climate change

The politics of COP 6

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
dont let us drown

dont let us drown

COP 6, officially known as the 6th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Bonn, Germany, from 16th - 27th July 2001.

The UNFCCC was born at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 as a result of growing concerns about climate change. The objective of the UNFCCC is the 'stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system'.

Article tagged as: climate change, COP, international policy, UNFCCC

Thousands stranded in flooded Orissa

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
Globe showing climate change

Globe showing climate change

The eastern Indian state of Orissa has received 84% more rain than usual resulting in floods that have left 30 people dead and up to 500,000 marooned. The floods - have affected more than four million people and 7,000 villages.

It is still raining heavily in parts of Orissa and the death toll is rising according to local officials. The federal government in Delhi has pledged some $22m in aid to the region.

Article tagged as: climate change, flooding, impacts, india, orissa

The History of the Climate Talks

Last edited 19 July 2001 at 8:00am
walrus on iceflow

walrus on iceflow

The road to Kyoto stretches back to the mid-1980s when increasing scientific evidence of human interference with the climate and growing public concern over environmental issues began to push climate change onto the political agenda.

Recognising the need for authoritative scientific information the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 and in 1990 the IPCC published it First Assessment Report. The report confirmed that climate change was indeed a threat and called for a global treaty to address the problem.

Article tagged as: climate change, COP, earth summit, international policy, IPCC, kyoto protocol, UN

Weird weather

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
wave energy: a green and sustainable energy resource

wave energy: a green and sustainable energy resource

The latest reports from the world's climate scientists show that climate change is happening faster than was first predicted. They paint a grim picture of life in a warming world. All around the globe countries are experiencing the kind of 'weird weather' that we have been warned to expect. At this stage no-one can categorically state that the devastation the world is experiencing is a result of climate change but at the very least it gives a frightening picture of what we can expect if the climate is not protected.

Here is a taste of what is really at stake...

Weird weather:
Wet weather and mites devastate bee populations.
Heaviest rain in South Korea for 37 years.
Thousands stranded in flooded Orissa.
Melting ice threatens blue whales' food supply.
Pacific nation fears devastation from the ocean.
Flash floods in Pakistan.

Article tagged as: climate change, impacts

Environmental effectiveness and loopholes

Last edited 19 July 2001 at 8:00am
Under threat - polar bear

Under threat - polar bear

In Kyoto in 1997 at the third Conference of the Parties (COP 3), the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. Thirty-eight industrialised countries agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by varying amounts with an overall reduction of 5.2% below 1990 levels by the year 2010. It also provided a series of 'flexible mechanisms' to help them achieve this.

As negotiations have proceeded it has become clear that these 'mechanisms' have become potential loopholes that, if adopted, would allow industrialised countries to do very little or nothing in the way of real emissions reduction and still appear to meet their targets.

Article tagged as: carbon sinks, climate change, co2, deforestation, emissions trading, forests, impacts, kyoto protocol, loopholes

Daily update COP6

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
wind turbines at sunset

wind turbines at sunset

Update: 19th July

The pace of activities continues to pick up rapidly here in Bonn.

Yesterday, the US Greenpeace students had a formal debate at 8 AM with the "Corporate" students brought over by a combination of climate skeptics, the oil industry and Republicans. Needless to say, our students carried the day, which started early because the "Corporate" students had to rush off for a sightseeing tour of nearby Cologne.

NGOs here have created a button (badge) with a picture of the Japanese flag and the words "Honour Kyoto" on them. German Environment Minister Jurgen Trittin was spotted wearing one, as well as delegates from many other countries.

Article tagged as: bonn, climate change, COP, japan, kyoto protocol, USA

Heaviest rain in South Korea for 37 years

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
Climate change: English country floods

Climate change: English country floods

The death toll in South Korea from the heaviest rain in 37 years rose to 40 on Monday as rescue workers sifted through the wreckage left by the downpour. The rain, which was most severe in the area of the capital, Seoul, followed months of unprecedented drought and triggered floods and landslides.

Article tagged as: climate change, disasters, flooding, impacts, landslides, precipitation, south korea

Wet weather and mites devastate bee populations

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments
Flowers and bee

Flowers and bee

A combination of pesticide-resistant mites and wet weather has devastated bee populations in parts of the US, wiping out more than half of Maryland's bees this winter and devastating hives in many regions of the country. Beekeepers are now struggling to rebuild their colonies, while farmers who rely on the insects to pollinate their crops have had difficulty finding available hives to place in their fields.

Article tagged as: bees, climate change, conservation, impacts, insects, maryland, USA, vermont

Greenpeace stops international outlaw President Bush in his tracks

Posted by bex — 19 July 2001 at 8:00am - Comments

buckingham palace protestPresident George Bush's motorcade was brought to an abrupt halt by two Greenpeace volunteers. As Bush swept down The Mall on his way to Buckingham Palace for lunch with the Queen, they stepped calmly out in front of him carrying signs saying "George W Bush - International Outlaw" and sat down in the road. The delayed motorcade continued on its way after the two were removed by police officers.

Meanwhile, Greenpeace supporters stood outside the Palace to (un)welcome GW Bush to the country. A giant puppet of Bush, a forest of 'International Outlaw' flags, 4 of the now famous Star Wars missiles (protesting US plans to break the ABM treaty) and an ear-splitting barrage of air horns greeted the Toxic Texan as he arrived.

Article tagged as: buckingham palace, climate change, direct actions, george bush, kyoto protocol, protests

Greenpeace condemns George W Bush as international criminal

Last edited 18 July 2001 at 8:00am
18 July, 2001

Greenpeace today condemned President George W Bush as an international outlaw who refuses to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and is planning to break the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. The president is coming to London to bully Tony Blair into supporting the American Government over its 'Star Wars' programme and justify his refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Article tagged as: climate change, disarmament, george bush, kyoto protocol, peace, press releases, star wars