Climate Change: Systematic vs Technical Perspectives

There are many opposing economic and technological perspectives on climate change; at one end is the technical view at the other is the systematic critique. Many northern NGO's share the middle ground with significant differences between the US and the UK.


At its core the technical perspectives goes something like this:

"Climate change is huge challenge for society. It's cause is greenhouse gas emissions. In order to solve the problem we therefore need to make it economically rational to reduce emissions: we need a price for carbon. The best way to allocate capital is through a cap and trade scheme."

Other elements are typically pursued under the mantra of reduced carbon emissions:

"We must look at every option including nuclear power. Biofuels can help development in the south as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Afforestation is an affordable form of carbon sequestration. Forests must be protecting by compensating for lost profit from forestry and agriculture."

The systematic critique ties together issues that may superficially seem separate. At it's core the systemic critique says:

"Those of you interested in climate change are no doubt not interested in changing weather per se but in the consequences of this change; it is therefore dishonest of you to tackle climate change in isolation of other issues that lead to these same consequences. Furthermore, although these issues are of greatest concern to you we in the south have other issues to contend with that are as severe and urgent for us. Climate change is part of the issue of sustainability--reducing carbon emissions to save the coral, the rainforest, the arctic, will not make sense if overfishing destroys the coral ecosystems, deforestation takes the rainforest and pesticides render the arctic sterile. However, all of these issues are inextricably linked to equity; in a world of poverty, disease and injustice we cannot expect the environment to be cared for in the manner required for human kind to overcome this issue of sustainability. We have no future if we fail to recognise that sustainability is the challenge of our time and only fundamental changes to the global economic system offer the solution"

Common concerns arising from this systematic critique include:

"Considering all options is just fine but future generations who would be left with nuclear powers toxic legacy have no say in the decision, and we know to well how badly decisions are made when those effected are not consulted; also it's odd to talk about economic optimisation and subsidies in the same breath! Biofuels are generally grown by wealthy farmers with the involvement of multinational corporations: this is a power structure that we do not wish to strengthen. Biofuel production to date has involved land confiscations and displacement of farmers onto virgin forests, the advantages have been limited and where they exist these have been reaped by the wealthy. Afforestation has similar land rights issues to biofuels. Protecting ancient forests is a worthy cause, however in many nations of the south a few wealthy land lords own the vast majority of the land. Is this state of affairs going to be strengthened and the price paid by the newly unemployed foresters; surely the last thing we want is a wealthy elite living off the land by doing precisely nothing, while the rest struggle to get by."

I the battle between these perspectives on climate change continues at international climate talks, in national parliaments and in my head! I believe i have given the systematic critque a favourable rendering here, however, is some ways i havent been harsh enough on the technical approach and in others i tend to agree with its wisdom. The whole question of a given approaches wisdom is however only part of the story.

We start from here not from blank. It is not clear where to draw the line: replacing the economic system with something more equitable is a noble goal, and surely must be done, but in the shot time we have is this to be our primary approach? Alternatively are the NGOs right that a middle ground must be found and that some tasks must be carried out by those corporations currently in power and on there terms?

This is a interesting if not a simple area and Rising Tide North America (False Solutions Page), The Corner House and the Trans National Institute (Bali Essay) are amongst those working on it.

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Harper = Grinch, RAN, Media & Environment, China and Climate, Bogota Cycling, Oil Map

Update from the 'Blogosphere' from the last couple of weeks.

1. Stephen Harper is the 'Global Warming Grinch' , according to De Smog Blog: In a year-end interview with CBC, Harper said “"As soon as you're dedicated to actually reducing emissions, that imposes costs on the economy...Once we start [and] these things start biting, the criticism we're going to be getting is that we're doing too much."
   Harper seems like a man bragging to his neglected wife that if he ever made love to her, she might die from exhaustion.
2. The Rainforest Action Network Via Revolving Doors: RAN have just released a promotional video on its a campaigns. This is inspirational work, it's great to hear about some of the success stories. Perhaps we should all consider doing something worthwhile this Christmas and donate to a group working on climate change.
3. US media and reporting the environment via Celsias; why arent they?
4. China is stating to take on the challenge of climate change via Celsias; an overview of policies currently being implemented.
5. Where is the oil? Via Treehugger. We know that oil is fluctuating wildly in price, we know that obtaining a secure source is often linked to political instability and military action and that it gives some pretty awful governments more leverage than is desirable. But where exactly is all the oil? This map makes it abundantly clear where this increasingly scare resource can be found.
6. Bogota Cycle Party via Treehugger. Getting cars off the streets is an unpopular idea for many; particularly those who currently drive. But just look how good things can look without cars dominating urban space!
   

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Hansen to Brown & Merkel: Keep Coal In The Ground

James Hansen, Chief Scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Institute, and perennial thorn in the side of climate skeptics everywhere continues his energetic campaign to educated policy makers on climate science; and increasingly getting off the fence and reccomending policies. The main one being: keep coal in the ground keep the lithosphere out the atmosphere.

In the email bearing his latest joint letter to Angela Merkel and Gordon Brown he writes.

