Ten years ago today Four Corners broadcast a programme on “the greenhouse mafia”. In hindsight it can be seen as the starting gun for a two year sprint that led to “the first climate change election” It's worth knowing the history and actions of one of the groups revealed by that documentary. The first time... Continue Reading →
Brilliant satire and observations of the games of academia/science
"The first step is to create a task force to develop a proposal for funding for a workshop as a preparatory step toward a conference. Once you get funding for a workshop, you’re pretty well along for getting funding for a conference, because the workshop can compile a list of problems that the funding agency... Continue Reading →
Interview with an academic – on “Two Degrees”, Paris, #climate and so on
"The Two Degrees Dangerous Limit for Climate Change: Public understanding and decision making" is a (very) new book by academic Chris Shaw. Here he responds to a series of questions about the two degree limit, the recent Paris conference, and 'what next'. [The book itself is a good 'un - if anyone in Manchester wants... Continue Reading →
Paris changed everything. Erm #climate calamities continue
We'll get to the climate calamity in a second, promise. First, some remedial Greek mythology: Paris was “nice but dim”, and chosen to settle an acrimonious dispute between some powerful actors. He fell head over heels with a rather beautiful creature,full of promise(s). For a little while everything seemed fine, but sadly, relationships broke down,... Continue Reading →
Why the hype over Paris and #COP21? Politics, psychology and money
An essay on hype, history, denialism and the fossil fuel lobby. I hope I am wrong, and that Paris is indeed the “turning point” it is being hyped as. It won't take us long to find out – two or three years, I reckon. Personally, I think it will run into the sand in much... Continue Reading →
Climate change and World War 2 analogy
Someone who went on the climate march didn't see the organisers taking the coffins away from protesters and calling for police support. He did however comment "that there were more young faces in the crowd than usual". Memories are funny things. I remembered at that moment my grandfather and one of the recollections he shared... Continue Reading →
On existentialism, guilt, Godard and … Shell’s corporate framing strategy
Shell has a new advert – another clever and slick one extolling the virtues of burning gas, which, by pure coincidence, they happen to sell. Why now with this? Well, a mere three decades after the scientists started saying “we're gonna fry ourselves if we don't get off the fossil fuel habit” we rich white... Continue Reading →
Professor Kevin Anderson on #Paris #Climate #hope and much more
This post originally appeared on Manchester Climate Monthly. Climate scientist Professor Kevin Anderson spoke to Manchester Climate Monthly on Monday 23rd November. In the two separate videos that follow, you can see him outlining what is at stake in the upcoming Paris climate conference - the nature of the individual nations' pledges (INDCs) and how... Continue Reading →
Learning Curve: Australia and the #Climate Negotiations #Paris
Below is a short briefing, in the format of a Q and A, about the upcoming Paris climate talks, and Australia's role over the last 30 years (and the motivations behind that). There's also a short glossary, a timeline, references and the standard disclaimer. (My basic opinion on Paris, written in February, is here). You... Continue Reading →
The Prospects for Paris – not good. #climate #debacle
The "Earth Negotiations Bulletin," the best summary of the climate talks, has this (in part) to say about the last official meeting before the up-coming Paris talks; “Leaving [the last UNFCCC meeting before the Paris conference, held in October in Bonn], many delegates concurred with Laurence Tubiana, who spoke for the incoming COP 21 Presidency,... Continue Reading →
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