Blog: Climate

Dear Mr Clegg: an open lettter on climate change

Posted by jamie — 7 May 2010 at 3:12pm - Comments

As I write, the eventual outcome of the general election is still in the balance and with parliament well and truly hung (although I prefer the less pejorative phrase 'balanced parliament'), it's anyone's guess as to who will actually form a government. But it's clear that the Lib Dems are going to have a major influence on whatever form that government eventually takes.

Article tagged as: climate change, general election, liberal democrats, nick clegg, politics

BP = Biodiversity Perishes

Posted by Willie — 1 May 2010 at 5:25pm - Comments

Gulf of Mexico oil slick: the view from space © NASA

The Gulf of Mexico is in the news right now, because of a catastrophic oil spill. You will probably already have seen the pictures. We’ve already pointed out that this is yet another example of the impact our global dependency on oil is having, and how BP in particular, are at fault for their relentless pursuit of the black stuff. They’ll seemingly stop at nothing to fill up oil barrels.

The images we most associate with oil spills are of the impact on wildlife: sea otters in Prince William Sound , or seabirds in Shetland, covered with oil. It’s a dramatic and easily understood impact on our seas’ biodiversity.

Article tagged as: BP, disasters, fossil fuels, oil spill, USA

BP Deepwater: oil slick hits the Gulf Coast

Posted by jossc — 30 April 2010 at 3:14pm - Comments

Gulf Coast disaster: Seabirds surrounded by oil booms © Sean Gardner/Greenpeace

America woke up to what could be one of the biggest environmental disasters in its history this morning as crude oil from the wrecked BP rig Deepwater Horizon started to wash ashore along Louisiana's Gulf coast.

The 5,000 square kilometre slick threatens to devastate fisheries, wildlife refuges and bird sanctuaries. Louisiana is most at risk, but Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are also in danger.

Article tagged as: BP, disasters, fossil fuels, oil spill, USA

BP rig disaster exposes its high risk investment strategy

Posted by jossc — 29 April 2010 at 3:17pm - Comments

Ships work to contain the oil spill © Sean Gardner/Greenpeace

Will they never learn? Today the Gulf coast of the southern US is facing environmental catastrophe. Over 200,000 gallons of crude oil a day is leaking from the wellhead of the destroyed BP rig Deepwater Horizon, creating a giant slick visible from space.

Article tagged as: BP, disasters, fossil fuels, oil spill, USA

Which party will deliver the 'Green New Deal' the country, and climate, needs?

Posted by Louise Edge — 26 April 2010 at 4:45pm - Comments
Offshore wind farm © Ian Bramham

Ever since the economy, and public sector investment, hit the buffers in late 2008, our call for government to invest heavily in new clean energy industries has become more important. What's needed is a Green New Deal - a strong green stimulus combined with an active industrial strategy - to create thousands of skilled jobs, secure energy supplies and secure Britain's place in the global clean energy race.

And it's an idea that's very popular with the electorate. A new poll by YouGov for Greenpeace shows a 65% of people demanding increased government investment in new clean energy industries. That figure rises to over 70% in the North East, where many of the jobs would be based.

But will we get it?

 

Article tagged as: clean energy, green new deal, renewable energy

China: why coal takes more than it gives

Posted by jossc — 23 April 2010 at 10:58am - Comments

China is the king of coal. It is the world's biggest producer and consumer - but this reliance on coal is costing the country dear.

Because coal kills.

From the miners who dig it, to the people who breathe in its fumes, to the skies that swallow immense clouds of carbon dioxide, heating the earth and causing climate change and rising seal levels, coal takes more than it gives.

Article tagged as: animations, china, climate change, coal, videos

What are your election candidates saying about climate change?

Posted by jamie — 7 April 2010 at 10:36am - Comments

Election time is here again © CC Rodrigo Ono

And we're off! The election campaign is officially underway, although in practice it's been rumbling away for months. Listening to the news over the past few days, the political commentators seem certain that it's currently anyone's guess as to who will form the next government: Labour, the Tories or (whisper it) a coalition.

This uncertainty is no bad thing. For a start, it makes the process much more interesting, but it also means that with no party certain of victory, constituents have a chance to influence their parliamentary candidates' stances on various issues, particularly if they're in one of the key marginal constituencies which will decide the election. It's not a fair system but for the time being, we have to work with what we've got.

Article tagged as: climate change, election, trident
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