The Society for Environmental Journalists' annual meeting is took place in Madison, Wisconsin, this weekend. (And, yes, there was early snow there: See here.) Al Gore was the keynote speaker.
Mr. Gore met with a self-styled "inconvenient question" from filmmaker Phelim McAleer, whose documentary, "Not Evil, Just Wrong," will premiere later this month (H/T Huff Post). The film posits itself as the antidote to Gore's "Inconvenient Truth."
McAleer asked Gore to address a British high court ruling that found some factual errors in the former veep and Nobel-winner's Oscar-winning film.
The lawsuit in question objected to the use of Gore's film in British schools. The "errors" identified were fairly technical in nature and do not undermine the thrust of the film: that humans are causing significant climate change that will change the face of the planet we inhabit. (Whether or not one can claim with any certainty that Hurricane Katrina was caused by climate change, as the film did, is another matter.) Gore told McAleer that the court allowed for the film to be used in schools and declined to address the specific errors.
McAleer's video of the event, below, posits that the Society of Environmental Journalists "protected" Gore by cutting off his mic as he became increasingly agitated that Gore wouldn't address the specifics. Yet, McAleer had also complained that environmental journalists don't ask hard questions of their sources, and his mic was cut only after (a) it was clear he and Gore were in a standoff, and (b) moderators reportedly saw that a dozen other reporters had lined up behind McAleer to ask questions.
The SEJ has also posted a thorough debunking of McAleer's assertion that polar bear populations are growing. (For the record, it's also absolutely possible for the numbers of an animal to increase while it remains endangered: Only after numbers reach a viable point are animals delisted
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
We've taken steps to conserve the environment, President says
The Government has put in place measures aimed at ensuring sustainable natural resource utilization in order to reduce poverty and abate continued environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, President Mwai Kibaki has said. The President said a Climate Change and Coordination Unit has been established at the Prime Minister's Office to deal with high-level political coordination of climate and environmental change through mainstreaming into the broad political and development agenda. President Kibaki was speaking Tuesday at the United Nations Office Nairobi where he officially opened the African Parliamentarians Summit on Climatic Change. In addition, the Head of State said the Government has developed a forest master plan to restore degraded forest cover and quality of the environment that will cover all the five major water towers in the country. ‘Global policy change' To enhance the supply of environmentally friendly and affordable energy in the country, President Kibaki said his Government is investing in the development of renewable energy technologies such as geothermal, solar-based, bio-fuels and wind technologies. "These energy sources are expected to reduce over-dependence on fossil fuels which has impacted negatively on the environment through release of substantial amounts of greenhouse emissions," President Kibaki said. The Head of State, at the same time, challenged legislators in Africa to lead the crusade against actions that lead to adverse climatic change. The President said parliamentarians in the continent have the legitimacy to enact policies and laws aimed at ensuring a safe, healthy and sustainable natural environment that serves the needs of current and future generations. "You should push for a global policy change, based on rebuilding the damaged ecosystems and communities," President Kibaki said. Greenhouse gas emissions Noting that the path to greener world is not easy, President Kibaki asked the legislators to take aggressive initiatives to provide for the reduction of greenhouse gases and domestication of international and regional convention and protocols on climate change. "I urge you in your capacity as political leaders to accept more responsibility in combating global problems associated with climate change. We count on your support, as success requires cooperation, networking and participation from all stakeholders," said the President. In this regard, President Kibaki urged African political leaders to work together in defining the continent's agenda and destiny as they prepare for the global conference on climate which will be held in Copenhagen in December. "The outcome of this parliamentary forum will be expected to strengthen Africa's position on climate change in preparation for the Conference of Parties to be held in Copenhagen in December this year," President Kibaki said. The Head of State underscored the importance of developing appropriate policies, laws and strategies that would conserve the environment. He emphasized that African states should monitor the driving forces, pressure and impacts of climate change in order to develop appropriate response measures. The President observed that domestication of multi-national environmental agreements required collaboration and partnerships among governments, relevant ministries, parliaments, scientists and civil society for just and sustainable environment. Said President Kibaki: "As a continent, we should be fully involved in the climate debate and