Support the Arctic Sea Ice Forum and Blog

Author Topic: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action  (Read 314734 times)

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #300 on: March 24, 2015, 08:43:16 PM »
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced legislation that:
✓Repeals medical device excise tax
✓Ends tax-breaks for Big Oil
✓Closes free oil, gas drilling loophole
http://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-introduces-legislation-to-repeal-medical-device-tax
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #301 on: March 25, 2015, 04:59:34 PM »
Protests surround Japan's "climate financing" of coal plants in India and Bangladesh that will use Japanese technology.
http://www.startribune.com/world/297498831.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #302 on: March 27, 2015, 12:54:08 AM »
Quote
Leaders and representatives of 30 European cities will gather in Paris on Thursday to declare their commitment to “clean” policies to fight climate change.

Officials will also sign a declaration agreeing to use their collective purchasing power – estimated at around €10bn (£7.4bn) a year – to buy eco-friendly.
...
The summit comes a week after Paris was declared the most polluted city on the planet after a choking cloud almost obscured its most symbolic monuments including the Eiffel Tower and left the city of light looking more like the capital of smog.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/26/leaders-of-european-cities-make-pledge-to-tackle-climate-change
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #303 on: March 27, 2015, 07:59:18 PM »
LA Times Commentary: I'm twentysomething, I vote, and I won't take seriously any candidate who doubts climate change.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0327-cubelic-youth-vote-climate-change-20150327-story.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #304 on: March 28, 2015, 06:04:40 PM »
Well, this is encouraging.   :D

@latimesopinion: Some readers complained we didn't run pro-Ted Cruz letters in today's paper. Before deadline yesterday, we didn't get any
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #305 on: March 31, 2015, 09:18:13 PM »
@billmckibben: Holy Mackerel--Syracuse [University] just divested from fossil fuels! Such love to the students who sat in for 18 days! http://t.co/DTc77J33OD Go Orange!

http://dailyorange.com/2015/03/syracuse-university-announces-it-will-divest-from-fossil-fuels
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #306 on: March 31, 2015, 09:43:01 PM »
Limiting climate change could have huge economic benefits, study finds
Quote
Our industries must face the challenge of massive decarbonisation,” said Sharan Burrow, the International Trade Union Confederation’s secretary-general.

“We have the technology and there are millions of jobs possible from the necessary investment and millions more saved if we avoid the devastation of extreme climate change. There are no jobs on a dead planet.”
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/31/limiting-climate-change-economic-benefits-study-finds
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #307 on: April 01, 2015, 06:55:21 PM »
The Guardian Media Group is getting out of fossil fuel investments.
Quote
As the world’s biggest single fund to divest from fossil fuels we will encourage other businesses to follow suit.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/01/guardian-media-group-divesting-fossil-fuels
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #308 on: April 09, 2015, 08:09:56 PM »
Quote
Russia and Canada accounted for 34% of global tree cover loss from 2011 through 2013, losing a combined average of 26,000 square miles, or about 6.8 million hectares of tree cover each year. Tree cover loss in Russia was much larger than in Canada, by nearly double. The tree cover loss in both these countries is linked to massive wildfires in boreal forests, which span the sub-Arctic region and are comprised of tall stands of spruce, fir and larch trees.
Indonesia's losses have decreased, perhaps in response to lower palm oil prices and anti-deforestation efforts by the government and Unilever.

http://mashable.com/2015/04/09/canada-russia-top-deforestation-list/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #309 on: April 09, 2015, 11:48:15 PM »
All Los Angeles city managers have signed off on their Plan for the Future.
Quote
In 10 years, Los Angeles plans to reduce per capita water use by 22.5 percent. It will no longer get any of its electricity from coal-fired power plants. It will turn public library lawns into urban gardens and lay out rain barrels like a city full of survivalist homesteaders. In 20 years, at least half of all journeys in L.A. will be taken on foot, by bike, or by using public transit — which is another way of saying that in 20 years, Los Angeles will be San Francisco, circa right now. Though probably more glamorous.
http://grist.org/article/l-a-just-called-it-says-go-find-another-dystopia/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #310 on: April 10, 2015, 04:31:07 PM »
More on the Los Angeles plan.
Quote
A few of the plans highlights include: becoming “the first big city in the nation to achieve zero waste” by 2025, fully divesting from coal-powered electricity by 2025, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, having zero smog days by 2025, and making it so that 50 percent of all trips taken by city residents are by bike, foot, or public transportation by 2035. The plan also makes commitments to reduce energy use in all buildings by 30 percent by 2035.
...
According to Parfrey, 20 percent of L.A. is covered in rooftops and 40 percent in pavement of some form. Changing the reflective capacity of these areas and adding more greenspace will play a big role in reducing the heat island effect. Parfrey and other city officials have already been pushing for these changes. In December 2013, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a building code update requiring all new and refurbished homes to have cool roofs — which use sunlight-reflecting materials — making L.A. the first major city to require such a measure.

