With the US and EU reportedly at odds over securing a climate deal at Copenhagen, and doctors warning of a “global health catastrophe” if we don’t get one, you might think we need less confusion about climate change in the media, not more. Why then does the Today programme continue to give air-time to people who have no credentials to talk about climate change?
Professor David MacKay – soon to take up post as a key adviser to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband – has poured fuel onto the media fire telling the Today programme that blackouts could be caused from a shortage in power stations around 2016. Looking at the numbers, it is difficult to see how he has come to that conclusion.
The world’s leading countries remain far away from their emissions targets for 2020
Some interesting new green noises were among the many issues addressed by Jon Cruddas in his keynote speech to Compass at the LSE yesterday evening. Cruddas, “We need to marry up the core values of the greens and the Labour movement and join the dots between democracy, equality and ecological sustainability.” He called for a reversal of the decision on the proposed third runway at Heathrow and the introduction of new emissions performance standards for power stations.
One of Ian Plimer’s central claims – reported by Melanie Phillips for The Spectator – is that Arctic sea ice is in fact growing. This assertion is, of course, simply wrong. But this week’s magazine, in arguing for new fossil fuel extraction in Arctic wilderness areas, carries the reverse claim. Are we witnessing a new editorial line on climate change – or is the magazine simply unconcerned about contradicting itself in the starkest terms on the biggest issue of our time?
As argued last week on Left Foot Forward, developed country leaders are far from pledging what is necessary for a safe and strong global treaty in Copenhagen. The good news is that the election this week of a new Japanesetest
There are just 100 critical days until the start of the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Leading thinkers are outlining the importance of the talks but with atmospheric carbon dioxide currently at 387 ppm, we’ve yet to hear of any proposals from any developed country leader for anything like what these scientists say we need.
