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Biodiversity crucial to lives of billions, says UNEP Ecologist 12th January, 2010 Ecosystems are buffering humanity against the worst impacts of global warming and also alleviating poverty, says United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The continued loss of animal and plant species, and ecosystems such as forests, is causing poverty as well as environmental damage, said Continue Reading →
As the country reaches for the heating controls, have our carbon emissions increased even if fewer of us are driving?
A pedestrian walks thorough snow with plastic bags tied over his shoes in Fleet, Hampshire. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Has the UK’s cold snap caused the nation’s carbon emissions to go up or down?
The EU can no longer claim that 20% is a credible and world-leading target when the US and Japan have offered more
Europe has flown the flag for emissions reductions – but 20% cuts are no longer enough. Photograph: AFP
Claiming credit for achievements that take little effort is not the way to make friends and influence people. Yet the European Union, which has long seen itself as the global leader on action against climate change, might soon find itself in that uncomfortable position.
So when environment ministers meet in Seville tomorrow, to rake through the ashes of the Copenhagen summit and to plan how to advance efforts to curb global warming, the most important decision they must make is to increase the EU’s offer of 2020 carbon cuts from 20% to 30%. This would be both easy and inexpensive. The deadline for such a pledge is January 31 under the Copenhagen accord.
Nasa scientist advocates using fee-and-dividend approach to reducing carbon emissions
Dr James Hansen. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
“You are choosing the path focused on corporate greed,” climate scientist James Hansen has told carbon traders in a open letter which he and climate activists attempted to deliver to a carbon trading conference in New York today.
In below-freezing temperatures, climate change campaigners gathered at midday at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Vesey Park, near the Embassy Suites Hotel where the conference is being held, to hear Hansen read parts of his open letter. Tomorrow there will be another demonstration at the same spot, at which an unconfirmed number of activists have pledged to commit acts of nonviolent civil disobedience.
Influential bloc of large developing countries expected to define common position on emissions cuts and climate aid
Brazil’s President Lula addresses the Copenhagen summit. Photograph: Bob Strong/Reuters
One month after the Copenhagen climate summit ended in recriminations and and a weak outline of a global deal, key groups of developing countries will meet to try to explore ways to get to agree a legally binding final agreement.
As the dust settles on the stormy Danish meeting, environment ministers from the so-called Basic countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – will meet on January 24 in New Delhi. No formal agenda has been set, but observers expect the emerging geopolitical alliance between the four large developing countries who brokered the final “deal” with the US in Denmark will define a common position on emission reductions and climate aid money, and seek ways to convince other countries to sign up to the Copenhagen accord that emerged last month.
The average American consumes more than his or her weight in products each day, fuelling a global culture of excess that is emerging as the biggest threat to the planet, according to a report published today. In its annual report, Worldwatch Institute says the cult of consumption and greed could wipe out any gains from government action on climate change or a shift to a clean energy economy.
Erik Assadourian, the project director who led a team of 35 behind the report, said: “Until we recognise that our environmental problems, from climate change to deforestation to species loss, are driven by unsustainable habits, we will not be able to solve the ecological crises that threaten to wash over civilisation.”
The world’s population is burning through the planet’s resources at a reckless rate, the US thinktank said. In the last decade, consumption of goods and services rose 28% to $30.5tn (£18.8bn).