Cool roofs “can be more than 50°F cooler on the surface of the roof during a hot summer day and can cool the interiors of buildings by several degrees Fahrenheit, reducing chances of heat-related injuries or deaths,” according to Climate Resolve.

The city’s new sustainability plans calls for 10,000 of these cool roofs to be in place by 2017.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/04/10/3645227/los-angeles-city-of-sustainable-angels/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #311 on: April 11, 2015, 07:18:31 PM »
Vancouver, Canada commits to run on 100% renewable energy.
City of 600,000 people is the latest to announce it will use only green energy for electricity, transportation, heating and air conditioning within 20 years.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/10/vancouver-commits-to-run-on-100-renewable-energy
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #312 on: April 13, 2015, 02:58:12 AM »
Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2016.
Quote
...Would a Clinton presidency be essentially a third Obama term?

On climate change and energy, it seems the answer is yes....
http://grist.org/climate-energy/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-hillary-clinton-and-climate-change/
« Last Edit: April 13, 2015, 03:29:58 PM by Sigmetnow »
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #313 on: April 13, 2015, 03:13:03 PM »
We need environmental and anti-Wall-Street Senator Elizabeth Warren to run for U.S. president -- if only to focus Clinton's campaign more toward the climate.
Quote
"Senator Elizabeth Warren has shown outspoken and intelligent leadership," said Annie Leonard, the executive director of Greenpeace USA who penned a letter along with labor activist Larry Cohen last month backing a Warren 2016 bid. "Having a candidate like this run in the Democratic presidential primaries could only help to raise the quality of debate on America's most pressing social and environmental issues."

Warren's continued insistence that she is not running for president has not dissuaded potential supporters or environmentalists. And greens hope that throwing their weight behind the draft Warren campaign will pressure Clinton to carve out positions more in line with the climate movement.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/ready-for-warren-prepares-to-launch-climate-activist-coalition-20150413
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #314 on: April 13, 2015, 03:29:33 PM »
No plane; not even a bus.  Wow.

Road Trip: Hillary Clinton Is On Her Way to Iowa — In a Van
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/hillary-clinton/road-trip-hillary-clinton-her-way-iowa-van-n340536
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #315 on: April 14, 2015, 08:09:29 PM »
Quote
Helping working families succeed, building small businesses, tackling climate change & clean energy. Top of the agenda. #Hillary2016
4:45 PM - 12 Apr 2015
Campaign Chairman John Podesta's tweet makes Hillary Clinton's campaign the first major presidential campaign ever to make combating climate change a central issue.
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/04/12/3646143/important-tweet-hillarys-announcement-everyone-pretty-much-ignored/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #316 on: April 16, 2015, 10:15:31 PM »
The right wing is fighting for solar, too.  Just don't mention climate change.

Al Gore Joins Tea Party in Battle Against Utilities, for solar power.
Quote
The fact these two forces from opposite ends of the spectrum are coming together reflects a maturing in the environmental debate, with a search on for leaders who can deliver the message to different communities, said Andy Hoffman, director of the Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-13/al-gore-joins-tea-party-in-battle-against-utilities
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #317 on: April 17, 2015, 09:00:26 PM »
U.S. Senate approves motion to address climate change!
Quote
It’s not a bill, it’s non-binding, and there’s no guarantee anything will actually come of it. But either way, the Republican-led Senate apparently thinks climate change should be tackled in the final federal budget for fiscal year 2016.

On Thursday evening, the Senate approved a motion to instruct budget negotiators to “insist” that the final spending bill include measures to address human-caused climate change. Specifically, it calls for funding that “respond(s) to the causes and impacts of climate change, including the economic and national security threats posed by human-induced climate change.” Via the motion, budget negotiators were also instructed to provide funds for the Department of Defense to bolster resilience of critical military infrastructure to the impacts of climate change.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/04/16/3647796/senate-says-yes-to-climate/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #318 on: April 17, 2015, 09:41:20 PM »
Company bosses pledge emission cuts, call for strong Paris climate deal
Quote
Bosses from more than forty global companies called on negotiators to agree a United Nations climate change deal in Paris in December and pledged to make their own emission cuts, they said in an open letter published on Thursday.

