Climate Change News Part. 3
Kiribati leader visits Arctic on climate mission
September 20, 2014
September 20, 2014
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Fearing that his Pacific island nation could be swallowed by a rising ocean, the president of Kiribati says a visit to the melting Arctic has helped him appreciate the scale of the threat. President Anote Tong on Saturday ended a Greenpeace-organized tour of glaciers in Norway's Svalbard Archipelago, a trip he said left a deep impression that he would share with world leaders at a U.N. climate summit next week in New York.
"It's a very fascinating sight. In spite of that, what I feel very deeply is the sense of threat," Tong said. "If all of that ice would disappear it would end up eroding our shores." Scientists say the melt of Arctic glaciers is a key factor in the sea level rise that is threatening island nations such as Kiribati, an impoverished string of 33 coral atolls located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Many of its atolls rise just a few feet above sea level.
In a landmark report last year, the U.N.'s expert panel on climate change said oceans could rise by as much as 1 meter (3.3 feet) by the end of this century if no action is taken to cut the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. The summit in New York is meant to build momentum for a global agreement next year to cut emissions.
"It won't take a lot of sea level rise to affect our islands," Tong said. "We are already having problems." Tong said he hopes his country won't have to be evacuated. Still, it has bought 20 square kilometers of land in Fiji as "an investment, a guarantee" in case part of the population has to be moved, he said.
www.mail.com/int/scitech/news/3107938-kiribati-leader-visits-arctic-climate-mission
"It's a very fascinating sight. In spite of that, what I feel very deeply is the sense of threat," Tong said. "If all of that ice would disappear it would end up eroding our shores." Scientists say the melt of Arctic glaciers is a key factor in the sea level rise that is threatening island nations such as Kiribati, an impoverished string of 33 coral atolls located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Many of its atolls rise just a few feet above sea level.
In a landmark report last year, the U.N.'s expert panel on climate change said oceans could rise by as much as 1 meter (3.3 feet) by the end of this century if no action is taken to cut the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. The summit in New York is meant to build momentum for a global agreement next year to cut emissions.
"It won't take a lot of sea level rise to affect our islands," Tong said. "We are already having problems." Tong said he hopes his country won't have to be evacuated. Still, it has bought 20 square kilometers of land in Fiji as "an investment, a guarantee" in case part of the population has to be moved, he said.
www.mail.com/int/scitech/news/3107938-kiribati-leader-visits-arctic-climate-mission
White House unveils new solar, energy efficiency steps
Wendy Koch, USA TODAY 8:58 a.m. EDT September 18, 2014
Wendy Koch, USA TODAY 8:58 a.m. EDT September 18, 2014
Ahead of next week's international summit on climate change, the White House unveiled 50-plus new public and private efforts Thursday to boost the use of two non-polluting power sources: solar and energy efficiency.
It announced $68 million in federal funds for 540 renewable power and energy efficiency projects in rural areas, including 240 solar ones. It said it's proposing stricter rules for commercial air conditioners that could save more energy than any prior standard and it's partnering with military bases to launch a veterans' solar job training program. These steps alone, it said, will lower energy bills and cut heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 300 million metric tons through 2030 – equivalent to taking more than 60 million cars off the road for one year. As leaders of more than 100 nations convene Tuesday in New York City for the United Nations Climate Summit, the White House has made several announcements this week to show U.S. leadership in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
On Tuesday, it announced commitments from 19 major U.S. companies — including Kroger, Target, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and DuPont — to reduce use of a coolant that's used in many cars, homes and buildings for air conditioning and refrigeration.
The coolant, which replaced earlier ozone-depleting chemicals, emits hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, a potent greenhouse gas.
On Wednesday, the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released reports that show how much the cost of solar has fallen in the last decade as its growth has soared. Last year alone, it said the cost of installed residential and commercial solar panels fell 12% to 15%. "This marked the fourth consecutive year of significant price reductions," said co-author Galen Barbose. To take advantage of these lower costs, the White House announced commitments by companies and cities to increase solar use. Cisco Systems, which aims to get at least 25% of its power from renewable sources, pledges to boost onsite solar capacity to 2.7 megawatts worldwide by 2015. Along with 3M and Kimberly-Clark, it also commits to give discounts to employees who install solar panel on top of their homes.
