Obama has announced that he will attend the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen next weekend. This will be the first international climate change negotiations that a US President has ever attended.
Obama and Hu Jintao (China) have talked about climate change, now Obama and Dr. Manmohan Singh (India) talk about climate change and the possibilities for mitigation.
International climate change negotiations between the industrialized and unindustrialized world always come to money, how are poor countries to advance technology when they don't have the money to do so? Gordon Brown has announced that Great Britain will put over $1 billion into a fund that functions to fast track money to poorer countries so they can fund efforts to mitigate and deal with climate change. The fund will grow quickly in the next decade.
Reuters reports on "Det Norske Veritas, a leading international certifier, has drafted standards which businesses ranging from coffee making to diamond sourcing can use to flag sustainability of supply chains, DNV senior executives said."
This is very important for environmental-economics as the consumer needs as much information about their products as they can get. With the expansion of sustainability certifications consumers will see more transparency in the market and can signal the market more intentionally.
The California Energy Commission bans t.v.s that eat too much energy. It will save California a lot of money. This environmentally friendly move would have never been possible without a financial crisis in California.
Innovation in the wind turbine industry makes wind turbines more efficient in their use of land.
A new study says that Americans waste a large amount of their food. From manufacturing, to transporting and selling to the dinner table Americans throw away their food in large amounts. There is much more room for becoming more conscious about our consumption habits.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
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?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Moving Forward
China burns the most coal out of any country and is taking steps to reduce their CO2 emissions while continuing to be crutched on coal energy. Their performance is not ideal, but it will be impactful.
One of Obama's budget cuts will be the hydrogen energy project. Bush II supported a hydrogen economy without acknowledging the obstacles, Obama is now stepping away from it to focus on more likely alternative fuels.
Solar energy harvesting technology is advancing, making it cheaper; cheaper than oil. This the point at which alternative fuels can overtake fossil fuels, when the market signals via price people respond, and in this case they stop using oil.
The Pika (a cute little mammal) might be listed as endangered due to global warming.
One of Obama's budget cuts will be the hydrogen energy project. Bush II supported a hydrogen economy without acknowledging the obstacles, Obama is now stepping away from it to focus on more likely alternative fuels.
Solar energy harvesting technology is advancing, making it cheaper; cheaper than oil. This the point at which alternative fuels can overtake fossil fuels, when the market signals via price people respond, and in this case they stop using oil.
The Pika (a cute little mammal) might be listed as endangered due to global warming.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The world steps up to the Climate Change Challenge
The US is fast tracking climate change legislation in the federal Congress, US industry supports it, now only republicans that are repeating old arguments are the opposition and many republicans are giving up the old rhetoric so they can become involved in the shaping of the legislation.
China is investing more in renewable energy than the US and is figuring out how to become more environmental within Chinese Politics. But, the path will not be smooth as China steps away from their project of building the world's first"green city".
The British government has mandated that every coal fired power plant built from now on has to have a carbon sequestration device attached to it. This will raise the price of coal energy and clear the path for renewable energy to be cheaper for consumers. Also, the US is looking towards never building another coal fired power plant or nuclear power plant ever again.
The downturn is slowing and the world's leaders are looking to establish some permanent changes to create a more stable world economy. The recovery of the global market will decide the inertia for environmentalism and social justice. The world economy stabalizing is good for consumption and can be good for the environment, we will see the results in the next several decades.
Wave technology is developing; with large projects being started now they may be a cornerstone of our energy production in the next decade.
China is investing more in renewable energy than the US and is figuring out how to become more environmental within Chinese Politics. But, the path will not be smooth as China steps away from their project of building the world's first"green city".
The British government has mandated that every coal fired power plant built from now on has to have a carbon sequestration device attached to it. This will raise the price of coal energy and clear the path for renewable energy to be cheaper for consumers. Also, the US is looking towards never building another coal fired power plant or nuclear power plant ever again.
The downturn is slowing and the world's leaders are looking to establish some permanent changes to create a more stable world economy. The recovery of the global market will decide the inertia for environmentalism and social justice. The world economy stabalizing is good for consumption and can be good for the environment, we will see the results in the next several decades.
Wave technology is developing; with large projects being started now they may be a cornerstone of our energy production in the next decade.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
2/22/09: The world might turn out all right after all
Manufacturing is on the decline all around this globe. While it is advantageous for the environment to have humans manufacturing less stuff, it is wealth that brings environmental protection to urban areas. If a person is poor no coaxing will get them to put the environment before themselves. First comes wealth, then health, and manufacturing will need to be restored to create wealth and health.
During Hillary Clinton's first voyage out of the US as secretary general she visited China and started a movement with the Chinese to protect our environment. The USA and China are the largest polluters in the world, just our two countries making small changes is more powerful than any action from the rest of the world.
Governments of the world are waking up to environmental degradation and are now moving to regulate mercury on a global level. Mercury is one of the worst pollutants we emit in large amounts and is one of the main pollutants emitted by coal fired power plants. A move to regulate mercury on a global level is a move to regulate coal fired power plants, most of which are in China and the USA. With this movement in regulating mercury and the USA's EPA move to regulate CO2 via coal fired power plants they will hopefully only be a memory in 70 years.
Democrats in Congress are planning to present a climate change bill to Obama by the end of the summer.
In imagining the new economy of "green power" many forget the infrastructure that will need to accompany "green projects." To be sustainable and cost effective we need to act very carefully, the doctrine of "any action is good action" is dangerous at this point.