The group of 43 chief executives, representing firms which generated a combined $1.2 trillion in 2014, said they would set internal emission reduction targets and called on negotiators to make sure a new international climate deal limits the global rise in temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius.

The letter is designed to put pressure on government officials ahead of a spring meeting of a World Bank group in Washington from April 17-19.

Companies signing the letter include cement maker Lafarge, telecom group Erikson, consumer goods company Unilever, and car maker Volvo [VOLVO.UL].
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/16/us-climatechange-ceo-letter-idUSKBN0N72T420150416
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Timothy Astin

  • New ice
  • Posts: 50
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #319 on: April 18, 2015, 11:01:57 AM »
Professor Peter Wadhams and others made a some striking comments in a letter yesterday to the Independent newspaper.

The letter draws attention to the negligence of politicians during the current UK election campaign to offer policy to mitigate global warming, especially sea level rise.

Personally I strongly agree with the letter's points about the need for short-term policy to halt development on land close to sea level; and rational discussion of future costs of longer term (compared to politician life cycles) infrastructure protection, or else evacuation and abandonment.

But I feel an opening statement in the letter "The Arctic Ocean may well be ice-free this summer", is unhelpful hyperbole.  If it is not hyperbole, then Professor Wadhams is continuing to stake a lot of scientific reputation by making such a claim against the current consensus for when "ice-free in summer" will occur.


wili

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3342
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 602
  • Likes Given: 409
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #320 on: April 18, 2015, 11:43:07 AM »
"But I feel an opening statement in the letter 'The Arctic Ocean may well be ice-free this summer', is unhelpful hyperbole"

I guess I'll take Professor Wadhams' judgment over yours, unless you happen to have more experience observing Arctic sea ice than Wadhams does. He of course makes no firm prediction here; he is just pointing out that we are essentially one summer with the right (wrong) weather away from an essentially ice-free Arctic. Given the state of much of the ice, I don't think that is such a wild conjecture. Of course, no on can no for sure what this summer's weather will be like in the Arctic.

It may indeed be 'unhelpful' though, in as much as it has no direct bearing on sea level rise. Thanks for bringing the letter to our attention. I think all of us have to be sounding the tocsin on slr and other GW-related issues. I used to be wary of putting too much emphasis on preparing for the results of GW because I thought we should be putting every effort into preventing it in the first place. But at this point, tipping points have been crossed, so making preparations is prudent. Perhaps the very making of those preparations will help wake people (and especially policy makers) up to the urgent need to dramatically reduce our use of fossil-death-fuels immediately.
"A force de chercher de bonnes raisons, on en trouve; on les dit; et après on y tient, non pas tant parce qu'elles sont bonnes que pour ne pas se démentir." Choderlos de Laclos "You struggle to come up with some valid reasons, then cling to them, not because they're good, but just to not back down."

crandles

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3379
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 239
  • Likes Given: 81
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #321 on: April 18, 2015, 01:38:57 PM »
He of course makes no firm prediction here; he is just pointing out that we are essentially one summer with the right (wrong) weather away from an essentially ice-free Arctic. Given the state of much of the ice, I don't think that is such a wild conjecture. Of course, no on can no for sure what this summer's weather will be like in the Arctic.

If we have say 5 more years with max ice volume above 20k Km^3 and none of these gets close to 1m Km^2 area before having a year with max volume below 20k Km^3 that gets down close to 1m Km^2 area then he is going to look a bit foolish to say the least.

>"I'll take Professor Wadhams' judgment over yours"

I think my judgement as an amateur means very little but Professor Wadhams views are out of line with other relevant experts who think there will be September sea ice in the 2030s and perhaps beyond. Professor Wadhams' views are an outlier and I will take the consensus views over his views.

wili

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3342
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 602
  • Likes Given: 409
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #322 on: April 18, 2015, 04:49:22 PM »
IIRC, Wadhams has more experience observing sea ice than most of his detractors. Of course, it could be that he is just stubbornly sticking to his prediction from three years ago, in spite of recent events that have changed other people's minds (including yours, I believe) about probable future ice behavior. If that's the case, it would be unfortunate.
"A force de chercher de bonnes raisons, on en trouve; on les dit; et après on y tient, non pas tant parce qu'elles sont bonnes que pour ne pas se démentir." Choderlos de Laclos "You struggle to come up with some valid reasons, then cling to them, not because they're good, but just to not back down."