• Montgomery County, Md., said it will install 6 megawatts of solar arrays on more than 17 public facilities such as libraries, recreation centers, administrative buildings and parking structures before the end of 2016. Beaverton, Ore., will build a 433-kilowatt solar array on top of an underground, city-owned water reservoir, and Charlottesville, Va., will install more than 250 kilowatts of solar by the end of next year. On energy efficiency, the White House said the state of New York along with 27 local governments and companies are joining the federal Better Buildings Challenge, which President Obama launched in February 2011. More than 200 organizations had already signed on to the initiative, aimed at helping buildings use at least 20% less energy by 2020. Those participants have been cutting energy use an average of 2.5% annually.
New partners include the cities of Chula Vista, Calif., and Orlando, as well as the housing authorities in the District of Columbia, Houston, Cheyenne, Wyo., East Hartford, Conn., McDonough County, Ga., and Fort Wayne, Ind.
www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/18/white-house-unveils-new-solar-energy-efficiency
It announced $68 million in federal funds for 540 renewable power and energy efficiency projects in rural areas, including 240 solar ones. It said it's proposing stricter rules for commercial air conditioners that could save more energy than any prior standard and it's partnering with military bases to launch a veterans' solar job training program. These steps alone, it said, will lower energy bills and cut heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 300 million metric tons through 2030 – equivalent to taking more than 60 million cars off the road for one year. As leaders of more than 100 nations convene Tuesday in New York City for the United Nations Climate Summit, the White House has made several announcements this week to show U.S. leadership in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
On Tuesday, it announced commitments from 19 major U.S. companies — including Kroger, Target, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and DuPont — to reduce use of a coolant that's used in many cars, homes and buildings for air conditioning and refrigeration.
The coolant, which replaced earlier ozone-depleting chemicals, emits hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, a potent greenhouse gas.
On Wednesday, the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released reports that show how much the cost of solar has fallen in the last decade as its growth has soared. Last year alone, it said the cost of installed residential and commercial solar panels fell 12% to 15%. "This marked the fourth consecutive year of significant price reductions," said co-author Galen Barbose. To take advantage of these lower costs, the White House announced commitments by companies and cities to increase solar use. Cisco Systems, which aims to get at least 25% of its power from renewable sources, pledges to boost onsite solar capacity to 2.7 megawatts worldwide by 2015. Along with 3M and Kimberly-Clark, it also commits to give discounts to employees who install solar panel on top of their homes.
• Montgomery County, Md., said it will install 6 megawatts of solar arrays on more than 17 public facilities such as libraries, recreation centers, administrative buildings and parking structures before the end of 2016. Beaverton, Ore., will build a 433-kilowatt solar array on top of an underground, city-owned water reservoir, and Charlottesville, Va., will install more than 250 kilowatts of solar by the end of next year. On energy efficiency, the White House said the state of New York along with 27 local governments and companies are joining the federal Better Buildings Challenge, which President Obama launched in February 2011. More than 200 organizations had already signed on to the initiative, aimed at helping buildings use at least 20% less energy by 2020. Those participants have been cutting energy use an average of 2.5% annually.
New partners include the cities of Chula Vista, Calif., and Orlando, as well as the housing authorities in the District of Columbia, Houston, Cheyenne, Wyo., East Hartford, Conn., McDonough County, Ga., and Fort Wayne, Ind.
www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/18/white-house-unveils-new-solar-energy-efficiency
UN says CO2 pollution levels at annual record high
September 09, 2014
September 09, 2014
GENEVA (AP) — Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached a record high in 2013 as increasing levels of man-made pollution transform the planet, the U.N. weather agency said Tuesday. The heat-trapping gas blamed for the largest share of global warming rose to global concentrations of 396 parts per million last year, the biggest year-to-year change in three decades, the World Meteorological Organization said in an annual report.
That's an increase of 2.9 ppm from the previous year and is 42 percent higher than before the Industrial Age, when levels were about 280 parts per million. Based on the current rate, the world's carbon dioxide pollution level is expected to cross the 400 ppm threshold by 2016, said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. That is way beyond the 350 ppm that some scientists and environmental groups promote as a safe level and which was last seen in 1987.