negotiations aimed at agreements to give us a fair and just deal that caters for our interests and needs." Climate change Noting that developing countries accounted for only 20 percent of the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions yet they suffered severe effects of climate change, President Kibaki said those responsible for the greatest greenhouse gas emissions should take the issue of equity more seriously. The President, once again, pointed out that the ability of countries to mitigate the Climate Change effects is dependent on mechanisms put in place to address impact of Climate Change, noting that its impact has become a critical political, economic and social issue worldwide. "The impact of climate change is mainly greatest on environment, agriculture, health, water, infrastructure and energy sectors. It has been projected that agricultural production and food security in many African countries and regions are likely to be severely compromised by climate change and climate variability," President Kibaki observed. ‘African position' In his address, the Executive President of the Pan African Parliamentarian's Network on Climate Change Mr. Awudu Mbaya reaffirmed that the African position in Copenhagen Summit in December would be greatly influenced by the Nairobi forum. He said, "The eyes of Africa and the world are directed towards Nairobi, expecting the outcome. We shall make or mar the African position in Copenhagen at this conference." Mr. Mbaya commended Kenya for hosting the forum which, he termed as one of the greatest efforts aimed at supporting global commitment towards combating Climate Change which has become a serious threat to the survival of mankind. The Executive President of the Pan African Parliamentarian's Network on Climate Change asked parliamentarians to ensure that Climate Change is integrated into individual countries' national laws for it to be managed without affecting nations' path towards prosperity. He said that African negotiators during the forthcoming United Nations Conference in Copenhagen must be guided by benchmarks aimed at achieving results that are fair, equitable and effective in the African situation. On his part, Kenya's National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende termed the forum an assembly of premier African leadership aimed at exploring means of mitigating effects of Climate Change as well as domesticating the concept in the African context. The Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources John Michuki called for a strengthened and elevated United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kenya. Other speakers during the forum were the Summit Vice-President Prof Margaret Kamar and UNEP Deputy Executive Director Angela Cropper. |
Monday, October 12, 2009
Indian minister urges pared down climate deal
Nations should scale down ambitions for a global climate deal in Copenhagen in December rather than have "exaggerated expectations," India's minister of state for environment and forests said on Saturday.
Jairam Ramesh said climate talks in Bangkok, which ended on Friday, had left a big gap in trust between developing and industrialized nations.
"We have to be realistic, we have to be pragmatic," Ramesh said. "We should not derail Copenhagen by having exaggerated expectations. Let us clinch those elements of the deal that we can clinch."
He said countries may need to come back to Copenhagen after December to reach a wider deal.
India insists it will not accept binding greenhouse gas emissions cuts but will adopt nationally appropriate mitigation actions.
Ramesh suggested instead of binding emissions cuts, governments should now focus on agreeing on three main areas: finance for adaptation to climate change, a deal to combat deforestation and promote forestation, and technology sharing.
"Even the United States is in agreement on these three issues," Ramesh told an editors' meeting in the Danish capital with 57 days left until about 190 governments are due to convene the U.N. climate change conference there on December 7-18, seeking a deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.
Ramesh warned against what he called the "mistake of the Doha round" of trade talks. "The basic problem of the Doha round was 'all or nothing,'" he said. The trade talks began in 2001 and there is still no deal.
Ramesh said India would go a step beyond nationally appropriate mitigation actions, dubbed "NAMAs," and pass domestic legislation in areas such as fuel efficiency standards and possibly environmental building codes.
Ramesh blamed the European Union for abandoning the basic structure of the Kyoto Protocol and said it was up to the EU to bridge the lack of trust after the Bangkok talks.
The Kyoto pact contains binding emissions reductions targets for rich countries but does not include hard targets for developing countries.
"It is the European Union that has given the impression in Bangkok that it is ready to abandon the basic architecture of the Kyoto Protocol to accommodate the United States," he said.
"Recent events in Bangkok have cast a long shadow over what is going to happen in the Copenhagen negotiations," Ramesh said
Jairam Ramesh said climate talks in Bangkok, which ended on Friday, had left a big gap in trust between developing and industrialized nations.
"We have to be realistic, we have to be pragmatic," Ramesh said. "We should not derail Copenhagen by having exaggerated expectations. Let us clinch those elements of the deal that we can clinch."
