One day a year is not enough, let's start a movement..


Every month on the first of the month starting tonight!
******

Our household's power will be turned off between 8-9 pm tonight...
that’s just 3 hours from now.

My son and a few friends of ours will meet under the coconut palms
outside the surf life saving club at Picnic Bay.
Where we will share an hour of peace together.
Everyone is invited, hope to see you there.

We want to grow the movement and follow my home town, Sydney's lead,
of just over one year ago.

I hope my thoughts will allow me to visit my birthplace, Bronte.
where I could sit comfortably on my favourite rock..

Imagine Bronte in the darkness.
as it has never been in my lifetime of 48 years.

I will imagine all of Magnetic Island in total darkness...
and all of Townsville in darkness across the bay...
and the jetty in darkness.

and dream that the all the people of our planet see…
that peace is possible

Anne Goddard

[Admitedly, computer models are only as good as the information
assessed. So if certain factors are overlooked or underestimated,
discrepancies between prediction and outcome could be off the scale.
But for the most part they seem to have done their job.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Are Global Warming Models Accurately Predicting Our Future? New Study
Reveals the Answer—A Galaxy Interview
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/04/are-global-warm.html

There are a lot of competing theories out there when it comes to
climate change. It seems that for every expert opinion there is an
opposite opinion, and for every piece of evidence there are contrary
views. Politicians, scientists and environmentalists alike can't seem
to agree on all of the facts. But what about all of these computerized
climate models coming out? Are they reliable and accurate? Can we
trust the predictions these models generate?

In the recent study "How Well do Coupled Models Simulate Today's
Climate?" which will be published in the Bulletin of the American
Meteorological Society, meteorologists analyzed a wide range of
existing models. Co-authors Thomas Reichler and Junsu Kim from the
Department of Meteorology at the University of Utah researched how
well climate models actually do their job in simulating climate by
comparing the output of the models against observations for present
climate. Using this method, the scientists analyzed about 50 different
national and international models that were developed over the past
two decades at major climate research centers in China, Russia,
Australia, Canada, France, Korea, Great Britain, Germany, and the
United States, including the very latest model generation used for the
2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The results of this study conclude that current climate models are
quite accurate in terms of present climate, and can therefore act as
valuable tools in predicting future trends. If so, that would mean
that the models used for the recent IPCC report are realistic. Of
course, unknown future variables, such as how we choose to respond to
climate change, could change these projections, hopefully favorably.
However, the data we have now is reliable, concludes the study. The
research also found that most of the existing models project a global
warming trend of about 7 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 100-year
period. Such a dramatic rise in temperature would likely have a
devastating impact on many forms of life, including humans.

But what about the various claims from some experts that the Earth
isn't getting warmer, or the even more contrary claim that we may
actually be entering into a cooling phase in the Earth's climate
cycle? The Daily Galaxy interviewed the lead author of the study,
climate expert Thomas Reichler, to hear what he has to say about it.
According to him, anyone claiming that the Earth isn't getting warmer,
or that it's perhaps even getting colder, simply isn't looking at the
actual data, and very likely isn't even a real scientist.

"I don't think there is any scientific evidence to support such an
idea. People may be coming up with those kind of ideas, but I don't
think it's coming from scientists," Reichler told the Daily Galaxy.
Reichler pointed out that most scientists agree that climate change is
a real and critical issue, because that is what the scientific
evidence accumulated thus far suggests. Climate change is expected to
cause a wide range of weather and temperatures fluctuations including
some areas becoming colder, but the overall trend is warming.
According to Reichler, people can have an opinion that climate change
isn't real, but that doesn't change the reality of it.

"There is absolutely no doubt that the world is in a warming phase,"
Reichler told the Daily Galaxy, "and that conclusion is supported by
99% of all serious scientists, so I'm certainly not alone in that
certainty. "
But what about those who claim that climate change is part of an
inevitable climate cycle that has little to do with humans? Is global
warming a man-made phenomenon, or part of an inevitable climate cycle?
According to Reichler, nearly all scientific evidence to date suggests
that humans do play a role in the issue.
"Of course, there are some other contributing factors but the main
factor involved is the many human activities that significantly
increase levels of greenhouse gases."

The Daily Galaxy asked Reichler what he believes average people can do
on a day-to-day practical level to make a positive difference.
Reichler says that, on the most basic level, people can make a
significant difference by consuming less fossil fuel and by making our
homes and lifestyles more energy efficient.
"Drive smaller cars, drive less, and insulate your house well. Things
like this can make a difference."

Posted by Rebecca Sato.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [GTW Enews] GTW E-News #53 - Rudd Government Trade Policy, win
$1, 500 for your photos, Fair Trade Fortnight, Fighting FTAs Book & Much
More...
From:    "Global Trade Watch" <info@...>
Date:    Wed, April 30, 2008 1:04 am
To:      enews@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

GTW E-News #53 - Rudd Government Trade Policy, win $1,500 for your
photos, Fair Trade Fortnight, Fighting FTAs Book & Much More...

** AVAILABLE ONLINE AT http://www.tradewatch.org.au/enews/53.html **

Contents:

1) News from Global Trade Watch
2) Good News for (a) Change
3) Upcoming Events
4) Take Action!
5) Global Trade News

------------------------------------------

1) NEWS FROM GLOBAL TRADE WATCH

* Editorial: Rudd Government Trade Policy Looking Just as
Fundamentalist as Howard's

When Kevin Rudd and the ALP were elected to government late last
year, there was a palpable sense of hope that as Prime Minister, Rudd
would bring a freshness and change to the stale, divisive policies
which Howard had pursued for over a decade.

A sense of this had been imparted by Rudd's 2006 essay for The
Monthly magazine entitled "Howard's Brutopia", in which he criticised
Howard's pursuit of "liberalisation in economic policy and . . .
"modern conservatism" in social policy" in all his government's
policies.  Rudd used the essay to rail against "neoliberals" – those
who espouse "market fundamentalism" – and ask whether "traditional
social values of family, community and country are compatible with
the ruthless economic utilitarianism of a market in which rampant
individualism is dominant." He concluded with a the call to arms to
"forge a new coalition of political forces across the Australian
community, uniting those who are disturbed by market fundamentalism
in all its dimensions and who believe that this country is entitled
to a greater vision than one which merely aggregates individual greed
and self-interest."

Since taking power, however, there has been a growing sense that far
from offering a alternative to Howard's market fundamentalism, the
Rudd Government is simply continuing the same policies, perhaps even
more enthusiastically.

Take, for example, the area of trade policy.  In January last year,
then-Shadow Trade Minister Simon Crean criticised the "spaghetti bowl
of bilateral agreements" which the Howard government had negotiated
as "political trophies, not as part of a consistent and strategic
approach to improve trade opportunities".  Crean pointed out that "In
all three bilateral free trade agreements signed by this [Howard]
Government (Singapore, US, and Thailand), our trade position has
deteriorated with these countries."  In November that year, Crean
promised "new thinking on trade policy" should a Rudd government be
elected.

One could be forgiven for imagining that, amid the promises of "new
thinking" on trade, and the 2020 Summit's promise of "new ideas",
that some new thinking or new ideas might be allowed to emerge.  Not
so.  On trade, the Rudd Government is pursuing the same tired, stale
policies which Howard pursued. Far from opposing market
fundamentalism and neoliberalism, Rudd and his Trade Minister Crean
have continued to pursue Howard's neoliberal "free" trade agreements
(FTAs), particularly bilateral agreements, with vigour.*

In China earlier this month, Rudd announced that "We have agreed to
'unfreeze' what have been the frozen bi-lateral negotiations for a
free trade agreement between Australia and China.  We have reaffirmed
our commitment to bringing those negotiations to a successful
conclusion as soon as possible."  The very same day, the Trade
Minister announced a feasibility study into an Australia-India FTA,
arguing that "“High quality FTAs can bring considerable economic
benefits", less than six months after pointing out that all of our
previous FTAs have failed to do so.

Then last week Mr Crean warmly welcomed a study into an Australia-
Korea FTA by free-market extremist and big-business lobbyist Alan
Oxley - a neoliberal if ever there was one - in turn noting that "we
are committed to pushing ahead with FTA efforts" with Korea.

But don't be too concerned: Crean has also announced two
"comprehensive" reviews of our trade policy, presumably to give him
frank, fearless, independent advice he's not currently getting from
his staff and from bureaucrats.  The first review, of Australia's
export policies, is being conducted by Mr David Mortimer, Chairman of
Leighton Holdings Ltd, Australia Post, and Crescent Capital Partners,
together with Dr John Edwards chief economist for HSBC bank, former
first adviser to Macquarie Bank and former chief economist for
Societe Generale bank.

The second review, into Australia's bilateral FTAs, is being
conducted by Professor Kym Anderson, Lead Economist (Trade Policy) in
the Research Group of the World Bank; by Andrew Stoler former Deputy
Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and former
Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the WTO; by
Peter Gallagher, consultant to the WTO since 1999 and former CEO of
the Australian Dairy Industry Council; and by Dr Nicholas Gruen, an
economist formerly with the Business Council of Australia and the
Productivity Commission.

It's not only that these are all the same, stale, neoliberal voices
from big business, the World Bank and the WTO, the same voices which
dominated trade policy during the Howard Government, voices which are
in no way "independent" and can't possibly come up with "new ideas"
on trade policy. (Though clearly they are, and can't). It's also that
there is clearly no scope whatsoever in these reviews for those who
would like to respond to Rudd's call for those "who are disturbed by
market fundamentalism in all its dimensions and who believe that this
country is entitled to a greater vision than one which merely
aggregates individual greed and self-interest."

* To clarify, while these agreements are supposedly about "free
trade", they are in fact more like bills of rights for corporations,
covering a variety of areas which have almost nothing to do with
trade at all.  It has been pointed out that a real free trade
agreement would be about 2 pages long, and would simply include a
statement from all countries involved which agreed to lower all
tariffs, quotas and subsidies to zero.

These "free trade agreements", however, more often number 1000+
pages, and include 20-30 chapters which cover almost every sector of
the economy. These chapters lay out in detail the rights of foreign
investors in each area, restricting governments' ability to regulate
everything from healthcare and education, local content on TV and
film, quarantine rules and government procurement policies.  The US-
Australia FTA even included a promise from the Howard Government to
fully privatise Telstra, even though at the time the government did
not have a majority in the Senate.

Indeed, parts of modern FTAs actually increase rather than decrease
industry protection - particularly in the area of intellectual
property rights.  Here, FTAs act to protect and extend the monopolies
which corporations have over their products courtesy of patents and
trademarks - from 50 to 70 years for trademarks in the US-Australia
FTA, for instance.  Intellectual property has little to do with
trade, but it's included in FTAs because it's on the agenda at the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) where - according to trade economist
Jagdish Bhagwati - " the matter was forced onto the WTO's
agenda . . . by the pharmaceutical and software industries, even
though this risked turning the WTO into a glorified collection agency."

** If, despite what you've just read, you'd like to make a submission
to the review of Australia’s export policies or of our FTAs, it's a
chance to raise its concerns to the government about the social and
environmental impacts of FTAs.  The Government has released an Issues
Paper as a way to help guide submissions: http://www.dfat.gov.au/
trade/export_review/key_issues.html  If you'd like to make a
submission, they need to be in by May 2. Submissions need not be long
nor in depth - just make your voice heard!  Email to
trade.review@... or post to Review of Export Policies and
Programs, c/-Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, BARTON, ACT 0221.


* People & Planet International Photo Competition - WIn up to $1,500
for your Photos

Many of you would be familiar with Global Trade Watch's annual
publication People & Planet: A Social Justice & Environment Diary,
which raises funds for our campaign work.  We'll, now's your chance
to have your own photos published in the 2009 Diary!  We're looking
for images which tell a story about a person, group of people or
place, and which link to a social-justice or environment issue.

The best three photos will win cash prizes: 1st Prize: A$1,500, 2nd
Prize: A$750, 3rd Prize: $A250, and the best 55 images will be
published in the People & Planet 2009 Diary.  You can submit up to 4
photos per entrant.  Competition closes 4th of July.

Full details at http://www.peopleandplanet.org.au


* Win a FREE copy of "Bad Samaritans: Rich Nations, Poor Policies &
The Threat to the Developing World"

Last year prominent Cambridge economist Ha Joon Chang published an
excellent new book, "Bad Samaritans: Rich Nations, Poor Policies &
The Threat to the Developing World."  Bad Samaritans shows how the
rich countries which now call for free trade from the world's poorest
– countries like the UK and US – achieved their wealth not through
free trade, but rather through aggressive protectionism.  Chang calls
for the developing world to be allowed to use these same measures to
more out of poverty, rather than the free trade, privatisation and
deregulation which is now being imposed on them. You can read an
article summarising some of the points Chang makes in Bad Samaritans
here: http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=9653

Thanks for Random House, Global Trade Watch has 4 FREE copies of Bad
Samaritans to give away to our members. So if you'd like a FREE copy
of Ha Joon Chang's Bad Samaritans, you're in luck: support fair
trading systems by joining Global Trade Watch TODAY (or any day
before Friday May 9th) for a chance to win a FREE copy of Bad
Samaritans: http://www.tradewatch.org.au/membership.html


* "Fighting FTAs" - New publication and website on resistance to
bilateral free trade and investment agreements - email for a free copy

While global trade talks at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
stagnate, governments and corporations are busy spinning a complex
web of bilateral free trade and investment agreements (FTAs).
Through these secretive deals, states and corporations are trying to
divide and conquer the world, creating vast new privileges for
transnational corporations. Typically, FTAs cover a broad array of
issues, from giving corporations the right to sue governments, to
legalising the dumping of American farm surpluses, to raising the
cost of life-saving medicines through longer patent terms. FTAs
further concentrate economic power and natural resources in the hands
of a few, disempower communities, destroy biodiversity and undermine
food sovereignty.

"Fighting FTAs: The growing resistance to bilateral free trade and
investment agreements", is a new publication from bilaterals.org,
BIOTHAI and GRAIN, which looks at what this FTA frenzy is really
about, how social movements are fighting back and strategic lessons
which are emerging from these struggles.  You can download a copy
online at http://www.fightingftas.org.

Global Trade Watch also has 50 free hard copies of "Fighting FTAs" to
give away, so if you'd like a free card copy of this publication,
just email us at: info@... and we'll post you a free
copy (within Australia only).


* Squeezed: The Cost of Free Trade in the Asia-Pacific - DVDs still
available for just $10

Have you seen GTW's popular and powerful 2007 film, Squeezed: The
Cost of Free Trade in the Asia Pacific yet?  Filmed in Thailand and
The Philippines in July 2007, Squeezed tells the story of how free
trade agreements and globalisation are changing the lives of millions
of people living in the Asia-Pacific region.  If you haven't seen it
yet, Global Trade Watch still has DVD copies of Squeezed for sale for
just $10.  Buy yourself a copy today, or give it as a gift: http://
www.tradewatch.org.au/squeezed.html


* Are you a graphic designer or desktop publisher?  We want your help!

Global Trade Watch is looking for a graphic designer to volunteer
some time in March/April to help lay-out our new publication "Free
Trade or Fair Trade: An Australian Guide".  If you think you could
help, drop us an email at info@...


------------------------------------------

2) GOOD NEWS FOR (A) CHANGE

* Jubilee Act for debt cancellation passes the US House of
Representatives!

Leaders of churches, development agencies, civil rights, labor, and
human rights groups have praised the passage by the US House of
Representatives by a vote of 285-132 of the Jubilee Act. The
legislation calls the US Treasury Department to negotiate a
multilateral agreement for debt cancellation for up to 24 additional
poor countries that need cancellation to meet the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).

In addition to authorizing broader debt cancellation, the bill seeks
to reform current IMF/World Bank policies and other global lending
practices by:
• Urging that more resources be devoted to grants for the world’s
poorest countries;
• Requiring greater transparency at the IFIs, including a policy of
maximum disclosure in project and loan documents;
• Urging the development of a binding framework for more responsible
lending practices in the future;
• Limiting the conditions that may be required of countries going
through the debt relief process to those ensuring that money released
by debt relief is used transparently and accountably to address
poverty; and
• Directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to undertake
an audit of “odious, onerous, or illegal” lending by the World Bank,
IMF, and US government in specific countries.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate, where the
bill enjoys strong bi-partisan support and 26 co-sponsors.

“Passing the Jubilee Act is a leap forward for the U.S. in living up
to its promises to fight global poverty,” said Gerald LeMelle,
Executive Director of Africa Action. “For years, the chains of
illegitimate debt have crippled the ability of African countries to
provide healthcare and education for their citizens. I applaud the
House of Representatives for passing this bill, and urge the Senate
to demonstrate a similar commitment to smart, people-driven
development policy.”

More Info: http://www.jubileeusa.org/press/press-item/article/
churches-development-advocates-praise-congress-passage-of-legislation-
for-expanded-international-d.html


------------------------------------------

3) UPCOMING EVENTS

NATIONAL
* Fair Trade Fortnight - May 3-18.  See below for individual events.

MELBOURNE

* Sat May 3, 7pm - Black Gold film screening - Black Gold explores
the world of multinational coffee companies which now rule our
shopping malls and supermarkets and dominate the industry worth over
$80 billion, making coffee the most valuable trading commodity in the
world after oil. But while we continue to pay for our lattes and
cappuccinos, the price paid to coffee farmers remains so low that
many have been forced to abandon their coffee fields. Nowhere is this
paradox more evident than in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee.
Tickets $15 at the door. WHERE: Kino Dendy (Collins St, Melbourne CBD).

* Friday 9 May, 12-10pm (all day) - Fair Trade Fiesta: A Fair Trade
Market and Fashion Show in one event - Spend a few hours to browse
the ever widening range of fair trade products including crafts,
fashion, and Fairtrade certified coffee, tea, chocolate, sports balls
and other products. The Fair Trade Market is in the Atrium at Fed
Square from 12 – 10PM.  Fashion Fights Fair is an evening of fashion
from designers addressing social, environmental, and ethical issues,
hosted by musician Clare Bowditch. BMW Edge 8-10PM. See the Vic FTF
website at http://www.ftf08.com.