CO2 emissions are growing mainly in China and other large developing countries as their economies expand. So far developed and developing countries have failed to reach a binding pact that would curb emissions globally. The goal of U.N. climate talks is to deliver such an agreement next year. Concentrations of CO2 build up over time because it stays in the atmosphere for decades. So even if emissions stopped today it would take many years before concentrations dropped significantly. Top climate scientists are now becoming increasingly skeptical that countries across the globe will meet the voluntary goals they set at the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit of limiting global warming to about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels.
In a draft report last month the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said it is looking more likely that the world will shoot past that point and by mid-century temperatures will increase by about another 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to temperatures from 1986 to 2005. And by the end of the century that scenario will bring temperatures about 6.7 degrees warmer (3.7 degrees Celsius), it said. "We know without any doubt that our climate is changing and our weather is becoming more extreme due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels," Jarraud said.
"Time is not on our side, for sure."
To address the challenge, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited heads of state and other leaders to a Sept. 23 climate change summit in New York on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly. President Barack Obama has said he will attend to help spur new commitments from governments, industry and civil groups for reducing greenhouse gas emissions ahead of next year's global climate talks in Paris.
The WMO report Tuesday said the rate of ocean acidification, which comes from added carbon absorbed by oceans, "appears unprecedented at least over the last 300 million years." Between 1990 and 2013, carbon dioxide and other gas emissions caused a 34 percent increase in the warming effect on the climate, the report said. The warming effect, or "radiative forcing," measures the net difference between the sunlight that the Earth absorbs and the energy it radiates back into space.
More absorption leads to higher temperatures.
After carbon dioxide, methane has the biggest effect on climate. Atmospheric concentrations of methane reached a new high of 1,824 parts per billion in 2013, up 153 percent from pre-industrial levels of about 700 parts per billion. About 40 percent of the methane comes from natural sources such as termites and wetlands, but the rest is due to cattle breeding, rice agriculture, fossil fuel burning, landfills and incineration, according to the agency.
www.mail.com/int/scitech/news
That's an increase of 2.9 ppm from the previous year and is 42 percent higher than before the Industrial Age, when levels were about 280 parts per million. Based on the current rate, the world's carbon dioxide pollution level is expected to cross the 400 ppm threshold by 2016, said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. That is way beyond the 350 ppm that some scientists and environmental groups promote as a safe level and which was last seen in 1987.
CO2 emissions are growing mainly in China and other large developing countries as their economies expand. So far developed and developing countries have failed to reach a binding pact that would curb emissions globally. The goal of U.N. climate talks is to deliver such an agreement next year. Concentrations of CO2 build up over time because it stays in the atmosphere for decades. So even if emissions stopped today it would take many years before concentrations dropped significantly. Top climate scientists are now becoming increasingly skeptical that countries across the globe will meet the voluntary goals they set at the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit of limiting global warming to about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels.
In a draft report last month the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said it is looking more likely that the world will shoot past that point and by mid-century temperatures will increase by about another 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to temperatures from 1986 to 2005. And by the end of the century that scenario will bring temperatures about 6.7 degrees warmer (3.7 degrees Celsius), it said. "We know without any doubt that our climate is changing and our weather is becoming more extreme due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels," Jarraud said.
"Time is not on our side, for sure."
To address the challenge, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited heads of state and other leaders to a Sept. 23 climate change summit in New York on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly. President Barack Obama has said he will attend to help spur new commitments from governments, industry and civil groups for reducing greenhouse gas emissions ahead of next year's global climate talks in Paris.
The WMO report Tuesday said the rate of ocean acidification, which comes from added carbon absorbed by oceans, "appears unprecedented at least over the last 300 million years." Between 1990 and 2013, carbon dioxide and other gas emissions caused a 34 percent increase in the warming effect on the climate, the report said. The warming effect, or "radiative forcing," measures the net difference between the sunlight that the Earth absorbs and the energy it radiates back into space.
More absorption leads to higher temperatures.
