The developed world is responsible for 33% of China's emissions according to ecconomists at Carnegie Melon University and European researchers. Reported by New Scientist, the research shows that the developed world has effectively exported many of its emissions to China.
EurekAlert New Scientist article
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition started its AGM last week with a visit to the proposed new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth near Rochester which will be the site of the 2008 Climate Camp from 3-11 August.
Leaders of some of the largest groups have sent an open letter to Gordon Brown challenging the decision to build the new power station and you can add your name - see http://www.icount.org.uk/personal_actions/517.asp
On 24th July, Portsmouth councillors, council staff, PCAN members, Friends of the Earth and concerned local residents all gathered at Portmouth City Council civic offices for a big Climate Change consultation event organised by PCAN and PCC together. Councillors from all three major political parties were present, including the councils leader. Over eight PCAN members were present for the consultation.
The event started with the PCC Climate Change Officer, Jasmine Fletcher outlining the consultation process and method. This was followed up by PCAN founding member, Alan Burgess giving a short presentation about Climate Change and explaining how Portsmouth may develop a low carbon strategy.
Workshops were then held to work out some solutions for Portsmouths future climate change related problems. The four different workshop groups came up with some radical and not so radical ideas ranging from Tidal energy to improving insulation in many of Portsmouths buildings. The results will be used as a part of the ongoing PCC consultation process.
The great thing about the evening was the diverse range of people that attended and the willingness for people to engage in dialogue to create solutions.
On the road (cycling) to the Sustainability Centre
Hyden Farm organic free range chickens and ducks
Conference members ready for a tour
The eco toilet, Yurt and Shower block at the Sustainability Centre
The eco toilet
Tipi's
The Yurt stove
Having booked a place at the conference to be held at the Sustainability Centre near Clanfield in Hampshire, I decided to cycle to the place if the weather proved good on the day. So as the 20th July drew near it was clear that the day would be good for cycling.
Setting off early in the morning, I made my way cross country, probably taking the most scenic route although quite hilly. On the way I stopped off at the famous Hambledon Cricket club grounds and the Bat & Ball pub across the road. Further down the road was Hyden Organic Farm where they had some organic free range chickens and ducks out living a healthy life.
Eventually I made it to the conference with a few minutes to spare to gather my thoughts and find a seat. There were some 30 people attending the conference with at least one representative from each Hampshire based NGO. Hampshire County Council also had a representative attending.
First to speak was a member of the Winchester Action on Climate Change group who made one of the most inspirational talks i have ever heard. He certainly has the personality and knowledge to carry the message forward. He explained how WinACC is leading the way to reduce Winchesters carbon footprint by a third in 99 months.
Next to speak were the Allotments Association at Petersfield and FOE New Forest group who were concerned about flooding at Lymington and larger ferries that would damage the local environment.
Maddy then followed up and explained Peak Oil and how the Permaculture magazine with over 100,000 readers was published as sustainably as possible. After a coffee break Chris did his talk about PCAN, which was quite impressive
and showed how effective PCAN has been since it started in 2006. Terena then explained the Greening Campaign which is growing with new groups very quickly.
Next came Greening Clanfield which is a young group and is
looking for advice and a direction to go in. There were certainly many
people willing to help!
Just before lunch we had a tour of the Sustainabilty Centre, the most interest focused on the eco toilet and the Yurt. The eco toilet was surprisingly high tech looking, with toilet paper and a proper plastic seat. The Yurt had a stove inside and was probably better constructed than a mobile Mongol Yurt.
After lunch The Buriton Local Food Group explained how they were getting the local community to purchase local farm produce. They were followed by the Andover Christian Ecology group which is another young group and joins the existing nationwide network of Christian groups.
I decided to leave before the final talks and big discussion and decided to take the flatter easier route back home. But the day was very interesting and it is amazing just how many groups and organisations there are out there apart from the big ones such as FOE and Greenpeace.
The event was sponsored by The Co-operative and The Wildlife Trusts.
The first British designed tidal turbine located at Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough has produced its first electricity for the grid. Marine Current Turbines have been working on the technology for a number of years now and this commercial scale turbine is the first in the world. When the turbine is fully commissioned it is expected to generate some 1.2MW of power. 'Tidal Farms' using these turbines are already planned for the UK and Canada.
David Cameron has failed to convince many of his MPs that man-made global warming is a serious problem, according to a poll that finds widespread sceptisicm across parliament about the issue.
A third of Tory MPs who responded to the survey questioned the existence of climate change and its link to human activity. Two-thirds said tackling climate change should not be a priority for local councils.
A significant number of MPs from other parties also told the survey they had doubts on the issue. Overall, the results suggest that up to a fifth of the MPs who have been debating the UK's climate change bill do not understand, or choose to ignore, the science on which it is based.
