The UN believes that the upcoming Climate Change talks in Copenhagen will not produce a Treaty. And Obama quietly takes himself off of the attendee list. Democrats in the Senate still push for a Climate Change bill. Without a UN agreement we are in for quite a surprise.
Politics unfold with the people in the background mobilizing themselves to show the politicians that representation means legislation. And support for Cap and Trade in America wanes as polluting industries weigh in to change Climate Change legislation into something close to business as usual.
If politicians are not going to do it for us, we must do it for ourselves. Science Journal shows some numbers that empower average citizens to change their lives to change the world.
The American Petroleum Institute weighs in on the Climate Change bill and how it will hurt Americans. What hurts Americans is the oligopoly (oiligopoly) of the oil market, controlled by 5 companies, that raises prices needlessly while reaping the highest profits in world history during a recession.
Solar power is starting to become economical to utilize.
Showing posts with label UNEP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNEP. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Africa
I stumbled upon a list of environmental websites focused on Africa and thought I might share some of the stories from the sites with you.
AFROL news gives a thorough background to deforestation in Africa. Under 10% of primary forests are left and many stands are left unhealthy from selective logging. Poverty and foreign demand are large threats to the forests while local management through sustainable agriculture could be the savior.
Nigeria has been heavily impacted by the oil industry, in the Rivers State 80% of the area is classified as being heavily impacted by environmental pollution. Shell and Chevron are the main oil companies in Nigeria and find constant opposition to their destruction of livelihoods and environments. This link is an overview of Nigeria, its people and the history of oil. This is an overview of Chevron in Nigeria. And this is an overview of Shell's world wide operations, partially focusing on Ken Saro-Wiwa who was killed by the Nigerian government at the request of Shell due to his direct non-violent opposition to Shell.
Earthlife Africa gives a climate change report for 2009, much to learn.
Global Forest Watch has a great feature on its website that lets you generate maps on forest cover and deforestation around the world.
This is a review of UN climate change agreements and its use of the term 'sustainable forest management' that has been manipulated into allowing forest practices that degrade the environment. I am always surprised that companies that degrade the environment almost always have the ability to water down regulation that affects their business. It is called regulation and it is supposed to be crafted so that it does not ruin a business but too often business ruins us.
AFROL news gives a thorough background to deforestation in Africa. Under 10% of primary forests are left and many stands are left unhealthy from selective logging. Poverty and foreign demand are large threats to the forests while local management through sustainable agriculture could be the savior.
Nigeria has been heavily impacted by the oil industry, in the Rivers State 80% of the area is classified as being heavily impacted by environmental pollution. Shell and Chevron are the main oil companies in Nigeria and find constant opposition to their destruction of livelihoods and environments. This link is an overview of Nigeria, its people and the history of oil. This is an overview of Chevron in Nigeria. And this is an overview of Shell's world wide operations, partially focusing on Ken Saro-Wiwa who was killed by the Nigerian government at the request of Shell due to his direct non-violent opposition to Shell.
Earthlife Africa gives a climate change report for 2009, much to learn.
Global Forest Watch has a great feature on its website that lets you generate maps on forest cover and deforestation around the world.
This is a review of UN climate change agreements and its use of the term 'sustainable forest management' that has been manipulated into allowing forest practices that degrade the environment. I am always surprised that companies that degrade the environment almost always have the ability to water down regulation that affects their business. It is called regulation and it is supposed to be crafted so that it does not ruin a business but too often business ruins us.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The world tries to change
Obama is raising the fuel efficiency standards (called CAFE) and as usual the car industry and many others say that it will cost the consumer too much, much of the car industry is not fighting the plan though. A suprising fact is that economists don't talk with industry much. So we get big business making business claims that sound like economics, really they are just saying that they do not want to be forced to change, but constant change is what keeps an economy healthy. Business is not Economics.
This piece from Greenpeace explains the ideal path to dealing with climat change, according to them. They are deffinitely one end of the political spectrum, but their rhetoric is more favorable to our environment than many of our politicians in the US Congress.
Poverty in Africa increased greatly in the last several years, this press release from UNEP address the agricultural needs of Africa.
The United Nations just held a chemical conference that functions to get world governments to produce less toxic and harmful products.
Apparently Bush II held private talks with China about reducing green house gas emissions. Does this change your view of Bush II?
This piece from Greenpeace explains the ideal path to dealing with climat change, according to them. They are deffinitely one end of the political spectrum, but their rhetoric is more favorable to our environment than many of our politicians in the US Congress.
Poverty in Africa increased greatly in the last several years, this press release from UNEP address the agricultural needs of Africa.
The United Nations just held a chemical conference that functions to get world governments to produce less toxic and harmful products.
Apparently Bush II held private talks with China about reducing green house gas emissions. Does this change your view of Bush II?
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