After carbon dioxide, methane has the biggest effect on climate. Atmospheric concentrations of methane reached a new high of 1,824 parts per billion in 2013, up 153 percent from pre-industrial levels of about 700 parts per billion. About 40 percent of the methane comes from natural sources such as termites and wetlands, but the rest is due to cattle breeding, rice agriculture, fossil fuel burning, landfills and incineration, according to the agency.
www.mail.com/int/scitech/news
Genetic engineering: a solution to drought
The United Nations has called drought the “world’s costliest natural disaster,” both financially, imposing an annual cost of $6-8 billion, and in human terms; since 1900, it has affected two billion people, leading to more than 11 million deaths. That is because so much of the world is vulnerable; currently affected areas include Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North and South America and the Middle East.
Given that agriculture accounts for 70% of water consumption, on average, worldwide, it seems logical that this sector should be the focus of conservation measures. And, in fact, a proven technology exists that could go a long way toward reducing the impact of drought: genetic engineering (GE).
Sometimes called “genetic modification,” GE enables plant breeders to make existing crop plants do new things – such as conserve water. Even with research and development hampered by resistance from activists and excessive government regulation, drought-resistant GE crop varieties are emerging from the development pipeline in many parts of the world.
Over the last two decades, such crop varieties have been cultivated on more than 1.5 billion hectares by more than 17 million farmers in some 30 countries – without disrupting a single ecosystem or causing so much as a stomachache. Worldwide, these new varieties have provided “very significant net economic benefits at the farm level, amounting to $18.8 billion in 2012 and $116.6 billion” from 1996 to 2012, according to a recent report by Landes Bioscience.
Most of these new crop varieties are designed to resist herbicides, so that farmers can adopt more environmentally friendly, no-till cultivation practices, and many have also been engineered to resist pests and diseases that ravage crops. Others have higher nutritional value, making them ideally suited for developing country populations that struggle to acquire the nutrients they need to lead healthy, productive lives.
But, in the long term, the greatest boon of all, for both food security and the environment, will likely be the ability of new crop varieties to tolerate periods of drought and other water-related stresses. Even a small reduction in the amount of water used for irrigation could have huge benefits, especially in drought conditions.
To develop such varieties, plant biologists identified genes that regulate water use and transferred them into important crop plants, enabling them to grow with less or lower-quality water, such as water that has been recycled or is high in natural mineral salts. Egyptian researchers have shown that by transferring a single gene from barley to wheat, the plants can tolerate reduced watering for a longer period of time. This new, drought-resistant variety requires only one-eighth as much irrigation as conventional wheat; in some deserts, it can be cultivated with rainfall alone.
Other types of GE crop varieties, such as those that are disease- and pest-resistant, indirectly improve the efficiency of water use. Because much of the loss to diseases and pests occurs after the plants are fully grown – that is, after most of the water required for their growth has already been supplied – resistance to them means more agricultural output per unit of water invested. In short, farmers can get more crop for the drop.
Molecular genetic engineering technology can conserve water in other ways as well. One-third of irrigated land worldwide is not suitable for growing crops because of the presence of salt – the result of repeated fertilization. To regain the more than 200,000 hectares of irrigated land that is lost to cultivation annually, scientists have enhanced the salt tolerance of crops as diverse as tomatoes and canola. The transformed plants can grow in salty soil and be irrigated with brackish water, conserving fresh water for other uses.
Given the benefits, one might expect such developments to be universally lauded and encouraged. But they face major regulatory obstacles. Europe, for example, largely prohibits GE crops; India has approved insect-resistant cotton but has failed to sanction any food crops. Even where GE crops are being cultivated, unscientific, excessively burdensome regulation has raised the cost of producing new plant varieties significantly, keeping many potentially important ones from the market.
These measures are irrational, because they are inversely related to risk. They permit the largely unregulated use of new varieties of plants and microorganisms that have been crafted with less precise and predictable techniques, under the pretense that they are somehow more “natural,” while stringently regulating – or even banning – those based on the most advanced knowledge and methods.
As water scarcity increases, drought-stricken crops wither, and food prices rise, the need for resilient agriculture will become more obvious – and more urgent. With more rational public policy, we can meet that need now. How much more preventable misery and death must occur before our policymakers see reason?
Published in collaboration with Project Syndicate
Author: Henry I. Miller, a physician and molecular biologist, is the Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and Public Policy at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
forumblog.org/2014/08/genetic-engineering-drought-irrigation-regulations
Given that agriculture accounts for 70% of water consumption, on average, worldwide, it seems logical that this sector should be the focus of conservation measures. And, in fact, a proven technology exists that could go a long way toward reducing the impact of drought: genetic engineering (GE).
