights the challenge faced by Africa due to climate change.

Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said:

Climate change is underway and the international community must respond by offering well targeted assistance to those countries in the front-line which are facing increasing impacts such as extreme droughts and floods and threats to infrastructure from phenomena like rising sea levels

Note: A superb related report entitled "Africa: Up in Smoke 2" was recently published by the working group on climate change and development.

Joint Implementation was also launched not long back. Somewhat of a forgotten part of Kyoto, JI joins the CDM and emissions trading to complete the range of 'flexibility mechanisms'.

Finally, a press release that i really should have mentioned at the time. The Kyoto/Montreal track is not enough. Not just in terms of ambitions but in terms of internal workings. A new climate pact is required according to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo De Boer

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A busy day in London: CarbonSense, Carbon Planet, Nicholas Stern

The day before i came back from London was a busy one.

The morning was mainly taken up with looking into the news coverage on the climate march, prophets of hope project and action at the CAA. I also tried to hook up with Peter Martin of CarbonSense, left a phone message and sent an email before heading off to meet up with Dave Sag of CarbonPlanet.

I arrived at the Medcalf Bar near Farringdon just a bit on the early side and listened in on a conversation that Dave was having about the advantages of running a carbon offset company as a business as apposed to an Non-Proffit.

Then I had a chat to Dave and Vivienne about there reason for being in the UK, the Shefield International Documentary Festival. Then we spoke about climate change in general, transparent carbon offests, certification, the London climate march and the fact that most uk houses are to hot for Australians to live in. Are we obsessed with overheating building and wasting energy?

After picking up a bit more info on Carbon Planet, it was time to get back to Brixton and check for emails. Had Peter got back to me? It turned out he had and after only 10 minutes I was on the Victoria line again and heading back to Farringdon for another meeting in a pub.

Peter and I spoke for some time about climate change policy, marketing action, and technologies. We also spoke about the work that carbonsense do and the potential for me to contribute to the business. The core of what they do seems to be (as the name suggests) making sense of what a carbon constrained environment means --both in terms of responsibilities and opportunities--to various steakholders: the public, businesses, ngo's and local councils.

Thinking that i`d already had a pretty interesting day I headed back to Brixton for something to eat and a rest. That wasn't to happen. Nicholas Stern was giving a talk at the London School of Economics about his climate change review. So back on the Victoria line for the n'th time and off to LSE. The talk was far from insperational--a bit to dry, but it did clarify a few matters for me and it was good to see the around 900 people packing out the main theatre and two theatres with video links! If you don't mind sitting through an hour long presentation on the economics of climate change and would like to see Sterns' talk then it is here (courtesy of the BBC). Thanks to Oisin for that link.


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Thursday, November 09, 2006

Civil Aviation Authority: Climate Crooks paid in Full

Just back from London. I try not to use this blog like a diary because, lets face it who gives a F$"& but i`ll mention a few of the things a got up to that where vaguely climate related.

The first was the Climate March. This was great fun, a huge success and lots of really inventive people making it quite a spectacle. Also met loads of people i havent seen in an age.

The second was an action at the Civil Aviation Authority headqaurters. The CAA, an industry funded body has for no good reason been given the key responsibility of regulating international aviation as aviation is outwith the Kyoto Protocol's national emissions inventories!

Anyway, needles to say the rate of action has been...along the lines of an arthritic sloath walking against the flow of a glacier.

Here are a few of our photos, followed by an article on the collection of actions that our humble action was a part of. It made it into the Guardian!

We handed over a check for 9.2 Billion in govornment tax breaks. The CAA wouldn't officially accept it so we sent it to there spokesman via the internal mail system! We also handed out thousands of easyClimate leaflets to the general public...generally a good response, a few people where stunned that the CAA had anything to do with climate policy, well so am I! Self regulation to save the planet...umm, the insanity hurts my head.







