Copenhagen talks break down as developing nations split over ‘Tuvalu’ protocol
Copenhagen talks break down as developing nations split over ‘Tuvalu’ protocol
Developing countries have split between those who favour a new protocol proposed by Tuvalu and others who want to continue with the Kyoto agreement
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 9 December 2009 16.45 GMT
- Article history
Activists hold a demonstration in support of Tuvalu, the Pacific island state which has proposed a new protocol. Photograph: Bob Strong/Reuters
Negotiations at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen dramatically broke down today after developing countries split between those who favour a new protocol and others who want to continue with the legally binding Kyoto agreement.
Brain food: how voter’s whims could scupper Copenhagen
Brain food: how voters’ whims could scupper Copenhagen
‘Rationally irrational’ voters could stall any deal on the environmen
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- The Guardian, Tuesday 8 December 2009
- Article history
Delegates queue to enter the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen. Photograph: Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters
As if the slog of summitry, disputes over the science and the haggling for cash were not enough, the politicians and advisers gathering at Copenhagen this week have one more huge obstacle: their voters.
Not that the public is against fighting climate change. From Iran to the US, polls show that voters want to tackle global warming, even if it costs money and jobs. Yet whenever a specific policy comes up – higher taxes on petrol or flying, say – public support melts away faster than you can say polar ice caps.
Aussies swelter through hottest six months on record.
Aussies swelter through hottest six months on record
- From: AAP
- December 09, 2009
- Australia had hottest recorded six month period
- Year likely to be second or third hottest on record
- Scientists brief climate change conference
AUSTRALIA has recorded its hottest six months ever and is well on track to have the second hottest year since records began, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
The World Meteorological Organisation’s annual climate statement released at Copenhagen found temperatures in 2009 reached 0.44C above the 1961-1990 annual average.
“The decade 2000-2009 is very likely to be the warmest on record,” WMO secretary general Michel Jarraud told reporters at the Copenhagen climate summit late yesterday, Australian time.
Australia was singled out for its wild weather in 2009.
The climate denial tndustry is out to duoe the public. And it’s working
The climate denial industry is out to dupe the public. And it’s working
Think environmentalists are stooges? You’re the unwitting recruit of a hugely powerful oil lobby – I’ve got the proof
Read the case notes for this article here
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- guardian.co.uk, Monday 7 December 2009 20.00 GMT
- Article history
When you survey the trail of wreckage left by the climate emails crisis, three things become clear. The first is the tendency of those who claim to be the champions of climate science to minimise their importance. Those who have most to lose if the science is wrong have perversely sought to justify the secretive and chummy ethos that some of the emails reveal. If science is not transparent and accountable, it’s not science.
I believe that all supporting data, codes and programmes should be made available as soon as an article is published in a peer-reviewed journal. That anyone should have to lodge a freedom of information request to obtain them is wrong. That the request should be turned down is worse. That a scientist suggests deleting material that might be covered by that request is unjustifiable. Everyone who values the scientific process should demand complete transparency, across all branches of science.
Copenhagen climate summit in disarray after ‘Danish text ‘ leak
Copenhagen climate summit in disarray after ‘Danish text’ leak
Developing countries react furiously to leaked draft agreement that would hand more power to rich nations, sideline the UN’s negotiating role and abandon the Kyoto protocol
- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 8 December 2009 14.09 GMT
- Article history
The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray today after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents.
The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray today after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents that show world leaders will next week be asked to sign an agreement that hands more power to rich countries and sidelines the UN’s role in all future climate change negotiations.
The document is also being interpreted by developing countries as setting unequal limits on per capita carbon emissions for developed and developing countries in 2050; meaning that people in rich countries would be permitted to emit nearly twice as much under the proposals.
The so-called Danish text, a secret draft agreement worked on by a group of individuals known as “the circle of commitment” – but understood to include the UK, US and Denmark – has only been shown to a handful of countries since it was finalised this week.
Expert view: Let the people see our climate as the scientists do
Expert view: Let the people see our climate as the scientists do
The release of the Met Office temperature data is welcome because everyone will begin to see what the data looks like
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 7 December 2009 23.13 GMT
- Article history
It is important that members of the public can see the types of information scientists use to understand our weather and climate. The release of the Met Office HadCRUT temperature data is welcome because everyone will begin to see what the data looks like and what a big task it is to put it all together.
Anyone looking at the numbers will certainly be able to see trends and patterns in the data the same way scientists do as part of their analysis. And the more we can make publicly available, the better.