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #323 on: April 19, 2015, 08:46:29 PM »
President Obama's Weekly Address: "Climate Change Can No Longer Be Ignored"

People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #324 on: April 22, 2015, 08:19:48 PM »
Yeb Sano: Why I’m leaving diplomacy to fight climate change

The former Philippines climate envoy announces he is stepping down to work on sustainable future with faith groups.
Quote
If these so-called leaders refuse to act adequately to confront climate change and deliver the crucial outcome in Paris at the end of the year, the People will create a new parallel world where the climate crisis can be averted.

For instance, the aspiration of a world powered by 100% renewable energy by 2050 is a dream we can and must build.

If we are to confront our problems as a human family effectively and pursue that bright future we all want, we must build a better world – eradicate poverty, build resilient and sustainable communities, protect the Earth, promote honor and integrity, and foster a culture of caring.
http://www.rtcc.org/2015/04/21/yeb-sano/#sthash.0wstDMrr.dpuf
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #325 on: April 24, 2015, 08:09:05 PM »
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, on eve of Arctic summit, calls for citizen pressure on climate change.
Quote
Kerry said in an interview with The Washington Post on Thursday that he wants this year’s international climate talks in Paris to include a forum in which non-state actors can commit to reducing carbon pollution blamed for the planet’s warming. Kerry said that a groundswell of citizen support is needed to prod world leaders into making the difficult choices necessary to protect Earth’s climate.

“A lot of mayors around the world are ahead of their national governments, and a lot of local citizens are well ahead of their elected leaders,” Kerry said. “I think we need to find a way to highlight that.”

Kerry made the comment as diplomats from eight nations prepared to gather in far-northern Canada for a meeting of the Arctic Council. Leaders of the eight-nation council are grappling with how to manage collectively the environmentally fragile region at a time when rapid warming is creating new problems and new economic opportunities.

The Arctic is currently warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, disrupting marine and terrestrial ecosystems, while opening new ice-free channels for shipping, commercial fishing, and oil and gas exploration.

The chairmanship of the council formally passes to the United States on Friday, and Kerry said he plans to use the two-year term to highlight the connection between melting ice in the Arctic and environmental effects around the globe. Scientists are warning of dramatic changes underway in the far-northern latitudes, ranging from thawing permafrost to the slow submergence of entire coastal villages sinking into the sea.

“The dangers are enormous in terms of sea-level rise and what could happen if Greenland’s ice melts,” Kerry said. “These compounded dangers, and the fact that this is pristine wilderness that’s being affected, should jog someone’s moral conscience.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/kerry-on-eve-of-arctic-summit-calls-for-citizen-pressure-on-climate-change/2015/04/23/bac7fc42-e9eb-11e4-9a6a-c1ab95a0600b_story.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #326 on: April 26, 2015, 05:00:03 PM »
In Washington, a handful of corporations lobby against climate change.
Quote
Brad Figel’s official title is vice president of public affairs at Mars, the global food manufacturer, but he describes his job more simply. “I’m a lobbyist,” he says.

“I’ve learned to admit it,” he jokes. “It makes me feel better.”

But Figel is no ordinary lobbyist. He is one of the few corporate lobbyists in Washington who works on behalf of meaningful climate action. Mars, for example, supports the EPA’s Clean Power Plan to regulate carbon-spewing coal plants, a cornerstone of the Obama administration’s climate agenda.

Figel can count on several corporate allies in the climate fight, including Ikea, Kellogg, Levi Strauss, Nestle, Nike, Novelis, VF and Unilever. But this handful of activist corporations are vastly outnumbered by lobbyists from the coal, oil and natural gas industries, as well as by the powerful US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/24/washington-climate-change-environmental-defense-fund-ceres-mars-google-starbucks-epa-clean-power-plan
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #327 on: April 26, 2015, 05:33:41 PM »
Humor:  Life imitates sketch comedy when President Obama speaks at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner.  Included: climate change.

