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Building a Green Economy with a new online community

Kristen Geis — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:59:33 +0000

A new website, Low Carbon World, has launched as a joint project between LowCarbonEconomy.com and the United Nation’s Climate Neutral Network (CN NET) aims to facilitate the move to global low carbon economies, a necessary imperative if we are to combat dangerous and escalating climate change.

The “Low Carbon World” website was designed to serve as a web-based communications platform tol assist knowledge transfer and simplify access to information and tools that can be difficult to trace.

www.LowCarbonEconomy.com will list every country’s carbon policies, commitments, historical performance, future projections and opportunities, as well as country-specific marketplaces, networks, associations and standards which are relevant to government departments and investment agencies.

“Everyone agrees that the transition to a low carbon economy is an environmental and economic imperative, and will require increased collaboration globally – particularly between public and private sectors. Until now, access to the necessary low carbon information has been extremely restricted and very time consuming. With this project we have changed that and we look forward to continuing to work with UNEP and other major partners over the coming months and years,”said Toddington Harper, TLCE’s Managing Director.

Annual global greenhouse gas emissions should not exceed 40 to 48.3 Gigatons (Gt) of equivalent C02 in 2020, if a rise in global temperatures is to be curbed at 2 degrees C or less, whilst between 2020 and 2050, global emissions ideally need to fall by between 48 per cent and 72 per cent.

“The solutions for the transition to a low carbon economy already exist, and it is a question of removing barriers for rapid and mass uptake. These barriers include technical, financial and informational aspects. I look forward to seeing this project develop further”,said Achim Steiner UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP.

The Climate Neutral Network (CN Net) celebrated its second anniversary at UNEP’s 11th Special Session of the Governing Council in Bali, Indonesia by hosting a side event titled “High hopes, low carbon – making it work!” The side event showcased work and success stories undertaken between CN Net and The Low Carbon Economy Ltd (TLCE) over the past 12-months.

The home page for the ‘Low Carbon World’ initiative is available on http://www.lowcarboneconomy.com/Low_Carbon_World/Data/Home and will soon also be available on UNEP’s Climate Neutral website www.unep.org/climateneutral.

Tigers threatened to near extinction due to climate change

Joe Ascanio — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:09:47 +0000

Currently one of the world’s largest tiger populations, the Bengal Tiger is quickly losing its habitat along the coast of Bangladesh in an area known as the Sundarbans, according to a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-led study published in the journal Climatic Change.

According to the study, an expected sea level rise of 11 inches above 2000 levels may cause the remaining tiger habitat in the Sundarbans to decline by 96 percent, pushing the total population to fewer than 20 breeding tigers – a far cry from the (albeit dismal) 3,200 remaining in the wild.

The threats facing these Bengal tigers and other iconic species around the world underscore the need for urgent international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unless immediate action is taken, the Sundarbans, its wildlife and the natural resources that sustain millions of people will simply disappear within 50 to 90 years.

“If we don’t take steps to address the impacts of climate change on the Sundarbans, the only way its tigers will survive this century is with scuba gear,” said Colby Loucks, WWF’s deputy director of conservation science and the lead author of the study Sea Level Rise and Tigers: Predicted Impacts to Bangladesh’s Sundarbans Mangroves.

“Tigers are a highly adaptable species, thriving from the snowy forests of Russia to the tropical forests of Indonesia;” added Loucks. “The projected sea level rise in the Sundarbans will likely outpace the tiger’s ability to adapt.”

Disappearing World

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by India and Bangladesh at the mouth of the Ganges River, is the world’s largest single block of mangrove forest and home to more than 50 reptile species, 120 commercial fish species, 300 bird species and 45 mammal species.

Mangroves are found at the inter-tidal region between land and sea, and not only serve as breeding grounds for fish but help protect coastal regions from natural disasters such as cyclones, storm surges and wind damage.

Using the rates of sea level rise projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Fourth Assessment Report (2007), the study authors said an 11-inch sea level rise may be realized around 2070, at which point tigers will be unlikely to survive in the Sundarbans. However, recent research suggests that the seas may rise even more swiftly than what was predicted in the 2007 IPCC assessment.

“The mangrove forest of the Bengal tiger now joins the sea-ice of the polar bear as one of the habitats most immediately threatened as global temperatures rise during the course of this century,” said Keya Chatterjee, acting director of WWF’s climate change program. “To avert an ecological catastrophe on a much larger scale, we must sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change we fail to avoid. In 2010, the Chinese Year of the Tiger, there is no better time for the US to pass domestic climate legislation and to reach an effective international agreement.”

In addition to climate change, the Sundarbans tigers, like other tiger populations around the world, already face tremendous threats from poaching and habitat loss. Tiger ranges have decreased by 40 percent over the past decade, and tigers today occupy less than seven percent of their original range. Scientists fear that accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching could push some tiger populations to the same fate as their now-extinct Javan and Balinese relatives in other parts of Asia.

Tigers are poached for their highly prized skins and body parts, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

“It’s disheartening to imagine that the Sundarbans – which means ‘beautiful forest’ in Bengali – could be gone this century, along with its tigers,” Loucks said. “We very much hope that in this, the Year of the Tiger, the world will focus on curtailing the immediate threats to these magnificent creatures and preparing for the long-term impacts of climate change.”

World Wildlife Fund is running a Year of the Tiger campaign to coincide with the Chinese New Year and culminating in a Global Tiger Summit in Vladivostok, Russia. The 2010 Year of the Tiger will mark an important year for conservation efforts to save wild tigers, with WWF continuing to play a vital role in implementing bold new strategies to save this magnificent Asian big cat.

Find out more at: www.worldwildlife.org/tigers

Too big to fail: tourism industry biggest factor in climate change

Joe Ascanio — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:39:34 +0000

The travel and tourism industry is a tremendous benefactor of global economic development.

In 2009 alone, the travel and tourism economy will make up 9.3 percent of the global GDP, while having generated over 210 million jobs (7.4 global employment).

The previous year, 922 million international tourist arrivals were recorded, contributing $944 billion in international tourism receipts.

With such a far-reaching economic span, travel and tourism has been positioned it as a leading player in a strong, united, global effort at combating climate change. With such a huge economic “footprint”, the industry needs to proactively adopt industry-wide best practices to combat climate change.

Mutual dependency

The sustainability of the travel and tourism industry and that of the environment are mutually dependent. While travel and tourism are often lauded as global conduits for peace and prosperity, as well as social and environmental awareness, economic and environmental adaptation simply cannot happen without them.

Travel and tourism, as evident on this site every day, actively engages in the protection of fragile ecosystems and indigenous communities – allowing the industry to contribute towards the successful advancement of poverty alleviation in developing countries – a major topic of discussion in climate change litigation.

The travel and tourism industry needs to continue to develop sustainable solutions that are at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change, especially those that foster the exchange of innovative technology to advance carbon reduction.

Global sectoral approaches, supported by a level econmic playing field, will allow the industry to efficiently pursue the scale of change for progressive transformation to occur.

Commitment to change in a green economy

In order to give travel and tourism companies necessary transparency to make informed green business decisions – many of which can strongly influence a nation’s economic development - a sound framework is critical.

A solid Copenhagen Agreement can and should provide a unique opportunity to set the foundation upon which a resilient green economy can be developed. However, in order to make this happen, public and private sector partnership is essential.

Moving forward fast are private and public sector industry groups the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Tourism Organization. Jointly, the two world bodies are aligning efforts to unify a fragmented travel and tourism industry, speaking with one voice on the critical issue of climate change.

Both organizations are hosting a side event during the COP-15 negotiations on December 18th - Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change – Perspectives from the Travel and Tourism Sector – that will highlight innovators from the private and public sector from across the world and all sectors of the industry.