John Vidal, environment editor
Tuesday November 7, 2006 The Guardian

The protesters, drawn from the direct action groups Plane Stupid and London Rising Tide, hung banners at the easyGroup and Civil Aviation Authority offices in London, and demonstrated at Bristol, Leeds, RobinHood (Doncaster), and Cambridge airports.

Short-haul flight operators were targeted yesterday by environmental activists who stopped easyJet opening its parent group's offices,demonstrated at five regional airports and locked the doors of 25 travelagents.

The protests followed the invasion by Greenpeace of a coal-fired powerplant last week and 25,000 people marching in London at the weekend inwhat was thought to be Britain's largest single environmental protest.

They also coincided with the opening of UN talks on climate change in Kenya and a report saying that the poorest people in the world werealready suffering from global warming.EasyJet, whose offices were picketed at 6.15am, said the activists hadchosen the wrong target. "We don't have business class," said a spokesman.

"We operate the newest, least polluting aircraft and seat for seat we
emitfar less than other airlines. Moreover, we only fly direct between cities.Only 8% of our flights are in any competition with railways."


Plane Stupid is one of several direct action groups to have emerged in the"

"It is out of order for easyJet to be offering artificially cheap flights to destinations easily reachable by train, which is over 10 times less polluting,"
said Plane Stupid's Andy Nash."We all know how serious the threat posed by climate change is," said MattCooke, of London Rising Tide.

"Binge flying cannot continue. Nearly halfof all flights in Europe are to destinations of 500km or less; journeysthat are possible by train. We will not stand by and let the aviation industry, aided and abetted by the Civil Aviation Authority, trash the climate."
Plane Stupid is one of several direct action groups to have emerged in the group has previously blocked entry to BAA's head office. Made up of a mixof veterans from 1990s anti-road building protests and younger activists,they claim to be part of a rapidly growing grassroots movement tacklingthe root causes of carbon emissions.

Nearly all British airports now haveprotest groups.--London Rising Tide,c/o 62 Fieldgate Street, London E1 1ES www.londonrisingtide.org.uk
www.artnotoil.org.uk

Shell is the new sponsor of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award.Send us your photos, artworks and ideas for a roving October exhibition &infotour:www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk

See also the Camp for Climate Action site: www.climatecamp.org.ukas well as Climate Indymedia: www.climateimc.org

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Video of Nov 4th Demonstration in London: Pass it On!

Pass this on! Double click to get the code from youtube for your blog/myspace or a link to email.




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November 4th Day of Climate Action: A Huge Success

Congratulations to Phil Thornhill and the rest of the campaign agaisnt climate change crew for a superb Nov 4th!

---------------
This letter from Phil to everyone who contributed.
---------------

Campaign against Climate Change Thanks ! To everyone who helped make the November 4th National Climate March - and International Day of Climate Protest - a huge success.



Estimated numbers are 20,000 on the march, with another 10,000 in Trafalgar square. This is a fantastic leap forward from our previous Climate March, last December which was itself a huge breakthrough in climate/environmental campaigning.

It was challenging for us in many ways coordinating with new partners in "Stop Climate Chaos" but I think, in the event, our magnificent contribution to the Day spoke for itself, and our grass-rootsy campaigning mention all the hard work that so many of you put in to build this brilliant day !

Meanwhile the global campaign took a huge stride forward with events happening in 40+ countries around the world, around twice the number last time. Reports are still coming in so we've still not got a full picture of everything that happened but in Australia it was absolutely massive with>40,000 in Sydney, 30,000 in Melbourne and maybe 90,000 or so in more than>20 localities all around the country.

Check out http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org
and see pics from around the world http://gallery.globalclimatecampaign.org/n4global

Istanbul represents strongly for the second year despite heavy rain. Well done guys (actually it's a there is a gal at the helm, keep it up Gokesn!)

Paris gets in on the action for the first time:

Students get active in Taiwan:

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Thursday, November 02, 2006

Prophets of Hope Strike at Parliment

Nice work prophets of hope...


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