Watch Obama’s Anger Translator Say What the President Really Feels
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/04/obama-anger-translator-whcd-video-key
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #328 on: May 01, 2015, 07:25:37 PM »
Bill McKibben:  Why the Planet Is Happy That Bernie Sanders Is Running for President
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-mckibben/why-the-planet-is-happy-t_b_7184974.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #330 on: May 07, 2015, 12:07:13 AM »
Leftist party's win in Alberta may affect future of oil sands
Quote
OTTAWA — With an economy dominated by the oil industry and a conservative, free-market political tradition, Alberta has long been cast as the Texas of Canada. But on Tuesday, not only did the province’s voters put the Progressive Conservative Party out of power after 43 years, they elected a government from the far left of Canada’s mainstream political spectrum.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/world/americas/leftist-party-in-alberta-ends-long-dominance-of-conservatives.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #331 on: May 07, 2015, 02:59:02 AM »
The U.K. Is On The Verge Of Electing A Climate Change Champion As Prime Minister
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/06/3655000/united-kingdom-election-could-be-big-for-climate-change/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #332 on: May 07, 2015, 10:09:24 AM »
Unfortunately I think this is an over-optimistic view of the current political situation in the UK.

Ed Milliband certainly has excellent credentials but the truth is that the environment in general and climate change in particular has played little or no part in the lead up to what is set to be the most unpredictable General Election ever in the UK.

The Labour manifesto has some genuine commitments to aggressive carbon targets and a strong Labour administration could probably be relied on to carry a strong message into the Paris talks later this year. But they've remained buried in the small print as the "debate", for what it's worth, has inevitably focussed on the issues of the day - Scottish independence, immigration, the need for further austerity, membership of the EU. Even the Greens are leading with an anti-austerity message which seems to me to be rather at odds with their mainstream objectives.

The one thing I think we can be sure of is that the long era of two party politics in the UK has gone, for a while at least.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to see any party or coalition emerging from the current morass that would be in a position to champion the Climate Change agenda effectively on the international stage.

I'm off to exercise my democratic right shortly in elections for both national and local government and am looking forward (I think!) to a long night as the results come in.

If Ed makes it to No 10 at least there's hope.


 

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #333 on: May 07, 2015, 12:41:18 PM »
I'm off to exercise my democratic right shortly in elections for both national and local government.

Me too. I managed to vote successfully for a Green MEP last year, but my vote for an MP today will be irrelevant:

http://www.voterpower.org.uk/devon-central

Even a UKIP representative managed to turn up to a recent "environment" themed hustings that I attended, but the Tories were conspicuous solely by their absence. Here's an extract from a subsequent local event:



This is democracy for you:

« Last Edit: May 07, 2015, 12:50:12 PM by Jim Hunt »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #334 on: May 08, 2015, 09:25:42 AM »
Cameron is back in No 10  :(

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #335 on: May 08, 2015, 12:31:37 PM »
Jim

Thanks for the links. They're absolutely brilliant and give me hope for the political future of this country.

"Where are the conviction politicians?", he says as David - greenest government ever (2010); cut the green crap (2013) - Cameron waltzes back into power.

Where can I sign up for the Arthur Price party?
« Last Edit: May 08, 2015, 06:43:01 PM by silkman »

Shared Humanity

  • Guest
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #336 on: May 10, 2015, 06:28:26 AM »
In case anyone had any thought that the U.S.  would take a lead  in the battle against AGW.

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/05/gop-proposes-300-million-cut-nasas-earth

skanky

  • New ice
  • Posts: 63
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #337 on: May 11, 2015, 03:30:38 PM »
New "climate change minister" announced (could have been worse): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32694267

I like how the Harrabin states that the GWPF is a fossil fuel advocacy group (because it is).

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #338 on: May 12, 2015, 09:34:37 AM »
Skanky

It has to be encouraging that Cameron, in appointing Amber Rudd at Energy and Lynn Truss at Environment, hasn't pandered to right wing pressures.

At least we have two of the more "climate change enlightened" senior Tories in influential seats in the cabinet. I'll be particularly pleased if we see some real early commitment to the Cinderella of energy efficiency in the UK and an acknowledgement of the failure of the much hyped Green Deal to address this problem in the UK housing stock.

Having been much involved in a DECC funded Green Deal Pioneer Places Project I know to my cost just how badly this scheme has failed through poor design and rampant exploitation by the big energy companies of carbon subsidies.