It seems to me that the nearness of climate tipping points has become
clear. What needs to be communicated is the fact that a successful
strategy to avoid climate disasters depends principally upon achieving a
phase-out of emissions from coal (and avoiding emissions from unconventional
fossil fuels). These goals are achievable, but they have to be recognized
first.

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Canadian PM falling in poles due to rising emissions.

Thanks to Kevin over at De Smog Blog for sending this one over. It looks like the Canadians are showing there feelings on climate policy just as the Australians did recently when they kicked friend of the coal industry John Howard.


A Harris-Decima poll released today shows that the governing Tory party in Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper is losing popularity quickly due in large part to their performance at the recent United Nation's global warming conference held in Bali, Indonesia.

The Harper government now finds itself in a statistical tie at 30% with the opposition Liberal Party.

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Mobilising capital to save the planet.

A podcast with some positive and some negative aspects of moving money into climate change: mitigation (the positive part) and disaster preparedness (investments with a vaguely profiteering feel).Also, a very clear statement of the need for significant carbon pricing now! Mark Fulton.

Responsible Profit: Perspectives from Deutsche Asset Management

Bringing capital into play is the pragmatic and profitable response to climate change, says Fulton. Governments are creating a price for carbon, explicitly through emissions trading and implicitly through taxes, subsidies, and standards.

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Bali Climate Change Deal Reached

At Bali a dramatic one and a half hour period seperated the world from the effective brakdown of post-Kyoto talks. Based on a reading of the US position going into the talks, and on the complex beurocracy that exists at UNFCCC meetings the result was as good as we where likely to see. Based on the somewhat more important meter of physical reality progress is appalingly slow. There is still a question in my mind over weather the UNFCCC process will deliver substantial mitigation of climate change. Perhaps a more flexible meeting of major economies, led by a post-Bush USA will reach a deal? For the time being the process moves on and although its often difficult to decide weather to laugh or cry in this case the US u-turn put a smile on my face!

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Al gore gives emotional speech at nobel peace prize lecture.

Al gives an emotional speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. I personally found this very moving; it suprises me that people can listen to gore and believe that he is insincire rather than a passionate advocate for a vital issue.

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Time person of the year: Kevin Conrad

Just before the US finally gave way on the Bali road map came this statement from Kevin Conrad. The reception it received from the conference hall was likely the reason the US delegation stepped aside: they where completely isolated.

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Heard and Overheard in Bali

I love some of these quotes from Bali via enviromedia.

In wrapping up our Global Warming: Bali or Bust blog, our team has combined some of our favorite quotes we heard at the conference. Thanks for your interest. Let us know your comments.

“Don’t work toward your own extinction by believing this is science fiction.” U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretary General Yvo de Boer on Day 7 of the Bali meeting.

“My own country the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress in Bali,” Al Gore, in Bali Dec. 13, after accepting his Nobel Peace Prize earlier in the week.

“Companies that don’t get it right won’t be around.” Bjorn Stigson, President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, on implementing sustainable business practices without making false environmental claims to consumers.

“Public education is a better expenditure than carbon storage.” Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, on agreeing with comments made by Emil Salim, economist and former Minister of Indonesia.

“Look Mr. Farmer, don’t cut the tree.” Emil Salim, on providing subsidies to prevent deforestation in developing countries like Indonesia, which need the economic boost of logging but likewise suffer from its environmental consequences.

“Stop deforestation before doing carbon trading.” Uraguay NGO representative.

“Journalists often ask me if I’m disappointed it took 20 years to get action since the (UNFCCC) Rio Conference. Twenty years is not a lot of time when you look at human history.” Dr. Brundtland, who was first chair for UN Climate Change Panel and pioneered global policy in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

“Who would’ve thought you’d have NGOs promoting nuclear power?”
American Electric Power (AEP) spokesperson on Global Business Day.

“The U.S. government is taking a Katrina-like approach to climate change: sit back and wait for someone else to take action, then accept no responsibility.” Swiss businessman.

“Some hotels just need to stop being greedy and pay to do the right thing and recycle.” (verus illegal dumping in forest) Josh, age 12, Sunrise School, Bali.

“Contributing to more than a third of the world’s CO2 emissions, the electricity sector will undoubtedly be confronted with future carbon constraints. Pressure from shareholders and stakeholders to manage carbon exposure is on the rise, as climate policies are already taking hold.” Adam Kirkman, World Business Council for Sustainable Business.

“Because of my job, I’m not supposed to have a political opinion, but I’m just embarrassed about our country’s lack of leadership on climate change.” TSA customs agent upon hearing of our trip to Bali for UN Conference.

“In the U.S., ‘voluntary’ means do nothing.” Teruaki Masumoto, Tokyo Electric Power Company.

“There are not many businesses who say ‘use less of our product.’” Steve Lennon, Delegation Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce, on power plants and the necessity of conservation despite the bottom line.

“We are still headed to a fossil-filled future.” International Energy Agency Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, who also said “Our current trajectory is under-invested, dirty and vulnerable.”

“I would like to see incentives right down to the personal level at home, with carbon trading on eBay or eTrade.” Odin Knudsen, managing director of environmental products for JP Morgan.