* Tue 20 May, 7pm - Public Forum on Global Governance/Cosmopolitanism
- In many senses globalisation has brought us closer together.
However it has also enhanced the ability of the developed world to
exploit  everyone else. Instead of the unity we were promised we have
a greater disparity in living standards and wealth. So what sort of
globalisation could actually bring us together? Can global networks
of NGOs help bring us together in a way our government's have failed
to? Can it be the key to greater understanding between cultures and
nations, were our similarities bind us together creating a cohesive
world order? Can we move beyond nationalism to a single moral
community? Speaker: Sue Kenny (Deakin University). WHERE: Horse
Bazaar, 397 Little Lonsdale Street.  More info:
centre@...

SYDNEY
* Tues 6 May, 6-9pm - Fair Trade Fiesta - To celebrate Fair Trade
FortnightBe part of the global Fair Trade movement by joining us for
a provocative and enlivening evening! Savour delectable food prepared
by Kylie Kwong using the finest Fairtrade products, sample organic
wines, explore the wonderful variety of Fair Trade foods, clothing,
gifts and textiles and discover why around the world Fair Trade is
hot! ” WHERE: Paddington Town Hall.  Entry Fee: Entry price $15
includes food prepared by Kylie Kwong , organic wine and a free Fair
Trade jute bag. Free Parking available in the Gold Members car park
at The Sydney Cricket Ground ( 5 minutes walk ). RSVP to
natasha@...

BRISBANE
* Friday 9 May, 6:30-10pm - Fair Trade Fiesta - The fiesta will
feature circus acrobats, music, drummers, fair trade markets and
food, and celebrity tshirt competition. WHERE: Marymac Community Centre

PERTH
* Sunday 11 May, 5-11pm - Fair Trade Fiesta - Featuring
entertainment, fashion and lifestyle show, bar and catering
facilities. 6pm - Short Film Festival of Fair Trade; 7pm - Ethical
and Lifestyle Fashion Show; 8pm - Café Collective - World Music Show:
Zigatango, Exodus, The Sneaky Weasel Gang.  WHERE: ArtRage Complex,
Northbridge.


------------------------------------------

4) TAKE ACTION!

* Don't let Bechtel off the hook in Ecuador!

Bechtel's at it again. The same corporation that spurred the infamous
"Water Wars" in Bolivia in 2000 thinks that it can get away with the
same irresponsible tactics, this time in the neighboring country of
Ecuador. Bechtel, a U.S. corporation based in San Francisco, has cut
off water services from poor people, dumped raw sewage into rivers,
and provided residents with contaminated water, leading to an
outbreak of Hepatitis A in 2005. Now, realizing that the
privatization scheme has failed, Bechtel is trying to sell-out to
another private corporation, flee the country with the profits and
leave its debts and contractual promises behind.But Ecuadorians are
saying, "Enough!" They will not permit Bechtel to flee without taking
responsibility for this disaster. And you can help. The Ecuadorian
regulatory agency recently fined Bechtel's water company $1.5 million
for violating its contract. And more than 10,000 people have signed a
petition demanding the cancellation of their debt to the water company.

Please add your voice by sending a letter to Bechtel's CEO, Riley
Bechtel, letting him know that the world supports Ecuadorians
defending their right to clean, affordable water: http://
www.foodandwaterwatch.org/world/world-alerts/dont-let-bechtel-off-the-
hook-in-ecuador


* Talk to Dove before they destroy PNG's Paradise Forests

Unilever, the makers of Dove beauty products, are buying palm oil
from suppliers who destroy Indonesia's rainforests. They're causing
forest destruction, species extinction and climate change. Together
we can make the company stop destroying forests for palm oil. Join
the international Dove campaign today - watch the short video and
sign the open letter here: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/
campaigns/forests/asia-pacific/dove-palmoil-action


* Did you know that over 40,000 people from Bangladesh are at risk of
losing their homes at the hands of a UK company?

Global Coal Management - based in their cosy office in London - are
pushing through plans to build an open cast mine in Phulbari,
Bangladesh. A mine that will destroy the homes of more than 40,000
people, and threaten the water supply of a further 100,000.  The
people of Bangladesh are protesting against this new mine and are now
urging us to do the same. Please send an email to the director of GCM
Steve Bywater to demand that they pull out of this project: http://
www.wdm.org.uk/campaigns/others/action/bangladeshmine.php


* Help Oxfam Australia call for an independent investigation after
shooting in Philippines

Oxfam Australia is calling for an independent inquiry to determine
whether the opposition of residents in a remote community in the
Philippines is being appropriately responded to by Australian based
mine operator, OceanaGold. The move follows reports that a security
guard from the mine shot and wounded a villager. Sign the petition to
demand that OceanaGold respond to community concerns: http://
www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/mining/take-action/add-your-name-oceana.php


------------------------------------------

5) GLOBAL TRADE NEWS

* BILATERAL & REGIONAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEWS *

* Rudd may give China investment rights (21 Apr) - The Rudd
government is considering giving cashed-up Chinese companies the same
investment rights enjoyed by the US in a bid to revitalise free-trade
talks, including the right to invest up to $1 billion at a time
without having to seek approval from the Foreign Investment Review
Board. More: http://news.smh.com.au/rudd-may-give-china-investment-
rights/20080421-27gi.html

* Oxfam: rethink unfair EU trade deals before it’s too late (21 Apr)
- The EU will do irrevocable damage to the development prospects of
some of the poorest countries in the world unless it overhauls free
trade deals due to be finalized this year, said Oxfam in a report
published today. More: http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/2008/
pr080421_rethink_unfair_EU_trade_deals

* Food safety on the butcher’s block (18 Apr) - The United States is
using bilateral trade agreements to arm-twist weaker countries into
accepting its food safety standards as a tool to expand the market
control of US corporations. South Korea is the latest victim. More:
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5158

* PM pushes trade ahead of human rights (11 April) - Kevin Rudd has
put Australia's trading relationship with China ahead of concerns
about human rights abuses in Tibet, reigniting free trade talks and
launching a new climate change partnership after meeting Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao. More: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/
0,,23520988-2702,00.html


* WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION NEWS*

* Rising Food Prices Could Affect WTO Talks (21 Apr) - The rising
food and fuel prices, with related social destabilisation, may
necessitate a ‘‘course correction’’ in the liberalisation talks on
industrial goods and agriculture, the African, Caribbean and Pacific
group of nations told World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General
Pascal Lamy at the end of last week. More: http://www.ipsnews.net/
news.asp?idnews=42062

* Lamy Pushes Ahead With Services Liberalisation (21 Apr) - WTO
Director General Pascal Lamy announced at the end of last week that
there will be a limited ministerial ‘‘signalling’’ conference on
services trade chaired by himself. More: http://www.ipsnews.net/
news.asp?idnews=42061

*  Why Food Import Surges Are an Issue at The WTO (7 Mar) - Food
import surges have had devastating consequences for the rural poor
and local economies in Africa. Such surges have taken place with
alarming frequency in the past decade or two. More: http://
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41502

* Rudd may be pinning his hopes on trade policy that is past its use-
by date (5 Mar) - Kevin Rudd and his Trade Minister, Simon Crean, are
very clear on the direction for trade liberalisation under a Labor
Government. In a speech to the Lowy Institute, Crean says he wants
the "central focus" to be multilateral, via the WTO. More: http://
www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=11384


* WORLD BANK & INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND NEWS *

* IMF: The Times They Are A-Changin' (14 Apr) - Have things changed
at the International Monetary Fund? Or is the world just witnessing
yet another in a long series of global economic double standards?
More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-weissman/imf-the-times-
they-are-a_b_96556.html

* The World Bank's carbon deals (10 April) - The World Bank's foray
into the carbon market paves the way for business-as-usual, while
short-changing clean, renewable energy, the poor, and ultimately the
climate. More: fpif.org/fpiftxt/5143

* IMF governance renovations: fresh paint while foundations rot (1
Apr) - The shareholders of the IMF have squandered the political will
for governance reform of the institution by making marginal changes
that will fail to shift the balance of power. More: http://
www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-561041

* A Marxist at the World Bank (28 Mar) - The appointment of Justin
Yifu Lin as World Bank Chief Economist is big news: this is the first
time this position is held by a citizen from the developing world.
Yet the real surprise is that Lin is known for his criticism of the
Washington Consensus, and particularly of shock therapies and mass-
scale privatizations, two policies actively promoted by the Bretton
Woods institutions in the last two decades. More: http://
ifis.choike.org/informes/804.html


* OTHER TRADE & GLOBAL JUSTICE NEWS *

* UNCTAD Hears Gender Inequality Becoming Worse - and Better (24 Apr)
- The only way that the poor, particularly women, will benefit from
all the efforts that the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) has put into improving global trade is to ensure
that power inequalities are redressed. More: http://www.ipsnews.net/
news.asp?idnews=42107

* Civil society groups call for establishment of Commission on
Globalisation (23 Apr) - Civil society groupsfrom around the world
have called for the establishment of a new Commission on
Globalisation and Development Strategies within the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). More: http://
www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=11920

* Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human
Rights (Apr 08) - Written by John Ruggie, Special Representative of
the UN Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and
transnational corporations and other business enterprises, this
report presents a conceptual and policy framework to anchor the
business and human rights debate, and to help guide all relevant
actors. The framework comprises three core principles: the State duty
to protect against human rights abuses by third parties, including
business; the corporate responsibility to respect human rights; and
the need for more effective access to remedies. Full Report: http://
www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-report-7-Apr-2008.pdf

* So, Back to Regulation, Then (20 Mar) - The financial crisis around
the world marks the end of neo-liberal globalisation and the
beginning of a new era of regulation of the global economy, political
leaders and economists say. More: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?
idnews=41669

* The Cult of the Market: Economic Fundamentalism and its Discontents
(2007) This book disputes the practical value of the shallow, all-
encompassing, dogmatic, economic fundamentalism espoused by policy
elites in recent public policy debates, along with their gross
simplifications and sacred rules.  It advocates a more overtly
experimental, eclectic and pragmatic approach to policy development
which takes more seriously the complex, interdependent, evolving
nature of society and the economy. Download the full book free here:
http://epress.anu.edu.au/cotm_citation.html



------------------------------------------

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: ICAN Australia: Bulletin #10 - April 2008
From:    "International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons" <info@...>
Date:    Tue, April 29, 2008 6:03 am


*ICAN ACT -- /things to do today!/*

*Sign up to the campaign*.  New software makes it even easier to show
your support!**

*Order new ICAN materials* -- Check out <http://www.icanw.org/resources>
our new fliers and mini-mags; T-shirts ($15).**

  **

*ICAN NEWS***

*ICAN in Geneva.  *Yesterday the meeting of parties of the UN's nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty began -- and we are part of it (see more below
or click for NPT refresher <http://www.icanw.org/treaties>).  Tim Wright
has gone to represent ICAN Australia, and in an unprecedented step, the
Australian Government accepted Assoc Prof. Tilman Ruff from ICAN and Cr
Jenny Farrar from Mayors for Peace onto the official Government
delegation!  Follow NPT events in our new blog
<http://www.icanw.blogspot.com/>.  Other great news updates are
available through: Daily news bulletins- News in Review;
<http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/npt/nirindex.html>  NPT
webcast <http://www.npt-webcast.info/> being produced by a group of
dedicated young people attending the conference. **

* *

*ICAN in Canberra*.  Prior to this NPT meeting, ICAN coordinated a
consultation with the Government, in which 23 organisations
participated. Major church, environment, union and peace groups were
represented, and DFAT was clear that nuclear weapons is an issue that
many Australians care deeply about.  Tim Wright also talked about ICAN
at the 2020 Youth Summit; Jessica Morrison's idea made it into GetUp's
top 30 idea summary distributed at the summit; and Felicity Hill who
established our campaign (now WILPF <http://www.wilpf.org/>
international Vice-President), ensured disarmament was mentioned at the
main summit (read more <http://www.icanw.org/node/3105>).  ICAN is in
Canberra again this week meeting with offices of key Government Ministers.**

* *

*ICAN on the streets. *March 16, Palm Sunday, marked the 5^th
anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.  ICAN spoke at a number of events
around Australia and coordinated national efforts.  Read More
<http://www.icanw.org/files/National_Report_2008_v4.pdf> **

* *

*ICAN on-line.  *ICAN now has an *online shop
<http://www.cafepress.com/icanw>* for t-shirts, mugs, bags and much
more.   T-shirts are also available at the ICAN Melbourne office for
$15.  ICAN also has a *new blog <http://www.icanw.blogspot.com/>* as
well as our website <http://www.icanw.org/>, MySpace page
<http://www.myspace.com/icanw> and Facebook cause
<http://www.facebook.com/>.**

* *

*ICAN in the news.  *

     * John Langmore opinion piece in The Age supports Australia's call
       for a seat at the UN Security Council, with nuclear weapons work
       key in this. **
     * Dr Bill Williams' opinion piece in the Adelaide Advertiser -
       "Scientists drop nuclear bombshell" (read article
       <http://www.mapw.org.au/news/lax-safeguards>) - has raised a
       response from the Australian Uranium Association president. **
     * Steven Starr, a visiting scientist from the USA gave an update to
       the ABC about the catastrophic climate effects of a nuclear
       exchange (listen to story
       <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2008/2208469.htm>).
       **
     * Jessica Morrison had a feature published in the South Sydney
       Herald "Abolish the Bomb" (pg 14: read article
       <http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/pdf/SSH_MAR08.pdf>).**
     * Tim Wright's attendance at the 2020 Youth Summit led to two ICAN
       local paper articles (see stories
       <http://www.icanw.org/news/ican-in-the-media>).**

*
NUCLEAR WEAPONS NEWS*

*US* held onto intelligence about *Israel**'s* bombing of a *Syrian*
nuclear plant last year, irking the IAEA (read more
<http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVLz7KrzrH9HVrfzth3PoYveaSNw>).
   There is speculation that this reactor had military intentions, and
was built from technology from North Korea, but reports appear
inconclusive (read more
<http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hor6CQmkagCJRWJBSXnLTy-UI1oQ>).**

* *

*France* announces weapons modernisation program, while also announcing
plans to reduce overall nuclear weapons numbers (read commentary
<http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2008_04/France.asp>).**

* *

*WE CAN -- New ICAN partners *

*Australian Education Union (Vic) <http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/>*

*Architects for Peace <http://architectsforpeace.org/>*

*Maritime Union of Australia (Vic) <http://www.mua.org.au/>*

--
Jessica Morrison
Australian Director
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
G03 60 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: + 61 3 9347 4795
Mob:     0431 519 577
Fax: + 61 39347 4995
______________________________
www.icanw.org

By far the greatest single danger facing humankind -- in fact, all living
beings on our planet -- is the threat of nuclear destruction. - His
Holiness, the 14th Dali Lama



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I know this issue has little to do with climate change action... but as
you may be aware, human rights abuses and climate change are very
comfortable bed partners... Please pass throughout your networks...

To Global Climate Change Action Group anne at globalclimatechangeaction.org
Anne Goddard

**Dear AIDOH and TheColorOrange.net and the press,

*We have been in Hong Kong but were expelled and are now back in Denmark,
see the press release below.

*Apparently China is trying to stop the divulgation of TheColorOrange
idea, but so far it is not very successful as the expulsion from Hong Kong
has only given the orange idea even more publicity and attention by the
media.

*The Chinese Democracy Movement in Hong Kong is taking over the project of
painting the 8 meter tall “Pillar of Shame”-sculpture orange on 30th
April.

*We encourage you to support the project by tearing up orange pieces of
cloth and tie them to sculptures in the city where you live, and in that
way manifest the use of Orange and give moral support to the endeavour of
the Chinese Democracy Movement.

*If the orange cloth stays tied to the sculptures until the Olympic Games,
it will be a good visual reminder of the Human Rights issue in China.

*New things are happening about Hong Kong issue and elsewhere. You can
find more information and keep updated about the Orange manifestations at
the webpage http://www.TheColorOrange.net where we will upload news almost
every day.

*All the best Orange spring greetings

Jens Galschiot
(Who is a little tired after 48 hours of useless travel on aeroplanes?)

*******************

Press releases 30 April 2008 see it on internet:
http://www.thecolororange.net/uk/page159

****Orange human rights group expelled from Hong Kong

***In spite of the expulsion the democracy movement
  will already today paint The Pillar of Shame Orange.

*Already in the Hong Kong airport three Danes were detained and had their
mobile phones confiscated. After six hours of questioning they were
escorted to a plane by armed security and sent back to Europe. Despite
persistent requests the Danish group could not get any justification of
the denial of access.

*The case has caused a great deal of media attention in Hong Kong. The
Danish and French Consul Generals as well as the EU representatives in
Hong Kong have been involved in the complaint against the expulsion.

The Danish artist Jens Galschiot and his co-workers were invited to Hong
Kong by the Chinese Democracy Movement to paint a symbol of the
Tiananmen-massacre, the eight meter tall “Pillar of Shame”, orange and to
participate in Human Rights activities in relation to the Olympic Torch’
relay on Chinese ground on 2nd May.

*The activities in Hong Kong should have put focus on the use of the color
orange as a peaceful denunciation of the Human Rights abuses in China. By
wearing orange clothe, an orange pen etc. the contestants at the Olympic
Games send a signal to the world that they know something is not right
about the Human Rights in the country.

“This is the only way the sports people, journalists etc. can express
criticism against China, without being disqualified or expelled from the
Olympic Games. China cannot prohibit the color orange and by we check mate
China in its efforts to avoid statements about Human Rights in front of
the cameras that cover the sport events in Beijing 2008” says the artist,
whose Orange campaign has been launched in cooperation with the Democracy
Movement of China.

*The Human Right sculpture in Hong Kong will be painted orange anyway on
30th April 11am – 3pm by the Democracy Movement and the Chinese students,
who will then have to be without the participation of the Danish
ColorOrange team and Galschiot who is the artist who originally made the
sculpture.

