Category: Climate chaos

The atmosphere is to the earth as a layer of varnish is to a desktop globe. It is thin, fragile and essential for preserving the items on the surface.150 years of burning fossil fuel have overloaded the atmosphere to the point where the earth is ill. It now has a fever. Read the detailed article, Soothing Gaia’s Fever for an evocative account of that analogy. The items listed here detail progress on coordinating 6.5 billion people in the most critical project undertaken by humanity. 

America makes first move to allow independent fund for poor countries

admin /14 October, 2009

America makes first move to allow independent fund for poor countries

US breaks deadlock on organisations such as World Bank deciding how to allocate money for clean tech and adaptation

 

Thailand drought

A fisherman walks over the the dried bed of a reservoir of Lam Takhong. The US has agreed in principle that allocation of climate aid will be independently agreed Photograph: VINAI DITHAJOHN/EPA

 

 

 

The US has made the first move to bridge the yawning gulf separating rich and developing countries on the money needed to secure a successful climate change deal at crucial UN talks in Copenhagen this December.

Wong boring everyone to tears with details of flawed CPRS/

admin /14 October, 2009

Wong boring everyone to tears with details of flawed CPRS

Like most parliamentarians, Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate Change, is a climate sceptic. Of course she prefers to use that term to describe those who ignore the overwhelming science about the causes of climate change, but yet she ignores those same scientists when it comes to deciding what to do about climate change.

DEVELOPED COUNTRY EMISSIONS PLEDGES FALL SHORT, ANALYSIS SHOWS

admin /13 October, 2009

Developed country emissions pledges fall short, analysis shows

From the World Resources Institute, part of the Guardian Environment Network

WRI analysis of greenhouse gas reduction pledges WRI analysis of greenhouse gas reduction pledges Photograph: WRI

Commitments made by developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when added together, fall short of stabilizing global temperatures at a level that averts dangerous climate change.

ETS war heats up on costs as coalition set for talks

admin /12 October, 2009

ETS war heats up on costs as Coalition set for talks

 

Lenore Taylor, National correspondent | October 13, 2009

Article from:  The Australian

HIP-POCKET concerns about the cost of emissions trading for households and small business have emerged as key battlegrounds between Labor and the Coalition as both sides prepare for high-stakes negotiations that could begin as early as next week.

Coalition frontbencher Ian Macfarlane says electricity price rises will be as high as 30 or 40 per cent by 2020, and the Coalition will demand amendments to the government’s proposed “inadequate and temporary” compensation.

But the government claims Mr Macfarlane has his figures wrong.

Monsoon threatens Sri Lankan refugees with ‘humanitarian disaster’, warns UN .

admin /12 October, 2009

Monsoon threatens Sri Lankan refugees with ‘humanitarian disaster’, warns UN

Refugees held in internment camp said to be ‘at serious risk of flooding’ as monsoon season approaches

 

Civilians in the Manik Farm refugee camp in the Sri Lankan town of Vavuniya

Civilians stand behind the barbed-wire perimeter fence of the Manik Farm refugee camp near Vavuniya, Sri Lanka. Photograph: David Gray / Reuters/REUTERS

 

Tens of thousands of detained refugees from the war in Sri Lanka are threatened by the imminent arrival of monsoon rains in the north of the country, according to an internal United Nations document.

The UN believes that about 66,000 people held in the vast Menik Farm internment camp since May face a humanitarian disaster when the rains start, bringing the spectre of disease. Officials have urged the government to move those whose tents are most likely to be flooded by a mixture of rain and sewage.

Recession ‘ threatens UK effort to tackle global warming’

admin /11 October, 2009

Recession ‘threatens UK effort to tackle global warming’ • Investment in green housing, power and transport at risk, says government committee• Millions of new electric cars plus rescue of carbon trading schemes among proposed measures David Adam, Environment correspondent guardian.co.uk, Monday 12 October 2009 Article history Europe is relying on carbon trading between polluters to Continue Reading →