“Prepare for the unexpected, always.” Olga Gassan Zade of Point Carbon at the Carbon Finance Event hosted by the International Emissions Trading Association (where consensus was government needs to provide parameters quickly for today’s $28 billion carbon trading market).

“The core manufacturing process for our industry is photosynthesis. It’s the most efficient process in the world. It’s available without patent, without trademark and without technology transfer.” Weyerhaeuser Senior Vice President For Corporate Affairs Ernesta Ballard on carbon sequestration in its forests and products.

Heard and Overheard in Bali
“Americans always try to do the right thing after they’ve tried everything else.” Winston Churchill (no, he wasn’t there, but I just heard about this quote, which seems to be accurate for this situation)

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US U-Turn at Bali: The Dramatic Chronology

Midnight to 1:30am EST was a dramatic period in Bali! There was a lot of 'backing down' going on...all of it productive. Most dramatic event was the US U-Turn, but the EU also agreed to further technology transfer funding for India and China and neither Japan nor Australia got in the way of the final agreement. In the end the US delegation was entirely isolated both internationally and domestically: then came the U-turn. And perhaps some hope.

(Reuters)

12:00 a.m. EST - The two-week talks, meant to end on Friday, are deadlocked long into overtime. Developing nations led by India and China are demanding that rich countries do more to lead the way in fighting climate change. The demands arose overnight, partly after the European Union bowed to U.S. pressure and toned down calls for the final text to lay out clear 2020 guidelines for rich nations to axe greenhouse gas emissions.

12:20 a.m. EST - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, making an unscheduled return after leaving Bali on Friday for East Timor, enters the conference hall with Indonesian President Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"I am disappointed at the lack of progress," Ban said. "Everybody should be able to make compromises."

"The worst thing we can do is for this project to crumble because we can't find the right wording," Yudhoyono said. "The world is watching anxiously and I beg you not to let them down."

Delegates strongly applaud both speeches.

12:44 a.m. EST- The European Union, which had opposed the developing nations' demands, immediately backs down and accepts the developing countries' text that gives stronger promises to share green technologies. Delegates applaud.

12:55 a.m. EST - Paula Dobriansky, under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs leading the U.S. delegation, reaffirms U.S. opposition, bringing boos.

A bit of emotion getting into the talks. Nice. I wonder how much damage this kind of atmosphere does to us interests around the globe? Diplomacy isn't a science but obstructing somethings as important as progress on climate change has got to be weaking US influence.

12:56 a.m. EST - Speakers from countries including Brazil and South Africa then make pleas on behalf of the developing countries. And neither Australia nor Japan side with Dobriansky. Papua New Guinea delegate Kevin Conrad wins wild applause by addressing Dobriansky and saying:

"We ask for your leadership, we seek your leadership ... if you can't give us what we want, please get out of the way."

(Would this have been the case if Howard was still in power? I think not. Australia has had a mixed performance at Bali but at least here it was not actively destructive...and thats and improvement. And
three cheers for Papua New Guinea!)

1:19 a.m. EST - Dobriansky backs down, saying "We will go forward and join consensus," triggering applause.

1:31 a.m. EST - Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar announces consensus on a deal to launch two years of talks on a new global treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol.

AFTERMATH

-- Dobriansky said she changed her mind because the developing country speakers convinced her that they were serious about acting to fight climate change. She said she did not consult Washington before changing her mind.

Other delegates hailed the U.S. reversal:

"The mood in the room exploded. The secretary-general and the president -- that just electrified the room," said Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat.

The text that the us where resisting included the need for developed nations to take on a legally binding cap on emissions. Although the target was not specified this is still a major breakthrough in what the US is prepared to accept: the very notion of a cap has been fiercly resisted. Bill Hare sums up the unusaul nature of events.

Bill Hare of environmental group Greenpeace said he believed it was the first time since 1996 that Washington had won applause at a U.N. climate meeting.

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What does the Bali mandate mean?

I`m not sure about what Bali means. I believe it leaves open the option for progress but isn't a breakthrough in itself.

Various NGO's (Non-Govornmental Organisations) came together as the Climate Action Network and this video shows their varied views on this. It's mixed but not a disaster.

The final UN press conference from the climate talks is here. The EU response to developments is here.

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Higlights from Bali

Bali Overview:

1. Its complex! (and thats becoming problematic)
   
2. Linking national cap and trade with international climate funds.
3. Deforestation progress on funding and structure (with unwelcome guest).
4. Australia ratifies but fails to take the lead.
5. Two degree consensus approaching: just adopt c&c you fools!
6. CDM Review.
7. Adaptation Fund.
8. Technology Transfer.

1. The process at Bali has been complex, in fact notably more complex than usual, and that is starting to become problematic. I'm not therefore intending to describe how i think it went. It didn't achieve a global climate treaty with legally binding caps for all so in that sense it was a failure; but this was never expected. There where however, many interesting developments that could show the way to a global agreement if it is destined to develop through the UNFCCC.

2.One interesting idea is that of national cap and trade schemes being used as a source for the international climate negotiations. Adaptation, technology transfer and forest protection; all require funding. Germany has just announced that it will auction permits to industry for its share of the EU ETS. Some of the revenue raised will then be used internationally. The Warner-Lieberman bill from the US has a similar provision, although the remit of funding is more limted, in this case it is designated to deforestation reduction.