“UNWTO’s Davos Declaration Process on climate change response paved the way to position the tourism industry as a relevant player of global climate neutrality,” said UNWTO Secretary-General ad interim Taleb Rifai. “Joining forces for tourism to speak as one in Copenhagen responds furthermore to a key recommendation of the UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery, highlighting the importance of building a strong public-private dialogue and boosting strong partnerships.”

Under the leadership of WTTC and UNWTO, examples of best practice will be presented in order to communicate to policy-makers and the rest of the industry travel and tourism’s proactive approach to carbon emissions’ mitigation and adaptation.

“The great cross-cutting impact of our industry makes it necessary to establish and maintain this close collaboration,” added Rifai. “I am confident that together we will contribute to a better positioning of travel and tourism in the global climate response agenda.”

“The travel and tourism industry urges global leaders in the wake of the Copenhagen Agreement – regardless of its final form – to actively engage the private sector in translating the internationally-agreed framework into transparent, supportive, and progressive national and regional policies,” said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC president and CEO. “The travel and tourism private sector has always sought a deeper working relationship with governments, and the anticipated Copenhagen Agreement will provide an excellent opportunity to further develop this relationship.”

Here comes the sun: 2010 expected to be hottest year yet

Joe Ascanio — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:24:16 +0000

According to scientific predictions made by the Met Office, 2010 will be the world’s warmest year on record with man-made climate change a huge factor.

Natural weather patterns will play less of a role than they did in 1998, the current warmest year, as El Niño, the cyclical heating of the Pacific Ocean, will be far weaker than it was 12 years ago.

The Met Office predicts that the warming effect of greenhouse gas emissions will more than make up for El Niño’s shortcomings – while cautioning that a record year in 2010 will depend upon whether or not the current El Niño began to decline earlier than normal or there was a large volcanic eruption.

Numbers rising

At the COP15 summit, the Met Office announced that it expected the global average temperature next year to be almost 0.6C warmer than the 1961 to 1990 average. It also forecasts an annual average of 14.58C compared with 14.52C in 1998.

If correct, the predicted temperature increase will be a huge blow to climate change skeptics, many of whom, armed with the still-argued “Climategate” emails, base their arguments on the fact that the temperature has not returned to the 1998 peak.

The Met Office also predicts that half the years between 2010 and 2019 will also be warmer than 1998.

“If 2010 turns out to be the hottest year on record it might go some way towards exploding the myth, spread by the climate conspiracy theorists, that we’re experiencing global cooling,” said Ben Stewart, of Greenpeace.“In reality the world is getting hotter, possibly a lot hotter, and humans are causing it.”

The Global Warming Policy Foundation, which claims man-made climate change has been exaggerated, accused the Met Office of making a “political intervention” in the international negotiations taking place in Copenhagen. It said: “Suggestions by the Met Office that a warming trend will resume in the next year or two should be treated with reserve in light of the recognized difficulties in making such confident predictions.”

What is the relationship between tourism and climate change in the developing world?

Joe Ascanio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:01:09 +0000

With the COP15 Conference well underway this week, many are turning their attention to global tourism and its role in climate change, as well as its impact on developing nations.

Do changes in travel practices that benefit the environment negatively affect the economies of top, non-industrialized destinations?

The connection between climate change and international tourism presents a host of challenges, with a number of varying perspectives that identify how the role of tourism affects both the physical and political sides of the international climate debate.

Like all the other industries, international tourism has the responsibility to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; through transportation, accommodation and various activities in the destinations, the tourism sector causes about five percent of global carbon emissions.

However, to be fair to the entire world, the costs and structural changes associated with these emission reductions must not be at the expense of the world’s poorest people.

While international decision makers in tourism seem to agree on this principle, there are major differences with regard to implementation and priorities, as well as severe opposition from “rightwingers” who fear that American money will be used to support economies beyond our borders.

High sensitivity to change

The travel industry is classified as “highly climate sensitive”. For example, changes in climate have direct and immediate impacts on the length and quality of the seasons, which each affect travel behavior.

On a long term scale, climate change alters natural landscapes used by tourism; changing the infrastructure and services that can lead to economic setbacks or mass migration as well as political instability in the destinations.

And while tourists of the developed world will (hopefully) always have the freedom to choose, their adaptability to change will grow. If a particular destination goes from economic boom due to high tourism levels to political and social strife due to drought, natural disaster or famine, tourists will simply stop going there. There is very little the actual destination can do to fight this without the means and funds to properly combat the affects of climate change.

Lifestyle a key role

In modern society, travel has become a large part of our daily lives, both personally and professionally, with tourism generally considered a “right of passage” for the privileged; people finding and experiencing new places, cultures and lifestyles outside of their own. This sounds great ion the surface, yet, the ramifications of irresponsible travel behavior come with a high cost.

For instance, transportation emissions alone contribute to climate change – with about two thirds of tourism related emissions attributed to air and car transport. So, an easy fix would be to curb the transport process, right? Wrong. Non-industrialized countries – often top destinations for “experiential travel” and well off the beaten path – are highly dependent on the global tourism economy.

Yet to date, the tourism factor has not been properly represented.

Taking responsibility

Come 2012, the Kyoto Protocol will be replaced by a new international agreement – one which will hopefully come to light during the COP15 meetings that presents a clear set of targets for the tourism industry. This responsibility for real change lies with the industrialized nations of the world.

While climate change is in large part due to over-consumption of resources by a small part of the world‘s population (industrialized countries), the effects are far-reaching.

Industrialized nations need to drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in order to still prevent the worst consequences of climate change, while implementing comprehensive adaptation measures in the regions most affected by the already-negative impacts of climate change.

For instance, for over ten years, the aviation sector of the travel industry has been exempt from mitigation-related regulations, even though it is the primary source of carbon emissions within the industry.

Fast forward to 2012, and we have a deep-rooted need for political pressure on the travel and aviation industry to pay a fair share of the climate-related costs, including the costs of mitigation to curb global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the costs of helping poor people to adapt to those consequences of climate change that cannot be prevented, such as natural disasters, food shortages and loss of land due to rising sea levels.

‘Climategate’ for Idiots: can we get back to reality now?

Joe Ascanio — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:02:32 +0000

A few days ago, I wrote an op-ed on the recent “Climategate” email scandal that not only lashed out at the stubborn skeptics and deniers, but also the scientific institutions purported to have committed the said “scandal”.

Here is a quick refresh of some of the things I wrote:

“The Climate Research Unit (CRU) scientists whose emails were “leaked” online made a huge mistake: being stupid. Regardless of the intent, no one, on either side of the aisle, will take them on their word again. The global warming feud is bitter and cold (that pun was slightly intended), and the actions of said scientists are entirely unacceptable. Immense pressure from an entire politically-driven industry intent on crushing their every effort is no excuse for bending the facts, or hiding them completely.

“Although I am typically the antagonist against any and all climate change deniers and/or skeptics – as they are generally either a mislead or misleading bunch devoted to greed and political gain – taken on the surface, said skeptics do have a point as well as a valid argument with regard to the statements made in these leaked emails.

“While whether or not the statements within the stolen emails were taken out of context is debatable, undeniable is the fact that their very presence has raised questions over whether or not the argument for global warming is valid.”

Now, I stand firmly with everything I wrote, especially that last sentence, but I would like to add a brief amendment in light of some recent “news” that has since hit the media.

As like many who are concerned with the plight of the world’s future in the face of climate change, I was perhaps overly assertive on placing negative blame on the scientists in question, while not having full insight into the depth of the naivete of the anti-global-warming crowd.

As it turns out, “whether or not the statements within the stolen emails were taken out of context is debatable” is now the topic of the day.

While the naysayers literally jumped at the chance to debunk all scientific study pertaining to the effects of climate change, yanking literally three sentences out of over 1,000 items of correspondence and deeming them a smoking gun, we proponents for the environmental movement side-stepped that debate entirely in a rush to defend the real science. Now, the debate is settled. At least, for the intelligent people out there. The idiots are still buying Hummers.