*On Monday 28th April, a demonstration was made in front of the government
offices in Hong Kong, by the Democracy movement and several MPs to protest
against the fact that the three Danes from www.thecolororange.net project
could not enter Hong Kong.
They argued that the Danes had been in Hong Kong before without any
problems and that it is the Chinese government which has interfered in the
internal affairs of Hong Kong, thereby trying to transfer the limited
freedom of speech from mainland China to Hong Kong. In relations to the
demonstration they proclaimed that they would send an official complaint
to the Hong Kong authorities.

*The Danish artist is also preparing a complaint that they were almost
treated like criminals and that according to ‘good’ Chinese tradition
their lawyer, Albert Ho, was denied access to the airport.

*TheColorOrange.net is just now sending requests to their supporters all
over the world, to make pieces of orange cloth and tie them on to
sculptures all over the cities where they live, and thereby manifest the
use of orange and give moral support to the Chinese democracy fighters.

***********

*The main international news agencies have vastly covered the events and
can provide features, photos, videos, etc.

*More detailed information, photos, videos about the Orange activities in
HK: http://www.TheColorOrange.net/uk/page144

*Contact to TheColorOrange in Denmark:
Jens Galschiot, Banevaenget 22, DK-5270 Odense N, tel. +45 6618 4058,
evening +45 6614 4038
mobile +45 4044 7058, E-mail: contact@...,
WWW.TheColorOrange.net

*Contact to Danish Orange photographer in Hong Kong:
Niller Madsen, TV Documentary: +45 40 215 415

*For information about the activities in HK contact the Hongkong Alliance
(the democracy movement in Hong Kong):
Secretary Ocean Fung +852 2782 6111
E-mail contact@..., internet www.alliance.org.hk

FYI

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  [CAB_Team] Climate Change Public Forum
Date:  Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:57:24 +0000
From:  Cassie McMahon <cas_see@...>
Reply-To:  CAB_Team@yahoogroups.com
To:  Climate Action Team <cab_team@yahoogroups.com>, CCAQ Climate Camp Q
<climate.action.qld@...>, fossil fools
<fossilfoolsbris@...>, Huggers WFF
<treehuggers@...>, qean ActivistList
<qean@yahoogroups.com>, rivermouth action group <activist@...>



     Please distribute this through your networks.

     So... we've changed our lightbulbs and ratified Kyoto...where to now
     to avert Climate Chaos.

     On Saturday 17th May, people concerned about Climate Change will be
     gathering to become more informed of what needs to be done to
     prevent climate chaos.

     The Key Speaker, Ian Lowe will share his insights of how our society
     needs to respond to the scientific evidence of climate change and
     the available technologies to access our energy.  He will also share
     the political responses to dealing with climate change.
     Holly Creenaune will share stories of how communities have been
     effective in responding to other environmental justice issues.
     Tanis Fulcher will be talking about his personal perception of how
     climate change affects young people.
     Emma Rose will provide insights of various projects she has been
     involved in on a local level to reduce the Carbon Footprint in Brisbane.

     There will also be some inspiring entertainment provided

     Bring your questions to ask the panel at the end of the session.

     Details,
     QUT - Gardens Point Room B119
     Saturday 17th May
     2:30pm - 5:00pm

     Look forward to seeing you there,

     Cassie and Ellie


------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wonder if WWF will rethink their advocacy for the Carbon Capture &
Storage/CO2 Geosequestration fantasy?
Presumably they don't have much in the way of credibility anymore, so
I suppose their cosyness with the hydrocarbon fuel industies is all
they've got left.... so probably not.

  WWF warns Arctic ice melting faster than predicted
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080424/wl_canada_afp/canadaarcticclimateenvironmen\
t;_ylt=Av_QJghB9dA7R_dhDFw7g3erYCoD

  MONTREAL (AFP) - Arctic sea ice is melting "significantly faster"
than predicted and is approaching a point of no return, conservation
group the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned in a new study.

The volumes of the Greenland Ice Sheet and ice in the Arctic Ocean
were estimated at 2.9 million and 4.4 million cubic metres
respectively in September 2007 -- the lowest ever levels recorded, the
organization said Wednesday.

The sea ice shrank to 39 percent below its 1979-2000 mean volume, it said.

"Recently observed changes are happening at rates significantly faster
than predicted" by the 2005 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA)
and last year's report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), WWF said.

The melting of arctic sea ice and the Greenland Ice Sheet was
happening so fast that experts were now questioning whether the
situation is close to "tipping point," where sudden and possibly
irreversible change takes place.

"When you look in detail at the science behind the recent Arctic
changes it becomes painfully clear how our understanding of climate
impacts lags behind the changes that we are already seeing in the
Arctic," said Martin Sommerkorn, one of the authors of the report.

The WWF will present its report, comprised of the latest research in
the region, to the meeting Thursday of the Arctic Council, which
groups Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and
the United States.

The conservation group's researchers also warned of the devastating
effect the rapid melting of the arctic ice could have on polar bears
in Canada, where two thirds of the world's population of the animals live.

"Previous models had predicted that melting sea ice would mean some
polar bear populations could become extinct by 2050. The new evidence
points to even earlier regional extinctions," said Peter Ewins,
director of species conservation at WWF-Canada.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada will
present the government with its estimates of the status of polar bears
there on Friday.

>Climate change 'may put world at war'
	 It already has. Iraq is about oil. Many of the hopeless hate wars in
Africa and elsewhere are about fighting for survival in the face of
disappearing resources. China is in Tibet in part because it's the
headwaters of many of China's great rivers.
:(
Bob
--------------------------------------------------
Dr Bob Rich
http://bobswriting.com
http://anxietyanddepression-help.com
http://mudsmith.net
Commit random acts of kindness
---------------------------------------------------

A GP initiative

http://stopgreenwash.org/
http://stopgreenwash.org/introduction

Last year, only 13% of new layer survived melt
Apr 22, 2008 04:30 AM
http://www.thestar.com/article/416901

New Arctic sea ice is now so perilously thin on average that it melts
under the sunshine of clear summer skies it once could survive,
American researchers conclude in a study published today.

"When we had similar weather patterns in the past, they didn't appear
to have as strong an effect on sea ice," said Jennifer Kay, an
atmospheric scientist who led the U.S. research team.

"Now because the ice is thinner you can have a chain reaction of
runaway melting with a reduction in cloud cover," she said.

Research has linked the thinning of Arctic ice to warmer average
temperatures caused by rising levels of greenhouse gases from human
activities. Readings from U.S. submarines indicate a widespread
reduction in sea ice thickness of 40 per cent since 1960.

The melting is also increased because the darker surface of open water
absorbs the sun's rays as heat rather than reflecting them back into
space like ice and snow.

The discovery of this additional vulnerability significantly ratchets
up the prospects of international shipping within a decade through the
fragile Canadian Arctic archipelago for months every year.

Using modern satellite imagery, the scientists from the U.S. National
Center for Atmospheric Research linked last summer's record loss of
sea ice to unusual cloudless weather in June and July that allowed the
sun to relentlessly beat down on first-year ice formed over the
previous winter.

Yet such clear skies were not unprecedented, according to historical
records going back to 1946. Five times since then the Arctic skies had
been even more cloud-free than last summer, yet without the massive
shrinking of sea ice cover.

First-year ice makes up the bulk of the floating Arctic sea ice.

But last summer only 13 per cent of this first-year ice survived the
summer melt, instead of the customary 30 per cent. The 4.1 million
kilometres of old ice remaining by September was the lowest since
accurate satellite measurements began in 1979.

Kay and her colleagues calculated that in three months the increase in
sunshine sped up the surface melting of the ice by an extra one-third
of a metre as well as accelerating the thinning from below by raising
water temperatures by more than 2C.

David Barber, a top Canadian expert, applauded the findings for
helping improve the computer models that predict the future pattern of
Arctic sea ice. "Increased shortwave flux (sunshine) will play a very
important role in the melt of sea ice," Barber said in an email from
the research icebreaker Amundsen in the western Arctic.

The landmark study was made possible by new cloud-profiling radar and
laser-based detectors that began sending back readings from NASA
satellites in June 2006.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/23/eaclimate123.x\
ml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox

Climate change 'may put world at war'

By Charles Clover, Environment Editor
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/23/eaclimate123.x\
ml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox

Climate change could cause global conflicts as large as the two world
wars but lasting for centuries unless the problem is controlled, a
leading defence think tank has warned.

The Royal United Services Institute said a tenfold increase in
research spending, comparable to the amount spent on the Apollo space
programme, will be needed if the world is to avoid the worst effects
of changing temperatures.

A dried-up reservoir: Climate change 'may put world at war'
Governments should be preparing for the worst

However the group said the world's response to the threats posed by
climate change, such as rising sea levels and migration, had so far
been "slow and inadequate," because nations had failed to prepare for
the worst-case scenario.

"We're preparing for a car bomb, not for 9/11," said Nick Mabey,
author of the report which comes after Lord Stern, who compiled an
economic assessment of climate change for the Government, said last
week that he had underestimated the possible economic consequences.

Mr Mabey, a former senior member of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit
who is now chief executive of the environmental group E3G, said
leading economies should be preparing for what would happen if climate
change turned out to be running at the top of the temperature range
scientists are predicting.

He noted that investment in energy research is ten times less than the
£10 billion a year (at 2002 prices) spent on the Apollo shuttle programme.
advertisement

Unless similar sums are poured into battling climate change the world
risks being caught completely unprepared if the climate reaches a
"tipping point" where warming and sea level rise began to accelerate,
he said.

Even if climate change was more benign than the worst-case scenario,
the research would not be wasted as technological advances in nuclear
power, biofuels, carbon capture and storage and renewables were
urgently needed anyway, he added.


The report said: "If climate change is not slowed and critical
environmental thresholds are exceeded, then it will become a primary
driver of conflicts between and within states."

It added: "Climate impacts will force us into a radical rethink of how
we identify and secure our national interests.

For example, our energy and climate security will increasingly depend
on stronger alliances with other large energy consumers, such as
China, to develop and deploy new energy technologies, and less on
relations with oil producing states.

"No strategy for long run peace and stability in Afghanistan can
possibly succeed unless local livelihoods can survive the impact of a
changing climate on water availability and crop yields."

A spokesman for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: "We welcome
the RUSI report as a helpful addition to the growing debate on climate
security."

Climate Crisis — Urgent Action Needed Now!
     <http://links.org.au/node/369>

Statement initiated by *participants in the Climate Change|Social Change
conference*, Sydney, Australia, April 11-13, 2008.

The conference was organised by /Green Left Weekly/
<http://www.greenleft.org.au/conference.php>. For video and audio from
the conference, please click here
<http://www.links.org.au/taxonomy/term/138>.

The following statement was started by the participants in the Climate
Change|Social Change conference. It is being distributed to
environmental, trade union, Indigenous, migrant, religious and community
organisations to help build the movement against global warming.

Anyone who agrees with it is welcome to add their signature, and an
updated list of signatories will be issued on a regular basis. To add
your name, email climatechange.socialchange@...
<mailto:climatechange.socialchange@...>

     * Read more <http://links.org.au/node/369>


     Marxism and the environment -- John Bellamy Foster
     <http://links.org.au/node/365>

Marxism and the environment was a workshop given by John Bellamy Foster
to the Climate Change Social Change Conference, in Sydney on April 12,
2008. Foster is editor of /Monthly Review/ (USA) and author of /Marx's
Ecology/. The conference was organised by /Green Left Weekly/
<http://www.greenleft.org.au/conference.php>. For more audio and video
of John Bellamy Foster on related topics, go to http://links.org.au/node/343

Read more <http://links.org.au/node/365>

Subscribe free to /Links - International Journal of Socialist Renewal/ -
at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=343373


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Protest Ziggy spruiking nuclear power
From:    "Nuclear Free Australia" <nuclearfreeaus@...>
Date:    Mon, April 21, 2008 8:52 pm
To:      nfanews@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONDAY APRIL 28

5PM meet flinders street station steps then move to BMW Edge

Protest

No Nuclear Power

Yes To Renewables

No Uranium Mining


Ziggy Switovski

Former chair of the Howard governments sham nuclear inquiry has been asked
to talk at a forum on science and technology for Australia's future.

Nuclear is part of the problem not the Solution.

Any forum that invites this person along is a sham and deserves to have a
noisy demo outside of it.

Any discussion of nuclear power as an option for Australia just gives
credence to the massive push for an Expansion of Australian Uranium
Mining.


www.nukefreeaus.org
nuclearfreeaus@...

0417506150

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Energy and Climate Change: science and technology for Australia's future
NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY - COAL, GAS, GEOSEQUESTRATION & NUCLEAR

DATE: 2 Monday 28 April

Dr Louis Wibberly - Chief Technologist, Energy Technology, CSIRO, Newcastle
- Brown Coal and Gas, future utilization.
Dr. Peter Cook FTSE - CEO Cooperative Research Centre Greenhouse Gas
Technology (C02CRC) - CO2 sequestration
Dr. Ziggy Switkowski FTSE - Chair, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation, Melbourne  - Nuclear Energy.

Moderator: Peter Mares - Presenter ABC Radio National
Summariser: Professor Graeme Pearman FTSE - Monash University

Time:    6pm to 7.30pm: entry from 5.30pm
Where: BMW Edge, Federation Square, Cnr. Flinders & Swanston Streets,
Melbourne FREE ENTRY

Presented by Melbourne Conversations, the City of Melbourne's program of
free talks and supported by Future Leaders

Developed in collaboration with the Australian & New Zealand Association for
the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) and the Australian Academy of
Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Anna,


   What are you surprised for?


   Who is THE CHIEF of the WWW?

   Well known in a UK semi-colony of Australia Prince Phillipe, whose royal
family benefiting from diplomatically speaking natural resources
worldwide-BHP,BP etc are companies controlled by the Family personally as major
stockholders.

   No link to Australian coal?

   Michael


Anne <gcca@...> wrote:
   http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-groups-in-carbon-
planrift/2008/04/14/1208025091641.html

I was rather furious about this article... so i called WWF and spoke
direct to Kelly Court (their Climate Change Person) in Brissy on (07)
3003 1480.

Some smooth words from her did not satisfy my sadness.
She tells me she will send me on a formal statement.

I will forward it when it is received.

a



------------------------------------

Yahoo!7 Groups Links






---------------------------------
Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Published on Thursday, April 10, 2008 by Canadian Press
Logging Boreal Forest Could Detonate Massive `Carbon Bomb,' Says Report
by Steve Rennie
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/10/8206/

OTTAWA - Canada's boreal forest is a ticking "carbon bomb" and its
continued logging could trigger a massive release of greenhouse gases,
says a new report.0410 05 1

A Greenpeace study released Thursday says cutting down trees in the
boreal forest is exacerbating climate change by releasing stores of
greenhouse gases trapped in soil and vegetation.

It also found that logging makes the forest more susceptible to insect
outbreaks and wildfires which, if widespread, could cause a spike in
greenhouse-gas emissions - the so-called "carbon bomb."

And the report says a warmer climate melts permafrost, releasing
methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

"The idea is that if the current trends continue … what could happen
is a sudden and massive release of greenhouse gases from the forest
caused by a rapid outbreak of forest or peat fires," said Greenpeace's
Christy Gerguson.

Canada's boreal forest stores 186 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide,
the report says - about 27 times the world's yearly fossil-fuel emissions.

About 80 per cent of the carbon is stored in the soil as dead organic
matter. The rest is stored in the forest's evergreen trees, moss and peat.

Older, untouched parts of the forest tend to store about three times
more carbon than younger trees planted to replace logged ones,
Gerguson said.

The boreal forest cuts a swath from Canada's Far North down to British
Columbia and all the way across to the east coast. Most of the
untouched parts of the boreal forest are located in the northern parts
of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

The federal government's national forestry database shows about
900,000 hectares boreal forest are logged each year.

There's some debate, however, about how much carbon is actually
released through logging.

The Greenpeace report, a collaboration with University of Toronto
researchers, says logging removes about 36 million tonnes of
above-ground carbon annually.

That would be more yearly carbon emissions than all the passenger
vehicles in Canada combined, according to an Environment Canada report
on greenhouse gas sources.

But Natural Resources Canada released a report last year saying the
bulk of carbon from logged trees stays in the forest after they're cut
down, and the rest stays in logs that are taken to mills.

The Natural Resources report acknowledges that disturbing the soil
during harvesting can release carbon dioxide, but generally "forest
management practices do not result in substantial emissions."

A spokeswoman for Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn did not respond
to requests for comment.

Gerguson says forests continue emitting carbon up to 10 years after
they've been logged as their remnants decompose and decay.

In some cases, she says, those emissions outpace the amount of carbon
absorbed by young trees planted to replace the logged ones.

"Research is starting to show that the boreal forest is tipping from
being a overall carbon sink to an overall carbon source," Gerguson said.

Greenpeace isn't suggesting Canada halt all logging of the boreal
forest, she said. The group wants the untouched parts of the forest
kept that way.

The head of the Forest Products Association of Canada agrees.

Avrim Lazar says the association, which represents wood, pulp and
paper producers, has agreed there should be no logging in the
untouched parts of the forest without adequate planning.

But he says stopping all logging is unrealistic.

"Shutting down logging of the boreal will create a huge market
opportunity for the deforesters and the illegal loggers, and will have
the perverse impact of trashing the boreal to increase climate
change," Lazar said.

"But if people aren't buying it from Canadian places, they're just
going to buy it from somewhere else. If you stop harvesting from the
boreal, are people going to stop paper or wood? There's no evidence of
that."

© 2008 The Canadian Press
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72 Comments so far

    1.
       Mik April 10th, 2008 11:19 am

       This is one of the most beautiful forests on the planet, its an
important part of the earth ecosystem. It's like anything else, it
needs sensibly managed. It needs to harvested on a sustainable basis.
Clear Cutting is most widely used and destructive proceedure for the
Planet. I destroys the natural habitat, the soil and the streams and
most of the wildlife that depends on them. Its time for people in
Canada and around the world to demand sustainable forestation
procedures from their governments.
    2.
       Big_Money April 10th, 2008 11:28 am

       The other day, Daniel David, I believe it was, brought up an
excellent point about forestry. Along the lines of, a well tended
forest absorbs more CO2 than a mature forest. Biodiversity issues
aside, there is good sense to this, old trees do not grow very
quickly, and do not consume much CO2. Harvested and used wood is a
carbon-sink, and rejuvenating a forest is a positive step.

