Copenhagen stumbles on – Dec 9
-Copenhagen, Day Three, from Tuvalu to Todd Stern
-Copenhagen day 1: Scandal! Bullying!
-Met Office reveals last decade was the hottest ever recorded
Politics
The UK, millionaires, bankers, and tax – Dec 9
-The millionaires who want to pay more tax
-This tax on the City is a bonus
-Tax rebate plan for ‘green’ drivers and homeowners
Peak oil, prices, and supplies – Dec 9, updated Dec 11
-Approaching peak oil
-Copenhagen talks could leave oil industry with a sinking feeling
-IEA forecasts stir debate
-The peak oil debate: 2020 vision
Defense of Climate-Change Consensus Continues
The latest mainstream media coverage on Climate Changegate might indicate at first glance that the scientific research might have been hopelessly compromised. Millions of people saw this widely syndicated headline: “UK University to probe integrity of climate data” (Associated Press, Dec. 3, London)
Copenhagen begins – Dec 7
-Copenhagen climate change conference: ‘Fourteen days to seal history’s judgment on this generation’
-The Physics of Copenhagen
-Earth More Sensitive to Carbon Dioxide Than Previously Thought
-Cap and Fade
-‘Climategate’ at centre stage as Copenhagen opens
Why We Find it so Hard to Act Against Climate Change
It should be easy to deal with climate change. There is a strong scientific consensus supported by very sound data; consensus across much of the religious and political spectrum and among businesses including the largest corporations in the world. The vast majority of people claim to be concerned. The targets are challenging, but they are achievable with existing technologies, and there would be plentiful profits and employment available for those who took up the challenge.
What It Looks Like When a Local Authority REALLY Gets Transition…the Monteveglio story…
So what might it look like when a local authority really gets Transition? Earlier this week I received a very excitable email from Cristiano Bottone, one of the movers behind Transition Italia, and the Transition of his own town, Monteveglio, near Bologna.
Building Resilience
The current economic downturn is the worst in decades. Millions are suffering devastating losses – vanishing jobs, foreclosed homes, and soaring food and health costs. In a world with fewer resources to go around, the future of environmentalism may hinge on making it synonymous with building sustainable, resilient communities that can meet everyone’s basic needs.
Energy industry geoscience and pools of moral hazard
“To whom much is given, much is expected” – Luke 12:48
Climate finance, the new fiscal frontier
Not deterred by the international financial crisis which became widespread in 2008 or by the many recessionary patterns that grip most country economies, financial engineers are massing in København to prepare for the next wave. This one is about the commercial opportunities which renewable energy technologies, country climate funds and sectoral mitigation programmes promise to contain.
Energy in the UK – Dec 4
-The UK Power Generation Expenditure Forecast 2010-2030
-How many cyclists does it take to power a hairdryer?
-Energy bills could rise to more than £2,000, says Ofgem
-Solar industry ‘in limbo’ as grants dry up
Brian Davey Responds to Ted Trainer
You may remember recently Ted Trainer’s first draft of his paper “The Transition Towns Movement: its huge significance, and a friendly criticism”, and my subsequent response. Ted subsequently sent some more detailed thoughts, and has since rewritten his piece, which you can download here. Brian Davey of Transition Nottingham responded to Ted’s piece in a beautiful, heartfelt and fiery response, which he has kindly allowed me to share with you, as many of you might find that his key points resonate quite deeply. My thanks to both.