I won’t bore you with my own take of the evidence – as I recently came upon a brilliantly done video by way of the good folks over at EarthFirst.com (via The Huffington Post) that lays it all out completely.

Here is what they say:

“RealClimate debunked the claims, as did the Union of Concerned Scientists. DeSmogBlog smacked them down, too. But apparently, reading through all the articles that explain exactly how conspiracy theorists are wrong about the hacked emails that supposedly prove global warming to be a scam is too hard for most skeptics. So, we’d like to present this idiot-proof video: it’s easy to follow, even if you’re not the sharpest tool in the shed.”

Some highlights of the video:

Amateur skeptics took 3 sentences of “scandal” entirely out of context without understanding the scientific terminology applied. Yes, “trick” and “decline” were actual proven scientific jargon that did NOT mean what they thought it meant.
Had these amateur skeptics bothered to read (or publicize) the sentences before and after the sentences in question, they would have gotten the full story in FAVOR of scientific proof of climate change.
“Lack of warming at the moment” references last year’s solar cycle, NOT climate change effects. Again, a tidbit explained dutifully in the rest of the email.
Right wing-nuts citing the same three sentences again and again, without bothering to examine the rest of the documents for the full explanation.

At one point in the video, a climate change skeptic video-blogger smugly suggests that the use of word “decline” was suggesting the actual cooling of global temperatures. However, as evidence in the rest of the email and the subsequent studies it cited, “decline” was in reference to tree-ring data, NOT global temps.

Apparently, FOX News and Rush Limbaugh did not think that was worth sharing, and the video blogger never knew the difference.

As the video’s narrator states: “If I had little understanding of climate science, and little time to do any research, that’s probably what I would think too.”

Take a look at the video below – it is just under 10 minutes long, but I promise it is a very easy and often funny viewing.

Is COP15 on the right track, or a losing battle?

Joe Ascanio — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:26:28 +0000

With the Copenhagen Climate Conference off and running, former Vice President Al Gore takes a hard look at the numbers, and doesn’t like what he sees.

According to the Nobel Laureate and veteran climate campaigner whose name has become synonymous with global warming, Mr. Gore suggests that the targets to be outlined at COP15 are not nearly enough to combat the gloom and doom of climate change facing the planet today.

“Even if a deal is reached at the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen…it will only be the first step towards the far more radical cuts that are needed in global carbon emissions,” said Gore.

According to Gore, world leaders need to enact far more drastic measures in order to avoid the worst ramifications of global warming.

“Even a final treaty will have to set the stage for other tougher reductions at a later date,” he said. “We have already overshot the safe levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.”

At present, the set goal for the summit is to stabilize CO2 emissions at or below 450 parts per million. This reduction is supposed to be enough of a change to prevent a rise in average global temps of 2 degrees Celsius. Gore, however, suggests that his goal is not sufficient to get the job done, and that a much surer bet would be a reduction to 350 parts per million.

“Are we doing enough?” he asked. “The answer is obviously no — 450 is not the right target. But it is presently seen as beyond the capacity of governments around the world. We are stretching the capacity of governments even to hit a 450 target.”

“We are gambling with the future of human civilisation in accepting odds that by any definition make our present course reckless . . . But it’s still the most likely path to success.”

Pressuring Obama

Gore, an advocate for President Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign, is challenging the President to include more stringent cuts in carbon emissions than the current ofering of a 17% reduction by 2020.

With the US being the planet’s second-largest carbon polluter, Gore states that country’s reduction figure is “weaker than it should be”. However, he suggests that the real roadblock for Obama is getting tough carbon regulation through the House of Representatives.

“I’m glad that he is putting reduction targets on the table. I wish that they were stronger but I recognise the difficulties he faces in the Senate.”

Playing the carbon markets

Gore supports an international carbon taxation system as a means to cut fossil-fuel emissions, yet is cautious that current political struggles will get in the way for a meaningful resolution.

With perhaps years to go until such a system can be put into place, the former Vice President suggests, for the interim, a carbon emissions trading system as a more realistic “first step”. He has been criticized for this viewpoint by many on both sides of the aisle who do not view carbon markets as a solution to climate change.

“The correct policy response will include both of these powerful tools,” he added. “But the degree of political difficulty associated with a carbon tax is a degree of difficulty much higher than the cap and trade approach.”

Put away the pitchforks, people – climate change is still real

Joe Ascanio — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:59:57 +0000

Last week’s climate change email “scandal” has sent both sides of the argument into an absolute tizzy. Let’s try to clear the air once and for all.

First, the obvious: generally, lying is bad. And anyone who lies in the pursuit of monetary or political gain in the face of a global debate should be called out on the spot and, if necessary, stripped of any power over process they may possess.

The Climate Research Unit (CRU) scientists whose emails were “leaked” online made a huge mistake: being stupid. Regardless of the intent, no one, on either side of the aisle, will take them on their word again. The global warming feud is bitter and cold (that pun was slightly intended), and the actions of said scientists are entirely unacceptable. Immense pressure from an entire politically-driven industry intent on crushing their every effort is no excuse for bending the facts, or hiding them completely.

Although I am typically the antagonist against any and all climate change deniers and/or skeptics – as they are generally either a mislead or misleading bunch devoted to greed and political gain – taken on the surface, said skeptics do have a point as well as a valid argument with regard to the statements made in these leaked emails.

Over 1,000 emails and 2,000 other documents were hacked from the CRU and then posted on a Russian file-sharing server late Thursday, referencing in some cases the concealment of data arguing against global warming claims. Once leaked, the university did not help the matter, offering no response or rebuttal beyond simply implying “Hey, you’re not allowed to read those!” while critics lambasted them.

While whether or not the statements within the stolen emails were taken out of context is debatable, undeniable is the fact that their very presence has raised questions over whether or not the argument for global warming is valid.

“This is horrible,” said Pat Michaels, a climate scientist at the Cato Institute in Washington who is mentioned negatively in the emails. “This is what everyone feared. Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for anyone who does not view global warming as an end-of-the-world issue to publish papers. This isn’t questionable practice, this is unethical.”

With less than a month to go until the climate-change summit in Copenhagen, this is not good for climate change activists.

“Climate Gate” – Confusing the real issue

Let’s forget, for a moment, the fact that these emails were obtained in a highly illegal manner. Although I typically do not make a habit of aligning myself with The Right, I believe that the notion supported by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. – that the leaked e-mails are “theft” and “crime” that should be investigated regardless of the emails’ contents – is entirely missing the point.

“You call it Climate-gate. I call it E-mail-theft-gate,” said Senator Boxer. She claims that a criminal conspiracy might even be at play.

Senator Boxer is simply arguing the wrong point. Yes, it is unethical to steal emails. But, it is also unethical and even criminal to actively attempt to mislead the public on such an important topic – one that could change the course of human history and survival over the next few decades.

While the hacked emails have the ability to weaken global resolve to curb greenhouse-gas emissions, they offer no real and tangible arguments for either side. We now need to take the higher road and put forth the right argument: the content of these emails, regardless of how they were obtained, needs to be looked at in a comprehensive and responsible manner.

The emails are greatly exaggerated beyond all recognition. The claims which climate change deniers have consistently made throughout their campaigns are simply not supported by any findings in the exposed correspondence.

Yet, words can hurt.

I personally find it ironically sad that the scientific and environmental response has been utter denial and finger-pointing. The emails help fuel the fact-less propaganda surrounding climate change denial, while they instantly revoke the credibility and expertise of those involved. The only real way to move passed this in a positive direction toward truth is for people to regain a firm grasp on reality.