 But the opportunity remains to make a real impact on carbon emissions whilst simultaneously reducing utility bills, enhancing health and wellbeing and creating thousands of jobs across the country by insulating our poor housing stock.

What's not to like for the new government?


skanky

  • New ice
  • Posts: 63
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #339 on: May 12, 2015, 03:17:15 PM »
As I said, it could have been worse.   :)

The big issue is that the whole issue is being looked at within the one department. Until the treasury gets involved it's, at best, minor solutions that may buy time until something serious is done. Hopefully this lot will prove us wrong, but breaths probably should not be held.

The insulation issue is a big one, but difficult in a lot of housing stock - I know from experience of trying to improve it in our '30s semi.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #340 on: May 14, 2015, 02:37:56 AM »
U.S. Republican Bob Inglis was voted out of office in a big way when he took up climate change and a revenue-neutral carbon tax.  But he's continued the fight, and is now being hailed as "America’s Best Hope for Near-Term Climate Action."
By Eric Holthaus.
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/05/republican_bob_inglis_is_america_s_best_hope_for_near_term_climate_action.1.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #341 on: May 16, 2015, 07:35:54 PM »
India and China commit to work together on climate change.
Quote
NEW DELHI, May 15 (Reuters) - China and India, the world's No. 1 and No. 3 greenhouse gas emitters, projected a united front on climate change on Friday with a rare joint statement that asked rich countries to step up efforts to reduce global carbon emissions.
http://www.trust.org/item/20150515075602-27pqx/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #342 on: May 17, 2015, 10:01:11 PM »
Tweet from Bill McKibben about the (U.S.) Democratic Party's upcoming convention:

@billmckibben: Hearing from @RL_Miller that the CA Dem convention is demanding fossil fuel divestment. What a champ organizer! And what a big deal!

https://twitter.com/billmckibben/status/599998877056372736
« Last Edit: May 17, 2015, 10:26:53 PM by Sigmetnow »
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #343 on: May 27, 2015, 08:04:18 PM »
Slate on President Obama's call that:  Climate Change Denial Is a Threat to National Security
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/05/26/climate_change_denying_reality_is_a_threat_to_our_nation.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #344 on: May 28, 2015, 01:20:12 AM »
Quote
@billmckibben: !!!Norway Divests from Coal!!!! A huge step forward for a huge fund, thanks to tireless work of so many! Heia Norge! http://t.co/C4CYed13EH
https://twitter.com/billmckibben/status/603681238071812096
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #345 on: May 28, 2015, 08:33:13 PM »
Quote
Congressional inaction? That shouldn’t stop the United States from achieving its climate goals, a new report from the World Resources Institute says.
The U.S. Can Meet Its Climate Goals Without Congress, New Report Finds
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/28/3663515/wri-united-states-climate-goals/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #346 on: June 03, 2015, 09:11:38 PM »
49 U.S. States Making Plans for EPA Carbon Rule—Even the Ones That Hate It
Quote
The Environmental Protection Agency's plans to finalize the rules on carbon emissions from power plants are still several months away. But most states, even those challenging the agency in court, are already investigating ways to comply.
http://insideclimatenews.org/news/03062015/clean-power-plan-coal-obama-49-states-making-plans-epa-carbon-rule-even-ones-hate-it
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #348 on: June 08, 2015, 10:08:20 PM »
Lindsey Graham Calls Out Fellow U.S. Republican Candidates Over Climate Change Views
Quote
“If I’m president of the United States, we’re going to address climate change, CO2 emissions in a business-friendly way,” Graham said during the interview, noting that he does “believe that climate change is real.”
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/08/3667066/graham-cnn-climate-change/
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

  • Multi-year ice
  • Posts: 25761
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1153
  • Likes Given: 430
Re: Money and Politics: The Drive for Climate Change Action
« Reply #349 on: June 09, 2015, 02:21:17 AM »
Republican pledges $175 million to push party on climate
  A North Carolina executive is pouring his own money into trying to sway people in the GOP to take global warming seriously.
Quote
“We think that there are real Republican solutions to the problem.”
...
“The problem with Republicans — a lot of Republicans, not all — they just don’t understand the issue,” said Andrew Sabin, owner of a New York-based precious-metal refining business and a longtime GOP donor. “If they saw some of the things they could do that wouldn’t affect the economy and in fact increases jobs and cleans the air, they’re all for it.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/republican-climate-change-jay-faison-118755.html
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.