       ~~Avrim Lazar says the association, which represents wood, pulp
and paper producers, has agreed there should be no logging in the
untouched parts of the forest without adequate planning.~~

       We must stand firm on what "adequate" means - Will this planning
be done by scientists without finacial constraints on the "results" of
their work, or stinkin' MBA who'd spin anything to pump up some bottom
lines?
    3.
       mf April 10th, 2008 12:07 pm

       Another, maybe more immediate "Carbon Bomb" is the massive dead
pine forests of British Columbia, killed by pine beetles which have
flourished as a result of climate warming.

       the huge fires of a few years ago may be a prelude.
    4.
       COMarc April 10th, 2008 12:08 pm

       There's slippery language on both sides in this piece.

       The pro-logging voice talks about `forest maangement practices.'
Nice in theory, but if you followed the actual loggers into the
forest, do they really do this? My guess is no if there's not someone
looking over their shoulders making them do it. A piece of paper in a
file in an office doesn't automatically translated to it being done
that way in the field.

       Meanwhile the Greenpeace voice talks about "In some cases, she
says, those emissions outpace the amount of carbon absorbed by young
trees planted to replace the logged ones." Well of course, you've got
two curves where the emissions or absorbtion rates change with time.
The emissions from the logged area would decay with time, as all those
branches and other tree remnants left behind decay. And the tiny trees
planted at first would absorb only a little carbon, but more each year
as they grow to a decent size.

       So, the Greenpeace point is technically accurate, but the way
its phrased, a less than careful reader could get the impression that
this isn't the short-term effect that it in reality probably is.

       Of course, then there's the pure junk from the logging advocates
at the very end of the piece. Neither statement has to be true. Law
enforcement can crack down on illegal loggers if they want (the sound
of chainsaws and lots of big logging trucks on the road are not hard
to find). Its just a question of whether the government is willing to
spend the resources to do it.

       And for the second point, there's always the old classic law of
supply and demand. If you start to limit supply, then prices rise. As
prices rise, consumers react. Restrict the supply when there's a good
reason, and people will indeed use less paper and wood in reaction to
the new prices.

       Cute the way the corporate media slides these two complete
garbage points in at the end without giving the opposing voice any
chance to make the rather obvious responses.
    5.
       COMarc April 10th, 2008 12:10 pm

       PS … if you haven't seen a clear cut right after the loggers
leave, you should. It would make anyone who's not getting rich from
the destruction cry. The destruction is as if a giant bomb went off.
Its unbelievable. And there's so much debris left behind by the
loggers that it can be almost impossible to walk through such an area.
    6.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 12:11 pm

       Good posts here so far on this excellent article. Thanks ~Big
Money~ COMark and ~MIC~.

       The most important subject touched upon in the article, is the
methane gas in the Arctic.

       The Arctic methane is the MOST serious issue facing mankind.
Once the methane begins to "burp" out into our atmosphere, there is no
turning back, no do-overs. Once it begins to escape from the
perma-frost in earnest, as it has done twice previously in Earth's
history, it will not stop. We humans will then be history. Time is
running out and if you have children and love them, you should be very
concerned.__ VERY.

       Here is a three minute read on the subject, written by a very
highly regarded by his peers, geologist. You may find it is worth your
time to read it.

       http://www.energybulletin.net/3647.html
    7.
       Big_Money April 10th, 2008 12:17 pm

       mf - actually, I thought that was what this article was going to
be about. Like a time bomb, that could go off at any moment, with
sudden catastrophic results.
    8.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 12:21 pm

       MF, your post came on as I was writing mine, a hearty "thank
you" to you also.
    9.
       jjpeter April 10th, 2008 12:38 pm

       What we are witnessing, is the last decades of the planet as we
have enjoyed it. The more mankind disturbes the delicate balance that
has been constructed over billions of years by the wisdom of
evolution, the sooner we'll see our demise.

       When another species rises up from the cinders, and that group
digs up the remains of our civilization, they will discover two things:

       1- we let assholes be in charge
       2- we shit in our own nest
   10.
       beersnob April 10th, 2008 12:47 pm

       Good luck protecting the environment when someone stands to
profit at its expense. The only way your gonna stop this (or the
conversion of tropical rainforests into cattle farms) is to revalue
paper and wood (or cattle) to include the cost of lost opportunity
(CO2 uptake, aesthetic/ tourism benefits) and the cost of
environmental damage (CO2 release, death of adjacent plants and
critters, the landfill where the trees will eventually end up). Then
consumption will drop, alternatives will be created, and we'll have
less forest destruction. Good luck legislating anything of the sort.
   11.
       alaskamaid April 10th, 2008 1:05 pm

       The boreal forest is only "one of the most beautiful forests on
the planet" from a distance. I happen to live in it. Up close, it is a
bunch of raggedy white spruce trees mixed with a few birch on the
better soils and endless acres of truly scraggly black spruce
('Nature's matchsticks') on the worser soils (of which there is a LOT).

       Not that the boreal forest isn't important, it is, and I love
it. But we shouldn't go mythologizing it. The trees are dying from
spruce beetle infestations, then they are burning and succession takes
over. Is it wrong to harvest them while they're still useful ?

       Growth is slow in the subarctic, I don't think we will see
reestablishment of the same ecosystem because the climate is changing.
We are seeing this in our own little landholding, we lost both our
patch of boreal forest (mature white spruce) and our cabin to a huge
wildfire (the Wolf Creek Fire, caused by a lightning strike — ended up
consuming some 800,000 acres) in 2004. Already the successional
species are well established and rather than big spruce with a mossy
undercover, we now have open grassland. I must say the view is much
improved.

       Forest fires release huge amounts of carbon too — in that year
alone a total of something like 6 million acres burned in Alaska. Huge
fires in Siberia also. That is the nature of things.

       Our arctic indigenous peoples have survived for millenia by
adapting to extreme climate changes in the course of every individual
year — changes more extreme than anywhere else on the globe — from
midwinter's minus sixty to midsummer's plus ninety in perhaps four or
five months (from February to June). We had all better learn to do
likewise. (Lots of us really like the huge seasonal cycle here, it's
like living in a variety of places without having to go anywhere).

       As you can imagine, not all of us up here think that global
warming is a Bad Thing. Even if we sink into the melting permafrost
while cheering it on !
   12.
       civil behavior April 10th, 2008 1:11 pm

       You need to ask yourself who owns these forests???

       It is my understanding that like many of the Alaskan wilderness
areas containing minerals and timber your "owner" is China.

       When I say owner it means that as long as the money is good
enough for the states to sell it it doesn't matter who "owns" it. The
end result is the "buyer" owns it.

       China owns much of our resource and is buying more as we type.

       We are screwed folks……The dollar has become the overiding
concern. Empire needs dollars. Lots of them. Earth community dies when
Empire thrives.

       Stupid foolish Americans
   13.
       librat2003 April 10th, 2008 1:37 pm

       The problem of global warming is really the ability of species
to adapt to changing circumstances. The more that humans exacerbate
the problem, the more that we see feedback loops start to kick in
which continue to change the climate at extra-natural rates. This
dooms many species on this planet to extinction. The pace of climate
change if it continues in this manner can outstrip the ability of
species to adapt to it. What we're really talking about is dooming
millions of species that form an unbroken chain to the beginning of
life on this planet to complete annihilation. This would be the first
time that one species was at fault for utter degradation and
destruction of this many other species. This is heartbreaking to any
that believe in the sacredness of life, and also heartbreaking to any
who understand the myriad ways that these other species help us as
humans to survive.
       I canvass on issues on a day to day basis, and the reality to me
is that we might not be able to stop global warming, but if we're
going to go down, we might as well go down with the metaphorical
non-violent gloves on. We should not cede to the forces of corporate
greed that will let the world burn so that they can upgrade their
yachts and take more vacations in fortified compounds that cater to
their desires in developing nations.
       The biggest forest destroyer in the Boreal is Kimberly-Clark,
the maker of Kleenex, Scott, and Cottonelle. This company is
responsible for much of the Boreal destruction, which they use to make
pulp for one-time use disposable products. The reality is that when we
use these products we are blowing our noses, or wiping our tushies on
virgin forests, forests that have never been cut before. So if you
want to do something to help stop Boreal destruction, boycott this
company, tell your friends, coworkers, and the person on the bus. If
it's necessary, buy these types of products, but the brands that are
recycled material. If you want to get radical, work to help bring back
the hankie, the original reusable facial tissue.
   14.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 2:29 pm

       Cheering it on ALASKAMAID???

       When the Arctic perma-frost melts you won't be doing ANY
cheering. The ONLY ones who will bear witness to that coming disaster,
will be the humans left in the space station. I can guarantee you of
that. Read that link I offered at 12:11pm.

       It isn't my opinion that means squat. The global warming is as
real as the daily sunset, so is the methane gas release because of it.
___ "Deny and die".
   15.
       Brian Brademeyer April 10th, 2008 2:43 pm

       Logging is not a net positive as regards carbon sequestration.

       At commercial rotation ages of 50-100 years, only around 1/3 of
the tree mass is contained in the "bole", or trunk that is logged.
Another third resides in the branches, and the remaining third in the
root system, both of which will release their carbon in short order
after the tree is cut down.

       To net a positive carbon capture, the logs would have to be
buried in deep water, where high pressure and low temperature would
keep them from rotting before they had been preserved in sediment for
long-term sequestration. The carbon needed to transport and sink such
logs might be comparable to the carbon in the logs themselves,
especially for smaller-diameter second-growth stands.

       Old-growth stands would be a better strategy for carbon
sequestration, as well as for ecosystem health. The older the tree,
the larger the share of the (above surface) mass locked up in the
bole, as opposed to the branches.

       And canadian boreal forests are being used largely for
disposable products like diapers and single-use pallets, which is
close to criminal from an environmental and carbon standpoint.
   16.
       jagrio April 10th, 2008 2:51 pm

       funny thing is, is that it's really not the tree's their after,
it's the oil under them, encased in sand. it's called " The Oilsands
Project". it's one of the largest clear cuts in the world…and all the
oil is pumped south.
   17.
       Jaguara April 10th, 2008 3:02 pm

       "As you can imagine, not all of us up here think that global
warming is a Bad Thing. Even if we sink into the melting permafrost
while cheering it on !"

       I hear people in Canada saying the same things…as if we will
suddenly turn into a tropical paradise. They think the only problem
will be a few more insects…and maybe some problems with crop insurance
from a few extra droughts (That was actually in a newspaper article).
As if the drought will not be a worldwide occurance, as if nobody in
the arid wastelands to the South will come here seeking shelter, or
our water or our food…As if our own mid-west will not be Arid wasteland.

       So, you don't think it is a bad thing…well, not if you consider
a massive culling of the human population on this planet to be
good…along with the ongoing extinction of many life forms unable to
adapt at a rate sufficient to survive.

       And all of that is without considering the methane problem…or
the risks of a new mini-ice age starting as a result of changes in
currents or too much fresh water entering the North Atlantic.

       How is it that so many people can be so delusional?
   18.
       Doom n Gloom April 10th, 2008 3:18 pm

       Who owns the Boreal Forest? Six Nations People do. Much of this
land was never sold or leased to the crown by the Indians. Canada just
takes it by raw power, the same way they do the tar sands oil. The Six
Nations Peoples do not wish the Boreal to be disturbed, yet Canada
continues to illegally lease the property to commercial interests
often poisoning the environment. Support the Indian claims to this
land and the problem goes away. You may also want to stop worshiping
the British Crown, they are behind it all. This is just another
example of continuing genocide.
   19.
       Treefrog April 10th, 2008 3:33 pm

       These operations poison the water and this poison water is
injected back into the earth. This is crazy to poison the earth, the
water, the nations of the earth.
   20.
       Vince Lawrence April 10th, 2008 3:35 pm

       Read a National Geographic article a few years ago that made the
obvious point that young growing forests sequester more carbon than
mature forests. Makes sense. Wood is a wonderful resource and it is
mangable and renewable, but it appears from some of the posts here
that there is more going on with the area in question.

       Is this really just the clearcutting for going for more oil
sands? We are really determined to have our oil in the worst way.
   21.
       papananook April 10th, 2008 3:39 pm

       Just keep collecting your BigOil permanent Fund check,
Alaskamaid, until it's all over–it won't be long at this rate…. talk
about delusional–Jeebus!
   22.
       USAn April 10th, 2008 4:16 pm

       Alaskamaid wrote:

       "and rather than big spruce with a mossy undercover, we now have
open grassland. I must say the view is much improved."

       That is exactly what strip miners in West Virginia say - "look
we are removing all these boring, eastern hardwood covered hills and
hemlock-forested creek-hollows (probably a hundred different tree
spieces - but who cares) and turning it into sweeping views of
semi-arid grassland like the great American West!"
   23.
       misanthrope April 10th, 2008 4:33 pm

       Ken Patrick should just include links to his innumerable other
postings on the same subject every time CD prints an article even
remotely pertaining to his numero uno obsession. And wow, this link is
only 4 years old:

       "Humans appear to be capable of emitting carbon dioxide in
quantities comparable to the volcanic activity that started these
chain reactions."

       The same holds true for those humans capable of emitting methane
gas by talking out of their asses.
   24.
       USAn April 10th, 2008 4:35 pm

       However, let's be clear here, while the arctic methane/seabed
clathrate bomb problem could indeed wipe out humanity, it is not going
to do so in a time frame of people being born today. It will instead
be a slow, multi-generational descent into increasingly hot,
malnourished, nasty, brutish and short lives until few or no people,
and most other complex life spiecies are left.

       This of course does not diminish the seriousness of the problem,
but produces an intractable political problem, because humans
societies - especially capitalist ones, just aren't geared to caring
about the welfare of humans hundreds to perhaps a thousand of years
hence. I suspect only do due to my Geology education which gives one a
proper perspective of time - particularly how short a thousand years
really is.

       So yes, I find Alaskamaid's views pretty objectionable.

       The analogy that comes to my mind when someone says they are
looking forward to global warming - especially the oil companies who
are eagerly awaiting ice free arctic seas is a heroin addict who
appetite for smack becomes even more ravenous as the fatal terminal
point of the addiction is reached.
   25.
       randolfski April 10th, 2008 4:37 pm

       So many posts, so little time.

       Kem Patrick writes "methane begins to "burp" out into our
atmosphere, there is no turning back, no do-overs. Once it begins to
escape from the perma-frost in earnest, as it has done twice
previously in Earth's history, it will not stop. We humans will then
be history. Time is running out and if you have children and love
them, you should be very concerned.__ VERY."

       Kem, with all humility, i say, don't resist this. The human race
is due for the wakerupper that peak oil is bringing. There is nothing
that will wake the sleeping denier faster than reality brought on by
global warming. First the big mammals will become extinct. Then the
trees will be gone. The honeybees will wave bye-bye as they fade into
the sunset.

       Man will be left alone, if he remains on this course, naked and
alone. Who will want to live here when nature becomes extinct????? Who
will save the humans?
   26.
       bbr-001 April 10th, 2008 5:27 pm

       I think Alaskamaid was indulging in a little end of the long
hard winter humor. Everyone on this post is so angry! What gives?

       Ever seen the gypsy moth devastation along the Blue Ridge
Parkway (Virginia)? It has to be similar to the pine beetle
infestation, and it was a sad sight when I was down there about 10
years ago.

       We can only make "educated guesses" about the effects of all
this, but that CO2 hockey stick graph keeps climbing, and climbing faster.

       Kimberly Clark, mentioned above, should be held responsible for
sustainable forestry, which should help with a carbon deficit. Are
they? How can they balance carbon if diapers, tissues… all end up in
landfills turning into methane? Sounds like a consumer awareness
thing, but the stuff is so darn convenient!
   27.
       bbr-001 April 10th, 2008 5:31 pm

       USAn: The mining is wrecking the water quality in both W VA and
Alberta, too!
   28.
       lizard April 10th, 2008 5:43 pm

       If you cut down trees and preserve them, and replace the trees
you will reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Notice how the carbon
Greenpeace is talking about is if there's a fire or the soil
disturbed. The important one is the burning and the decay of wood. We
don't need to have forest fires. If we had the same enthusiasm for
building water bombers that we have for building regular bombers we
would have squadrons of bombers putting out forest fires. Instead you
will see one or two. The logging issue seems rather mixed up. The
permafrost and methane problem seems more significant to me.
   29.
       lizard April 10th, 2008 5:48 pm

       Brian Brademeyer: Your post refutes mine beautifully. Thank-you.
I will change.
   30.
       Ghawar April 10th, 2008 6:57 pm

       The soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq should be civilians. They
should be employed by the Forest Service removing dead wood from U.S.
forests and grinding it up into useful products. This would remove the
hazard of serious fires that blaze in the crowns and destroy forests.
It would also give useful employment to soldiers and mercenaries in
Iraq. The forests should be managed like eternal gardens, not like
strip mines.

       The trouble with the naive fringe programs I urge is that they
do not funnel huge sums of money to a few individuals like George Bush
and his friends. Instead, they distribute the benefits of our labor to
society as a whole.
   31.
       good luck April 10th, 2008 7:30 pm

       remember when all the new tech computers etc hit every business
they said it would save paper and the forests. Well almost every
company now says it uses 4 times as much paper as before. Where does
this paper come from? Just look at the amount of ads, junk we get in
the mail box daily
   32.
       Big_Money April 10th, 2008 7:51 pm

       Brian Brademeyer: Excellent case, thanks.
   33.
       good luck April 10th, 2008 8:36 pm

       I am glad I plant trees on my farm. So far I am up to 1700 trees
my kids and I have planted. I have another 300 to plant this spring.
       BUT if I cover the farm land with trees where will I plant the
corn for food?????
   34.
       thewonderingyou April 10th, 2008 8:58 pm

       You beat me to it, Brian Brademeyer. Yet another thanks. I'll
also add that the amount of time it takes a newly planted forest to
accumulate as much atmospheric CO2 that the old-growth forest held
is…is never granted to those newly planted forests in the first place.
Sequestration levels drop, and then bounce up and down at a very low
level as the plot is "farmed." Nevermind the rate comparison, because
the total amount sequestered is so different as to make rate
comparisons pointless.