Sometimes called “genetic modification,” GE enables plant breeders to make existing crop plants do new things – such as conserve water. Even with research and development hampered by resistance from activists and excessive government regulation, drought-resistant GE crop varieties are emerging from the development pipeline in many parts of the world.
Over the last two decades, such crop varieties have been cultivated on more than 1.5 billion hectares by more than 17 million farmers in some 30 countries – without disrupting a single ecosystem or causing so much as a stomachache. Worldwide, these new varieties have provided “very significant net economic benefits at the farm level, amounting to $18.8 billion in 2012 and $116.6 billion” from 1996 to 2012, according to a recent report by Landes Bioscience.
Most of these new crop varieties are designed to resist herbicides, so that farmers can adopt more environmentally friendly, no-till cultivation practices, and many have also been engineered to resist pests and diseases that ravage crops. Others have higher nutritional value, making them ideally suited for developing country populations that struggle to acquire the nutrients they need to lead healthy, productive lives.
But, in the long term, the greatest boon of all, for both food security and the environment, will likely be the ability of new crop varieties to tolerate periods of drought and other water-related stresses. Even a small reduction in the amount of water used for irrigation could have huge benefits, especially in drought conditions.
To develop such varieties, plant biologists identified genes that regulate water use and transferred them into important crop plants, enabling them to grow with less or lower-quality water, such as water that has been recycled or is high in natural mineral salts. Egyptian researchers have shown that by transferring a single gene from barley to wheat, the plants can tolerate reduced watering for a longer period of time. This new, drought-resistant variety requires only one-eighth as much irrigation as conventional wheat; in some deserts, it can be cultivated with rainfall alone.
Other types of GE crop varieties, such as those that are disease- and pest-resistant, indirectly improve the efficiency of water use. Because much of the loss to diseases and pests occurs after the plants are fully grown – that is, after most of the water required for their growth has already been supplied – resistance to them means more agricultural output per unit of water invested. In short, farmers can get more crop for the drop.
Molecular genetic engineering technology can conserve water in other ways as well. One-third of irrigated land worldwide is not suitable for growing crops because of the presence of salt – the result of repeated fertilization. To regain the more than 200,000 hectares of irrigated land that is lost to cultivation annually, scientists have enhanced the salt tolerance of crops as diverse as tomatoes and canola. The transformed plants can grow in salty soil and be irrigated with brackish water, conserving fresh water for other uses.
Given the benefits, one might expect such developments to be universally lauded and encouraged. But they face major regulatory obstacles. Europe, for example, largely prohibits GE crops; India has approved insect-resistant cotton but has failed to sanction any food crops. Even where GE crops are being cultivated, unscientific, excessively burdensome regulation has raised the cost of producing new plant varieties significantly, keeping many potentially important ones from the market.
These measures are irrational, because they are inversely related to risk. They permit the largely unregulated use of new varieties of plants and microorganisms that have been crafted with less precise and predictable techniques, under the pretense that they are somehow more “natural,” while stringently regulating – or even banning – those based on the most advanced knowledge and methods.
As water scarcity increases, drought-stricken crops wither, and food prices rise, the need for resilient agriculture will become more obvious – and more urgent. With more rational public policy, we can meet that need now. How much more preventable misery and death must occur before our policymakers see reason?
Published in collaboration with Project Syndicate
Author: Henry I. Miller, a physician and molecular biologist, is the Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy and Public Policy at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
forumblog.org/2014/08/genetic-engineering-drought-irrigation-regulations
The Africa Clean Energy Summit
Overview
The Africa Clean Energy Summit is positioned to be one of the world’s foremost annual climate solution events, dedicated to advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies in Africa. ACES will bring together decision makers, policy makers, industry leaders, investors, experts and media around the world to explore and further understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from green solutions.
ACES 2014 will include a world-class/international summit and exhibition, technical conferences, Business sessions, trade & investment forums and concurrent activities. Sessions would be anchored by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella and Dr. Victor Fodeke, Chairman; Always Green Power & Systems Limited, Technical Advisor; African UnionCommission and Director General, Africa Clean Energy Summit among other seasoned energy experts. Also to be inaugurated will be Africa Eminent Personalities Roundtable on Sustainable Energy for All, Africa Women Roundtable on Clean Energy and Energy Poverty and the Africa Children and Youth Roundtable on Clean Energy and Green Lifestyle.
