Expectations low for future climate change deal
Photo by Edward Allen L. Lim (source: Flickr Creative Commons)
In the wake of the disappointing outcome at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen last month, uncertainty about a future deal weighs heavily on the shoulders of climate experts, environmentalists and some politicians. The UN would like a binding deal in place by the end of this year. A failure to reach an agreement for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions – or even a 12 month delay – could have ‘catastrophic’ consequences in terms of climate change for many areas of the world. Risks associated with climate change apply to even relatively safe countries like the UK.
Watch this video report from Al Jazeera English for more details on this story:
Al Jazeera English – Future of climate talks unclear
by Graham Land
Graham Land grew up in Washington, D.C., where he was part of the local hardcore punk scene. Through this unique musical movement he became involved in grass roots anti-racist activism, animal rights and Ecology. Since 2000 Graham has lived in Europe, earning an MA in history from Malmö University in Sweden and working as a musician, English teacher, sports therapist, customer service agent and writer. Graham has a podcast with author Saci Lloyd and is currently pretending to work on his first novel.
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Tags: Al Jazeera, climate change, deal, UN
Thanks for your comment, Don. I can see how some media coverage of climate change can be frustrating, but the the various voices from the media should not be confused with those coming from the scientific community. They have two very different jobs. I am by no means a physical scientist, but I do know how to critically examine sources and information. I also know my limits and can’t really judge the overall significance of the sample you refer to vs. all the others (changes in permafrost, Arctic shrinkage, melting glaciers, etc.) Also I saw nothing in ‘those emails’
to make me discount climate change, though they got tons of media attention as ‘GW skepticism’ often does, despite conspiracy theories to the contrary. Make no mistake, global capitalists and many others interests will try to make money off anything – in fact nothing receives much support unless it is a moneymaker – but if green tech was a money sink or a social program it would receive even more criticism. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Of course, some ‘green’ tech has not and will not pan out, but real sustainable models should not be stifled yet rather encouraged, don’t you think?
I was a believer in AGW, but after looking at the emails and doing my own research I believe that global warming is greatly exagerated! Here is a sample! Arctic sea ice extent averaged over November 2009 was 396 million square miles. 405000 square miles below the 1979 to 2000 average for November, but 160000 square miles above the record low for the month which occurred in November 2006. In general the ice edge is now at or slightly beyond its average location with two notable exceptions, Hudson Bay and the Barents Sea.( Source The National Snow and Ice Data Center) Which means sea ice is growing but you never hear that! The fact is you would think it would be on the front page of the every paper. People of the world should be thrilled! I know I am, but this is not the case they deny this good news. For some odd reason people want global warming to be true! I wish I could tell you why, but I cant! Maybe they think this will bring some piece and love eutopia to the world! Some beautiful eutopia where the streets are paved with gold! But the only gold eutopia will be in the pockets of the ones invested in carbon credits, and so called green technology!