       Oh, and "good luck," what kind of trees are you planting? May I
suggest sugar maple, black walnut, apple, and cherry?
   35.
       ezeflyer April 10th, 2008 9:04 pm

       Conservation, not conservatism.

       Conservatism is ecocide.
   36.
       alaskamaid April 10th, 2008 9:22 pm

       Thank you, bbr-001

       If people read my post objectively, they would see the major
point I'm making is that we have to be flexible. And yes, the view is
definitely improved, altho I really miss picking lowbush cranberries
in the moss under the spruce trees. The fire was not started by humans
and was definitely unstoppable.

       Succession happens. I didn't say that I specifically was
cheering on global warming, just that we don't all think it's a Bad
Thing. Personally, we would like to be able to raise hemp rather than
hay. And I wouldn't mind a few grape vines.

       We are used to extremes, I am just suggesting the rest of you
should think in terms of more extreme climate variability too (one of
the symptoms of `global warming'). As we sink into our thawing,
methane-burping permafrost . . .

       C'mon, lighten up, don't project your own fears, do something
useful instead !
   37.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 9:23 pm

       My posts disturb you ~MISANTHORPE~. Don't read them.

       Methane gas was one of the subjects in the article and I posted
an important link pertaining to that very serious subject matter, as
there may be some who read the article and the comments and are not
aware of that most serious problem. BTW, I could care less of what you
may think of me ~Messanthorpe~.

       The reason I often post that link, is because it is the __'very
most'__ important issue humanity faces. There are hundreds of other
articles available on the net concerning methane gas, one can read
them by Googling Arctic methane gas.

       Global warming is a fact and the fact is, it is going to allow
the (400 gigatons) of Arctic methane gas to release into our
atmosphere and when it suddenly does, it will be over-night, the end
of almost all life on our water-world planet. Some deep sea creatures,
plankton and bacteria may survive.

       ~Misanthorpe~ has often been critical of me here over the
months, for whatever reason he or she may have.___ The FACT is, We
must begin a massive world-wide effort to solve the global warming
issue. Time is fleeting and if you have children or grandchildren and
you wish for them to have any fair chance of a future, you may be
inclined to agree that we should at the very least, attempt to avert
the disaster of the methane gas escaping into our atmosphere. ___ It
can be averted but we humans have to work quickly to do so.

       Or, we can ignore the issue, deny it and criticize any who bring
it up, as ~Misanthorpe~ chooses to do. I'll be so bold as to post the
link again, as it truly is our MOST important issue.

       http://www.energybulletin.net/3647.html
   38.
       PaulK April 10th, 2008 9:27 pm

       This report is just a bit exaggerating on the high end of a
quite legitimate carbon bomb threat.

       It's painful to rein in the outliers, and I'd classify myself as
a high-end outlier all the way through the growth of global warming
awareness, but there's no guarantee of a full-tilt carbon bomb.

       There's a perfectly good threat of a half-tilt carbon bomb.
Scientists have gone to Siberian permafrost puddles and lakes and have
measured the methane coming up several years ago.

       One reason to talk about a half-tilt carbon bomb is because it's
something humanity can fight and solve. Similarly, a 50 foot rise in
sea level is something New Yorkers can run away from if necessary, but
the locals would grieve for their subways and roads. A full-tilt
carbon bomb wiping out 99% of humanity is only a reason to have a big
party now.
   39.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 9:37 pm

       ~ALASKAMAID~ Who sounds like a very decent person, but not
educated about the serious nature of the problem.

       You say, "lighten up and don't project your own fears, do
something useful."

       Well, what is useful, is to attemt to insure our elected know
about this issue and perhaps they will become well educated and work
with other nation's leaders to solve the man-made global warming problem.

       If you knew for certain, that a deranged madman was coming to
attack your home and kill everyone there, would you do something about
it? ___ Or, would you ignore it and say, "I'm not going to project my
fears, I'm gonna lighten up."

       That's a serious question Alaskamaid, think aboutt it.
   40.
       KEM PATRICK April 10th, 2008 10:03 pm

       ~USAn~ posted at 4.45pm, that the methane gas release may be a
serious problem, but it won't occur in our lifetimes.

       Well, several thousand scientists who have spent their entire
adult lives studying our planet disagree with you ~USAn~. Some give us
a hundred more years, most say from 50 to a 100, and some say 10 to
twenty, maybe even less. Most all agree it's going to happen, they
just don't all agree on the time frame.

       Just recently, the scientists who study the enviroment were
"astounded" at the rate of the ice melt in Antartica and Greenland.
Time is not on our side. We can act, or we can deny and hope. ___ Hope
is good, but actions are far better. ___ Denying that which is
painfully obvious is not so good, or even smart.
   41.
       ambiguousfuture April 10th, 2008 10:46 pm

       Logging is not the only activity that threatens the Canadian
forests. Go to Google earth and enter these coordinates: 56 56.2571′n,
111 23.5281′w
       This is just north of Fort McMurray Alberta, Canada where there
is extensive strip mining for tar sands. Zoom in and you will get an
upclose picture of absolute destruction. Zoom out and explore the area
- you will see thousands of square miles of land that have been
gridded for mining. All of this for "OIL".
       Following is an article that lays out the positive and negatives
of this devastating activity.
       http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=30703
   42.
       coco April 11th, 2008 4:23 am

       MISANPATHROPE

       `and wow, this link is only 4 years old.' that's the whole point
that you don't seem to grasp. scientists have been talking about this
methane for a long time, but no-one seems to be addressing the
problem……………..as for obsessions: what harm is it doing you that KEM
takes this matter seriously?
   43.
       matti April 11th, 2008 5:21 am

       Does "KEM take this matter seriously", -coco?

       If he truly does not understand that his "the sky is falling"
tone and barely on topic or in context repetitive technique are doing
"this matter" more harm than good than I feel a bit sorry ol' KEM PATRICK.

       I can understand -misanthrope-'s exasperation.

       When I read this headline, I actually said to myself "I wonder
how many posts before KEM PATRICK mentions the Killer Artic Methane Gas?".

       How 'bout just one suggestion as to what we can do my
capitalized friend?

       Pretty Please? Cherry-full-of-deadly-methane on top?

       -matti.
   44.
       matti April 11th, 2008 5:25 am

       As for the topic of the Article, I think USAn made a good point
about the "tricksy tactics" the groups involved seem to employ.

       Also what's up with the Lead Headlines always being "mainstream"
here at CD?

       Or can I even write that about a Canadian paper?

       -matti.
   45.
       earthbound April 11th, 2008 7:59 am

       reminds of a tombstone inscription I read on Boothill: "I told
you I was sick".
   46.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 8:26 am

       Help me understand the argument that forest managed to produce
lumber is not a net absorber of carbon. If you build relatively
perminent structures with the wood, does'nt that sequester the carbon
for a long time? If you keep the planting and harvesting cycle going,
where does all the new carbon come from that is replacing the carbon
sequestered in the lumber? Areyou saying that processing and
transporting the lumber releases more atmospheric carbon than is in
the lumber that is used to build the structures?
   47.
       Brian Brademeyer April 11th, 2008 8:38 am

       Mr. Obvious, 2/3 of the carbon in tree-farmed "forests" is lost
immediately (a few years) after logging by decay of the roots and
branches. Very little of the canadian boreal forest is used for
dimensional lumber (it is scrub spruce).

       The mass of carbon held in the "bole" of the tree can increase
basically linearly for several hundreds of years (the mass in the
roots and branches essentially stops increasing after around a hundred
years for pines, which can live for 700-800 years).

       Logging is a short-sited loser, with essentially NO
environmental benefits compared to leaving the forest alone.
   48.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 8:46 am

       Brian - Is this specific carbon balance specific to the boreal
forests, or does it also apply to lumber harvested for lumber? I ask
because selective harvesting of hardwood species is commonly practiced
by my neighbores and I have been approached as well (although I love
the big trees and will not sell them for asthetic reasons).
   49.
       JohnR April 11th, 2008 9:06 am

       I think that Gaia has a lethal infection and there is no cure,
unless the extraterresterials abduct all the humans and dump them on
Mars, where we'd probably repeat the process. No wonder George Carlin
is actively rooting for our destruction.
   50.
       Brian Brademeyer April 11th, 2008 9:33 am

       Mr Obvious,

       Good question. I am thinking primarily in terms of conifer
forests, those that I am locally familiar with. Hardwoods are
slower-growing than conifers, so I think the argument would be
similar, but the time frame would be longer.

       The main point is, Mother Nature has given us these beautiful
organisms that remove carbon from the atmosphere (plants) for free!.
Cutting down the tree (any tree, I believe) interrupts this organic
carbon-sequestration process, and resets it to zero, with a net loss
of around 2/3 of the carbon currently sequestered in that tree ( its
trunk, roots, and branches).

       Letting new-growth trees again mature in a cropping cycle never
gets you back to where the original tree was when you cut it. And not
even close to the stage that tree would be at if you had simply let it
keep on growing, and keep on sucking carbon out of the atmosphere.

       The goal should be to keep as many (large) trees alive, for as
long as each can possible live, before the inevitable decay cycle
consumes (recycles) their remains.

       Hope this helps, and I hope that you keep the hardwoods
currently growing on your property for your, your children's, your
grandchildren's, and your great-grandchildren's lifetimes for them all
to enjoy.
   51.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 9:52 am

       Brian - I was with you until the last post. I am really looking
for scientific answers not neo-pagan belief stuff. I plan to keep my
trees, but I do not place my faith in nature to solve a man-made
problem. What force would drive any particulare ecosystem to optimize
itself for CO2 sequestration? We see lots of different "natural"
ecosystems and it seems likely that they are continually changing
(albiet slowly) in response to the continuous climatic changes that
have occured over the ages. I appreciate your attention to my
questions but I think that I will explore this deeper in the
scientific literature. It seems to me that forces that prevent carbon
release for extended periods would be best for sequestering carbon.
One good forest fire and any available carbon would be back in the
atmosphere. The best systems for carbon sequestration must be those
that place this carbon where it will not be metabolized or burned.
   52.
       shadowdo April 11th, 2008 9:52 am

       if the foresters of the world would follow the mimic nature
ideals of Victor Schauberger there would be a hope for modern man.
When are we gonna learn that you can't push nature around? sunlight on
the forest floor kill microrganisns that are essential to healthy soil
and water. The wood for building everything time has come to an end.
       "When all the trees have been cut down:
       When all the animals have been hunted
       When all the waters have been polluted
       When all the air is unsafe to breathe
       Only then will you discover, you cannot eat money"
       Victor Shauberger
   53.
       USAn April 11th, 2008 10:07 am

       KEM,

       The first step in adressing a probelm is understanding the problem.

       Young people alive today will see a lot of dramatic changes. And
thanks to our economic systems inability to distribute resources
equitably, 90% of the suffering and death will be the poor nations,
while the rich nations only "get their hair mussed up" a bit as Gen.
Turgison says.

       The truly catastroohic changes, that can be predicted from
similar events in the geologic record - tropical poles, uninhabitably
hot mid to lower latitudes, dramatic drops on atmosphereic oxygen,
mass extinctions of most species, are not going to take place in the
next century - but there are good chances of such truly world-ending
things taking place over a several hundreds to thousands of years or so.

       But, your reaction to my stating this is EXACTLY MY POINT. You
are stuck in a mindset that leads you to think that I was trying to
diminish the problem by saying it is in the "distant" (to
non-geologists) future. But it does not diminish the direness of the
situation at all! If I know with high certainty that my reckless
actions will lead to the a miserable death of someone (actually many)
100,000 years from now, what is the difference between this and
comitting reckles homicide right NOW? None at all!

       So the problem is how do we make distant future generations
"real" in peoples minds. One way is to make the very distant past
"real". When I contemplate a fossil craature I plucked out of a rock
ledge, suddenly the life of that formerly anomynous trilobite or
brachiopod is influencing my life right NOW 500 million years later -
usually the fossil is found along a trail in a quiet spot amenable to
a bit of walking meditation (never was into that lotus position stuff)
and with this meditiation, this great gulf of time, and times I
imagine far into the future, collpase. singularity like into this
now-moment, which is ultimately the only thing that really exists anyway.
   54.
       USAn April 11th, 2008 10:12 am

       And no, there is nothing "new-age" in my digression to this "now
moment" stuff - it has a long history among religious and
philosophical thinkers going back thousands of years.
   55.
       KEM PATRICK April 11th, 2008 10:51 am

       ~MATTI~ My "sky is falling tone" is not because I personally
wish to write about the serious nature of the methane gas, it is
becuse many qualified scientists have and are warning us that it is
going to happen once again. It was also subject matter of this
article. I don't care if you like what I post or not.

       In spite of ~USAn's~ last post here, which had a lot of fancy
talk, but didn't address the issue at all of how very soon the methane
may escape into the atmosphere, or what should be done to prevent it,
his opinion and that of ~Matti's~ and some others who don't want me or
any to talk abut it, is precicely the type of attitude the world
governmet's leaders display and they are not taking steps to reduce
the amount of Co2 in our atmoshere.

       Instead of harping about my posts, why not read that link I
offered and offer arguments to it and the author if you disagree with
his analysis and seriousness of the problem. You must think the coming
methne "burps" is not a problem, because you don't wnat to hear about
it and are disgusted that I post it.
       You know what ~MATTI~, you are really showing a great deal of
stupidity and ignorance.

       You don't want to believe it, and so you attempt to kill any
messengers. I've posted what I believe should be done to prevent it.
You post nasty remarks about me and you don't even know me.
   56.
       Vera Gottlieb April 11th, 2008 10:55 am

       Perhaps it would benefit Earth if Homo Sapiens were just to
disappear - because vanish we will.
   57.
       KEM PATRICK April 11th, 2008 11:02 am

       And ~USAn~ you state it is not gong to happen for hundreds or
even thousands of years.

       Really, how qualified are __YOU__ to state that? The author of
the article I posted is totally wrong in YOUR opinion. ___ Is he
really? ___ Show us, prove it.

       He states it may happen any time soon and it's our MOST deadly
serious problem.

       Get serious USAn, fancy words are not going to help anyone. Put
up or shut up is an appropriate phrase for both you and ~Matti~.
       I cannot fathom your ignorance on the subject unless you didn't
bother to read the article I offered.
   58.
       good luck April 11th, 2008 11:09 am

       TWY:
       I plant different types of trees each year. This year is Birch
and Maple, Next will be 2 differnt types and so on. I have from Oak,
pine, spruce, cherry, apple, popular, just about any type that grows
good. Been doing it for 20 years now so it is nice to look at trees
that are over 60 feet high you started from a 6 inch whip. As soon as
the trees produce seeds then you get a mix between types in an area.
This also attracks birds and animals. Not unusual to see wolf or
coyote tracks and hear them at night. Next year will be 300 more as my
farm has lots of room. Everyone reading this go plant a tree even it
is out in the woods in a clearing. It there is a tree planting club
join it or start one you will feel great you did. Lots of local gov
have programs, just pick up the phone. Beats sitting in front of the
computer
   59.
       Fat Lady has sung April 11th, 2008 11:35 am

       GL.
       need help planting your trees?
   60.
       thewonderingyou April 11th, 2008 11:37 am

       Mr. Obvious, please let us know what you find in your survey of
the scientific literature regarding sequestration rates, limits, and
totals in old-growth forests vis-a-vis tree farms. I'm extremely
grateful to both you and Brian for the lively and informative
discussion in these comments. I've learned a lot, and hope to learn more.
   61.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 12:08 pm

       thewonderingyou - From a quick search:

       Journal of Environmental Management
       Volume 67, Issue 1, 1 January 2003, Pages 77-86
       Maintaining Forest Biodiversity

       Carbon management and biodiversity
       Michael A. Huston , and Gregg Marland , 1
       Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6335, USA

       "The use of bio-based products such as paper and construction
lumber could yield carbon credits in two ways. First, biomass products
often require less fossil-fuel energy for their production and use
than do the products for which they substitute. Second, long-lived
biomass products can be produced on a sustained yield basis. If some
of the harvested material is stored as long-lived products such as
construction lumber, the stock of carbon stored in products will
increase with time, which is, by definition, carbon sequestration."

       good luck - You are not alone. My wife and I have planted over
20,000 trees on our farm, and just finsihed planting 900 more this
week (every one planted by hand - no machines)
   62.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 12:32 pm

       thewonderingyou - some additional surprises:

       Environmental Science & Policy
       Volume 2, Issue 6, December 1999, Pages 427-437
       Wood-based building materials and atmospheric carbon emissions
Andrew H. Buchanana, , and S. Bry Levineb

       "This study investigates the global impact of wood as a building
material by considering emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Wood is compared with other materials in terms of stored carbon and
emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel energy used in
manufacturing. An analysis of typical forms of building construction
shows that wood buildings require much lower process energy and result
in lower carbon emissions than buildings of other materials such as
brick, aluminium, steel and concrete. If a shift is made towards
greater use of wood in buildings, the low fossil fuel requirement for
manufacturing wood compared with other materials is much more
significant in the long term than the carbon stored in the wood
building products."
   63.
       rtdrury April 11th, 2008 2:58 pm

       Latitudes farther from the equator hold less potential to
sequester carbon in plant/soil matter, but other reasons combine to
make old growth forest protection important.

       Brian Brademeyer said trees sequester about three times the
carbon in the useful lumber, one third in the roots, one third in the
unused branches. Some of the root carbon stays in the ground, some
leaks to the atmosphere and of that much is reabsorbed by new forest
growth. The much greater carbon loss occurs in clearing forest for
annual crops and animal pasture. These plants sequester almost no
carbon. And intensive farming methods eventually depletes the soil of
its carbon store which is smaller but comparable to the forest store.
Stores are greater around the equator so clearcutting and intensive
farming there lose a lot more carbon to the atmosphere.