3.On the issue of deforestation some progress has been made. An annual funding commitment from Norway of $500M annually is surely welcome; decisions are half the battle implementing them is the real test. An outline deal on REDD has been created; the key area of tension now is weather or not rainforest degredation is included or only the more easily qauntified process of deforestation. There is also some pressure for sub-national programes which have been resisted by NGOs due to the issue of leakage--the process wherby one area protected from ranchers or farmers causes another area to be targeted--this issue is far less problematic if total forest areas within national boundries are considered. There has also been a great deal of wrangling on who manages the fund currently I believe the world bank run Global Environment Fund (GEF) has been given responsibility, albeit with oversight from a cross section of effected countries and a 3 yearly review period. The EU was in large part responsibile for this worrying role creation--the World Bank a Neo-liberal western power broker-- and now a developing world forest protection agency!

4.Australia Ratified and then failed to capitalise. The start of the conference was an exciting time and Kevin Rudd was welcomed warmly to Bali. The isolation of the US looked starker than ever. However, Australia went on to win the Climate Action Network's "Fossil of the Day" for most contradictory statement within 24 Hrs! The tension here was on the guideline emissions reductions targets of 25-40% on 1990 levels by 2020. Such a commitment from the developed world is badly needed and is in accordance with 'common but differentiated responsibilities' a fearcely guarded clause in the Kyoto Protocol that rightly highlights the historical responsibility that the developed world has due to the predominance of atmospheric GHG's having origins in the engines of the global North; these nations have both damaged the south and proffited in the process. Many see this commitment by the developed world as a nesicary prelude to a global climate deal and talks may collapse due to US , Japanese and Australian resistance to such a deal. As i write this talks are ongoing and Australia may yet shift its stance to that of a climate leader but so far it is continuing to look like more like a reluctant participant than a leader.

5. If there where a Satan worshiping club attending the climate talks it would have a devilish titles such as 'The Four Degree Club'. Such a club exists although generally it is refered to as the Umbrella Group (US, Auz, et al.); now however it seems to be falling apart. Canada, Iceland and Switzerland all seem to have suggested that 2 degrees should be the target. To my knoledge only the US amongst developed countries has a position other than this. If we have agreement on that then why can we just agree to contraction and convergence? Please...it's a lot simpler!

6. Switzerland has inititated a twelve month review of the Clean Development Mechanism. CAN have supported this "given the wide range and seriousness of the criticisms the CDM has attracted".

7. Progress has been made on Adaptation; a fund has been established to pay for "concrete adaptation projects and programmes based on the needs, voesa and priorities of eligble parties". Again the GEF has made a most unwelcome appearence. This is a presence that we need to purge; it would be a worthy target of campaigns, simply getting the world bank out of the UNFCCC process would be a positive step. There are alternatives, and better alternatives.

8. Technology transfer is gaining a great deal of attention in Bali and is now only a few steps behind the process on adaptation. Movement from rhetorical to real significance is underway. A body to oversee and fight for the issue is almost up and running there are three issues to resolve: funding, institutional arrangements and some way of measuring effectiveness.

I review these developments in two videos here and here.

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Report of the Week: Climate change--Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in developing countries

Good judgement is something that we would all wish to have. However, the best decisions don't always come from your own judgement: in the case of climate change it is absurd for the global 'North' to presume to know how to help the south. As Almuth pointed out recently it is only by cooperation and working together with those effected by climate change that we can come to a reasonable idea of the challenges that they face. This week's report of the week comes via the UNFCCC so it is a top down look at issues. It does however give a better idea of what the least developed nations are worried about, and what there key climate agenda is.

The report was formulated as a result of UNFCCC negotiations which required a series of regional workshops to asses the nature and severity of regional climatic impacts and to proffer some solutions.

Climate change: Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in developing countries.

The book draws heavily on information provided by Parties to the UNFCCC, particularly that provided at three regional workshops held in Africa, Asia and Latin America and one expert meeting held in small island developing States during 2006 – 20071, as mandated by the Buenos Aires programme of work on adaptation and response measures (decision 1/CP.10 of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC)2, as well as information in national communications3 and national adaptation programmes of action4 submitted to the UNFCCC, reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007)and other sources, as referenced.

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Al Gore Talks in Bali

Al Gore Talks in Bali (youtube) or full speech (real player)

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Audio from the CNU 2007 Transportation Summit

The CNU 2007 Transportation Summit has been covered in this blog several times, the presentations are now available online as is audio from the conference:

Use the timetable to decide what you want to listen to. Or watch.
 
Day 1 Morning:               Audio Quality: Muddy    
Day 2 Early Morning:     Audio Quality: Muddy    
Day 2 Morning:               Audio Quality: Clear      
Day 2 Early Afternoon:  Audio Quality: Clear
Day 2 Mid Afternoon:     Audio Quality: Clear
Day 2 Late Afternoon:    Audio Quality: Clear



 

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Kyoto: More Harm Than Good. Where next?