Introduction
“As many micro-credit schemes across the world can testify, investment in women is the best investment for the future.” - — Ban Ki Moon
“To achieve a Green Revolution, African farmers, must have access to land and security of tenure. They also need access to markets, technology and improved infrastructure.” - — Ban Ki Moon
Energy is a critical enabler for primary health care services, especially during childbirth.— Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, (SRSG)/CEO, Sustainable Energy for All. The Africa Clean Energy Summit is positioned to be one of the world’s foremost annual climate solution events, dedicated to advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies in Africa.
The Africa Clean Energy Summit is positioned to be one of the world’s foremost annual climate solution events, dedicated to advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies in Africa. ACES will bring together decision makers, policy makers, industry leaders, investors, experts and media around the world to explore and further understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from green solutions.
ACES 2014 will include a world-class/international summit and exhibition, technical conferences, Business sessions, trade & investment forums and concurrent activities. Sessions would be anchored by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella and Dr. Victor Fodeke, Chairman; Always Green Power & Systems Limited, Technical Advisor; African UnionCommission and Director General, Africa Clean Energy Summit among other seasoned energy experts. Also to be inaugurated will be Africa Eminent Personalities Roundtable on Sustainable Energy for All, Africa Women Roundtable on Clean Energy and Energy Poverty and the Africa Children and Youth Roundtable on Clean Energy and Green Lifestyle.
Introduction
“As many micro-credit schemes across the world can testify, investment in women is the best investment for the future.” - — Ban Ki Moon
“To achieve a Green Revolution, African farmers, must have access to land and security of tenure. They also need access to markets, technology and improved infrastructure.” - — Ban Ki Moon
Energy is a critical enabler for primary health care services, especially during childbirth.— Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, (SRSG)/CEO, Sustainable Energy for All. The Africa Clean Energy Summit is positioned to be one of the world’s foremost annual climate solution events, dedicated to advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies in Africa.
ACES will bring together decision makers, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, experts and media around the world to explore and further understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from renewable energy. ACES 2014 will include a world-class summit, an international exhibition, technical conferences, Business forums and concurrent activities such as the incorporation of the Africa Climate Solution Centre (ACSC).
The benefits of adopting renewables are: Increased income generation, local content, industrial development and job creation. These will add value to the African Continent as a whole and each country that adopts these new clean technologies will experience a positive shift in its social, economic and environmental benefits. ACES 2014 also seeks to embark on an examination of potential environmental impacts of large-scale deployment of these clean and renewable energy technologies.
“The international community must offer short-term emergency measures to meet critical needs. But it must also make longer-term investments to promote food production and agricultural development, enhance food security and maintain and accelerate momentum towards the MDGs.” - — Ban Ki Moon
“Our energy demand will grow by more than a third, by 2035. If we don’t do anything, if we tackle nothing, if we don’t make an effort, then we can rest assured that disaster will befall us.”
Francois Hollande, President of France
africacleanenergysummit.com
africacleanenergysummit.com/aces-2014/introduction
The benefits of adopting renewables are: Increased income generation, local content, industrial development and job creation. These will add value to the African Continent as a whole and each country that adopts these new clean technologies will experience a positive shift in its social, economic and environmental benefits. ACES 2014 also seeks to embark on an examination of potential environmental impacts of large-scale deployment of these clean and renewable energy technologies.
“The international community must offer short-term emergency measures to meet critical needs. But it must also make longer-term investments to promote food production and agricultural development, enhance food security and maintain and accelerate momentum towards the MDGs.” - — Ban Ki Moon
“Our energy demand will grow by more than a third, by 2035. If we don’t do anything, if we tackle nothing, if we don’t make an effort, then we can rest assured that disaster will befall us.”