       Mr Obvious quotes that building with wood emits much less carbon
than concrete, fired brick, aluminum and steel. Shifting food
production from annual plants to perennials, especially large trees,
and planting many more trees in urban/suburban areas offer
opportunities to sequester more carbon, with many other benefits
including climate regulation and soil preservation.
   64.
       Brian Brademeyer April 11th, 2008 4:08 pm

       Mr Obvious, I cant find your two citations above online, except
as references in forest products industry online brochures.

       Could you please provide a more direct link to the articles you
found in your science search?
   65.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 4:14 pm

       rtdrury - I also believe that old-growth forests are more
valuable than their carbon sequestering value. We have a number of
large trees on our farm that the sawmills want, but I have no interest
in selling them. We are not in an urban area but have planted over
20,000 trees on our farm. We put in 900 more this Spring. Some things
don't have to be money-making endevours. We like trees. hopefully our
children and grandchildren will too.
   66.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 4:26 pm

       Brian - These links should take you to the abstracts. You may
need to purchase the whole articles (not sure).


http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VP6-3YJYHVT-2&_user=1\
0&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVers\
ion=0&_userid=10&md5=80b3788f7be0589ae576c702fa3226d1


http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJ7-47YY3DB-1&_user=1\
0&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVers\
ion=0&_userid=10&md5=4fb438138b218b525e3a1f82b8d46daa
   67.
       alaskamaid April 11th, 2008 4:41 pm

       Kem Patrick — actually, I have thought that a deranged madman
was going to destroy us all ever since I was a kid during the Cuban
Missile Crisis. That particular deranged madman is still out there, in
case you haven't noticed. And that particular demise would be totally
human- caused. Why are you not up in arms about the still/ever present
nuclear threat ? You paid your taxes this year, didn't you ? Some of
that money goes into our nuclear arsenal.

       I am not misinformed or especially underinformed. We could be
hit by a space rock tomorrow (google the Tunguska Event for info on
what happened in Siberia 100 years ago this June); the supervolcano
that we call Yellowstone could blow up; some insane plague could race
through the entire 6 billion of us and wipe us out; etc. etc. The
`methane threat' is only one of many.

       What I am saying is that change happens, maybe the methane
threat will do us in, maybe there is some ameliorating process which
we are not yet aware of which will counteract it. Having lived in the
Far North for most of my life (my husband has lived here all his
life), you learn that 1) nature generally gets its own way in the long
run; 2) it is in your best interest to not put yourself in an
adversarial position towards the natural world and 3) what you do IS
important in ways you may not even realize. This is of course a
paradox. It is resolved by the realization that we are in a
participatory process of manifestation. What is `out there' is a
reflection of what is `in here' and vice versa.

       We are in the midst of tremendous energetic change, not just
this planet but the entire solar system and perhaps beyond. Let's stop
trying to put new wine (awareness) into old skins (paradigms) as per
Jesus' sage advice from 2000 years ago.

       Redirecting our taxes to meet local, immediate human needs
rather than global corporate greed might be a good start. And useful, too.
   68.
       Brian Brademeyer April 11th, 2008 4:51 pm

       Mr Obvious, thanks for the links to the abstracts. You were
right, they want $31.50 per article to access each piece.

       From the abstracts, both papers specifically state they are
focusing on industrial-forestry practices on high-productivity lands,
not the low-productivity marginal lands that the Canadian logging
article is about. Industrial forestry has its own problems, besides
whether it is more efficient than manufactured products in some sector
of the economy in some attributes.

       And the Buchanan and Levine paper states in its abstract that
natural forest growth on low-productivity lands (such as virtually all
of our public lands) is where remaining biodiversity is concentrated
and where natural carbon sequestration should be promoted. This I
agree with.
   69.
       Mr. Obvious April 11th, 2008 4:55 pm

       Brian - We mostly agree on what actions are desirable, but I
think we are "playing with a different set of cards".
   70.
       good luck April 11th, 2008 8:43 pm

       Mr 0
       That's great I have to leave the land for farming open but the
tree lines around the farm and separate each field is doing great. I
will be over 2300 and all by hand. It is the trees that grow from the
ones planted I enjoy the most.
       A question and it maybe was asked or answered before. When a
tree dies it rots and goes back into the earth so wouldn't that make
any carbon it sucked up go back into the ground making it s zero
reduction of carbon? Or if you burn it are you not just returning into
the air the carbon that was taken in?
       As for all the people talking numbers I just say go plant a tree
, it will be one more that wasn't there before.
       Fat Lady, I can always use the extra help, sounds like you enjoy
getting your hands dirty. L
   71.
       KEM PATRICK April 11th, 2008 8:45 pm

       Hi ALASKA MAID,. Certainly there are natural disasters to be
aware of,
       I don't happen to beleive the current globlal warming is a
natural cause.
       I agree with the scientists who state it is man made and began
in ernest
       some 200 years ago when the industrial revolution began and we
humans
       began to burn coal and oil in great quantities. I belelive we
can stop it,
       and if we don't we will suffer the consequenses.

       BTW, speakng of the Cuban Missile Crisis, I was in SAC at the
time and the
       number of radio calls coming in for bomber refuels over Spain
that last day,
       was mind boggling. We came so close to WW-3 it still frightens
me. If it were
       not for a Russian Sub commander disobeying his orders, because
he lost radio
       contact with his home base, we would have done it. We were ten
minutes from
       Armageddon. He waited ten minutes after the time he'd been
ordered to fire his
       missles and he instead surfaced and called base. He was then
ordered to stand down.

       But that and taxes is not the issue, the Arctic Methane Gas is
currently the
       most serious threat to all of mankind and we CAN at least
attempt to correct it.
       We can't stop an earthquake, or probably a huge asteroid or
comet strike,
       or a volcanic eruption. ___ We can stop burning coal and oil.

       We probably won't.
   72.
       Mr. Obvious April 12th, 2008 6:11 am

       good luck - I am guessing that our farming operation is very
different from your's. Grain farming is about acres, whereas
high-intensity vegetable farming for farmers markets is about labor
and crop management. This high-intensity allows us to covert most of
our land to natural habitat (even though we rotate our crop on a
four-year cycle which requires 4x our annual land use to be reserved
for agriculture - reduces diseases and use of fungicides).

       If a tree dies and rots this is process whereby decomposing
animals, bacteria and fungi "eat" the tree. The respiration of these
creatures is the same biochemical process that large animals use, so
the product is CO2 that is released into the air. However, some of the
tree tissue may stay in the soil as organic matter (e.g. deep roots).
Burning does return the carbon right back to the air if it is
complete, but the roots are spared. The idea of fuel from crops is to
have no net production of CO2 since first it is captured and then
released. The rub is efficiency and the loss of more natural habitat
to disruptive agriculture. As long as a tree is growing, more CO2 is
being sequestered. Trees offer many benefits beyond CO2 sequestration,
so keep up the great work. Hopefully the trees will not take to much
out of the yields at the field edges. If all the bloggers on this site
would plant a 100 trees every year, then we might really accomplish
something!

4 recent [Greens-Media] press releases regarding Climate Change and/or
the folly of CO2 geosequestration ...


Sir Nicholas Stern says climate change is gathering speed - no time to
waste on unproven solutions

Hobart 17 April 2008  Australian Greens climate change spokesperson,
Senator Christine Milne, said climate expert Sir Nicholas Stern
overnight confirmed what the Greens and leading scientists have been
saying for some time; that climate change is accelerating and the planet
is running out of time.

"Sir Nicholas told the Reuters news agency in London that, 'Emissions
are growing much faster than we thought, the absorptive capacity of the
planet is less that we thought, the risks of greenhouse gases are
potentially bigger than more cautious estimates, and the speed of
climate change seems to be faster.'

"Alarm bells ought to be going off from the Whitehouse to Beijing and
here, at Parliament House in Canberra.

"We need deep cuts now.

"The Rudd Government needs to abandon its outdated pre-election pledge
to reduce Australia's emissions by 60% by 2050, and take action to make
deeper cuts.

"We must not delay action on the promise of the coal industry that it
can capture carbon and sequester it.

"As the respected McKinsey and Company recently demonstrated, we have
solutions available now.  We need to immediately end the logging and
burning of native forests in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria.  We must
systematically implement the roll out of renewables and energy
efficiency through this year's Budget.

"With a strong government commitment to investing in, and growing the
capacity of, these solutions, Australia can begin to seriously reduce
its extremely high per capita emissions.

"This should be the key agenda item at the Prime Minister's 2020 Summit
this weekend.  Unless our country, and all in the developed and
developing world, rein in greenhouse emissions fast, we will all suffer
the effects of runaway climate change,"  Senator Milne said.


Media contacts:      Cassy O'Connor  03 6224 8899 or 0400 628 939

References:
G. Wynn, 'Climate expert Stern says underestimated problem', Reuters,
16 April 2008
McKinsey and Company, 'An Australian Cost Curve for Greenhouse Gas
Reduction', February 2008,
http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/ccsi/pdf/Australian_Cost_Curve_for
_GHG_Reduction.pdf

------------------------------------------------------------------

Paying the polluter, Propping up a failing industry

Canberra, Wednesday 16 April 2008  Australian Greens climate change
spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today condemned calls by the
Australian Coal Association, CFMEU, WWF and the Climate Institute, for
increased government support for geosequestration as greenwashing a
proposal to pay the polluter and prop up a failing industry.

Senator Milne said "The Cancer Council did not push for government
funding to tobacco giants to see if low tar cigarettes caused less
cancer. Neither should WWF, the Climate Institute and the CFMEU be
pushing the government to help the equally rich coal companies see if
they can bring down emissions to levels which, as they know, will still
be dangerously high.

"The answer then was quit smoking. The answer now is just as
straight-forward. Why throw taxpayers' dollars at an expensive and
unproven technology when the renewable energy and energy efficiency
alternatives are affordable and ready to start cutting emissions
immediately?

"As WWF and the Climate Institute should know, the urgency of dealing
with climate change is such that we must put every bit of support we can
into the technologies that can reduce emissions now, not pin our hopes
on an unproven and risky techno-fix that would be completely bypassed if
it didn't involve one of the world's most powerful industries.

"The dream of cleaning up coal is slipping away, with the collapse of
the FutureGen project in the USA being the latest example of blown-out
budgets and timelines. Industry spokespeople in Australia and around the
world are now admitting that their expectations of commercially-viable
'clean coal' by 2020 are looking increasingly unlikely.

"Under what perverse logic does the failure of an industry to perform
require that it is given extra support? Many gigawatts of
baseload-capable renewable energy are being installed around the world
today, while the best estimates of the coal sector, that they could have
a handful of commercial plants online by 2020, are being revealed as
wishful thinking.

"The argument that we need to know if 'clean coal' can work is only
justifiable if you see the world through a cloud of coal dust. What we
really need to know is: what are our best, fastest and most effective
options for completely decarbonising our energy supply?

"We already know the answer, and so-called 'clean coal' fails to make
the grade as it is unproven, slow and can never be truly carbon free.
Investing now in efficiency and proven renewables like solar thermal and
wind is the real answer to the real question.

"Today's proposal would undermine the planned emissions trading scheme
by undermining the polluter pays principle that lies at its heart.
Calling for the Government to take control of finding carbon dumping
sites and carrying liability for leaks, let alone asking for tax
incentives and accelerated depreciation for Australia's biggest and
richest polluters, is simply untenable.

"The goal of 10,000 GWh from geosequestration by 2020 is both optimistic
and a tiny drop in the ocean of carbon emissions. Renewables already
generate more power than that in Australia and, by 2020, will be well on
their way to making coal redundant.

"If you want to reduce emissions fast, do not head down this
"coal-de-sac"."


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
+61 (0)2 6277 3063
+61 (0) 437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au

Come join the discussion at http://greensblog.org

--
Another message from the Greens Media mailing list.

Too many messages? Don't unsubscribe - try switching to a daily digest.
You can unsubscribe or change your subscription settings here:
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Or send an email to <media-unsubscribe@...>

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Garrett lets the cat out of the bag: CCS is expensive

Canberra, Wednesday 16 April 2008  Environment Minister, Peter Garrett,
let the coal cat out of the bag on ABC Radio National this morning, when
he admitted that the proposed 'clean coal' is "expensive", not the cheap
solution that would allow us to continue to use cheap coal.

Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne,
said "There can be no excuse for the Government making the already
uneven playing field even more biased in favour of fossil fuels, as a
coalition of lobby groups is calling for in Canberra today.

"It makes no sense for the Government to throw taxpayers' dollars at an
expensive and unproven technology when the renewable energy and energy
efficiency alternatives are affordable and ready to be rolled out
immediately.

"Imagining a decarbonised economy means cleaning the coal dust out of
their eyes.

"Before considering for one second lifting fossil fuel subsidies
further, Minister Garrett must explain how the Government can justify
continuing to give one of Australia's most profitable, but most
polluting, sectors ten times the funding of the clean, sunrise renewable
energy industry.

"So-called 'clean coal' has always been justified by governments and the
coal sector based on the claim that renewables are not a cost-effective
alternative. With this admission from the Minister, agreeing with
similar admissions from energy experts around the world, such claims for
'clean coal' are junk economics.

"The dream of cleaning up coal has been slipping away in recent months,
with the collapse of the FutureGen project in the USA being the latest
example of blown-out budgets and timelines. Industry spokespeople in
Australia and around the world are now admitting that their expectations
of commercially-viable 'clean coal' by 2020 are looking increasingly
unlikely.

"Under what perverse logic does the failure of an industry to perform
require that it is given extra support? Many gigawatts of
baseload-capable renewable energy are being installed around the world
today, while the best estimates of the coal sector, that they could have
a handful of commercial plants online by 2020, are being revealed as an
exercise in wishful thinking. The urgency of dealing with climate change
is such that we must put every bit of support we can into the
technologies that can reduce emissions now, not pin our hopes on an
unproven dream because it could save one industry.

"Minister Garrett must also back up his claim this morning that
international visitors are telling him that the Rudd Government has the
best climate policies in the world. This claim is so patently ludicrous,
it is time to name names, Mr Garrett.

"Australia's emissions from energy, transport and logging are still
skyrocketing unchecked. The Rudd Government's policies, far less
comprehensive than those in Europe, California and New Zealand, are
tinkering around the edges unless and until emissions start to fall."


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
+61 (0)2 6277 3063
+61 (0) 437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au

Come join the discussion at http://greensblog.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Are we headed for coal's biggest ever budget bonanza?

Canberra, Friday 11 April 2008  Australian Greens climate change
spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today called on the Rudd
Government to focus its Budget priorities on existing climate solutions
such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, not offer up even
greater subsidies to the hugely profitable coal sector.

Senator Milne said "Prime Minister Rudd's visit to a coal fired power
plant in China instead of one of their world-leading solar or wind sites
is yet another ominous indicator that his Government intends to protect
the coal sector from real, competitive climate solutions.

"The coal sector's hype of 'clean' coal has been badly tarnished in
recent years and months, with little or no progress in research and
development, while renewable energy technologies have been moving in
leaps and bounds, increasing their efficiency, reducing costs and
developing improved energy storage technologies.

"Even John Boshier, head of the National Generators Forum and one of
Australian coal's loudest advocates, has said that early confidence in
the techno-fix is fading amid growing concerns over cost and timeline
blowouts, and the realisation of the mammoth scale of the problem -
burying some 300 million tonnes of CO2 every year in Australia alone.

"Coal is simply being out-competed, and its desperation is evident in
the increasingly strident calls for government hand-outs to one of the
world's most profitable sectors.

"The Rudd Government's first Budget must deliver a level playing field
for energy technologies that puts a price on climate pollution. When
that happens, those technologies that are ready to deliver substantial
emissions reductions now, like energy efficiency, solar thermal power
and wind energy, will out-compete 'clean' coal.

"Instead of delivering a level playing field, Rudd looks set to continue
the Howard Government policies of 'picking losers' with increased
support for the coal sector.

"The coal sector is old, polluting and well entrenched. Even if climate
change were not an issue, it would be outrageous that our governments
add billions every year to the coffers of the rich multinational
corporations that run the sector. When you add climate change
considerations to the mix, ongoing fossil fuel subsidies become one of
the most perverse and destructive government decisions imaginable. The
polluter pays principle tells us that the companies that have profited
from polluting for so long should be the ones to shoulder the burden of
cleaning up their act, not the taxpayer.

"The Greens have proposed that a portion of the billions that would be
saved by cutting fossil fuel subsidies should be channelled towards
further research, development and commercialisation of renewable energy
and energy efficiency technologies through a Sun Fund, and to pay for
the early stages of a systematic and systemic retrofit of Australia's
housing stock for energy efficiency set out in our EASI policy.

"I will be watching the Government's first Budget carefully to see if
its priorities follow Martin Ferguson's industry-fuelled hype, or a
sensible, realistic path to clean energy."


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
+61 (0)2 6277 3063
+61 (0) 437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au

Come join the discussion at http://greensblog.org

I couldn't get the link to work, and pasting the address into address
bar also failed. So I'm guessing it's something like the article
below, which the Australian printed today.

Send complaints and abuse to: letters@...
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Greens split over 'wicked witch' coal

GREENCHIP: Matthew Warren | April 21, 2008

FINANCE Minister Lindsay Tanner has been scouring the national
accounts for months looking for opportunities to make deep cuts in
government spending. He will surely be heartened by the advice from
the Greens and Greenpeace that Australia's fossil fuel industries,
principally coal, are receiving nearly $10billion a year in wasteful
government subsidies.

Except for one slight problem: the subsidies don't actually exist.

Greens senator Christine Milne and Greenpeace have again dusted off
these claimed subsidies as they mounted their furious and personal
attack on former fellow environment groups WWF and the Climate
Institute. Why former? Well, according to Senator Milne, both groups
are no longer members of the mainstream environment movement after
they announced an alliance with the coal industry in calling for
increased government funding and support to accelerate development of
clean coal technology.

There is no division within thinking among environment groups because,
according to Senator Milne, only those who agree with the Greens are
allowed to remain in the club.