One of the greatest humanitarian efforts and economic efforts is underway in India. A company has created the 2,500 USdollar car. This will bring wealth and opportunity to millions and will bring millions of tons of pollutants to the environment. At 50mpg this little car does little damage for the amount of benefit it will bring the people of India. Wealth before health i say, let them build themselves up then let them sustainably develop. If the industrialized world wanted to address the issues of environmental degradation and poverty at the same time they would help industrialized countries develop sustainably. We talk about it in UN conferences but we do little of it.
The internet is cool, google is cool, but there is much more to come:
This is an article about the future of the internet.
And this is a video about the future of the internet.
During Hillary Clinton's first voyage out of the US as secretary general she visited China and started a movement with the Chinese to protect our environment. The USA and China are the largest polluters in the world, just our two countries making small changes is more powerful than any action from the rest of the world.
Governments of the world are waking up to environmental degradation and are now moving to regulate mercury on a global level. Mercury is one of the worst pollutants we emit in large amounts and is one of the main pollutants emitted by coal fired power plants. A move to regulate mercury on a global level is a move to regulate coal fired power plants, most of which are in China and the USA. With this movement in regulating mercury and the USA's EPA move to regulate CO2 via coal fired power plants they will hopefully only be a memory in 70 years.
Democrats in Congress are planning to present a climate change bill to Obama by the end of the summer.
In imagining the new economy of "green power" many forget the infrastructure that will need to accompany "green projects." To be sustainable and cost effective we need to act very carefully, the doctrine of "any action is good action" is dangerous at this point.
One of the greatest humanitarian efforts and economic efforts is underway in India. A company has created the 2,500 USdollar car. This will bring wealth and opportunity to millions and will bring millions of tons of pollutants to the environment. At 50mpg this little car does little damage for the amount of benefit it will bring the people of India. Wealth before health i say, let them build themselves up then let them sustainably develop. If the industrialized world wanted to address the issues of environmental degradation and poverty at the same time they would help industrialized countries develop sustainably. We talk about it in UN conferences but we do little of it.
The internet is cool, google is cool, but there is much more to come:
This is an article about the future of the internet.
And this is a video about the future of the internet.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
1/3/09: Sustainable consumerism, Financial Bailout is unsuccesful, Canadian forest's disturbed, An auspicious movement in the Muslim world
China's economy is doing worse than expected and will have to deal with a downturn. Since the Chinese government is very controlling over its people it can implement economic plans more effectively, like spending more and saving less.
This article from MotherJones shows a list of ways to be more sustainable in your home. One column shows what to buy according to American advertising and the other column shows what to buy or not buy to actually be more sustainable. The point of sustainability is not to throw out your appliances and buy ones that use slightly less energy, the point is to change behaviors and lifestyles, which sometimes means using a cloths line more, or showering less while using less water during each shower.
Canadian forests, mainly the Boreal, are on the aggregate emitting carbon instead of "sinking" it, they are considered a carbon "source." Just when we need the earth to compensate for our carbon emissions the mechanisms for naturally dealing with our carbon emissions are being hindered by rising global temperatures. Furthermore, beetles are infesting forests because of the lack of cold winters and burning forests seems to be the only human solution in use.
Pakistan, a supposed ally of the USA, has a record of not dedicating themselves to ending terrorism in their country: whatever that means. The recent attacks on India by a group based out of Pakistan has increased mutual opposition between India and Pakistan. What will the future of this conflict be, i do not know.
A non-religiously educated man from the Middle East becomes a celebrity and helps start a new movement in the Muslim world of modern and moderate faith practice. The efforts of this man is what is greatly needed. Religious conflicts have been dealt with in the past by moderate religious leaders gaining popularity by preaching peace. This man is my new hero. His name is Ahmad al-Shugairi, checkout his facebook account, it is the only thing in english i could find.
This article from MotherJones shows a list of ways to be more sustainable in your home. One column shows what to buy according to American advertising and the other column shows what to buy or not buy to actually be more sustainable. The point of sustainability is not to throw out your appliances and buy ones that use slightly less energy, the point is to change behaviors and lifestyles, which sometimes means using a cloths line more, or showering less while using less water during each shower.
Canadian forests, mainly the Boreal, are on the aggregate emitting carbon instead of "sinking" it, they are considered a carbon "source." Just when we need the earth to compensate for our carbon emissions the mechanisms for naturally dealing with our carbon emissions are being hindered by rising global temperatures. Furthermore, beetles are infesting forests because of the lack of cold winters and burning forests seems to be the only human solution in use.
Pakistan, a supposed ally of the USA, has a record of not dedicating themselves to ending terrorism in their country: whatever that means. The recent attacks on India by a group based out of Pakistan has increased mutual opposition between India and Pakistan. What will the future of this conflict be, i do not know.
A non-religiously educated man from the Middle East becomes a celebrity and helps start a new movement in the Muslim world of modern and moderate faith practice. The efforts of this man is what is greatly needed. Religious conflicts have been dealt with in the past by moderate religious leaders gaining popularity by preaching peace. This man is my new hero. His name is Ahmad al-Shugairi, checkout his facebook account, it is the only thing in english i could find.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
12/10/08: China and the crisis
China's economy is doing worse than anyone predicted. China was going to be the worlds anchor as it floated through this crisis, but we can not rely on China as much as we thought.
An interesting situation is emerging in China. During the last couple of decades of great economic growth China has been paying off its educated population with good paying jobs. In exchange for prosperity these college educated individuals have strayed from talking politics, but with the money disappearing can China continue to buy the tranquility of its educated?
An interesting situation is emerging in China. During the last couple of decades of great economic growth China has been paying off its educated population with good paying jobs. In exchange for prosperity these college educated individuals have strayed from talking politics, but with the money disappearing can China continue to buy the tranquility of its educated?
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