Francois Hollande, President of France
africacleanenergysummit.com
africacleanenergysummit.com/aces-2014/introduction
9th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability
23 – 25 September, 2014 Siena, Italy
23 – 25 September, 2014 Siena, Italy
The International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability addresses all aspects of the urban environment aiming to provide solutions leading towards sustainability. The Sustainable City 2014 conference follows a series of very successful meetings that started in Rio (2000), followed by Segovia (2002), Siena (2004), Tallinn (2006), Skiathos (2008), A Coruña (2010), Ancona (2012) and Kuala Lumpa (2013).
The Conference addresses the multi-disciplinary aspects of urban planning; a result of the increasing size of the cities; the amount of resources and services required and the complexity of modern society.
Most of earth’s population now lives in cities and the process of urbanisation still continues generating many problems deriving from the drift of the population towards them. These problems can be resolved by cities becoming efficient habitats, saving resources in a way that improves the quality and standard of living. The process however, faces a number of major challenges, related to reducing pollution, improving main transportation and infrastructure systems. New urban solutions are required to optimise the use of space and energy resources leading to improvements in the environment, i.e reduction in air, water and soil pollution as well as efficient ways to deal with waste generation. These challenges contribute to the development of social and economic imbalances and require the development of new solutions.
Delegates attending Sustainable City 2014 will be invited to submit an extended version of their paper for possible publication in the International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, or the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics two of the Journals edited by the Wessex Institute.
Large cities are probably the most complex mechanisms to manage. However, despite such complexity they represent a fertile ground for architects, engineers, city planners, social and political scientists, and other professionals able to conceive new ideas and time them according to technological advances and human requirements. The challenge of planning sustainable cities lies in considering their dynamics, the exchange of energy and matter, and the function and maintenance of ordered structures directly or indirectly, supplied and maintained by natural systems.
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/14-conferences/sustainable-city-2014.html
The Conference addresses the multi-disciplinary aspects of urban planning; a result of the increasing size of the cities; the amount of resources and services required and the complexity of modern society.
Most of earth’s population now lives in cities and the process of urbanisation still continues generating many problems deriving from the drift of the population towards them. These problems can be resolved by cities becoming efficient habitats, saving resources in a way that improves the quality and standard of living. The process however, faces a number of major challenges, related to reducing pollution, improving main transportation and infrastructure systems. New urban solutions are required to optimise the use of space and energy resources leading to improvements in the environment, i.e reduction in air, water and soil pollution as well as efficient ways to deal with waste generation. These challenges contribute to the development of social and economic imbalances and require the development of new solutions.
Delegates attending Sustainable City 2014 will be invited to submit an extended version of their paper for possible publication in the International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, or the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics two of the Journals edited by the Wessex Institute.
Large cities are probably the most complex mechanisms to manage. However, despite such complexity they represent a fertile ground for architects, engineers, city planners, social and political scientists, and other professionals able to conceive new ideas and time them according to technological advances and human requirements. The challenge of planning sustainable cities lies in considering their dynamics, the exchange of energy and matter, and the function and maintenance of ordered structures directly or indirectly, supplied and maintained by natural systems.
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/14-conferences/sustainable-city-2014.html
Unsustainable consumption – the mother of all environmental issues?
Consumption of products and services impacts the environment in many different ways. For example, the things we buy contribute, directly or indirectly through the product lifecycle, to climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and resource depletion in Europe and other regions.
Another kind of consumption is possible, however. This is the subject of Sustainable consumption in a time of crisis, a meeting hosted on 15 March by the European Environment Agency (EEA). It is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Danish Consumer Council. The event marks International Consumer Day.
“Continuing with current consumption patterns in Europe is not an option,” EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. “As both population and purchasing power swell worldwide, resources will be ever more overused and constrained. Europe must take the lead in exploring a new model of consumption which does not compromise the needs of others or of future generations, nor damage the environment.”
The meeting will look at ways the economy can be adjusted to drive sustainable forms of consumption. It will consider how the recession in Europe creates opportunities and constraints for policy makers hoping to boost the ‘green economy’. The meeting is particularly timely, as green economy is one of the priority discussion points of the landmark sustainable development summit in Rio de Janeiro in June this year.
Some facts about consumption
Another kind of consumption is possible, however. This is the subject of Sustainable consumption in a time of crisis, a meeting hosted on 15 March by the European Environment Agency (EEA). It is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Danish Consumer Council. The event marks International Consumer Day.
