Hurricane Sandy: The Climate Connections

Hurricane Sandy was the largest Atlantic storm ever recorded, it had a huge impact along much of the United States eastern seaboard. Partly due to it creating the lowest atmospheric pressure at its latitude ever recorded; this created a huge upswell of water.

Paraphrasing Bill Clintons famous 'Its The Economy Stupid' Bloomberg Buisiness Week lead with 'Its Global Warming Stupid'.

But what are the experts saying? Attributing a single event to climate change as BusinessWeek appear to is notoriously difficult to do but statements like 'we can expect a lot more of this in the future due to climate change' are more easily argued. In fact on the Scientific American website Mark Fischetti argues that climate change is already increading the number of large storms to be found across the Atlantic united states.


Columbia University's Earth Institute created a dedicated website with some highlights bellow: 

• The Science and the Lessons of Hurricane Sandy (link) 
• This is a wake-up call, don’t hit the snooze button (link) 
• Researcher Klaus Jacob anticipated these hazards years ago; in this video, he talks about how he was personally affected, and what needs to be done. (link)

Hurricane Sandy in the Scientific Press

• Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions: Factsheet on Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change (link) 
• Smithsonian Institute Online:  Did climate change cause hurricane sandy?
• *Top Pick* Scientific American: Special Hurricane Sandy Website.
• Science journal Nature has a "news explainer" on the issues. 

Background Reading:

• Media Coverage Review: Carbon Brief, a website analysing media coverage of climate change has produced a summary of the media narative around sandy.  
• Climate Science Review: Skeptical Science has a detailed overview of the climate science issues around hurricane sandy.   
• Climate Science of Extreme Events: Intergovornmental Pannel on Climate Change Report on Extreme Climate Events. (link) 

Related Podcast:

The Unexplained with Howard Huges, Edition 95: Hurricane Sandy Special. Featuring an interview with Katherine Hayhoe.

Related Video:

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Reshuffle paves the way for Aviation expansion.

UK Climate Policy is in a unique situation in that the overall aim: emissions reductions of 80% by 2050 is already written into law. During times of economic difficulty when Growth is THE issue it is significant that policy out of political fasihion is given some support by a legally binding emissions reduction law.

Exactly how much the support UK Climate Change Act provides environmentalists with is about to be tested. Cabinet has just be reshuffled and Justine Greening the Transport Secretary with an anti-heathrow expansion position is on here way out while and old coal miner from the north of england is on his way in.


There is a lot of history in the battle over aviation and climate change (past blog coverage here). And it looks likely that this fight is back on. I wonder how much of this battle is going to be over planning concerns and how much is going to come down to the inherent incompatibility between airport expansion and the govornments legally binding emissions targets.

1. Can The UK Fly More Without Breaking Climate Change Targets? (Guardian 6th Sep 2012)
2. Boris Johnson's Heathrow warning after Justine Greening's move (BBC, 4th Sep 2012)

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All Time Low for Arctic Sea Ice

Arctic sea ice has just hit an all time low according to the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC).

It's the sort of thing that should be a warning sign but as i write this the US republican party are meeting and honing their climate skeptic message. Obama and the democrats are opening up the arctic to exploration for oil. So matters dont look perticuarly good for a rapid political response.

In the UK Campaign Against Climate Change are planning a demo at Downing Street to highlight this 'red flag' to humanity. The demo starts at 1pm (details here).

Further Reading:

• Carbon Brief goes into the details on sea ice decline.
• BBC Article
• Guardian Article 
• NSIDC on Twitter

Other Comments:

• It seems to me that record lows in sea ice should be a huge story as they represent huge changes in the global climate which we rely on. Unfortunately it isn't a terribly glamourous story. I do appreciate groups who are doing their best to raise the profile of key climate change markers like this. This is why i have just donated to campaign against climate change and why i hope you will do the same.

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Please Help Defeat Big Oil Republican in Wisconsin

The League of Conservation Voters has an urgent appeal out. They make their point better than me so...