The latest split reflects the continuing and widening fracture between
environmental ideologues and pragmatists, fantasy versus reality.

WWF and the Climate Institute have decided they want to change the
real world, one where coal prices have doubled and tripled this year,
reflecting increased global demand for energy and limited alternatives.

Capturing and burying emissions from coal-fired power stations could
be a valuable interim solution to power the world until lower emission
cleaner technologies can be delivered at scale.

But given the threat of dangerous climate change, it will need to
happen fast.

Clean coal will make coal-fired electricity much more expensive and is
therefore likely to reduce the value of coal. A rational strategy from
vested interests in the coal industry would be to develop the
technology, but without urgency.

The rational strategy adopted by WWF and the Climate Institute is to
prevent this by establishing a joint industry and government task
force to aggressively and transparently accelerate the technology so
it can either be installed quickly or scrapped.

Clean coal may need more money from both industry and government, but
not all research is cost-constrained. Coal is still Australia's
biggest export and Australia is the world's biggest exporter. The
economy has a lot to gain by enabling coal to stay in the game in the
transition to a low-emissions future.

But down the bottom of the garden the Greens and their fellow
travellers remain resolute in their demonisation of the coal industry.
Based on the notion of polluter pays, they want industry to pay for
its own research, which would only accentuate the risk of increased
delay. But then rational strategy hasn't generally been the Greens'
strong suit on environmental policy. In their fairy story view of the
world, coal is the current wicked witch and its alleged massive
subsidies proof of the evil conspiracy that continues to bind both
major parties, leaving the Greens as the story's hero.

But most of this claimed subsidy has nothing to do with coal. The
source is a 2007 report commissioned by Greenpeace and prepared by the
Institute for Sustainable Futures, which says most of the subsidy
comes from the maintenance of Australia's road network. The report
claims the cost of maintaining roads infrastructure is equal to a $4.7
billion subsidy for the fossil fuel industry, even after generously
allowing for the federal Government's 38c per litre fuel excise as an
offsetting payment by road users.

Of course, the fuel excise is not and has never been an unofficial
levy on motorists to pay for roads. It's just a good way to raise revenue.

Applying the principle of user pays for road use conveniently ignores
the social, economic and environmental benefit of moving goods and
people quickly and cheaply across this wide, brown land.

The report also claims the coal industry receives a subsidy of more
than $1 billion a year, apparently because Australia's coal-fired
power generators pay less for their coal than the export price.

Curiously, the report's authors admitted they could not actually
explain the reason for such a discrepancy, but still presumed it to be
a subsidy. It is a truly fantastic assumption. Most of Australia's
coal-fired power stations are located almost on top of major coal
deposits. In some cases the coal is so close it is transported by
conveyor belt. Mine operators export the highest value grades of coal,
while negotiating longer-term contracts at lower prices for domestic
buyers. It's not a subsidy, it's the market.

The Greenpeace paper does identify some smaller potentially genuine
perverse subsidies like the fringe benefit tax treatment of company cars.

But it equally ignores the $1.4 billion paid last year to government
from coal royalties, on top of all other standard company taxes.

The Greens want Australia to switch immediately to renewable energy,
yet we forget they are a political movement forged from the protests
against the development of Australia's biggest source of renewable
energy -- Tasmania's hydro dams.

How's that for a reality check?



--- In ClimateChangeAction@..., "John Hill"
<wynhill@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for following that up, Anne. I look forward to seeing how
they can possibly excuse their stand.
>
> Good work!
>
> Cheers,
>
> John Hill
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Anne
>   To: ClimateChangeAction@...
>   Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:39 AM
>   Subject: [ClimateChangeAction] WWF with the Coal Industry!?!!?
>
>
>   http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-groups-in-carbon-
>   planrift/2008/04/14/1208025091641.html
>
>   I was rather furious about this article... so i called WWF and spoke
>   direct to Kelly Court (their Climate Change Person) in Brissy on (07)
>   3003 1480.
>
>   Some smooth words from her did not satisfy my sadness.
>   She tells me she will send me on a formal statement.
>
>   I will forward it when it is received.
>
>   a
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.178)
>   Database version: 5.09640
>   http://www.pctools.com/Spyware-Doctor/
>
>
>
>
> E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.178)
> Database version: 5.09640
> http://www.pctools.com/Spyware-Doctor/
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/04/21/2020-summit-commentary/
more on 2020 Summit (not yet read)

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: COMPLETE FW: [climatecodered] Digest Number 44
From:    "Anne the Cyberactivist" <cyberactivist@...>
Date:    Mon, April 21, 2008 7:09 am
To:      gcca@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


direct forward without reading the links or editing....
will feedback to CCA group members asap
anne
> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:50:22 +0000> From:
climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [climatecodered] Digest Number 44> > There are 5 messages in
this issue.> > Topics in this digest:> > 1. Australia 2020 Summit has
BETRAYED Australia & the World > From: gideonpolya> > 2a. Re: Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report > From: John
and Lizette> 2b. Re: Please take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut
Interim Report > From: Jane Morton> 2c. Re: Please take five minutes to
repond to the Garnaut Interim Report > From: John and Lizette> > 3.
Sorry I did it again - please ignore that last email > From: Jane
Morton> > > Messages>
________________________________________________________________________>
1. Australia 2020 Summit has BETRAYED Australia & the World> Posted by:
"gideonpolya" gideonpolya@... gideonpolya> Date: Sun Apr 20, 2008
3:05 pm ((PDT))> > Dear all,> > See this excellent summary of the TEN
biggest ideas from the Australia> 2020 Summit in The Age today by a top
Australian political commentator> who appreciated that this is just the
beginning and that what is> needed is action on these suggestions -
variously LIMITED, DECEPTIVE> and BUREAUCRATIC as they are in my view: >
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/now-for-the-plan-of-action/2008/04/20/120\
8629730818.html>
.> > Thus you would NOT believe it from the Australia 2020 Summit
Initial> Report (see: http://www.australia2020.gov.au/report/index.cfm )
but> the world is facing a Climate Emergency and Sustainability
Emergency> with Australia the world's top Developed nation per capita
CO2> polluter (see: http://climateemergency.blogspot.com/ ) . > >
According to top US climate scientist Dr James Hansen the world has>
passed a tipping point at which all Arctic summer sea ice may be>
totally gone by about 2015. Coincidentally #2015 is the ID for the> over
170 submissions I sent to the Australia 2020 Summit over the 10> Topics;
see: http://www.australia2020.gov.au/submissions/home.cfm )> – my final
(and reiterated) suggestion was "10.19. URGENT - a Global> Declaration
of a Climate State of Emergency to reduce atmospheric> carbon dioxide
(CO2) to a safe and sustainable level of 300-350 ppm."> > Dr Hansen
demands that the world REDUCE atmospheric CO2 to a safe and> sustainable
300-350 parts per million (ppm) (see: see:>
http://www.climatecodered.net/ ;>
http://green-blog.org/2008/03/07/book-review-climate-code-red-the-case-for-a-sus\
tainability-emergency/>
; http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/12/nasas-james-han.html ) .> >
According to top UK climate scientist Professor James Lovelock FRS> over
6 billion will perish this century due to unaddressed climate> change
(see:>
http://green-blog.org/2008/04/17/australia-2020-summit-25-ideas-for-greening-cli\
mate-criminal-australia/>
;>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=5417\
48&in_page_id=1770>
). > > According to UK Chief Scientific Adviser Professor John
Beddington CMG> FRS "billions" are threatened by the US, UK and EU
biofuel perversion> that is grossly CO2 polluting and ALREADY
contributing to huge global> food price rises and threatening biofuel
famine, biofuel genocide> (see:
http://mwcnews.net/content/view/21277/42/ ) .> > Yet the Australia 2020
Summit of the "1,000 best and brightest of> Australia" selected by the
right-wing, Bush-ite Rudd Labor Government> responds to this
significantly Australia-made catastrophic climate> emergency by
suggesting as one of its 10 Best Ideas: set up a> committee to advise
regulations for mandating carbon neutrality for> new homes. > >
Religious Right Rudd's (R3's) extreme right-wing conservative>
predecessor as PM of Australia, John Howard, was referred to as the>
"man of steel" by world's #1 terrorist, #1 climate criminal and #1 war>
criminal George Bush - PM Rudd should be described as the Man of Irony.>
> The Australia 2020 Summit has BETRAYED Australia and the World.> > Dr
Gideon Polya> > > > > Messages in this topic (1)>
________________________________________________________________________>
________________________________________________________________________>
2a. Re: Please take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim
Report> Posted by: "John and Lizette" lizettejohn@... > Date:
Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:33 pm ((PDT))> > Hello again Jane> > Please do
include the two groups I mentioned before in your submission to Garnaut,
i.e.> > Wodonga and Albury Towards Climate Health (WATCH)> Lizette
Salmon> > Border Eco Living Program (BELP)> Lou Newman> > Thank you,>
Lizette> ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jane Morton > To:
climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:43
PM> Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please take five minutes to repond to
the Garnaut Interim Report> > > > Thanks Karen> > Is there an
organisation that I could put with your name? No that you are speaking
for the organisation just member of ... supporter of CEN - or whatever?
> Warm regards> > Jane> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: David
Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, April 17,
2008 10:30 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please take five minutes to
repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Jane,> > That is a well
researched submission to the Garnaut Review, please add my name to the
submission that you are e-mailing on Monday.> > Regards> > Karen Tymms>
> > > > > > >
-------------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:42:19 +1000> Subject: [climatecodered] Please take
five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Dear all> > I
am contacting you as a supporter of the Climate Emergency Network. Sorry
if you get two emails about this. > > Many of you will have already made
submission to the Garnaut Review. However, I think there are many
advantages to commenting on his interim report as well. He is no doubt
taking a pounding from the fossil fuel lobby, and it is likely to be
important to give him support at this stage, so that the Final Report is
a strong - or preferably stronger. He needs to know that there is
widespread support for stringent targets and strong measures. At this
stage quantity (showing broad support from many people and groups) is
likely to be more important than quality (he already has lots of great
information). > > We have one last chance to comment. Even though the
official deadline has passed, I have received a reply from his office
that suggests that late submissions will be considered if they come in
soon - very soon!> > The most obvious inadequacy of his report is his
reliance on out of date IPCC projections and targets and his failure to
mention the more recent climate data including alarming melting of the
Arctic ice and I have drafted a submission that covers this and other
points in line with the direction set by Climate Code Red.> > I'd be
grateful if you as an individual, and/or any relevant group of which you
are a member (and from which agreement can be obtained in a short
period) would > > (1) reply to this email with agreement for me to add
your name, or the name of your group, to the attached submission when I
submit it first thing on Monday morning or> (2) fill in your name,
and/or the name of your group - and make any amendments you choose and
lodge the submission yourself . See directions below. You will need to
fill in a cover sheet - see attached or down load from the site.> or>
(3) write your own submission > > Please get back to me as soon as you
can on this. > > Thanks for your efforts - I know it's a very busy time>
> Jane Morton > > Supporter Climate Emergency Network> > > How to lodge
a submission> Submissions should be clear and concise, preferably
typewritten and submitted via email. Submissions can also be posted by
mail in hardcopy or softcopy on a 3.5-inch diskette CD-rom. Facsimile
copies will be accepted, but are sometimes difficult to read. Audio
tapes will also be accepted. Please note that hardcopy submissions will
not be returned.> > Each submission should include: > a.. a Submissions
Cover Sheet (DOC 113kb); and > b.. separate submissions document
including partial contact details (name, suburb, state only).> All
submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt and all submissions will
be considered. > > > > Address submissions as follows:> > Via email >
Write 'Submission' in subject field of email, and send to
contactus@....> > Via post> Submissions> Garnaut
Climate Change Review > Level 2, 1 Treasury Place> Melbourne VIC 3002> >
> > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > >
Messages in this topic (8)>
________________________________________________________________________>
2b. Re: Please take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim
Report> Posted by: "Jane Morton" mortonj@... jane_r_morton>
Date: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:55 pm ((PDT))> > Thanks for your help with
this. We ended up with eight groups and 37 individuals - very pleasing
result in such a short time. > > Jane> > > ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday,
April 18, 2008 9:10 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please take five
minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Hi Jane,> > Yes I'm
a member of BELP; Border Eco-Living Program, we are located in
Albury/Wodonga hence the "Border".> > Karen> > > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:43:30 +1000> Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Thanks
Karen> > Is there an organisation that I could put with your name? No
that you are speaking for the organisation just member of ... supporter
of CEN - or whatever? > Warm regards> > Jane> > ----- Original Message
----- > From: David Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent:
Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:30 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Jane,> >
That is a well researched submission to the Garnaut Review, please add
my name to the submission that you are e-mailing on Monday.> > Regards>
> Karen Tymms> > > > > > > >
------------------------------------------------------------------------>
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:42:19 +1000> Subject: [climatecodered] Please take
five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Dear all> > I
am contacting you as a supporter of the Climate Emergency Network. Sorry
if you get two emails about this. > > Many of you will have already made
submission to the Garnaut Review. However, I think there are many
advantages to commenting on his interim report as well. He is no doubt
taking a pounding from the fossil fuel lobby, and it is likely to be
important to give him support at this stage, so that the Final Report is
a strong - or preferably stronger. He needs to know that there is
widespread support for stringent targets and strong measures. At this
stage quantity (showing broad support from many people and groups) is
likely to be more important than quality (he already has lots of great
information). > > We have one last chance to comment. Even though the
official deadline has passed, I have received a reply from his office
that suggests that late submissions will be considered if they come in
soon - very soon!> > The most obvious inadequacy of his report is his
reliance on out of date IPCC projections and targets and his failure to
mention the more recent climate data including alarming melting of the
Arctic ice and I have drafted a submission that covers this and other
points in line with the direction set by Climate Code Red.> > I'd be
grateful if you as an individual, and/or any relevant group of which you
are a member (and from which agreement can be obtained in a short
period) would > > (1) reply to this email with agreement for me to add
your name, or the name of your group, to the attached submission when I
submit it first thing on Monday morning or> (2) fill in your name,
and/or the name of your group - and make any amendments you choose and
lodge the submission yourself . See directions below. You will need to
fill in a cover sheet - see attached or down load from the site.> or>
(3) write your own submission > > Please get back to me as soon as you
can on this. > > Thanks for your efforts - I know it's a very busy time>
> Jane Morton > > Supporter Climate Emergency Network> > > How to lodge
a submission> Submissions should be clear and concise, preferably
typewritten and submitted via email. Submissions can also be posted by
mail in hardcopy or softcopy on a 3.5-inch diskette CD-rom. Facsimile
copies will be accepted, but are sometimes difficult to read. Audio
tapes will also be accepted. Please note that hardcopy submissions will
not be returned.> > Each submission should include: > a.. a Submissions
Cover Sheet (DOC 113kb); and > b.. separate submissions document
including partial contact details (name, suburb, state only).> All
submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt and all submissions will
be considered. > > > > Address submissions as follows:> > Via email >
Write 'Submission' in subject field of email, and send to
contactus@....> > Via post> Submissions> Garnaut
Climate Change Review > Level 2, 1 Treasury Place> Melbourne VIC 3002> >
> > > > > > > >
-------------------------------------------------------------------------->
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > > > >
------------------------------------------------------------------------------>
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > >
Messages in this topic (8)>
________________________________________________________________________>
2c. Re: Please take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim
Report> Posted by: "John and Lizette" lizettejohn@... > Date:
Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:25 pm ((PDT))> > Great. Well done.> Lizette> > -----
Original Message ----- > From: Jane Morton > To:
climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 2:54 PM>
Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please take five minutes to repond to the
Garnaut Interim Report> > > > Thanks for your help with this. We ended
up with eight groups and 37 individuals - very pleasing result in such a
short time. > > Jane> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: David
Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday, April 18,
2008 9:10 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please take five minutes to
repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Hi Jane,> > Yes I'm a member
of BELP; Border Eco-Living Program, we are located in Albury/Wodonga
hence the "Border".> > Karen> > > > > > > >
-------------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:43:30 +1000> Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Thanks
Karen> > Is there an organisation that I could put with your name? No
that you are speaking for the organisation just member of ... supporter
of CEN - or whatever? > Warm regards> > Jane> > ----- Original Message
----- > From: David Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent:
Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:30 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Jane,> >
That is a well researched submission to the Garnaut Review, please add
my name to the submission that you are e-mailing on Monday.> > Regards>
> Karen Tymms> > > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:42:19 +1000> Subject: [climatecodered] Please take
five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Dear all> > I
am contacting you as a supporter of the Climate Emergency Network. Sorry
if you get two emails about this. > > Many of you will have already made
submission to the Garnaut Review. However, I think there are many
advantages to commenting on his interim report as well. He is no doubt
taking a pounding from the fossil fuel lobby, and it is likely to be
important to give him support at this stage, so that the Final Report is
a strong - or preferably stronger. He needs to know that there is
widespread support for stringent targets and strong measures. At this
stage quantity (showing broad support from many people and groups) is
likely to be more important than quality (he already has lots of great
information). > > We have one last chance to comment. Even though the
official deadline has passed, I have received a reply from his office
that suggests that late submissions will be considered if they come in
soon - very soon!> > The most obvious inadequacy of his report is his
reliance on out of date IPCC projections and targets and his failure to
mention the more recent climate data including alarming melting of the
Arctic ice and I have drafted a submission that covers this and other
points in line with the direction set by Climate Code Red.> > I'd be
grateful if you as an individual, and/or any relevant group of which you
are a member (and from which agreement can be obtained in a short
period) would > > (1) reply to this email with agreement for me to add
your name, or the name of your group, to the attached submission when I
submit it first thing on Monday morning or> (2) fill in your name,
and/or the name of your group - and make any amendments you choose and
lodge the submission yourself . See directions below. You will need to
fill in a cover sheet - see attached or down load from the site.> or>
(3) write your own submission > > Please get back to me as soon as you
can on this. > > Thanks for your efforts - I know it's a very busy time>
> Jane Morton > > Supporter Climate Emergency Network> > > How to lodge
a submission> Submissions should be clear and concise, preferably
typewritten and submitted via email. Submissions can also be posted by
mail in hardcopy or softcopy on a 3.5-inch diskette CD-rom. Facsimile
copies will be accepted, but are sometimes difficult to read. Audio
tapes will also be accepted. Please note that hardcopy submissions will
not be returned.> > Each submission should include: > a.. a Submissions
Cover Sheet (DOC 113kb); and > b.. separate submissions document
including partial contact details (name, suburb, state only).> All
submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt and all submissions will
be considered. > > > > Address submissions as follows:> > Via email >
Write 'Submission' in subject field of email, and send to
contactus@....> > Via post> Submissions> Garnaut
Climate Change Review > Level 2, 1 Treasury Place> Melbourne VIC 3002> >
> > > > > > > >
------------------------------------------------------------------------>
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > >
Messages in this topic (8)>
________________________________________________________________________>
________________________________________________________________________>
3. Sorry I did it again - please ignore that last email> Posted by:
"Jane Morton" mortonj@... jane_r_morton> Date: Sun Apr 20,
2008 9:56 pm ((PDT))> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jane
Morton > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, April 21,
2008 2:54 PM> Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please take five minutes to
repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > > Thanks for your help with
this. We ended up with eight groups and 37 individuals - very pleasing
result in such a short time. > > Jane> > > ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Friday,
April 18, 2008 9:10 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please take five
minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Hi Jane,> > Yes I'm
a member of BELP; Border Eco-Living Program, we are located in
Albury/Wodonga hence the "Border".> > Karen> > > > > > > >
-------------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:43:30 +1000> Subject: Re: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Thanks
Karen> > Is there an organisation that I could put with your name? No
that you are speaking for the organisation just member of ... supporter
of CEN - or whatever? > Warm regards> > Jane> > ----- Original Message
----- > From: David Tymms > To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com > Sent:
Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:30 PM> Subject: RE: [climatecodered] Please
take five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Jane,> >
That is a well researched submission to the Garnaut Review, please add
my name to the submission that you are e-mailing on Monday.> > Regards>
> Karen Tymms> > > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------->
To: climatecodered@yahoogroups.com> From: mortonj@...> Date:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:42:19 +1000> Subject: [climatecodered] Please take
five minutes to repond to the Garnaut Interim Report> > > Dear all> > I
am contacting you as a supporter of the Climate Emergency Network. Sorry
if you get two emails about this. > > Many of you will have already made
submission to the Garnaut Review. However, I think there are many
advantages to commenting on his interim report as well. He is no doubt
taking a pounding from the fossil fuel lobby, and it is likely to be
important to give him support at this stage, so that the Final Report is
a strong - or preferably stronger. He needs to know that there is
widespread support for stringent targets and strong measures. At this
stage quantity (showing broad support from many people and groups) is
likely to be more important than quality (he already has lots of great
information). > > We have one last chance to comment. Even though the
official deadline has passed, I have received a reply from his office
that suggests that late submissions will be considered if they come in
soon - very soon!> > The most obvious inadequacy of his report is his
reliance on out of date IPCC projections and targets and his failure to
mention the more recent climate data including alarming melting of the
Arctic ice and I have drafted a submission that covers this and other
points in line with the direction set by Climate Code Red.> > I'd be
grateful if you as an individual, and/or any relevant group of which you
are a member (and from which agreement can be obtained in a short
period) would > > (1) reply to this email with agreement for me to add
your name, or the name of your group, to the attached submission when I
submit it first thing on Monday morning or> (2) fill in your name,
and/or the name of your group - and make any amendments you choose and
lodge the submission yourself . See directions below. You will need to
fill in a cover sheet - see attached or down load from the site.> or>
(3) write your own submission > > Please get back to me as soon as you
can on this. > > Thanks for your efforts - I know it's a very busy time>
> Jane Morton > > Supporter Climate Emergency Network> > > How to lodge
a submission> Submissions should be clear and concise, preferably
typewritten and submitted via email. Submissions can also be posted by
mail in hardcopy or softcopy on a 3.5-inch diskette CD-rom. Facsimile
copies will be accepted, but are sometimes difficult to read. Audio
tapes will also be accepted. Please note that hardcopy submissions will
not be returned.> > Each submission should include: > a.. a Submissions
Cover Sheet (DOC 113kb); and > b.. separate submissions document
including partial contact details (name, suburb, state only).> All
submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt and all submissions will
be considered. > > > > Address submissions as follows:> > Via email >
Write 'Submission' in subject field of email, and send to
contactus@....> > Via post> Submissions> Garnaut
Climate Change Review > Level 2, 1 Treasury Place> Melbourne VIC 3002> >
> > > > > > > >
------------------------------------------------------------------------>
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > > > >
---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
at CarPoint.com.au It's simple! Sell your car for just $30 > > > >
Messages in this topic (1)> > > > > >
------------------------------------------------------------------------>
go to:> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/climatecodered/join> (Yahoo! ID
from this group, send an email to:>
_________________________________________________________________
Are you paid what you're worth? Find out: SEEK Salary Centre
http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fninemsn%2Eseek%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fcare\
er%2Dresources%2Fsalary%2Dcentre%2F%3Ftracking%3Dsk%3Ahet%3Asc%3Anine%3A0%3Ahot%\
3Atext&_t=764565661&_r=OCT07_endtext_salary&_m=EXT

