Next month’s climate summit in Copenhagen is doomed to failure, says Philip Stephens. But if scientists and world leaders are going to go anyway, there are a few more realistic goals they achieve to at least make it a successful failure.
Environment
Brown pelicans are back, baby: birds defy extinction
Thirty years ago, the brown pelican was on the brink of extinction. Thanks to a ban on DDT and preservation of nesting sites, they’re back.
NSW to keep draining the life out of the Snowy
The NSW government has indicated it will continue to draw water off the Snowy River, despite extensive evidence the river is nearer to degradation than ever.
Peter Garrett: Why I rejected the Traveston Dam
Environment Minister Peter Garrett outlines the environmental concerns that led him to reject the Queensland government’s proposal to build a dam at Traveston Crossing yesterday.
Europe gets onboard the Road Train to cleaner highways
The EU is exploring a novel way of reducing fuel consumption: linking cars via wireless sensors into “road trains” on Europe’s motorways, with one lead vehicle “pulling” all the others along while the drivers kick back and save on fuel.
Get off the bloody road: the roads aren’t safe for bikes
No one would suggest it is safe for pedestrians to be on the roadway, so why should it be any different if a pedestrian gets on a bike? Ex NSW Roads Minister Carl Scully says cyclists should get off the road.
No carbon storage under our house, thanks
The Dutch government wants to pump 10 million tons of carbon dioxide under the small town of Barendrecht in an effort to fight global warming. Local residents are a bit less enthused about the idea.
Garrett says no to Traveston Dam
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has said no to the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam near Gympie in south-east Queensland, based on environmental concerns. Conservationists say the dam threatens endangered species such as the Lungfish, Mary River Cod and Mary River Turtle.
“Copenhagen is our date with destiny”
At the opening of the Climate Vulnerable Forum yesterday, President Nasheed of the Maldives delivered an incredible speech, imploring world leaders to commit to real carbon targets at Copenhagen: “We will not sign a global suicide pact.”
Greenpeace: Our plan for a nuclear-free Australia
Greenpeace’s Steve Campbell says Australia can be powered by clean energy without resorting to nuclear like France, Finland and now the UK. Instead, we should follow the lead of countries like Spain, who can generate more than half of its energy needs from renewables.
The Tea Partiers’ next target: the climate
After kicking up a stink about health-care reform and just in time for Copenhagen, members of America’s Tea Party Movement have zoned in on a new target: Obama’s climate bill.
graph pr0n Carbon emissions: which countries are cleaning up their acts?
GOOD charts the five biggest carbon dioxide emitters in each region of the world, and whether they’ve reduced or increased emissions over the past few years. Spoiler: Australia doesn’t fare well.
Floating in the ocean: a rubbish pile the size of Texas
In the middle of the ocean, in areas of strong currents and little winds, exists giant whirlpools of swirling rubbish. The garbage patches are doubling in size every decade, with severe implications for marine life.
Gorbachev: The battle over climate change is the new Cold War
On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev has a message for the leaders of today: climate change is your Wall.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Sea Shepherd’s new anti-whaling stealth boat
Forget rickety old ships manned by raggedy hippies, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s new high-tech anti-whaling powerboat looks like it’s straight out of a Bond film. Go inside the latest weapon against Japanese whaling.
Is Rudd the worst kind of climate skeptic?
Kevin Rudd’s speech to the Lowy Institute last Friday was one of the most extraordinary pieces of rhetorical hypocrisy this country has seen in recent years, says Tim Hollo.
TV and PC recycling: Australia finally gets with the program
Currently, only 10% of PCs or TVs in Australia are actually recycled, but the introduction of a new mandatory recycling scheme should see that number soar to over 80% — and industry is actually getting on board.
Are CSIRO scientists being gagged?
Three years ago, the CSIRO found itself in hot water for gagging scientists from commenting on climate change. Today, it looks like the organisation may still be trying to censor scientists’ public comments.
Kohler: How the collapsing US$ will damage Copenhagen
For Australia, an international emissions trading scheme in Copenhagen may prove an economic disaster, thanks to a dropping US dollar a and rising Aussie dollar. It’s happening around the world and it’s making a Copenhagen deal unlikely.
The good oil on palm oil
The UK advertising regulator has banned an ad by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council claiming that palm oil is ‘sustainable’ and contributes to ‘the alleviation of poverty, especially amongst rural populations’, reports Andrew Bartlett.
Can sexing up science save the planet?
The ABC has a great analysis on the Timor Sea oil spill and how the mainstream media only started paying attention once the leaking rig burst into flames. Endangered marine life? Pah. Big explosions?! Now you’re talking! Does the environmental movement need to start finding sexier angles to sell journos on their causes?
PHOTO GALLERY: The world’s dirtiest events
All public events tend to make a bit of a mess, but some are worse than others. Newsweek looks at some of the biggest garbage-generating events on the planet, including NASCAR, Glastonbury and the Olympics.
