Aberdeenshire Council today unanimously agreed to support the Vote Earth campaign. Things are moving in the right direction with President Obama and China both making positive statements today. I hope that Copenhagen can produce a binding deal. The latest scientific advice is that unless emissions are stabilised by 2015-2020, then it may all be too late. So we have to start some serious cuts now.
That's why campaigns like 10:10 matter - and I am hopeful that when Aberdeenshire's Policy and Resources Committee discussed this, they will sign up. I've signed up personally - have you?
There is a problem however. Despite both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats nationally being against the third Heathrow runway, they would not support a motion congratulating BAA for halting work on this. Why - it now won't be built and it costs nothing to acknowledge the fact. Is it because Martin Ford proposed the motion? Or is it simply that they believe all economic growth is good - and hang the consequences?
Showing posts with label voteearth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voteearth. Show all posts
Aberdeen against Climate Change
I have been asked about local action relating to the Copenhagen talks. The only street event I know about is:
I think there are a few key messages that we need to get across
Friends of the Earth will be helping you to send a Message in a Bottle to Copenhagen 1-3pm Saturday 21st November, St. Nicholas Square (outside M&S). Collected messages will be conveyed to Copenhagen in December at the time of the all important summit. Please write your message - and if you can volunteer to help collect messages, just turn up and offer to help.I would also urge you to make your views known direct to our parliamentarians. The simplest way is via http://www.writetothem.com. if you wish, contact your councillors too - we need to do what we can as individuals, at work, and in public life at all levels.
I think there are a few key messages that we need to get across
- We need action at all levels now.
- The developed world must lead - we have emitted most carbon so far so it is only fair for us to reduce first and fastest.
- Change will not be easy for any of us - but the alternative is worse.
- We can and will do our bit - but we need our politicians to take a lead.
Dance for Climate Change
There are many ways to make your voice heard in the run up to Copenhagen.
Sign up to the 10:10 campaign - a commitment to cut your emissions by 10% in 2010 and gives some practical advice on how.
Sign up to the WWF's Earth Hour Campaign
Join the Wave in Glasgow on 5th December.
But let's also celebrate what people can do together, so let me share Dance for Climate Change with you.
Joyous!
Sign up to the 10:10 campaign - a commitment to cut your emissions by 10% in 2010 and gives some practical advice on how.
Sign up to the WWF's Earth Hour Campaign
Join the Wave in Glasgow on 5th December.
But let's also celebrate what people can do together, so let me share Dance for Climate Change with you.
Joyous!
The Wave
T A few days ago the Scottish Government published Production of a Time Series of Scotland's Ecological and Greenhouse Gas Footprints, It makes depressing reading with emissions rising steeply in the travels sector and little sign of reduction elsewhere. Something has to change and we can help make that happen by convincing the politicians about to meet in Copenhagen that we care and change can happen.. On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, thousands of people from across Scotland, from all walks of life, will flow through the streets of Glasgow to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all. The Wave is organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.
Join The Wave - Scotland’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change.
We want the UK Government to Share Scotland’s Ambition, Protect the Poorest and Act Fair & Fast.
Earth Hour: 16th December 7pm to 8pm
Last year I posted on Earth Hour an in the run up to the Copenhagen summit on Climate Change, I hope that more and more will join in. As well as individuals and public authorities, many high profile businesses are now getting involved.
It's easy - just turn off your lights for an hour on 16 December at 19.00.
Not much to ask - but a way to send a message that we want the carbon reductions needed to be enforced internationally. And a clear statement from the developed world that we understand we need to reduce our emissions hugely.
It's easy - just turn off your lights for an hour on 16 December at 19.00.
Not much to ask - but a way to send a message that we want the carbon reductions needed to be enforced internationally. And a clear statement from the developed world that we understand we need to reduce our emissions hugely.
Earth (2) Hour
We went the whole hog and switched off all the power to the house. This left us with two candles and logs burning on our stove.
Delightful - so Earth Hour extended into nearly two.
So why was this so good?
We stopped and talked.
The light levels went to those we know and love when bothying (see www.mountainbothies.org.uk). But more than that, we felt that we had everything important. And talked about a simpler life.
What matters? - Shelter. People. Warmth - physical and emotional.
We hope to "Earth Hour" more often.
Idealistic? Self indulgent when we can and do switch it all back on?
But worth doing to make us think about what we need rather than want. And to reassess what we do really need.
So we'll do our own personal earth hour more than once a year. And think about what we need - and what the cost of that really is.
Delightful - so Earth Hour extended into nearly two.
So why was this so good?
We stopped and talked.
The light levels went to those we know and love when bothying (see www.mountainbothies.org.uk). But more than that, we felt that we had everything important. And talked about a simpler life.
What matters? - Shelter. People. Warmth - physical and emotional.
We hope to "Earth Hour" more often.
Idealistic? Self indulgent when we can and do switch it all back on?
But worth doing to make us think about what we need rather than want. And to reassess what we do really need.
So we'll do our own personal earth hour more than once a year. And think about what we need - and what the cost of that really is.
Earth Hour
Earth Hour is about getting a billion people to switch their lights off to show support for action to tackle climate change. I've just signed up, can you do so too?
This Saturday 29th March. 8.30pm to 9.30pm
Sign up at http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/
This Saturday 29th March. 8.30pm to 9.30pm
Sign up at http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/
Just how serious is Climate Change. ... or should that be catastrophe?
It takes a while for politicians to catch up with science. And maybe we are too late to avert climate catastrophe (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/12/climate-change-copenhagen-monbiot
Now the Maldives, most of which is just 1.5m above sea level have announced that they plan (that's plan not aim) to be carbon neutral in just 10 years.
OK, they have a great incentive to make progress on this. There is a real risk that their country will no longer exist by the end of the century if the worst predictions come true.
But the cost for the package of low-carbon measures is estimated to be about $110m a year for 10 years. The scheme should pay for itself quite quickly, because the Maldives will no longer need to import oil products for electricity generation, transport and other functions. If the oil price were to rise to $100 per barrel, the payback period would be as short as 11 years. At current prices, it would take roughly twice as long to break even.
President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed said: "Climate change is a global emergency. The world is in danger of going into cardiac arrest, yet we behave as if we've caught a common cold. Today, the Maldives has announced plans to become the world's most eco-friendly country. I can only hope other nations follow suit."
See full story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/15/maldives-president-nasheed-carbon-neutral
Now the Maldives, most of which is just 1.5m above sea level have announced that they plan (that's plan not aim) to be carbon neutral in just 10 years.
OK, they have a great incentive to make progress on this. There is a real risk that their country will no longer exist by the end of the century if the worst predictions come true.
But the cost for the package of low-carbon measures is estimated to be about $110m a year for 10 years. The scheme should pay for itself quite quickly, because the Maldives will no longer need to import oil products for electricity generation, transport and other functions. If the oil price were to rise to $100 per barrel, the payback period would be as short as 11 years. At current prices, it would take roughly twice as long to break even.
President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed said: "Climate change is a global emergency. The world is in danger of going into cardiac arrest, yet we behave as if we've caught a common cold. Today, the Maldives has announced plans to become the world's most eco-friendly country. I can only hope other nations follow suit."
See full story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/15/maldives-president-nasheed-carbon-neutral
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