''Last night, Wisconsin GOP primary voters went to the polls and elected former Wisconsin governor -- and former Bush administration official -- Tommy Thompson to be the Republican nominee for the Wisconsin Senate seat.

While many Americans have struggled over the past few years with a feeble economy and rising energy prices, Thompson has profited from hundreds of thousands of dollars from his investments in the oil and gas industry. He also supports Paul Ryan's extreme budget plan which would protect billions in Big Oil subsidies. If he wins the Wisconsin Senate seat in November, you can bet he’ll be one of Big Oil and Dirty Coal’s best friends in Washington.

We don’t need another crony of Big Oil and Dirty Coal in Washington. We need a leader who will fight to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. That’s why it’s critical we show Tammy Baldwin that LCV supporters are committed to her campaign. Will you chip in with a donation today?'

 

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August Climate Update: Events, Campaigns and Fundraising

A brief update on UK climate change campaigns.

Friends of the Earth continues it's Clean British Energy campaign at it's annual conference in London on the 24th of september. For the first time ever this is a joint 'conference and open day' with all welcome; you neednt be a FOE member.

UK rail fairs continue to rise(1,2) at inflation + 3% as the coallition govornment fails to integrate climate change policy goals with its policy on transport. Sustainable transport for all? Not at these prices. The Campaign for Better Transport continues its Fair Fares Campaign. Please show your support. And why not give them a few quid while you are at it?

Greenpeace's amazing international Save the Arctic campaign is growing fast--now with over a MILLION signatures!-- but like all growing projects there are growing requirements for financial support.

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Online Climate Activism Highlight (USA)

If you live in the USA then you probably already know about the current battle over clean air legislation. If not, here is a summary.

One of the more interesting facts about the clean air act is it's economic payoff:

"The Clean Air Act is widely considered one of the most effective environmental laws ever passed.

In fact, it provides $30 in health benefits for every dollar invested in pollution controls."

Special interests have their reasons for opposing legislation but the common good is overwhelmingly best surved by  keeping a lid on polloution.

 Here is a online petition with >175'000 signatures where you can show your support for implementing the clean air act.

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Coal Plans in Scotland Shelved

A little bit of good news form Scotland. Plans for a new coal power plant at Hunterston have been shelved. This is at least in part due to campainging by Christian Aid and others who have consistently pointed out the difficulty of squaring coal power expansion with Scotlands ambitious climate targets.

Here is a potted history of the struggle to stop Henterston , writtem by the WWF.

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Climate Change Events (USA)

California Climate Ride - September 9^th - 13^th

 

This 5 day, 300-mile ride down the California coast is a mission to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Nightly inspirational speakers on energy, sustainability, and cycling follow the daily 40-60 mile rides, 

South by Southwest Eco - October 3^rd - 5^th

 

Hosting an international audience of innovators and executive level decision makers from the public and private sectors and academia; SXSW Eco is for professionals at the forefront of the post-recognition discussion who are dedicated to making progress towards solving the challenges facing the economy, the environment and civil society,

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Wind power myths and spin.

Wind power is the cheapest form of renewable energy. If we dont want to take the nuclear option and associated risks then our current best chance at reducing carbon emissions and dependence on volatile fossil fuel prices is to use wind power.

On the down side, wind turbines are not a reliable form of energy. In a diverse energy grid this isn't a major issue but it is an issue that critics of wind power have siezed on and blown out of all proportion.

Their are numerous critics of wind power, some of whom are genuine, some of whom have been misled by vested interests and some of whom are the spokespeople of those interests. At the moment their focus is on not the unreliability of wind power but rather the unrealiability of the grid (which they blame on wind power).

As already mentioned wind power is not a constant form of power. This can be dealt with, however, by having other forms of generation that can step into the breach. Luckily we already have certain forms of energy such as combined cycle gas turbines, pumped storage and regular hydro electric which can do this job. What we dont have is an electricity system which can accept large quantities of wind power. Partly this is a matter of transmission but in the future the poor flexibility of some of our generation types such as nuclear power will be of increasing concern.