He said countries may need to come back to Copenhagen after December to reach a wider deal.
India insists it will not accept binding greenhouse gas emissions cuts but will adopt nationally appropriate mitigation actions.
Ramesh suggested instead of binding emissions cuts, governments should now focus on agreeing on three main areas: finance for adaptation to climate change, a deal to combat deforestation and promote forestation, and technology sharing.
"Even the United States is in agreement on these three issues," Ramesh told an editors' meeting in the Danish capital with 57 days left until about 190 governments are due to convene the U.N. climate change conference there on December 7-18, seeking a deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.
Ramesh warned against what he called the "mistake of the Doha round" of trade talks. "The basic problem of the Doha round was 'all or nothing,'" he said. The trade talks began in 2001 and there is still no deal.
Ramesh said India would go a step beyond nationally appropriate mitigation actions, dubbed "NAMAs," and pass domestic legislation in areas such as fuel efficiency standards and possibly environmental building codes.
Ramesh blamed the European Union for abandoning the basic structure of the Kyoto Protocol and said it was up to the EU to bridge the lack of trust after the Bangkok talks.
The Kyoto pact contains binding emissions reductions targets for rich countries but does not include hard targets for developing countries.
"It is the European Union that has given the impression in Bangkok that it is ready to abandon the basic architecture of the Kyoto Protocol to accommodate the United States," he said.
"Recent events in Bangkok have cast a long shadow over what is going to happen in the Copenhagen negotiations," Ramesh said
India: Limited climate deal should focus on financing
India’s Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Saturday urged nations to scale down ambitions for a global climate deal at December’s UN conference in Copenhagen rather than have “exaggerated expectations”.
"We have to be realistic, we have to be pragmatic," Ramesh said according to Reuters.
"We should not derail Copenhagen by having exaggerated expectations. Let us clinch those elements of the deal that we can clinch."
He said countries may need to come back to Copenhagen after December to reach a wider deal.
Instead of binding emissions cuts, Ramesh suggested governments should now focus on agreeing on three main areas: finance for adaptation to climate change, a deal to combat deforestation and promote forestation, and technology sharing.
"Even the United States is in agreement on these three issues," Ramesh told an international editors' meeting in the Danish capital.
Ramesh further blamed the European Union for abandoning the basic structure of the Kyoto Protocol at last week’s Bangkok talks and said it was up to the EU to bridge the lack of trust.
"It is the European Union that has given the impression in Bangkok that it is ready to abandon the basic architecture of the Kyoto Protocol to accommodate the United States," he said, adding:
"Recent events in Bangkok have cast a long shadow over what is going to happen in the Copenhagen negotiations."
"We have to be realistic, we have to be pragmatic," Ramesh said according to Reuters.
"We should not derail Copenhagen by having exaggerated expectations. Let us clinch those elements of the deal that we can clinch."
He said countries may need to come back to Copenhagen after December to reach a wider deal.
Instead of binding emissions cuts, Ramesh suggested governments should now focus on agreeing on three main areas: finance for adaptation to climate change, a deal to combat deforestation and promote forestation, and technology sharing.
"Even the United States is in agreement on these three issues," Ramesh told an international editors' meeting in the Danish capital.
Ramesh further blamed the European Union for abandoning the basic structure of the Kyoto Protocol at last week’s Bangkok talks and said it was up to the EU to bridge the lack of trust.
"It is the European Union that has given the impression in Bangkok that it is ready to abandon the basic architecture of the Kyoto Protocol to accommodate the United States," he said, adding:
"Recent events in Bangkok have cast a long shadow over what is going to happen in the Copenhagen negotiations."
Africa: Let the polluters pay
For the first time, Africa will present a common position and demand billions of dollars in compensation for the climate change damage that rich nations have caused.
"Policy-makers have to agree to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adhere to the principle that the polluter pays," African Union commission chairman Jean Ping told the seventh World Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso this weekend.
At the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, "Africa will have a common position. We have decided to speak with one voice", and Africa will demand that "reparations and damages" should be paid by polluting countries, Ping said according to AFP.
On Friday, Burkina Faso's Environment Minister Salifou Sawadogo drew up the bill.
