… on a quiet day, I can hear her breathing

Category: Climate Crisis

  • Time is short for Tories and Labour to show leadership on the climate crisis

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    Fiona Harvey Environment editor

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/28/time-is-short-for-tories-and-labour-to-show-leadership-on-the-climate-crisis

    The Conservatives are lagging far behind on the climate crisis, that much we know. But the Labour party is not showing the leadership that the country needs on reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions, the chairman of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has warned.

    Lord Deben, a former Conservative environment secretary, has long been a critic of the government, and recently praised Labour’s stance on opposing new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.

    But as he presented his final annual progress report as chairman, he warned that Labour was failing to take on vested interests.

    Solar farm adjacent to a wind farm

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    “If you lead, then there are bound to be people who would prefer you not to have made those decisions,” Deben said. “And what we are seeing at the moment is not only in government but in opposition, people being unwilling to lead lest some people don’t like the decisions that are being made. But these decisions have to be made, and there will be some people who disagree with them, and it is no good hoping that it will all go away.”

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    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/28/time-is-short-for-tories-and-labour-to-show-leadership-on-the-climate-crisis

  • Queen, We Are The Champions

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    For climate campaigners everywhere. Apologies, very little action today. I’ve had the worst hangover ever today after far too much beer last night.

  • Militant vegetarian Ibizzans Futuro Vegetal attack conspicuous consumption

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    https://youtu.be/aP_VLbzr9AY

    The Ibizzan group Futuro Vegetal attacks the filthy rich’s conspicuous planet-killing consumption.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yacht-kaos-vandalized-climate-activists/

    …

    In a report published in September 2020, the Stockholm Environment Institute estimated that the richest 10% of people, globally, contributed to roughly 50% of worldwide carbon emissions in the years 1995 and 2015 — the timeframe in which the institute conducted its study. By comparison, the poorest 50% were responsible for 7% or 8% of emissions. 

    Citing portions of that study in its own report on greenhouse gases and climate change, the International Energy Agency noted that the world’s richest 0.1% contribute more to global carbon emissions each year than the rest of the wealthiest 10% combined, with the richest 1% polluting roughly 1,000 times more than the poorest 1%. Another report by Oxfam last November suggested that just 125 of the world’s wealthiest billionaires emit 3 million tons of carbon dioxide per person, on average, each year, which is about a million times higher than the average annual emissions of the bottom 90%.

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  • Shadowy think tanks are a risk to the UK’s democratic integrity

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    https://leftfootforward.org/2023/07/shadowy-think-tanks-are-a-risk-to-the-uks-democratic-integrity/

    Tom Brake is the Director of Unlock Democracy which campaigns for real democracy in the UK, protected by a written constitution.

    …

    The connection between Truss and the IEA goes back a long way: according to Tim Montgomerie, the founder of Conservative Home, the IEA had “incubated” Truss – and her key ally, former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng – when they were junior MPs. With their assumption of high office, Britain was to become a “laboratory” for the IEA’s ideas, he said.

    Although Truss’ relationship with the IEA is remarkable for its extreme proximity, politicians being close to particular institutions is nothing new. Politicians often find themselves drawn to particular interests and ideas, and so will gravitate toward institutions that reinforce or augment their thinking.

    …

    There is no requirement, either, for think tanks to be transparent about the sources of their funding. In fact, for some, it is impossible to find out who their big donors are. A comparative assessment of the transparency ratings of various think tanks can be viewed here: Unlock Democracy has the highest rating of openness; the IEA, meanwhile, has the lowest rating.

    Without being able to follow the money, we cannot hope to understand the interests (commercial or national) that may underpin donations to think tanks, or determine whether those giving money are based in the UK. While it is expected that any foreign funds are most likely to come from rich donors or corporations rather than foreign governments, these donors may still have very close links with a foreign government and seek to shape UK policy in line with the interests of those Governments. Without the data, we just don’t know.

    If a think tank advocates for a more relaxed attitude to climate change, the public, the media and Ministers are likely to scrutinise their proposals more carefully if they can see that an oil company is one of its major donors. The same can be said for a think tank that opposes measures to cut smoking when a tobacco manufacturer contributes a significant sum to its budget. Without full transparency of funding – something which the Government has already committed to ensure for the tobacco industry but has not yet delivered – this scrutiny cannot be guaranteed.

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    https://leftfootforward.org/2023/07/shadowy-think-tanks-are-a-risk-to-the-uks-democratic-integrity/

  • Extinction Rebellion Co-Founder Goes on Trial for Breaking Window

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    Gail Bradbrook damaging a very expensive window. Image: Extinction Rebellion UK
    Gail Bradbrook damaging a very expensive window. Image: Extinction Rebellion UK

    Original article by Matthew Green republished from DeSmog

    Gail Bradbrook could face a custodial sentence if convicted.

    Gail Bradbrook, a co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, went on trial in west London on Monday for breaking a window at the Department of Transport in October, 2019.

    Bradbrook has previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage for using a hammer and woodworking tool to crack the building’s glass frontage, which the prosecution valued at £27,500.

    Bradbrook could face a prison sentence if convicted. Judges can also impose community service and fines.

    Extinction Rebellion emerged in 2018, aiming to use civil disobedience to force governments to take rapid action to prevent climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.

    The group has since mobilised protests in the UK and around the world, including in April this year, when it linked up with other environmental and social justice organisations to mobilise tens of thousands of people in central London.

    The trial at Isleworth Crown Court is due to conclude on Friday.

    Original article by Matthew Green republished from DeSmog