US climate deal “unlikely this year”

Left Foot Forward is in Madrid today for the Global Progress conference, organised by the Center for American Progress and Ideas Foundation. Kicking off the day, Jen Palmieri – a former deputy press secretary to President Bill Clinton and Seniortest

‘Right on’ in Brighton: Protestors’ voices

Protesters in Brighton on Sunday called for the scrapping of tuition fees, an end to testing in primary schools, and nationalisation of parts of the renewable energy industry. Mark Flower, a former blade technician at Vestas on the Isle oftest

Airline industry’s “aspirational goals” are not enough

Yesterday’s announcement from the International Air Transport Association sees more vapour trail and mirrors being employed by the airline industry in an attempt to persuade the world that they care about climate change and want to cut emissions. This new approach will not mean substantial or real cuts in emissions.

Muted response to China’s UN climate speech

The Independent this morning promised that, “China lays down challenge to Obama on climate.” It went on: “Officials in Beijing indicated last night that Mr Hu would arrive in Manhattan this morning ready to unveil ‘important’ plans for reducing China’stest

Treasury opposition to Tobin Tax is “bad faith”

Campaigners have reacted with anger to reports over the weekend that the Treasury is blocking German and French plans for a tax on currency transactions – a “Tobin Tax” – which would be used to help the world’s poorest nations. Estimates suggest that $17 to $33 billion could be raised by the tax depending on which countries took part.

Get Gordon to Go

Ed Miliband has launched a campaign to get his boss, Gordon Brown, to join him at the Copenhagen talks. Meanwhile, the international online civic organisation, Avaaz, have sent an email to their 300,000 British members urging them to, “flood a UK online poll [and] … send Gordon to Copenhagen.”

Trident costs five times Government estimate

A new report by Greenpeace suggests that the cost of replacing Trident has been grossly misrepresented by the Government. While the Government has claimed that Trident will cost £13 to £20 billion, the analysis places the true cost in a range estimated from £77 to £97 billion.

Job–lite recovery means Britain needs new industries

Despite yesterday’s “bleak employment outlook” the major political parties and British media continue to promote solutions which will do little to alleviate long term unemployment. The Government should prioritise long-term employment through investing in new industries combating environmental problems and increasing community development.