“I simply can’t believe that there is a kind of mafia that is trying to inhibit critical papers from being published,” said Mojib Latif, a climate researcher at Germany’s Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences. Mr. Latif firmly believes that global warming is, in fact, man-made, and relates current cooling to temporary natural trends.

According to the Copenhagen Diagnosis report – a collection of over 200 scientific papers BEYOND that of the hacked emails - climate change has rapidly accelerated beyond all previous predictions and humans are to blame. The report shows that global warming emissions in 2008 were nearly 40 percent higher than those in 1990, while sea level rise is 80 percent above past previous predictions.

No real, substantial data supporting global warming has been disproven or dismantled by these stolen emails. Only a few sentences out of context spun completely out of control are doing the damage – and it is PR damage at best.

Finding facts in fiction

The majority of climate scientists today argue that the earth’s temperature is in fact rising, with nearly all in agreement that human activity is the prime suspect.

Climate change skeptics and deniers are leaping onto this “email scandal” with torches and pitch forks in hand, without stopping to understand that not only has their very context been cherry-picked for their own argument’s sake, but that a small handful of scientists sending emails back and forth does not dismantle an entire scientific institution; that climate change is real, it is caused by human activity, and the need to counteract its impacts is beyond crucial.

Yes, the world’s temperature was decreasing, as unbiased studies have shown; over the last 2,000 years, temperatures were steadily going down, mostly due to decreased solar insulation associated with the earth’s orbit.

HOWEVER, just under 200 years ago, the temperature - scientifically measured by ice cores, tree rings and lake sediments – began a sharp increase and has been steadily rising ever since. This time frame coincides with, obviously, the birth of the industrial revolution; a.k.a. human activity.

These evidences are of course based on science that right-wing climate change deniers simply refuse to believe in, citing faith and man-made notions of world dominion as proof.

Take a look around

But let’s not make any mistakes here: climate change deniers and skeptics have lied and obscured real “data” for years, catalyzing the cause for climate change “rationalists” and believers to adhere to high scientific standards.

Fossil fuel industries have employed “experts” to lie, cheat and manipulate on their behalf – atrocities far greater than anything contained in these emails. And despite years of outright deceit and fraud on their part, it is now the climate scientists who look bad.

Now, because of this one-time “scandal”, the side of truth in the climate change debate needs to work that much harder in order to distinguish itself above the opposition.

In questioning motivations, let’s examine those of the climate change skeptics and deniers; and take a hard look at the oil and gas and coal industries. Each has billions of dollars at stake, and a deep and vested interest in maintaining the status quo; spending millions on lobbying, advertising and funding slanted research to distort the truth and keep as many skeptics ont heir side as possible.

I mean, who are their “superstars”? How about Steve Milloy, Fox News’ “Fair and Balanced” anchor and host of Junk Science who spends most of his time arguing against the medical effects of secondhand smoke and claiming that climate change is fake, all while being a paid advocate and funds-recipient from both Philip Morris and ExxonMobil.

How about resident science “expert” and climate change denier Professor Pat Michaels of the Cato Institute, who has recently been exposed as accepting at least $100,000 by companies involved in coal-fired power production. Michaels himself withdrew as an “expert witness from a court case about climate change” after this funding went public.

And there is Sarah Palin. Ah, Sarah, how you entertain us! Palin, a very public advocate for oil drilling and former Governor of Alaska (a heavily-dependent oil economy), stated during the 2008 campaign: “I’m not one though who would attribute it [climate change] to being manmade.” She then went on to sign executive orders to commence Arctic Sea oil drilling, an up-til-now untapped reserve covered by ice, due to the rapid depletion of ice in the Arctic Sea.

The lost goes on and on, and so do the erroneous claims. Daily Mail columnist Melanie Philips claims that believing in global warming is just plain anti-American, stating that “the theory that global warming is all the fault of mankind is a massive scam based on flawed computer modelling, bad science and an anti-western ideology…” and that “carbon dioxide forms a relatively small proportion of the atmosphere, most of which consists of water vapor.”

Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, who receives more campaign money from fossil fuel companies than any other Senator in the Republican Party, has compared environmentalists to the Third Reich and the US Environmental Protection Agency to the Gestapo. He maintains that climate change is all a big hoax.

And these, ladies and gentleman of the planet, are who we actually become comparable to when such a thing as data manipulation or outright lying takes place – even on the side of the good guys – regardless of cause or reason. Let’s not lose sight of the real goals at hand and stick to the highest of principles, and maybe we will actually get somewhere. Perhaps if done right, we will finally earn the right to call Earth “home”.

Element Hotels rolls out the green carpet for eco-savvy drivers

Joe Ascanio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:15:09 +0000

Element Hotels has just announced its plans to install ChargePoint electric car-charging stations at all of its properties by the end of 2009, as well as offer preferred space for electric and hybrid vehicles.

This move is one more step toward the Starwood-owned brand’s huge initiative to establish itself as THE premiere environmentally-friendly hotel chain.

The eco-chic brand recently tested a pilot of this program at its Element Lexington property, which turned out to be a tremendous success. The program is a first for the hotel industry.

“At Element, we aim to provide greener options for our guests, and the charging stations are a perfect next step,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty-Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Even guests who don’t yet drive electric cars tell us that the charging stations are encouraging them to think about more sustainable alternatives, and that’s very gratifying.”

With six Element hotels open to-date, Element is the only major hotel brand to mandate that its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station was developed by California innovator Coulomb Technologies.

ChargePoint has partnered with Carbon Day Automotive to make the stations available at all current Element properties, as well as properties that the brand plans to open over the next several years.

Catering to a universal appeal

A few months back, President Barack Obama called for a million plug-in vehicles on the road by 2015. Since then, utility companies across the country have pledged to increase efforts to expand the use of plug-in electric vehicles, while policymakers are increasingly turning to electric cars as a way to cut the emission of heat-trapping greenhouse gas linked to climate change.

Using Google Maps, travelers can locate the charging station and determine whether it is in use or unoccupied. Sleek and slim, ChargePoint devices are equipped with a universal plug-in for all kinds of electric vehicles, from cars and buses to electric bikes.

Plug-in hybrid cars, expected to roll out over the next few years, are also compatible. To use the stations, guests will simply swipe a key fob, plug in, and charge up. Guests who pull up in electric or hybrid cars will also get VIP green carpet treatment with “Hybrid Preferred” parking spots closest to Element hotels’ front doors.

Element will also be allowing non-guests to use the charging stations, similar to regular gas stations across the country.

Which cities are in the greatest danger from rising sea levels?

Joe Ascanio — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:59:38 +0000

We know the basic idea: global warming melts polar ice, sending swells of ocean water toward our shores – and after becoming engulfed in an entirely blue world, people grow gills and are somehow turning pee into drinking water.

Sounds crazy? Of course it does – thank you, Kevin Costner. But the basic idea of entire cities across the world becoming well beyond waterlogged is, in fact, a reality. And a scary one at that.

According to measurements by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), rising sea levels will be a huge threat to even the most advanced cities - not to mention small, island nations – with predicted levels twice as high as originally thought.

If global temperatures continue to increase at the current rate, by the year 2100 island nations such as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Tuvalu in the Pacific would be entirely engulfed by ocean waters, while rising levels will devastate coastal cities such as Calcutta and Dhaka.

Modern-day metropolises New York, Shanghai and London would need to literally spend billions in order to even attempt to hold off flood waters from rushing onto city streets.

A threat beyond measure

Back in 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted a rise of merely .59 meters toward the end of the century. This was bad on its own, but now the SCAR panel of 35 leading climate research institutions has reported an expected rise of 1.4 meters – almost double the original report.

So, why such a discrepancy? SCAR scientists suggest that the IPCC underestimated how much the melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets (ice on land, NOT in the ocean) would contribute to total sea-level rises.

