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Philip Sutton on the Reality Report (audio)
Jason Bradford, The Reality Report via global Public Media
This is the third interview with Philip Sutton, coauthor with David Spratt of a recent report titled Climate Cod Red: The Case for a Sustainability Emergency. The first interview reviewed the latest scientific understanding of climate change and established an appropriate target for temperature change and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. The second interview discussed the socio-political implications of the latest scientific understanding-namely the need to go into “emergency” mode, abandoning business and politics as usual in order to make a rapid transition to a fossil-fuel free economy before catastrophe unfolds.
When we realize that our survival is at stake, business as usual no longer applies. Familiar analogies include times of war when factories shifted from producing unnecessary consumer goods to what is needed to feed, clothe and arm troops. During these times, civilians accept sacrifice and social cohesion is high because the shared threat is understood. In our current situation, we need to adopt an emergency mode of conduct in politics, business and civic life that achieves the survival goal of sustainability.
While our task is daunting, today’s interview will show that it is still possible to stabilize the climate.
(28 April 2008, but just posted)
UK’s climate aid plans ‘undermine’ global deal
John Vidal, Guardian
A senior diplomat for the world’s poorer countries today accused Britain of undermining a UN treaty on climate change by seeking to channel funds for developing countries through the World Bank.
Bernaditas Muller, the coordinator for the G77 and China group of countries in key climate change negotiations told the Guardian she was “surprised and concerned” that Britain was not pressing for billions of dollars of proposed climate aid funds to go through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the legally binding global agreement signed by more than 180 countries.
It is expected that $5-10bn of aid will be pledged by G8 countries in July for poor countries to address climate change. Speaking in a personal capacity, Muller said she feared this would dwarf UN funds and divert money from the UNFCC.
Britain is currently trying to persuade other G8 countries to contribute to climate adaptation funds, which would be administered by the World Bank. It has pledged £800m and argues that the bank has consulted widely and amended its proposals to take account of developing countries’ needs.
But Muller said that going through the World Bank would be divisive. “The bank has a very mixed reputation among developing countries. …”
(20 May 2008)
Related from John Vidal at the Guardian: Campaigners attack UK government over climate change ‘loans’.
Sweden’s deputy Prime Minster Sweden’s grossly overstates sustainable development focus in BBC debate program
Stephen Hinton, relocalize.net
In a debate on BBC World on Sunday the 18th May, Sweden’s Maud Olofsson continued to promulgate the myth of Sweden’s sustainability focus. Not inasmuch as what she said, but in what she did NOT say.
(For details follow www.bbcworld.com/Pages/ProgrammeFeature.aspx?id=196&FeatureID=753)
When asked about sustainability reporting she cited the Government’s mandated reporting (starting this year) from public companies as an example of the government’s investment in sustainable development. She also cited Sweden’s carbon dioxide taxes on petrol and diesel. From this year, about 38% of what the motorist pays for petrol goes to energy and carbon dioxide tax respectively.
Two good things on the face of it that should be putting Sweden on the road to reduced fossil fuel dependency. Maud Olofsson even managed to add that although mandating sustainability reporting from public companies, the government mandates these companies are run at a profit. With a hint of pride in her voice she made it clear that Sweden could combine economic growth and responsible business.
Not quite true. What Maud omitted was, that in demanding profits from state companies they are putting profits before promoting sustainable development of Sweden. Two glaring examples: the state run airports authority, whilst touting its environmental program on one hand, is planning to increase air travel and thereby emissions over the next few years. Another example comes from the state owned railway. Finding it hard to keep profits up in the face of meagre investment in new tracks and rolling stock, they are now putting up their prices. The increases are expected to result in customers flying more and driving their cars more.
… despite all ranting about sustainability reporting, hard facts about activities that are putting Sweden on the route to sustainability are hard to find. With one of the world’s highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions, and with Sweden being the country in Europe most dependent on the motor vehicle industry, how long will it take before the Swedes themselves wake up to the fact that for every day that passes, they are increasingly at risk that coming fossil fuel scarcity will cause more than just economic damage.
(21 May 2008)
Debate on Designing Effective Climate Policy (video)
Ceres, Energy Policy TV
As lawmakers consider enactment of economy-wide cap-and-trade legislation, the discussion is now centering on key issues such as setting specific greenhouse gas reduction targets, the allocation of emissions allowances, and cost containment measures. This panel will address questions such as: Should emissions allowances be granted for free or auctioned? Should safety valve or price caps be used to limit the cost of carbon? How do we ensure that funds are used for public benefit?
Boston, MA – David Doniger, Policy Director, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC); Ralph Izzo, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, PSEG; Jim Rogers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Duke Energy
(29 April 2008)