Because licensed generating units are entitled to sell their energy on the UK market, compensation payments are made if the grid isn't up to the job and wotd give them access. If you rephrase 'being denied market access' and turn it into 'getting paid for doing nothing' you will be in line with current rhetoric flowing out of the Telegraph, Times et al.,

Whatever the current debate over wind power. The encouraging truth of the matter is that 9% of the UK's energy was produced from wind power during the last quater and this number is expected to rise rapidly in the coming years.

One group that has been getting more than it's fair share of attention is the Renewable Energy Foundation. A group that, ironically, spends most of its time attacking wind power. A look into their background will explain it's position but not why the sunday times and other ostensibly reputable news papers are taking their 'research' as gospel without revealing the groups funding sources or it's directors backgrounds to the public.

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Coal Action Scotland Update

Here's a brief update of what's been going on with Coal Action Scotland and what's coming up. There's a week to go before the Autumn Gathering and lots has been happening!

1. New THWAC! short film
2. (Finished so Omitted) THWAC Gathering 6th-10th November
3. Coal Action Scotland October Newsletter
4. Action Roundup
5. Recent News

1. New THWAC! short film

A short film about the Happendon Wood Action Camp and fighting Scottish Coal in the Douglas Valley + Publicising Next Weeks Gathering

4. Omitted

3. October Newsletter

Download and distribute the Coal Action Scotland October Newsletter! Find it here:

front three pages: http://coalaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Oct-10-first-three-pages.pdf
back page: http://coalaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Oct-10-back-page.pdf

4. Action Round-up

Borehole Drilling Machine sabotaged in solidarity with The Happendon Wood Action Camp

Action against RPS group Glasgow in Solidarity with communities in Co. Mayo and South Lanarkshire

“Nae Coal at Hunterston”: Action against Ayrshire Power and Peel Holdings

CONsultations by Scottish Coal marked by actions against the mines in Douglas Valley

Beginnings of a new wave of direct action in the Douglas Valley against Scottish Coal

5. Recent News

Deadly Coal Tour Visits THWAC

Scottish Coal given a slap on the wrist for environmental damage in Ayrshire

Victory against Scottish Coal in Midlothian!

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Camp for Climate Action: 2010 Edinburgh

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Climate Justice Action: Join the planning, support the day.

Climate Justice Action

• Planning meeting: Bonn, Germany, 29-31 May 2010
• Climate Justice Action : Call for a day of action October 2010
  

Human-induced and capitalist-driven climate change caused by CO2 and other green house gases is an imminent threat to the planet as we know it. It is happening now and it is happening fast. Centuries of exploitation and destruction have passed. It is the world's poor, who did not cause the problem, who will suffer the most and do not have the means to implement solutions.

Fifteen years of empty governmental chatter and false corporate solutions reached a climactic breakdown in Copenhagen. Their outrageous farce demonstrated one thing above all: the currently dominant approaches to tackling climate change are not only ineffective, they are also unjust. The liberal consensus is incapable of delivering any serious solutions to the triple crises of environment, economy and governance. It is time to stop relying on governments and orporations to solve the problem. Only collective action from below can save us —"we are the ones we have been waiting for."

The social movements met in Copenhagen to call for a day of action to fight for system change, not climate change in the autumn of 2010. Climate Justice Action is taking up this call to propose direct actions for climate justice around the week of October 12 to 16, to coincide with the “Global Minga (Mobilization) In Defense of Mother Earth” that was announced by the 4th Continental Summit of Indigenous Peoples of Abya Yala (the Americas).

An open international meeting to organize and coordinate this day of action will be held in Bonn on 29-31 May 2010, where we will be able to reach out to the many people and movements that are increasingly disaffected with the official UN process and the apolitical NGO lobbying.