While the IPCC originally thought melted ice sheets would contribute around 20% to rising sea levels, the new study by SCAR suggests the ice sheets’ contribution at over 50%. SCAR is using more up-to-date climate observation technology to deliver these new results.

In time for this month’s COP15 conference, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC and one of the world’s leading experts on climate science, has called for the world to intensify efforts to control global warming.

Discrepancies damage credibility

With all the drama surrounding the “climate chanhe hoax” claims, skeptics did not wait long to jump on the new SCAR report.

“It’s 50cm, 60cm, 100cm — 60m if you ask James Hansen from Nasa,” said Benny Peiser, director of the Global Warming Policy Foundation. “The predictions come in thick and fast, but we take them all with a pinch of salt.”

Obviously, such large contradictions can hurt the overall believability of the individual reports as well as others like them.

“We look out of the window and it’s very cold, it doesn’t seem to be warming,” continued Peiser. “We’re very concerned that 100-year policies are being made on the basis of these predictions”

Timberland’s new climate change campaign ‘gets things done’

Joe Ascanio — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:14:07 +0000

Timberland’s new political campaign, “Don’t Tell Us It Can’t Be Done,” takes a hard-hitting approach to socio-political change in line with next month’s COP15.

This December, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is supposed to ratify a new global climate change treaty – to essentially replace the soon-to-expire Kyoto protocol. Labeled “COP15″, the Copenhagen summit is a tremendous opportunity to take action on climate change.

Yet, the blogosphere has been on fire lately regarding the upcoming event – with only weeks to go and with so much on the line, governments from 192 nations around the world are beginning to send out signals suggesting that no lasting-treaties will be formed.

Through the “Don’t Tell Us It Can’t Be Done” campaign, Timberland hopes to rally the power of individuals and consumers around the world to affect this process positively by challenging government leaders to set standards for emissions.

The popular clothing and apparel brand is essentially challenging world leaders in attendance at COP15 to commit to reducing global emissions – even if that means a cap and trade system. Even with the restrictions that such a model could produce, Timberland is confident that it would force innovation in industries everywhere and that businesses, as problem solvers, would find a way to adapt without passing the cost to the consumer.

No stranger to responsible business, Timberland has worked to improve lighting design, using renewable energy sources at Timberland facilities and building all new US stores to LEED specifications. The company has also reduced its direct carbon emissions by 27% since 2006 – all while achieving cost savings.

Take action

Visit www.donttellusitcantbedone.com, Facebook.com/timberland or Earthkeeper.com to make your voice heard via an online petition that asks world leaders to come to an agreement on fair and binding climate legislation that clearly sets a limit for greenhouse gas emissions; and then asks them to step aside and let businesses innovate and lead the way to finding solutions to achieve those limits.

“Businesses will find a way to make environmentally conscious products and profits at the same time,” reads the site. “But government needs to act now. They need to set the standards. If you agree, join us. Your voice will be heard at December’s Copenhagen conference on climate control.”

In addition to signing the petition, visitors can learn about other ways to address climate change or stay up-to-date with happenings at the conference from December 7 – 18. An on-the-ground correspondent will be providing daily updates and exclusive interviews at www.donttellusitcantbedone.com.

Looming climate change adds even more stress to humanitarian aid

Joe Ascanio — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:57:57 +0000

With climate change-related disasters frequently occurring throughout the world, humanitarian aid organizations are struggling to keep pace with the increasing demands of affected communities.

According to reps for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), climate change is a major factor in the newest hurdles to bringing aid to recent disasters.

In a new survey, entitled “Believe in Humanity”, the IFRC states: “World powers expect humanitarian actors to face continuing or increasing humanitarian needs driven by climate change-related natural disasters.”

The survey’s release coincides with the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen, and was released just as hundreds of delegates from the 186 national societies of the Red Cross/Red Crescent gathered for their week-long General Assembly in the United Nations compound in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Here in a country like Kenya one can already see the signature of climate change in terms of droughts and most recently floods – challenges which your organization has to respond to with ever more frequency and urgency,” said Achim Steiner, Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director. “Climate change unchecked is likely to trigger increasing tensions over scarce natural resources.”

The Nairobi meeting marked the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, as well as the 150th anniversary of the battle of Solferino; a battle that left tens of thousands of soldiers dead and prompted Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, to found the Red Cross.

Today, the Red Cross is the world’s largest humanitarian network with millions of volunteers.

Disasters and conflict

As a major priority for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), disaster relief and conflict resolution is a high-risk factor in over 40 countries.

UNEP often works alongside the IFRC to bring relief to stress-worn countries in the wake of an eco-disaster; deploying teams of experts using state-of-the-art science and technology to assess environmental damage and determine risks for human health, livelihoods and security in post-conflict and disaster situations.

One example is a recent assessment of the country of Sudan, where UNEP linked environmental problems such as land degradation, deforestation and the impacts of climate change as threatening the Sudanese people’s prospect for long-term peace, food security and sustainable development.

“There are many other examples where, with environmental planning, the situation might have been sustained or improved, rather than having declined,” added Steiner.

“No country has barred IFRC staff from accessing victims of war and disasters on account of sovereignty,” said Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. “Such influence could be used to rally people to care for the environment to prevent disasters.”

Next month, the Copenhagen Climate Change conference could potentially define the humanitarian efforts throughout the world for many years to come.

“In just a few weeks’ time governments will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the crucial UN climate convention meeting,” said Steiner. “The decisions taken there may shape the future of this century in terms of human vulnerability and disaster management as a result of the impacts of global warming.”

Can the U.S. set the stage for a successful Copenhagen Climate Change Conference?

Joe Ascanio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:24:28 +0000

With the world’s climate crisis in peril, governments need to deliver a strong plan of action at the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December.

Perhaps the most influential figure in all of it is U.S. President Barack Obama, who is actively working to loosen the global deadlock in negotiations by announcing a target for cutting US greenhouse gas emissions.

So far, the United States is the only developed nation that has not committed to an emissions target. Poorer nations are threatening to stage a walk-out of the UN summit in Copenhagen next month unless President Obama commits to an ambitious carbon reduction.

Making good on promises

On the campaign trail in 2007 and 2008, then presidential-nominee Barack Obama proposed that the United States, under his influence as Commander-in-Chief, would reduce carbon emissions by 14% (as compared to 2005 levels).

Fast-forward less than one year into his presidency, a new climate bill spearheaded by former prez-nominee John Kerry is promising a greenhouse gas reduction of 20%.

Many Copenhagen-watchers expect that President Obama will wait until the final stages of the negotiations in Copenhagen to announce the U.S.’s emissions cuts, perhaps in an effort to achieve maximum political impact will giving other countries little-to-no chance to demand deeper cuts from the U.S.

President Obama is reportedly considering offering a range of possible reductions rather than a single number, making it easier for him to persuade Congress.

According to Jonathan Pershing, a leading US negotiator at the Barcelona climate talks, the U.S. will in fact announce a provisional target before the end of the Copenhagen summit.

“Developing countries, including the US, need to make robust mid-term reductions from a set base year.” said Pershing. “In the US we are moving to make a substantial contribution to a robust Copenhagen deal. We are very interested in seeing that deal move forward and we recognize that others are seeking numbers from us.”

He went on to add that President Obama could possibly a target commitment without Senate approval. “The executive body has authorities which are not exclusively reliant on Congress and that is a decision which has to be made.”

According to Yvo de Boer, the UN’s senior climate change official, the summit would achieve very little if President Obama does not announce a target.

“Copenhagen can and must be the turning point in the international fight against climate change – nothing has changed my confidence in that. A powerful combination of commitment and compromise can and must make this happen.”

No more business as usual

Until now, very little progress has been made with regards to the proper finances that would allow developing countries to limit their emissions growth and adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change.