Almuth Ernsting
Biofuelwatch

One week at the Bali Climate Conference has cured me of any illusion that UNFCCC will solve the climate crisis, or that the annual gatherings of governments, industry and some NGOs will even remotely move us in the right direction.

This is not about saving the planet. It's quite simply a trade show, and all the different proposals are about making carbon trading more efficient or getting this or that industry or government to profit a bit more whilst we move ever faster towards mass extinction. I wonder if, in years to come, we'll look back on UNFCCC meetings as climate change profiteering conferences.

Outside the main conference, the Indonesian Civil Society Forum, supported by NGOs from many different countries, are holding their events and protests for climate justice and against false solutions. Those false solutions is what UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol are about: Carbon trading, now to include the proposed carbon trading in forests (REDD), agrofuels, etc. We will all pay the price for losing our last chance of preventing runaway global warming, but in the short term it's the people of the global South who are paying the highest price. At a side event organised by the Transnational Institute last night, speakers said that the Clean Development Mechanism is now widely called the Criminal Development Mechanism in countries like India. It funds not clean or sustainable development, but some of the most polluting and destructive industries in the South.

"I have read widely about CDM and carbon finance and looked closely at some
of the methodologies and I have seen nothing to suggest that destructive hydro
projects, payments for palm oil companies, industrial tree plantations, toxic
landfill sites, and polluting factories are anything other than the norm. This
carbon finance is all that Kyoto has brought us. Another 'stronger' Kyoto
Agreement will bring us even more of the same."

A representative of indigenous peoples organisations from Oceania told me of his distress that the governments of the Small Island Nations now ask for nothing but carbon finance to get some money for their drowning countries. They no longer even ask for real policies to reduce emissions. 15 nations in Oceania are about to drown. I asked the person whether he thought people would get out. Some, he said, will get to New Zealand, but for most there is no way out - nobody will take them. They will just drown. He said that several hundred people drowned in PNG just a few days ago, and on one of the islands, after a tropical storm one or two years ago, the whole lagoon was full of dead bodies and they just pushed them into the deeper sea because there were too many to retrieve and bury.

Just before the COP opened, I went to a Climate Justice conference organised by Friends of the Earth Indonesia and Via Campesina. A speaker from Sobrevivencia, Paraguay called for action and demonstrations - but to be very clear what we demonstrate for. If we hold up banners saying climate change kills and we want more govenrment action, the very power groups driving the destruction, she warned, will cheer and might give us even more carbon finance or agrofuels. Instead, she suggested, we need to mobilise against the false solutions and for real, meaningful actions that will actually cut emissions and deliver climate justice. I agree with her. The time for marching for 'global action on climate change' without denouncing the false solutions and the drivers of climate change is over.

There will be no magic bullet, no convincing framework proposal drawn up in offices of the Nothern countries which will save us. Greenhouse gas reduction targets will remain meaningless without realistic ways of delivering them.

"We need to engage with the climate justice movement of
the global South, learn about their reality and realise that, without climate
justice there will be no chance of slowing the pace of the climate
catastrophe."

And climate justice is not just about finding a framework that is fair on paper, but about stopping the carbon traders, the agrofuel companies, the trade mechanisms which are ensuring the ever faster destruction of forests and other ecosystems, the large hydro dams, etc. - and, of course, pushing for real and immediate reductions in emissions and consumption in the UK.

After Bali, we need to get together and decide where, as climate campaigners, we want to be going. Do we want to continue getting ever more people onto the streets calling for no particular solutions and, even worse, by implication lending legitimacy to the false solutions? Or will we reflect on what Kyoto and UNFCCC now stand for, engage with climate justice campaigners in other countries and start calling for the action which we need to stand any chance of not following the fate of the people in Oceania who have already lost their future?

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Labour do something positive on climate change (shock!)

In what some are calling a suprise and others are calling 'strangely substantial' the UK's Labout govornment have made a move on climate change. This is noteworthy mainly due to it's non-rhetorical nature.

According to the IoS:

"Mr Hutton's announcement, which will be made at a conference in Berlin tomorrow, will identify sites in British waters for enough wind farms to produce 25 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by 2020, in addition to the 8GW already planned – enough to meet the needs of all the country's homes."

There is a error above, it is 25GW of capacity installed not 'electricity', electricity is measured in GWHrs. But we are all used to these mistakes. Amazing story none the less. The first real thing that Labout have done about climate change. Hopefully this will also put the breaks on the coal fired power plant going through planning in Kent.

There is one remaining barrier to installation: access to the national grid. Grid reform both financially and physically is a major long term challenge for the UK like many developed nations.

"So far two things have held them back: site identification and an assurance that the resulting installations will be connected to the national grid. This move removes the former."

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What is the best way to tax cars?

Green Car Congress provides most of the information that this post is based on.

In the UK we have tax rates of around 70% on unleaded petrol. This is one reason that unleaded petrol costs £3.86 per gallon or $7.72 per gallon.

I would guess that Americans don't wish to pay this. The reason being that the US population are as proudly anti-tax as the French are proudly pro-tax, they also have an average fleet efficiency of 21-22mpg as compared to 34mpg in Europe as a whole.

