450 ppm? No now its 350ppm – too late

Johnathan Porrit’s article explains the frustration of policy rules and how this means only information gathered up to 2005 is considered by decision makers when new vital statistics are available.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/10/comment-porritt-poznan-copenhagen-environment

This is like a sketch from “Yes Prime minister” funny if it weren’t so tragic.

 

 

Antarctic 2008

As we complain about the wet weather in the UK ,I  wonder how the summer is effecting the Antarctic?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-ice-sheet-sea-level-greenland-arctic 

It seems so far that the melt is underway.

End of the line

Is this the climate for climate change?

Ian Bell sums up the dilemma pretty well in this article for the Herald. Times are hard and when it comes to the pinch do we consider our immediate needs or the future needs of the planet? Is Obama going to be leading the way for the world in utilising the current financial crisis to develop environmental strategies to help in both areas. New energy technology does create new jobs.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2474100.0.The_wrong_climate_to_cut_carbon_emissions.php

Stansted protest by Plane Stupid- Plain Stupid?

Below link to; BBC news on Stansted Protest by Plane Stupid.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/7770513.stm

 

Is the protest at Stansted ill conceived? One protester claimed they had prevented over 4 tons of CO2 being emitted by the protest yet this action has possibly helped alienate several hundred if not thousands of people to the climate change cause.

Whilst the media cannot be relied upon to get a balanced perspective on the reactions of passengers whose flights were disrupted, one has to wonder if anyone, even sympathisers, would have not have felt a bit pissed off.

Ryanair was the most effected airline and possibly a prime target of Plane Stupid being a low cost airline. However one has to consider the claims of some airlines as to the increased fuel economy and reduced emissions of newer aircraft. (Comments from Ryanair in BBC article) Let’s be realistic, air travel is not going to go away any more than nuclear weapons were negated due to the “Ban the Bomb” protests of years gone by.

 

Protesting about the lack of action to curb climate change is great but in this media driven age of instant communication, instant gratification, fast living and perceived instant results, protests need to be managed and choreographed to have maximum impact on the desired target with minimum collateral on the swaying vote.

 

Maybe a protest at the terminal entrance or at the check-in area would have been less damaging to the cause with equal impact and publicity. The fact of the matter is that most passengers who were disrupted will have got back in their cars, driven back home only to re-book and travel again at a later date, thus increasing their own collective footprint by a ton or two. If one is being pernickety, there is now the extra carbon footprint, which is not inconsiderable, generated by the process of prosecution of the arrested protesters and the forest of trees cut down to supply the mountains of paperwork which is endemic in the legal process.

 

Plane Stupid may have created some worldwide publicity but at what cost? Unfortunately the vast majority of the public still have their heads firmly implanted in their backsides, denying the crisis we are facing with the climate and until they are personally affected and confronted with irrefutable proof that the global warming is the direct cause of their misfortune, they will continue to clasp at the straw of denial.

 

Is it ME?

Brian

Climate isn't just a Jumbo issue

Holly Oak or Holm Oak

Holm Oak sculpted by wind

Holm Oak with acorns

Carbon KISS is cultivating over 200 Holly Oaks or Holm Oaks as they are called. These are not very common despit being introduce from Europe about 400 years ago. they are very common arround the Mediteranean and are very tolerant of salt and strong winds.

As the common name of Holly Oaks would indicate they are evergreen and the young leaves have spikey edges like a Holly leaf. The acorn is usually quite long and slender but the ones I found growing in Pixie Cove near Rosugeon are smaller as the soil and growing conditions are quite harsh, (see pictures below.) the severe winds are evident by the sweeping growth of the trees, one arching almost right over the road.

Pixie Cove, as you may know was the location for Ladies in Lavender staring Dame Judy Dench. This is on Cornwall’s South coast, about 5 miles East of Penzance, just past St Michael’s Mount.

Pixie Cove Cornwall UK

We hope to have the Holm Oaks available in 2009 / 2010.

Flood risks

Are you in a flood risk area?

How would you or your friends fare with a sea level rise?

Find out with this excelent site, simply select a sea level rise and scroll to your location. – scary.

http://flood.firetree.net/ 

Could this be your place?

Government targets for 2050

 

UK looks likely to miss the target http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4849672.stm for 2012 but as usual the government is applying the old green-wash again with a big brush. it seems they expect to get brownie points for setting fantastic targets for emission reductions for 2050 but has no realistic means of achieving it. 50% of 1990 co2 emissions! this is to be applauded if it can be done but the chances of Labour still being there at that time are remote and then there will be the old “Blame the other guy” scenario when we fail to hit the bulls-eye.

It is, as usual down to the individual to make a difference. if we all do our bit then the cumulative effect will be considerable. or we can simply carry on as usual and trust the politicians to sort it out. – how likely is that!

Why we Plant trees

This new blog is tied in with the launch of www.carbonkiss.co.uk and I hope lots of you will check it out and consider offsetting some or all of your carbon footprint. We have created a calculator to help you figure out what effect your activities have on the planet.

In these times of cash shortage, it is easy to neglect your offset however booms and busts come and go but the planet is a long term project, every little bit helps.

We believe that whilst carbon credits and various other financial incentives are a positive step in reducing the amount of CO2 we are polluting the atmosphere with, it does little to reduce the current levels which will continue to effect the global climate for many years to come. Trees are one of Mother Nature’s tools along with all vegetation, to absorb CO2 and capture it in solid form. We need to plant more trees for a long term solution to a current problem.

We hope to plant thousands of trees in the coming years and help kiss that carbon goodbye.

All sensible comments welcome.