According to Yvo de Boer, developed countries will need to expedite funding in the amount of at least $10 billion to enable developing countries to immediately develop low emission growth and adaptation strategies and to build internal capacity.

Additionally, developed countries will need to indicate how they intend to raise predictable and sustainable long-term financing and what there longer-term commitments will be.

The U.S. is planning a “substantial contribution” to a global fund aimed at helping developing countries adapt to climate change and pursue low-carbon economic growth. While the Obama administration is not expecting developing countries to cut their overall emissions entirely, it prefers to receive specific commitments from them on reducing their growth in emissions compared with the “business as usual” position.

“It is essential that practical action is swiftly implemented after Copenhagen to assist developing countries in their fight against climate change,” added de Boer.

Finding clarity

Earlier this year, heads of state and government pledged to “Seal the Deal!” in Copenhagen; providing clarity on: ambitious emission reduction targets of industrialized countries, supporting developing countries and scaling-up both financial and technological resources.

“I look to industrialized countries to raise their ambitions to meet the scale of the challenge we face,” said Yvo de Boer. “And I look to industrialzed nations for clarity on the amount of short and long-term finance they will commit.”

The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will take place from December 6-18, 2009.

Update on 11/11/09:
Former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore posted this on his blog:
“I was asked last week, ‘would it be helpful for President Obama to go to the United Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December?’

“The answer is, of course, yes, and I think he probably will. I certainly hope he will. Given how high the stakes of this international meeting are, I think it would make a big difference. Because we’re the strongest economy, one of the two largest emitters of global warming pollution, and recognized as the natural leader of the world community, it’s important for us as Americans to fully appreciate the role we play.

“Since this is the most dangerous challenge the world has ever faced, and since the scientists have given us fresh warnings that we don’t have a lot of time to reduce global warming pollution, it’s really important for the United States to play the leadership role the rest of the world expects us to play.

“President Obama’s attendance in Copenhagen would be a clear signal of our leadership.”

All aboard the month-long Climate Change Express to Copenhagen

Joe Ascanio — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:45:52 +0000

With the Copenhagen conference quickly on its way, a new and one-time train link between Kyoto and Copenhagen has just opened for traffic. Sponsored by the United Nations, the Climate Change Express is a one-month, 9,000-kilometer journey that symbolically joins the site of the last global warming pact with what is hoped to be the birthplace of the next major, and stricter, treaty to combat climate change.

The Train to Copenhagen will roll across the globe through the vast wilds of Russian Siberia and into Europe as part of the UN Seal the Deal! campaign. Aboard, environmental experts and climate change campaigners will send eye-witness accounts of global warming signs under way while working to raise awareness of the impact of the transport sector, which already accounts for over one fifth of global CO2 greenhouse emissions.

These emissions are projected to double within only 40 years and railways are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing sustainable transport systems.

Redirecting the “road to nowhere”

Launched by UNEP, WWF and the International Union of Railways (UIC), the Train to Copenhagen aims to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement in December.

“We are on the road to nowhere if existing policies and economic models prevail with their over-emphasis on private cars and on shifting shipments of goods to the roads,” UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said. “The Train to Copenhagen project is a showcase of sustainable transport solutions that will be part and parcel of a resource-efficient, low-carbon Green Economy of the 21st Century.

“By Sealing the Deal on an ambitious climate agreement in Copenhagen, governments will get into gear to propel the world to a low-carbon future so that societies may also finally embark on a journey to more sustainable transport.”

Trekking through climate change “hotspots”

The Train to Copenhagen departs Kyoto station on November 5th – leaving behind the Japanese city where the Kyoto Protocol that sets binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European Union (EU) was adopted in 1997 – and make its way by ferry to Daejeon, Republic of Korea (ROK).

There it will board another ferry for Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East for that vast transcontinental journey to drum up support for a new compact with much stronger cuts to replace the Protocol on the expiration of the first commitment period at the end of 2012.

Rumbling across Siberia – a global climate change hotspot - it will be hauled along the famous Trans-Siberian Railway and go by ferry across Lake Baikal, the most voluminous freshwater lake in the world, and stop in Moscow, the Polish city of Poznan and then Berlin before arriving in Brussels on December 5th.

From Brussels, The Express will take on board more than 400 climate change negotiators, campaigners and other high-profile personalities going to Copenhagen, for a 12-hour on-track conference focusing on how to solve the challenges posed by the transport sector with regard to global warming.

On arrival, the Climate Express will remain at Copenhagen Central Station throughout the two-week conference, serving as a mobile exhibition open to the public about low-carbon transport solutions.

“It is clear that business as usual is not an option if we want to reverse current trends and prevent catastrophic climate change,” UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said. “If we can really integrate the costs of pollution into the price of transportation, rail will be a big winner.”

What needs to happen for the Copenhagen Climate Change summit to be a success?

Joe Ascanio — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:47:37 +0000

With a little over one month to go before the UN summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has outlined a handful of benchmarks that will determine the success of this international gathering of the minds.

Ban, in an opinion piece in the New York Times, suggests that every country – developed and developing – must do all it can to slash emissions from all sources, including deforestation and shipping.

“A successful deal must strengthen the world’s ability to cope with an already changing climate,” Mr. Ban said, stressing that “support for adaptation is not only an ethical imperative; it is a smart investment in a more stable, secure world.”

According to Ban, proper funding to allow poorer countries to transition to a low-carbon economy is absolutely crucial, while all involved must agree on an equitable global governance structure.

“All countries must have a voice in how resources are deployed and managed,” he said. “That is how trust will be built.”

Progress in sight

Although the the last round of climate change negotiations held in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this month, resulted in a sort of stalemate, Ban insists that “the elements of a deal are on the table.”

“All that is needed to put them in place is political will,” Ban said. “We need to step back from narrow national interest and engage in frank and constructive discussion in a spirit of global common cause.”

A final round of negotiations will kick off next week in Spain, as a precursor to the Copenhagen summit.

“We are now at a rather critical juncture,” said Janos Pasztor, Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team. “There is a flurry of activity in the world’s capitals, with this uptick in activity expected to continue during the final stretch before the December summit. This is a good development as it is only governments who can make the deal and bring us success in Copenhagen.”

United States at the heart of transition

When leaders assemble in Denmark, they have the ability to “deliver an agreement on a range of fast-track implementation measures for which credible resources are needed and which governments need to make available,” Mr. Pasztor stated.

According to Ban, the United States government, under the leadership of newly-President Barack Obama, is a crucial factor in the global climate change struggle. He did suggest, however, that he is encouraged by last week’s bipartisan climate change initiative in the US Senate.

“We cannot afford another period where the United States stands on the sidelines,” Ban said, adding that an “indecisive or insufficiently engaged” US will result in unnecessary and unaffordable delays in tackling global warming.

Ban is, of course, referring to the U.S.’s lackluster environmental performance under the Bush administration of the previous 8 years as well as its reluctance to enter into the Kyoto Protocol agreements.

Come 2012, the Kyoto Protocol to prevent climate change and global warming will expire, calling for the urgency for a new international agreement. This December’s conference in Copenhagen from December 7-18, 2009 will bring together government representatives from 170 countries, accompanied by other governmental representatives, NGO’s and journalists.

For more information on the Copenhagen Climate Conference, visit http://en.cop15.dk.

Still think climate change is a hoax? 23 million starving Africans disagree

Joe Ascanio — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:58:37 +0000

As a definitive climate-change consequence, a four-year drought in East Africa is depleting 23 million Africans of food and water.

Although drought is common in East Africa, this new heightened frequency is cause for alarm. While the cycle of drought used to revolve in 10-year-intervals, now it is virtually constant. Scientists and government officials are attributing this dramatic shift to radical climate change.

Yes, climate change. Global warming. That nagging “Inconvenient Truth.”