It is curious to me that people will go out of there minds with rage if a govornment raises fuel taxes (therby paying for road infrastructure, health, education and essential services) and yet they dont seem to mind buying inneficienct SUV's or regular cars with inneficient engines. If you buy a car that does 40mpg rather than 20mpg that is the same in terms of your pocket as removing all fuel taxes at us levels.

However, given this political reality and the fact that people do cling quite stubournly to gas guzling vehicles is there a better way of incentivising efficient cars? Yes, there are many ways.

In France fuel prices are already relatively high but rather than increasing them futher they are moving to a freebate: freebates tax the polluting and use that money to pay the less-polluting. The system is revenue neutral and can be adjusted as technolgy advances or as policy strengthens.

In Ireland there is a sales tax on all new vehicles. This will now vary from 14-36% of the car's value depending on its carbon emissions. That is a significant up front cost. And people hate up front costs so for a relatively small amount of taxation a large effect is garanteed. Ireland also has annual road tax, which is also set to be linked to fuel efficiency; ranging from 100 to 2000 euros.

In the UK tax bands are currently diverging so that the range will move from £0-210 currently to £0-400 in 2009 the range, again, depending on carbon band of vehicle. Freebates, carbon-bands for insurance and for sales tax all have the disadvantage that they do not tax people who drive more, only cars that are less efficient. This makes them more alinged to changing the products that car manufacturers offer and less well designed to change driver behaviour.

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Climate change protesters march through Glasgow

Yesterday was the International Day of Action on Climate Change and i was out marching in Glasgow as people all over the world pushed for urgent action to curb emissions. The march was in wet and cold conditions so we where glad to make the news (Video, Article).

We, and others around the world where marching to support the following call to action:

"We demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.

We also demand that the long-industrialised countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources."

Glasgow climate march was organised to coincide with the global day of action on climate change; an effort to inject some urgency into the Bali climate talks.

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CNU 2007 Transport Summit: Video

Last month i attended the Congress for New Urbanims transportation summit. Finally, the video is available. These two clips present some highlights and the full unedited video is availalbe bellow that.

CNU Transportation Summit Highlights: 1 of 2


CNU Transportation Summit Highlights: 2 of 2


This video covers:

Street Design Manual Comparison: 3 examples – each organization presents their respective manual and gives a brief explanation.
9:30-9:50am Marcy McInelly & Norman Garrick
CNU-ITE manual-Major UrbanThoroughfares
9:50- 10:10am Andy Cameron presenting the UK manual for streets and design codes as an implementation tool
10:10-10:30am Ellen Greenberg presenting the West Australian Liveable Neighborhoods Code -street standards component Australia-manual.

This video has an error and will be updated shortly (b)

This video covers:

11:00-11:45am Michelle Dix, Managing Director of Planning, at TFL, former director of Congestion Charging Design Challenges- Current and Future Reforms, Street Patterns and Hierarchy –challenging conventional transport modeling and “predict and provide”. An overview of TfL's role & responsibilities Review of Congestion Charging successes/failures & unforeseen consequences of the scheme Talk tailored to cover street-level modal share and design-led innovation
11:45am-12:00pm Alain Chiaradia, Space Syntax
Alain will discuss Network Connectivity and the Space Syntax approach to
structure analysis and distribution and mix of uses according to key movement
nodes

This video covers:

Transportation and the Carbon Challenge
13:45pm-13:55pm Jacky Grimshaw to introduce the afternoon
13:55pm-14:15pm Norman Garrick framing the afternoon
Introduction to LEED for Neighborhood Developments (LEED ND)
14:15pm-14:45pm Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive, Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment. Hank will discuss the BRE analysis scores 85% for Sherford on Eco Rating – presentation of methodology; how this project inform LEED ND Policy lever of Climate Change.

This video covers:

Shared Space Integrating Design and Placemaking
10:45am-11:15am Q&A Hans Monderman, Ben Hamilton-Baillie, Daniel Moylan
11:15-11:30 BREAK
11:30-12:00pm Stephen Marshall, transportation planner and urban designer, will discuss how zoning and modernist principles have created street designs for cars, and not people. New street designs that promote access and connectivity will be
discussed as necessary alternatives.
12:00-12:30pm Lucinda Gibson, Vice President, Smart Mobility Regional Modeling and Network Functional Classification
12:30- 1:00pm Yodan Rofe will address the role of major streets as urban places and creators of a continuous urban fabric, using the "pedestrian realm" as the basis for a new paradigm in urban street design. He will show examples of transforming urban roads from mere traffic conductors into great streets and generators of urbanity.

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Global Climate Campaign: Map of Actions for Dec 8th Protests

I just found a map for the global climate campaign's Dec 8th day of action. Many of the actions from around the world are on there, check it out and find one near you!

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Alter-Eco: news from the UN Climate Conference

Almuth Ernsting of Biofuelwatch sent me this email whith links to the Transnational Institute which gives a climate justice or global south perspective on the issues up for debate at Bali. I wasn't aware of this group but they are working on vital issues so i was glad to share there views.