"We think 65 billion dollars are needed to deal with the effects of climate change on a continental scale. That is to say that our expectations are very high," Sawadogo said an added that "we are all on the same planet so there is a duty of solidarity to help the most vulnerable countries, like we are, implement policies to adapt to climate change."
According to AFP, Africans account for only four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions while the central Congo basin is considered one of the worlds "green lungs" together with the Amazon rain forest. In comparison, the US state of Texas "with 30 million inhabitants creates as much greenhouse gases as the billion Africans taken together," Sawadogo said.
The Ouagadougou meeting was attended by the presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo, Mali and Togo.
"Policy-makers have to agree to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adhere to the principle that the polluter pays," African Union commission chairman Jean Ping told the seventh World Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso this weekend.
At the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, "Africa will have a common position. We have decided to speak with one voice", and Africa will demand that "reparations and damages" should be paid by polluting countries, Ping said according to AFP.
On Friday, Burkina Faso's Environment Minister Salifou Sawadogo drew up the bill.
"We think 65 billion dollars are needed to deal with the effects of climate change on a continental scale. That is to say that our expectations are very high," Sawadogo said an added that "we are all on the same planet so there is a duty of solidarity to help the most vulnerable countries, like we are, implement policies to adapt to climate change."
According to AFP, Africans account for only four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions while the central Congo basin is considered one of the worlds "green lungs" together with the Amazon rain forest. In comparison, the US state of Texas "with 30 million inhabitants creates as much greenhouse gases as the billion Africans taken together," Sawadogo said.
The Ouagadougou meeting was attended by the presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo, Mali and Togo.
Asia finds common ground on climate policy
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak met this weekend in Beijing and pledged in a joint statement to “work closely together through strengthened dialogue” in order to push through a new global climate deal, Bloomberg reports.
Hatoyama, who took office last month, has made climate change a focus of his administration, pledging a 25 percent reduction in Japanese greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol, 1990. China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses, has so far refused to accept binding emissions targets.
"I know that China has some sort of domestic framework, but it is important for China to make an international commitment for the success of (Copenhagen)," Hatoyama told reporters according to Reuters, after a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to AFP, the leaders said that success would be based on ”the establishment of an effective post-2012 international co-operation framework on climate change, consistent with the principles of the UNFCCC, in particular common but differentiated responsibilities”.
At global climate talks in Bangkok last week, several nations - including the United States, Australia and Japan - tabled proposals calling for an approach in which each country would make its own national commitments.
Hatoyama, who took office last month, has made climate change a focus of his administration, pledging a 25 percent reduction in Japanese greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol, 1990. China, the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses, has so far refused to accept binding emissions targets.
"I know that China has some sort of domestic framework, but it is important for China to make an international commitment for the success of (Copenhagen)," Hatoyama told reporters according to Reuters, after a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
According to AFP, the leaders said that success would be based on ”the establishment of an effective post-2012 international co-operation framework on climate change, consistent with the principles of the UNFCCC, in particular common but differentiated responsibilities”.
At global climate talks in Bangkok last week, several nations - including the United States, Australia and Japan - tabled proposals calling for an approach in which each country would make its own national commitments.
Norway takes over the yellow climate jersey
By reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 40 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, Norway has set the most ambitious target proposed by a developed nation. The country has already set a target of being carbon neutral by 2030.
According to AFP, the 40-percent target is part of the new political program presented by the leftist coalition of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
“Norway will be a pioneer country when it comes to environmental policy,” Socialist Left leader and Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen says in a statement posted on the government’s web site.
The Norwegian proposal “is the type of political will needed to move the climate talks forward to a strong deal in Copenhagen,” Greenpeace International Climate Policy Director, Martin Kaiser says in an e-mailed statement, according to Bloomberg.
According to AFP, the 40-percent target is part of the new political program presented by the leftist coalition of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
“Norway will be a pioneer country when it comes to environmental policy,” Socialist Left leader and Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen says in a statement posted on the government’s web site.
The Norwegian proposal “is the type of political will needed to move the climate talks forward to a strong deal in Copenhagen,” Greenpeace International Climate Policy Director, Martin Kaiser says in an e-mailed statement, according to Bloomberg.
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