The threat is real and is quickly encroaching on the lives of millions around the world. While we in the States are not directly feeling the impacts just yet, we soon will. As agricultural and water-supply devastation sweeps across the globe, our food and resource supplies will dwindle to nothing. On this small and fragile planet, East Africa is a lot closer than many will admit.

Emergency level threat

The dry lands of East Africa’s northern region are seeing its cattle collapse and die out from exhaustion, famine and thirst. Violence is breaking out over water rations and remaining livestock. Tourists visiting the area report home with images of barren landscapes littered with emaciated livestock.

Among the East Africans facing starvation, almost 4 million live in Kenya, where only one out of every ten people can survive on emergency rations. Kenya’s Rift Valley, typically an agricultural haven for the African nation, has been reduced to a wasteland. While intermittent rainfall does little to nothing to bring relief, aid agencies are preparing for geological and health disasters like flooding, cholera, malaria and hypothermia.

“For the last four years these farmers have held on to hope, but each year been left with despair as the rains failed,” said Fergus Conmee, Africa humanitarian manager for the Catholic aid agency Cafod. “This humanitarian crisis has pushed them on to a tightrope of survival and many farming families have been left destitute.”

Even still, hope for survival seems to be repressed by greed and corruption – more human catalysts (and symptoms) of the global warming crisis.

The Kenyan government has been accused of not doing enough to strategize and properly ration grain reserve. Dwindling tea and coffee production are each devastating the economy. Earlier this year, thousands of corn sacks went missing, only to magically reappear in Sudan. Grumblings suggest that this was the work of politicians seeking favors – both financial and material – from shady traders.

No room for debate

As stories like this will undoubtedly continue to unfold across the globe in the coming months and years, we as Americans are forced to turn our attention to the hurdles surrounding the climate change crisis. As I wrote in an earlier post, this country seems to be the only one actually debating the global warming crisis; fighting over words and spinning our wheels while the rest of the world continues to take bold action against climate change in spite of its problematic, angry-adolescent neighbor.

Climate change deniers continue to litter the media airwaves with unjustified accounts of “experts” claiming that global warming either a) is not real; b) is not caused, at least in part, by human activities; and/or c) is real, but is natural and a good thing.

A good thing. Try telling that to the millions starving across the globe, watching their livestock wither to nothing and their communities crumble.

We all need to step up and into action. Write Congress, join local action groups – become an environmental steward, even if in the smallest of ways.

For more information on how you can impact the climate change crisis, visit www.theclimateproject.org.

What will the Arctic look like in 20 years due to global warming?

Joe Ascanio — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:01:02 +0000

Blog Action Day 2009 is upon us, with this year’s topic of discussion and debate being climate change.

The subject has been argued time and time again; it has been a highlight of U.S. Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, with of course the infamous 2008 Sarah Palin retort of:

“I’m not one to attribute every man — activity of man to the changes in the climate. There is something to be said also for man’s activities, but also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet. But there are real changes going on in our climate. And I don’t want to argue about the causes. What I want to argue about is, how are we going to get there to positively affect the impacts?”

How can you solve a problem without understanding its real cause? For too long, too many Americans have fallen under this persuasion of “it’s not us, it’s nature.” I say “Americans” because, let’s face it, we seem to be the only country actually debating the cause and effects of climate change. Everyone else seems to have already gotten it right.

Think globally

But forget nationality for a minute. Forget patriotism and partisanship. We as world citizens have a stake in the future of the world’s complex yet fragile ecosystems. We need to seriously think about about climate change – its causes and consequences – and figure out what to do on a day-to-day basis to slow it down or, better yet, reverse its effects.

Sure, life gets in the way sometimes, and battling an all-encompassing foe like climate change could often be a bit too “inconvenient.” But consider the consequences if we let it slip: Floods, wildfires, storms, water and food shortages, natural resource depletion – the list is virtually endless.

Take for instance a new study by the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge University, which suggests that the Arctic will be ice-less within the next 20 years, due to rapid acceleration of sea ice loss from global warming.

The study, which compared ice thickness and density from a Royal Navy nuclear submarine over the span of two years, ruled out any miscalculations due to natural warming trends.

If correct, the waterways surrounding the North Pole will be free and clear – the Earth will lose its “white cap” as seen from space. This change is, thus far, the biggest impact global warming is having on the physical appearance of the planet.

“The North Pole will be exposed in ten years,” said Peter Wadhams, Professor of Ocean Physics at Cambridge. “You would be able to sail a Japanese car carrier across the North Pole and out into the Atlantic.”

Ice loss set at an alarming rate

According to the University of Colorado’s National Snow and Ice Data Center, Arctic ice coverage was the third-lowest since satellite records began in 1979.

The coverage was greater than in 2007 and 2008 largely because of cloudy skies during late summer. Each of the past five years has been one of the five lowest years.

Between March 1st and May 7th of 2009, a team of scientists covered 280 miles of the Arctic – taking measurements and drilling close to 1,500 holes in the sea ice.

This was too thin to have survived the previous year’s summer melting and indicated that the area of moving ice had been formed in open sea during the winter. Instead of dogs hauling sledges across the ice, the scientists waded the cold waters in immersion suits.

Sea of consequences

The loss of Arctic sea ice will have devastating effects on the polar region, according to WWF’s climate change adviser Martin Summerkorn.

Without ice to reflect sunlight, the Arctic Ocean would warm more quickly, resulting in the release of greenhouse gases stored in the Arctic permafrost soils and the acceleration of the melting of the Greenland sheet. These soils contain twice as much carbon as is in the atmosphere.

“This could lead to flooding affecting one quarter of the world’s population and extreme global weather changes,” said Summerkorn.

These changes in one part of the world will have obvious and devastating effects on a global scale. It is up to us to wake up and finally do something about it.

Visit www.blogactionday.org to find out more on how you can make a difference. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com.

Hotel prices are dropping: Good for travelers, bad for hotels?

Joe Ascanio — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:10:52 +0000

While the global economy continues to remain dismal, business-makers and legislators are touting the beginning of the economy’s “upswing” – citing that the worst is over. However, it looks like the hospitality industry still has some convincing to do – luring travelers with heavily discounted rates and promotions that only a few months ago would have seemed nearly impossible.

According to online-booking website Hotels.com, world hotel prices have dropped significantly, with an average of a 17% decrease since last year. At the very top of this bell curve is Moscow, leading the way with a 33% decrease, while New York has seen one of the smallest changes with only a 6% decrease since 2008.

The Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI) suggests that there has never been a better time to travel. Interestingly enough, for travelers out of Europe, prices actually have risen to top destinations in the Middle East – as much as 20% in Tel Aviv, by 15% in Istanbul and by 15% in Abu Dhabi.

“Despite the relative weakness of sterling to the euro and the dollar, the Hotels.com HPI has shown that Britons can still enjoy some tremendous bargains abroad,” said Alison Couper, communications director of Hotels.com. “Hotel rates are down year on year across most destinations in Europe, and typically expensive places such as New York and Moscow have never been more affordable.”

The HPI tracks the real prices paid per hotel room (rather than advertised rates) for 78,000 hotels across 13,000 locations around the world. The latest HPI looks at prices from January to June 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.

Bad for business, or smart tactics?

As the global tourism business strives to make a significant headway toward a financial “restoration” of sorts, it is clear that the hospitality industry is struggling the most. The economy, climate change, social/political upheavals and natural disasters are just a few factors that are negatively effecting its bottom line.

With all this, it is only natural for the industry to adjust its pricing structure in order to gain new and returning (loyal) customers. Every major brand has virtually doubled its “membership” incentives, stoking the travel-shoppers’ flames with decreased rates, free nights and other goodies. The question remains: will this buying shift hurt the industry in the long-run, or will it be its savior?

I tend to think on the brighter-side – as the hospitality industry is forced to adjust in these economic times, the consumer public will certainly buy into the great deals and foster a new and loyal relationship between buyers and the worthy properties.