Hi,

I thought people might like to see some alternative views from the Bali Climate Conference. I am here with a colleague from Biofuelwatch and we joined in with others who formed a Climate Justice Group - people who are horrified to see that the climate negotiations are little else than a carbon trade fair,
with critical NGOs being virtually excluded and completely marginalise, all NGOs moved to a venue 2minutes from the main conference centre, and with
indigenous peoples organisations not given a proper voice.

Here is the first [and second] edition of a short newsletter which our colleagues have written.

Good luck on 8th December!

Best wishes,

Almuth

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UK Protest Against Coal Power

Via Greenpeace Online:

Nobel peace prize winner Al Gore would be proud. A few months ago, he said "I
can't understand why there aren't rings of young people blocking bulldozers and
preventing them from constructing coal-fired power stations." The people of
Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales have taken him at his word (albeit one step
further back in the supply chain) to shut down work on Britain's biggest ever
open-cast coal mine.

Frustrated after local planners ignored their opposition to the mine, they were joined yesterday by climate campaigners from all over Wales to prevent excavation work on the site at nearby Ffos-y-fran. More than 30 people, including environmetal writer George Monbiot, evaded police before chaining themselves to heavy earth-moving equipment to prevent it being used, hanging banners and pledging to remain on the site as long as possible.

More than 10,000 local residents had petitioned against the pit, which
will encroach to within 40 metres of their homes. The 11 million tonnes of coal
it's expected to yield will produce a climate-wrecking 30 million tones of
carbon dioxide when burned, not to mention the vast amounts of soot and
acid-rain forming nitrogen dioxide which will ruin their local environment.

The fact that the mine has been given the go-ahead is yet another
example of the government's schizophrenic behaviour on climate change. Only last
week Gordon Brown made a massive public commitment to meeting, or even
exceeding, the huge reduction in CO2 emissions recommended by everybody from the IPCC to the Stern Report. Yet at the same time he's giving the nod to plans for
massive airport expansions and a new generation of coal-fired power stations -
which if they come to pass will prevent us getting anywhere near the cut in CO2
needed to keep the lid on climate change.

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Tasmanian Forests Threatened: Video, Campaign Sites and Map

Tasmania has some of the finest, and most unique forests in the world. Unfortunately they are being logged at a frightening pace. However, there are people fighting this disgraceful exploitation of natural wealth.

A description of the problem, along with a annotated google map of the logging sites can be found here, you can zoon in and see the true extent of logging activities. The thing that is amazing about this is that Australia is a wealthy nation so it dosent need to destroy its environment in order support its economy. How can we ask the poorer nations of the earth to give up this practice if enven the wealthy cant resisit making a fast buck?

A personal view on the Huon and Styx valleys can be read here. The video bellow is a superb talk give by Cookie at the camp for climate action.

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Fossil of the Day: the most 'exact opposite of prestigous' award on the planet.

Fossil of the day award goes to Japan 1st and 2nd place and Japan joint 3rd place with Canada and the US. Japan won for its talk about a post-Kyoto deal which didnt include mandetory carbon caps. Canada came third for shoving the technology transfer into a talking shop rather than an implementation group. The US came joint 3rd for trying to push china and india toward rejecting carbon caps in order to make it's position: based on only getting involved if they accept caps, tennable! Seriously, you cant make this stuff up!

You may have heard about the Fossil Awards given at the United Nations Bali climate negotiations. A collaboration between a number of youth delegations and Avaaz.org, the awards are given to nations whose delegates have obstructed progress during the course of the talks. Here's a first-hand account of the first daily Fossil Awards ceremony, when Canada won the infamous prize. Yesterday, Japan managed to win first, second and third place for threatening to pull out of the Kyoto protocol.

Fossil Awards, Bali Indonesia, December 4 2007 from stepitup on Vimeo.

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Climate Camp Pitch in Parliament Square

This Saturday Dec 8th, the Climate Camp pitch at Westminster for the International Day of Action on Climate Change.

On 8th December 2007, the Climate Camp will be pitching the Climate Change message to the Nation from the grassy knoll of Parliament Square.

The 7th great public demonstration on Climate Change will wend its merry way from the seat of the British Government in Westminster to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, where a rally will be held, demanding that America join the winning team.

"We just want the US to play ball on Global Warming policy", said one
camper, "so we're pitching them a curve this weekend. Don't play up in Bali -
just play ball !"

To continue with the American sports metaphors, we hope to see you on the home run with us, starting at 12 o'clock noon midday at Victoria Gardens, Milbank, close to the Houses of Parliament, London, England.

Wear sports clothing adorned with appropriate slogans, carry placards with relevant team messages, and put on baseball caps - for a legally binding capping of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Taking part :-
Global Climate Campaign
Campaign against Climate Change
Climate Camp
u4d8 : United for December 8th

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China and India Must Reduce Emissions!

The typical frame used for discribing the talks is that of an epic battle between the world and the two asian giants: them resisting us requiring there action. This is a very badly distorted picture indeed. Firstly we have to consider that the process has history. Then we have to consider the difference between nessecity a nessecity for action and a right to have that action carried out.

In terms of history the story is one of inaction, by us--The North--and futher inaction by us, to even do things that we had agreed to! The biggest failure is that of the USA to take on a
carbon cap and start to reduce it's emissions. The other major failure is by the developed countires who are party to Kyoto but who have not followed through in there promises fro adaptation and development funding.