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Climate change solutions: what role for the market?
     <http://links.org.au/node/360>

     Patrick Bond,University of KwaZulu-Natal; editor of Climate Change,
     Carbon Trading and Civil Society
     John Kaye, Greens NSW MLC
     Stuart Rosewarne, co-editor Journal of Australian Political Economy
     and Capitalism, Nature, Socialism

     * Read more <http://links.org.au/node/360>


     Cuba: The challenge of fossil fuels and climate change
     <http://links.org.au/node/357>

Roberto Perez, Cuban biologist and permaculturalist, Antonio Núñez
Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity, a Cuban NGO. Feature talk at
the Climate Change Social Change Conference, Sydney, April 12, 2008. The
conference was organised by /Green Left Weekly/
<http://www.greenleft.org.au/>.

     * Read more <http://links.org.au/node/357>


     Audio: John Bellamy Foster on `Ecology, capitalism and socialism'
     <http://links.org.au/node/356>

*John Bellamy Foster*'s feature talk, recorded at the Climate Change
Social Change Conference on April 12, 2008. The conference was organised
by /Green Left Weekly/ <http://www.greenleft.org.au>. Foster is editor
of /Monthly Review/ and author of /Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature./

     * Read more <http://links.org.au/node/356>


     Video: John Bellamy Foster on Capitalism and Climate Change
     <http://links.org.au/node/343>

*John Bellamy Foster,* Marxist ecologist and editor of /Monthly Review/,
addressed the Climate Change I Social Change Conference on ``Capitalism
and Climate Change'', Sydney, April 11, 2008. Foster's talk was part of
a panel discussing ``Climate change and its social roots''. The
conference was organised by /Green Left Weekly/
<http://www.greenleft.org.au/conference.php>. Below is Foster's talk in
five parts. An audio recording of the panel is available here
<http://links.org.au/node/358>.

     * Read more <http://links.org.au/node/343>

Subscribe free to /Links - International Journal of Socialist Renewal/ -
at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=343373


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for following that up, Anne. I look forward to seeing how they can
possibly excuse their stand.

Good work!

Cheers,

John Hill

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Anne
   To: ClimateChangeAction@...
   Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:39 AM
   Subject: [ClimateChangeAction] WWF with the Coal Industry!?!!?


   http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-groups-in-carbon-
   planrift/2008/04/14/1208025091641.html

   I was rather furious about this article... so i called WWF and spoke
   direct to Kelly Court (their Climate Change Person) in Brissy on (07)
   3003 1480.

   Some smooth words from her did not satisfy my sadness.
   She tells me she will send me on a formal statement.

   I will forward it when it is received.

   a







   E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.178)
   Database version: 5.09640
   http://www.pctools.com/Spyware-Doctor/




E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.178)
Database version: 5.09640
http://www.pctools.com/Spyware-Doctor/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: WWFs position on CCS
From:    "Kellie Caught" <kcaught@...>
Date:    Wed, April 16, 2008 9:06 pm
To:      gcca@...
Cc:      "Paul Toni" <PToni@...>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anne Goddard
Global Climate Change Action

Dear Anne,

Thank you for you call, please find below an explanation of WWFs
position regarding carbon capture and storage. I would also encourage
you to read this article by the climate institute
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23550921-7583,00.html
If you require additional information or have any further questions
please let me know.


Climate Change is one of the greatest threats to the planet. To avoid
dangerous climate change we need to stay below 2 degrees rise.

There is no single solution - the world must simultaneously reduce
energy consumption and become more energy efficiency, halt and reverse
loss and degradation of forest, and change our energy supply by
replacing traditional fossil fuels with zero and low emission
technologies.

With respect to energy technology, WWFs Climate Solutions (
http://wwf.org.au/publications/gefreport/ )[1] ( #_ftn1 ) report
found that we must rapidly and concurrently deploy a range of renewable
and low emissions technology, including carbon capture and storage
(CCS).

This position is shared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)[2] ( #_ftn2 ), the International Energy agency (IEA), NASA
scientist Dr James Hansen, UKchief economist Sir Nicholas Stern,
environment groups such as the Climate Institute and PEW centre,
pre-eminent research centres, and the vast majority of Governments.

If CCS works it can be applied not just to new and retrofitted coal
power generation, but also gas power generation; to other large CO2
sources such as the chemical, steel or cement industries; and to natural
gas production.

Retrofitting is particularly important when the US, Europe, Chinaand
Indiahas plans to build 100s of new coal fired power plants in the next
few years. It has been estimated that within the next decade China’s CO2
emissions from power plants will increase from 2,680,000,000 tones to
4,270,000,128 tones[3] ( #_ftn3 ).

WWFs Climate Solution report finds that if one or two of the zero or
low emission technologies fail or are delayed, including CCS, the chance
of beating the climate and energy challenge drops dramatically.

The problem for CCS is that at the current rate of technology
development it could take 15 to 20 years to contribute to the climate
change solution, which would be too late for the planet.

Which is why WWF is calling for a national co-ordinated approach via a
taskforce to accelerate CCS demonstration, to determine whether CCS is
practical for broad application, so if it works it contributes to
greenhouse gas reduction sooner, and if it doesn’t work we know sooner
so we can move on.

On the issue of funding CCS demonstration projects and indeed
additional renewable energy funding, WWF is advocating for a polluters
pay principle, and is calling on the Government to put a levy on coal
and gas exports, electricity generators and energy intensive and
polluting industries to pay for the development of low and zero
technology.

It is rare in the environment movement to leave an environmental
solution up to an industry, environment advocates regularly call on
government to regulate or put a price on pollution, this is no
different.

WWF is also calling for a moratorium on new coal-fired power stations
without CCS on Commission and aGreenhouse Gas Emission standard at 400g
Co2/kWh to drive industry investment in low and zero technologies.

The reality is that if CCS (and other renewable technologies) is ruled
out or delayed WWF could face the choice of advocating for accepting a
2.5 - 3 degrees rise. If we reach a three-degree rise in temperature, 35
per cent of species will become extinct. WWF has a responsibility to try
to prevent this from happening, which means supporting a range of
climate change solutions that maximise our chances.

In addition to pursuing acceleration of CCS technology, WWF will
continue to push for greater investment and regulation for energy
efficiency, renewable energy, a halt to land clearing and climate
adaptation.

Kind regards

Kellie Caught


[1] ( #_ftnref1 )WWF (2007) Climate Solutions: WWFs Vision for 2050,
www.wwf.org.au/publications/gefreport/

[2] ( #_ftnref2 )IPCC (2007) Fourth Assessment working group III
climate change mitigation report Chapter 4 Energy supply, pg 255

[3] ( #_ftnref3 )http://carma.org/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-groups-in-carbon-
planrift/2008/04/14/1208025091641.html

I was rather furious about this article... so i called WWF and spoke
direct to Kelly Court (their Climate Change Person) in Brissy on (07)
3003 1480.

Some smooth words from her did not satisfy my sadness.
She tells me she will send me on a formal statement.

I will forward it when it is received.

a

*John Bellamy Foster,* Marxist ecologist and editor of /Monthly Review/,
addressed the Climate Change I Social Change Conference on ``Capitalism
and Climate Change'', Sydney, April 11, 2008. The conference was
organised by /Green Left Weekly/
<http://www.greenleft.org.au/conference.php>. Watch Foster's talk in
five parts at: http://www.links.org.au/node/343

Subscribe free to /Links - International Journal of Socialist Renewal/ -
at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=343373

Please help me to pressure Getup in bringing Geothermal Power to the table.

Have your say on what you want our country's future to look like on our
2020 forums - and we will deliver your ideas direct to the decision makers
heading to Canberra:

www.getup.org.au/2020

here is my submission titled Geothermal: (PLEASE vote it HOT!)
http://www.getup.org.au/2020/idea.php?ideaID=231
or ad your own submission along similar lines.

Geothermal Power

Please visit my website for ways forward:
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org/ways_forward
1. Public Transport (using the latest available energy technologies.. eg.
solar rail)
2. SAFE walking and biking tracks.
3. GEOTHERMAL POWER not NUCLEAR for base load supply
4. Phase out fossil fuels.
5. Utlise the power of nature ... wind, solar, water (tidal and wave), and
of course... GEOTHERMAL!

The nuclear industry has destroyed enough of our planet!this industry must
be stopped.
visit:
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org/AusUSA_NSP
(Join the nuclear industry dots... the Nuclear Strategic Plan)

Not GW/CC related, but I think some of the dirt in this article
warrants a brief exception.

Cops and Former Secret Service Agents Ran Black Ops on Green Groups
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/04/firm-spied-on-environmental-grou\
ps.html

Reproduced @
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/11/8217/

Discussion group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21985809768&ref=mf

--- In ClimateChangeAction@..., "Anne" <gcca@...>
wrote:
>
> Help reduce energy consumption and help create awareness. On the
1st
> day of every month... between 8 and 9pm.
>
> Every little bit helps. Shut down your computers (or run them on
their
> interenal battery), shut off lights in empty rooms, unplug unused
phone
> chargers, or anything else that could help reduce consumption.
>
> You can even use it to help you out of doing certain things.
> Try "sorry, I can't do the laundry right now....it's Earth Hour".
>
> Help spread the word!!!
>
> Join and ad the facebook event:
> http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10629038881
> and invite your friends.
>
> For more details check out http://earthhour.org
>

Help reduce energy consumption and help create awareness. On the 1st
day of every month... between 8 and 9pm.

Every little bit helps. Shut down your computers (or run them on their
interenal battery), shut off lights in empty rooms, unplug unused phone
chargers, or anything else that could help reduce consumption.

You can even use it to help you out of doing certain things.
Try "sorry, I can't do the laundry right now....it's Earth Hour".

Help spread the word!!!

Join and ad the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10629038881
and invite your friends.

For more details check out http://earthhour.org

http://www.alternet.org/environment/81083/

[b]Climate target is not radical enough - study[/b]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/07/climatechange.carbonemissions
[quote]One of the world's leading climate scientists warns today that
the EU and its international partners must urgently rethink targets
for cutting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of fears they
have grossly underestimated the scale of the problem.

In a startling reappraisal of the threat, James Hansen, head of the
Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, calls for a
sharp reduction in C02 limits.

Hansen says the EU target of 550 parts per million of C02 - the most
stringent in the world - should be slashed to 350ppm. He argues the
cut is needed if "humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that
on which civilisation developed". A final version of the paper Hansen
co-authored with eight other climate scientists, is posted today on
the Archive website. Instead of using theoretical models to estimate
the sensitivity of the climate, his team turned to evidence from the
Earth's history, which they say gives a much more accurate picture.

The team studied core samples taken from the bottom of the ocean,
which allow C02 levels to be tracked millions of years ago. They show
that when the world began to glaciate at the start of the Ice age
about 35m years ago, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere stood
at about 450ppm.

"If you leave us at 450ppm for long enough it will probably melt all
the ice - that's a sea rise of 75 metres. What we have found is that
the target we have all been aiming for is a disaster - a guaranteed
disaster," Hansen told the Guardian.

At levels as high as 550ppm, the world would warm by 6C, the paper
finds. Previous estimates had suggested warming would be just 3C at
that point.

Hansen has long been a prominent figure in climate change science. He
was one of the first to bring the crisis to the world's attention in
testimony to Congress in the 1980s.

But his relationship with the Bush administration has been frosty. In
2005 he accused the White House and Nasa of trying to censor him. He
has steadily revised his analysis of the scale of the global warming
and was himself one of the architects of a 450ppm target. But he told
the Guardian: "I realise that was too high."

The fundamental reason for his reassessment was what he calls "slow
feedback" mechanisms which are only now becoming fully understood.
They amplify the rise in temperature caused by increasing the
concentration of greenhouse gases. Ice and snow reflect sunlight but
when they melt, they leave exposed ground which absorbs more heat.

As ice sheets recede, the warming effect is compounded. Satellite
technology available over the past three years has shown that the ice
sheets are melting much faster than expected, with Greenland and west
Antarctica both losing mass.

Hansen said that he now regards as "implausible" the view of many
climate scientists that the shrinking of the ice sheets would take
thousands of years. "If we follow business as usual I can't see how
west Antarctica could survive a century. We are talking about a
sea-level rise of at least a couple of metres this century."

The revised target is likely to prompt criticism that he is setting
the bar unrealistically high. With the US administration still acting
as a drag on international efforts, climate campaigners are struggling
even to get a 450ppm target to stick.

Hansen said his findings were not a recipe for despair. The good news,
he said, is that reserves of fossil fuels have been exaggerated, so an
alternative source of energy will have to be rapidly put in place in
any case. Other measure could include a moratorium on coal power
stations which would bring the C02 levels to below 400ppm.

Hansen's revised position will pile yet further pressure on Britain
over plans to build a new generation of coal power stations. Last year
he wrote to Gordon Brown urging him to block the first such power
station; the Royal Society has made similar suggestions to the
government.[/quote]