However, it is perhaps too soon to tell what the price adjustment will have on the smaller, “mom and pop” establishments which have for years counted on the price gap to encourage travelers to shop their way. As this gap closes more and more, could these players be threatened as the “big names” of the industry gain more customers?

Breaking through the hype: How can living green be easy and affordable?

Kristen Geis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:09:22 +0000

We all have heard the buzzwords before: green, sustainable, reuse-recycled, carbon footprint, etc. The environmental movement is a very trendy topic (just take a look at some Twitter polls whenever you get a chance). But even with all the hype, many are still finding it hard to make the proper adjustments to their lifestyle.

Some people doubt climate change (yeah, tell me about it), while others feel that “green” products and services are just a big scam. Some people may just not like Al Gore. And probably most prominent: going green just costs way too damn much.

This is precisely where the new eBook “How To Go Green” comes in. The aim of the book is to show the public that, regardless of personal beliefs and the environmental movement as a whole, going green is the smart thing to do.

In the end, according to the book, living an eco-friendly lifestyle will both save the planet and save you money.

Making real changes in small steps

For starters, the new guide explains in layman-terms things like global warming and climate change, and how people – yes people - are not only the major cause but also their greatest adversary. From there the guide explains in detaul all the super-practical things a person can do in order to have less of an impact on the environment.

According to the guide: “Nobody expects you to go from driving your car everyday to get your coffee through a drive-thru to suddenly standing on the side of the road protesting people who don’t bring their own cups.”

What the guide does propose however, is that many small eco friendly steps can go a long way – especially if many people are doing them. For example bringing a reusable bag when shopping, instead of always buying a new plastic one, does not in any way lessen quality of life nor is it expensive or particularly burdensome to do.

The guide then moves on to explaining how to implement many changes of this kind into daily life. Many different aspects are covered, such as:

Making the whole home more eco friendly – literally from the lawn up to the attic
Going green as a family
How to go green as an employee or a business owner
What can be done to help the community to go green

The How To Go Green guide is available as an instant digital download that includes both a PDF and an audio book version of the main guide.

The goal of this entire package is to paint a complete picture of how everyday people can change to an environmentally sustainable lifestyle today, while in the process actually save money and improve ones health.

Learn more at www.how2gogreen.com.

How one resort company is working to restore forests and water sources in Colorado

Kristen Geis — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:39:35 +0000

Popular hotel and resort chain, Vail Resorts, has entered into a new partnership to help restore forest lands and improve water quality. The partnership, titled “Treasured Landscapes: The Hayman Restoration Partnership – Working Together for Healthy Forests and Clean Water,” is one of the most comprehensive forest conservation projects in the country. The project was “catalyzed” seven years ago during Colorado’s largest and most devastating wildfire.

In the summer of 2002, the Hayman fire burned a total of 137,760 acres in the Pike National Forest, leaving 600 destroyed structures, obliterated forest vegetation and wildlife habitat for threatened species, damaged recreation sites, trails and roads, resulting in frequent closures of Highway 67. To this day, the fire’s aftermath continues to severely impact the water supply for more than 75 percent of Colorado residents.

Vail is joined by both the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and the USDA Forest Service in the $4 million restoration effort – an effort that will address the entire ecosystem with a multi-faceted and strategic work plan involving restoration and planting of native species in these four watersheds – West Creek, Manitou Park, Lower Trout and Four Mile.

The total project area for the Hayman Restoration Partnership is over 115,000 thousand acres, with the majority of the work honing in on 45,000 acres of the most severely affected areas in four watersheds that feed into the Upper South Platte River, the main water supply for Denver.

Catastrophic fires like the Hayman wildfire are just one of the threats to Colorado’s forests. Climate change, disease and pests like the pine bark beetle infestation also have led to declining forest health. Cables and other forest health experts agree we need a multi-faceted, collaborative strategy to forest stewardship across the state of Colorado and across our country to tackle complex forest health issues.

“These badly burned watersheds need our help now,” said Rick Cables, US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Forester. “The Pike National Forest has worked tirelessly, together with many partners, since 2002 to restore these wildlands we all care about; but much more needs to be done.”

“Thanks to a significant contribution by Vail Resorts, matched by the US Forest Service, we are about half-way to our goal of fully funding this project,” said Bill Possiel, NFF president. The goal is to complete the work by 2012 in time for the 10th anniversary of the Hayman fire.

Colorado’s National Forests provide water to 10 states and 143 counties.

“The health and prosperity of our country relies on the health of our nation’s forests. The threats facing our forests require us to change the way we view and manage America’s forestlands, not just for our generation but for future generations,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Hayman Restoration Project, spearheaded by the US Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, and Vail Resorts exemplifies our new vision of collaborative conservation, management and restoration of our nation’s forests. Through private-public partnerships like this one, we can make our forests more resilient to climate change, protect water resources and improve forest health while creating jobs and generating rural wealth through recreation and tourism.”

Engaging community

The project’s expansive and comprehensive approach plans to engage local governments and residents, Vail Resorts employees, conservation organizations and the entire Front Range community. Citizens will be given opportunities to help in the restoration work through organized volunteer days, while a Local Coordinating Council is being created to help inform the course of the project over the next three years.

The public-private partnership spearheaded by the NFF, the Forest Service and Vail Resorts aims to:

Plant more than 200,000 ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and other native trees on 1,700 acres
Plant native vegetation, such as willows, dogwood, grasses and sedge, for river restoration on 115 acres, across 13 miles
Restore habitat for the endangered Montane skipper butterfly and other threatened species
Reduce erosion to improve water quality and positively impact the water supply and storage capacity for millions of Colorado residents
Revitalize stream habitats for a gold-medal trout fishery
Enhance or create 18 miles of sustainable recreational trails
Increase the diversity and resiliency of this critical ecosystem to mitigate future fires, insect infestations and climate change
Create jobs for Colorado youth and engage the community through volunteer opportunities

Protecting a valuable tourism asset

Recognized as defining attributes of the Centennial State, Colorado’s public lands and natural beauty attract tourists, jobs and economic opportunities in the region, making tourism the second largest industry for the state.

“As the largest tourism company in Colorado, Vail Resorts has a unique opportunity and obligation to protect forest health not only for year-round recreational opportunities but also for the environmental and economic vitality of our communities, our state and our country,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer for Vail Resorts. “The Hayman Restoration Partnership is part of our Company’s continuing efforts to take a leadership role in the most pressing environmental issues, which our employees, communities and guests are focused on. There can be no mistaking that “clean water” is absolutely critical to all of our stakeholders.”

Katz announced that protecting forest health, including the wildlife, climate change and clean water benefits would be one of the Company’s primary environmental efforts in the future and that Vail Resorts would look for additional ways to amplify its actions through public-private partnerships.

“We spoke to many leaders in the environmental community and concluded that this was the most pressing issue for our Company to show leadership on,” he continued. “One of the best attributes of the Hayman Restoration Partnership is how our actions will be echoed and amplified, so to speak, as we serve as the catalyst for this project with matching funds from the Forest Service and other entities.”

The Hayman Restoration project builds upon Vail Resorts’ existing and ongoing partnership with the NFF through the Ski Conservation Fund, which has raised more than $1.5 million to date for conservation and environmental projects in the national forests that surround its resorts.

Working to reverse negative impacts

“Healthy and sustainable forests are essential to much that is treasured about Colorado, including high quality wildlife habitat, water supplies and recreation,” said Tim Sullivan, State Director of the Nature Conservancy Colorado. “We applaud Vail Resorts for taking the lead on this public-private partnership with the National Forest Foundation and Forest Service and feel it will make a meaningful difference in addressing one of Colorado’s most pressing conservation issues.”

For more information, visit http://sites.google.com/site/treasuredlandscapes.

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