The problem with these failures is that they leave developing nations in a terrible position and make rapid progress on climate change most unlikely. Firstly, of all the carbon currently in the atmosphere the vast majority is from wealthy developed nations and the consequences are overwhelmingly being fely by the poor. The developed nations have failed to pay reperations for this, and in the case of the US have failed even to stop commiting this crime against humanity.

So, given this background, how can India and China be expected to stop using there cheapest for of energy, namely coal in order to protect the climate for all? If it is carbon emissions that matter then there is a stronger case, ethically, for the US decreasing emissions by 80% to chineses levels than the chinese halting emissions at current levels. Emitting carbon now
does not automaticaly mean you have the right to: not cutting emissions from
a high base is the same as not slowing them down from a low base. However in reality not reducing emissions is infact worse than continuing to increase emissions, this is because the economic benefit of industrialisation using fossil fuels has already been had!

China and India do need to stop increasing emissions in order for us to save the planet.
However we must realise that they have not responsibility to do this. They are poorer than us,
have emiited less carbon than us, are emitting les per capita than us, have been damaged by us.
If there is going to be a deal then all of these issues will have to be resolved before we have a
right to say that they should reduce emissions.

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Greenpeace Activists Shot At for Coal Power Protest!

You kind of get the impression that a deal on climate is unlikely when violent intimidation using rifles is used to guard a coal fired power plant!

Added: December 02, 2007 Security personnel from PLTU Tanjung Jati B
coal power plant in Jepara, Central Java fired five gunshots and drew knives as
activists from Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior, today climbed the coal
plant´s cooling tower and loading crane hanging banners that read "Coal Kills
Climate."

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Youth Coalition Calls For A Bali Breakthrough

Youth Coalition Calls For A Bali Breakthrough
"Our future is in your hands, show true leadership"

BALI, Indonesia - December 3 - Youth from around the world have set an example for their leaders at the Bali climate negotiations this week, reaching out and joining with hundreds of young people from across the globe at the 3rd International Conference of Youth. They were united in calling for real cooperation and strong climate leadership from their governments.

"We have met with young people from across the world," said 24-year-old Australian spokesperson Amanda McKenzie, "and we all agree – our leaders need to take much stronger action to protect our future."

"This weekend's youth conference has shown that the world's young people are willing and able to cooperate, and we urge our leaders to do the same." Youth leaders from North America, Australia, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific converged on Bali in an effort to get world leaders to cooperate in protecting their future.

In light of last month's IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which presented a dire prediction of climate impacts, these young people – aged from 16 to 26 – have every reason to be concerned about their future.

"Young people have a critical, but underrepresented voice in building the future they must live in. World leaders should follow the lead of young people and act together to secure a livable future for their children." said Richard Graves, 25, a US youth representative.

Earlier this year, Catherine Gauthier, 18, said before the UN High level meeting on Climate Change in September, "Young people have no vested interests or historical baggage – we just want a safe future." Youth leaders hope that world leaders heed her call and work towards a mandate for a strong global climate agreement.

The 3rd International Conference of Youth was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, SustainUS, and Solar Generation.

For dispatches from the Youth Delegations, visit: www.ItsGettingHotinHere.org
For dispatches from the UN Climate Negotiations, visit Bali Buzz: www.unfcccbali.com
Check out dispatches from the youth climate movement: http://www.itsgettinghotinhere.org/
Please support the U.S. Youth Delegation to the international climate negotiations in Bali:
http://sustainus.org/donatebali

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I talk about the Bali climate negotiations and the surrounding politics.

I talk about the UNFCCC Bali climate negotaitions, the political setting and some good sources of related information.

Video 1 of 2


Video 2 of 2


The bali posts i refer to in the video are here.


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Bali deligates erupt into applause at Australia's kyoto ratification announcement

The first news out of the Bali climate talks:

"Spontaneous applause erupted for Australia as hundreds of delegates at the Bali climate change conference lauded Canberra's decision to ratify the Kyoto protocol....

Indonesia's Environment Minister and the new president of the UNFCCC, Rachmat Witoelar, told the conference he spoke for everyone "giving a sigh of relief" on Australia's change of position.

After the initial reaction, Witoelar invited delegates to offer a second round of applause, which they enthusiastically did. Some delegates even rose to their feet.

UNFCCC executive secretary Yvo de Boer later told reporters: "I think that it was an emotional and spontaneous reaction to a very significant political decision on the part of the Australian government to ratify the Kyoto protocol"."

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Dec 8th Global Climate Campaign Day of Action!

From HillHeat (Washington, DC)

The Global Climate Campaign intends synchronised demonstrations around the world on Saturday December 8th 2007 – in as many places as possible – to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change.

The ‘Call to Action’ for these demonstrations and related events that will take place on December 8th 2007 is as follows :

“We demand that world leaders take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change.

We also demand that the long-industrialised countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources.”

We feel that there is an overwhelming need to create a groundswell of global opinion to push for the urgent and radical action on climate change, without which we risk a global catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

In the UK demos are taking place in Belfast, London and Glasgow

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