JOIN US--RECLAIM POWER

Website: http://www.climate-justice-action.org/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/actforclimate

Related:

• Climate Justice Radio (podcast)
• Naomi Klien on Climate Justice Action (video)
• CJA Protestor in Copenhagen (vide0)

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'Green' reception to 2010 budget.

MORE ROADS

RT @cpre £285m for motorways "Mr Toad rubbing his hands with glee" but "not the right priority" for carbon-cutting or rural communities

MINI-INVESTMENT BANK

RT @james_randerson : Richard Gledhill at PwC says green bank "very small beer compared to the scale of new investment required" #budget

USING THE BANKS WE ALREADY OWN

RT @globaljusticeuk : WDM says RBS should go green otherwise throwing good money after bad: Indy: http://bit.ly/cnsNoT & Guardian: http://bit.ly/aeRWdN #budget

MORE AMBITION ON FINANCE

RT @forum4thefuture CEO Peter Madden response to #Darling's #green investment bank #budget announcement http://bit.ly/buMg06 #budget2010

POOR FOCUS FOR FINANCE
RT @BusinessGreen : Budget 2010: The Green Business Reaction http://bit.ly/acjeO7

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On The Green Front

If you are interested in climate change and environmental news then you might like to check out this new radio show.

• The Green Front

Other good shows include Living of Earth by Public Radio International and Living Planet on Deutche Welle Radio. Both of these are available as podcasts. All three of these programs could do with funding so if you value your green news then don't act like it is free to make, it aint!

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The Climate Lobby’s Nonstop Growth

The number of companies paying lobbyists to engage with the US govornment has spiralled in recent years. The question is, what effect is this having on policy making. Are the solutions which benefit business the best solutions for society as a whole?

An couple of interesting articles on the topic over at the Centre for Public Integrity:

• Exlosion of climate change lobbying.
• 10 Lobbying firms represent 100 corporations.
  

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Jan & Feb Climate Change Events in London

I was at the weekly (Tuesday 7pm) Climate Camp London meeting last night. These meetings are open so if you feel like coming along, check the website for details.

I learnt about a few events that i wanted to share and encourage people to attend. (For short updates on all events, follow me on twitter.)

1. Next Tuesday (3rd feb 2009)we aren't having our weekly meeting. Instead everyone from this weeks meeting committed to go to the Emirates Stadium next week and hand out the 3000 eon red cards that we have. Armed with these cards, stickers and eon f-off t-shirts we are going to do some large scale brand trashing. So if you are interested in highlighting the link between coal and bad health vs sport and good health then come along, we are expecting good numbers. Also, we are going to the pub afterwards for a social. We meet at 5:45 for 6:15 at Highbury&Islington Tube. (I finish work later so i`ll be delayed, so don't feel bad if you are late, the match doesn't start until 7:45).
2. On Thursday 5th February the first talk in a series from 'Women of the global South' is being put on to engage a wider constituency in the issue of climate change. Women of the global south speak out about climate change 5th Feb 7-9pm. Ethiopian Community Hall, 2a Lithos Road, London, Nw3 6ef. No Charge.
3. On Monday 9th February there is a discussion about the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Meet to discuss Copenhagen Climate Summit 7pm, Monday 9th February. The Studio, 22 Betterton St, London, WC2 http://www.radicalactivist.net

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Statement on the reasons why i committed aggravated trespass at Stansted Airport

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bird-strike

As was widely predicted the UK government ignored the advice of science and went with the urgings of panicky economists to authorise a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow.

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Property Owning Democracy

Climate change activists buy land to thwart Heathrow developers. Good work.

The Times reports, with innappropriate zeal, that, as increasing levels of worldwide deforestation are being slightly moderated by a small degree of partial regrowth in some areas, we might stave off the end by an additional twenty minutes. Hoorah.

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Job Vacancy

The sea's capacity to absorb CO2 diminishes, promising further escalations, whilst we leap into action by building more airports, preparing for climate-conflict and ever so slightly reducing the size of our TVs.

Elsewhere the IDF breach 900 Palastinian dead and receives applause from a Washington administration that cares not for the future.

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