“Continuing with current consumption patterns in Europe is not an option,” EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. “As both population and purchasing power swell worldwide, resources will be ever more overused and constrained. Europe must take the lead in exploring a new model of consumption which does not compromise the needs of others or of future generations, nor damage the environment.”
The meeting will look at ways the economy can be adjusted to drive sustainable forms of consumption. It will consider how the recession in Europe creates opportunities and constraints for policy makers hoping to boost the ‘green economy’. The meeting is particularly timely, as green economy is one of the priority discussion points of the landmark sustainable development summit in Rio de Janeiro in June this year.
Some facts about consumption
- Europe consumes more resources than most other regions. An average European citizen uses approximately four times more resources than one in Africa and three times more than one in Asia, but half of that of a citizen of the USA, Canada or Australia
- Resource use in Europe is increasing. Resource use per person increased by 9.1% in the EU-27 between 2000 and 2007, reaching some 17 tonnes per person annually. Of the 8.2 billion tonnes of materials used in the EU in 2007, minerals and metals accounted for more than half, while fossil fuels and biomass were approximately a quarter each.
- Europe can use resources more efficiently. 87% of EU citizens agree that Europe could use its natural resources more efficiently, and 41% think that their household produces too much waste.
- Europeans use more and more space for living. The average floor area of dwellings increased from 81 to 87 m² since 1990, while the number of people per household decreased from 2.8 to 2.4.
- Europeans travel more kilometres by car. Although cars on average become more fuel-efficient, overall fuel consumption for private cars barely goes down, mainly because more kilometres are driven.
- An estimated 89 million tonnes of food ends up as waste each year in the EU. This is roughly 180 kg per citizen, wasted in households, manufacturing, shops and restaurants. In the UK, 25% of food purchased is thrown out, of which nearly two-thirds could have been eaten.
- Consumption indirectly uses water. For example, a cheeseburger requires 2,400 litres of water to produce, including the bread, beef and cheese. There are also indirect greenhouse gas emissions from our consumption. Staying with the burger example, producing the average patty results in more carbon emissions than driving 15 km in a large car.
- Current consumption leads to unsustainable waste levels. In 2008, every citizen on average threw out 444 kg of household waste, and indirectly generated 5.2 tonnes of waste in the European economy. And this is just in the EU - no data are available on waste generated from producing products and materials which are imported from other regions.
Ghana Powers Up: The Largest Solar Plant in Africa is Coming
July 16, 2014
By Joshua Shoemake
July 16, 2014
By Joshua Shoemake
VENTURES AFRICA – The sun is shining on Aiwiaso, a village of 6,600 people in western Ghana. Some 200 kilometres north of the Ghanaian port at Takoradi, 100 kilometres east of the border with the Ivory Coast, the biggest solar power plant ever conceived on the continent is taking shape. Promising enough energy to power 100,000 homes, this may well change the way African governments think about the future of energy.
Scheduled for completion in October 2016, the Nzema solar power plant will be not just the largest in Africa but one of the largest in the world. It will add to Ghana’s current electricity generation capacity by 5.5 percent. And it will get the country 20 percent of the way to the 2020 goal set by the country’s 2011 Renewable Energy Act – to source 10 percent of its total energy from renewable sources. The project will cover 182 hectares, its 630,000 photovoltaic panels mounted on 37,000 tonnes of supporting steel framework with 2,000 kilometres of connecting cables.
The solar array will be huge but the vision behind this plant is even bigger: it will be the first test of the country’s ability to meet its energy act goals. If it is seen as a success, Ghana should be able to attract more investors like the UK-based Blue Energy Group, which was chosen in December 2012 to build Nzema.
Ghana wants to increase its electricity generation from 2,846 MW today to 5,000 MW by 2016, and the Nzema plant will contribute 155 MW, but there are other benefits. Nzema is expected to create 200 permanent jobs for Ghanaians. More reliable power thanks to the plant could create 2,100 more jobs throughout the economy. Finally, the plant is expected to pay $100 million in taxes to Ghana during its estimated 20-year operating lifetime.
Soaking up Some Rays
The 630,000-plus panels planned for Aiwiaso are photovoltaic (PV). When sunlight strikes a photovoltaic panel, it generates direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) for transmission by an inverter. Photovoltaics are cheaper and more flexible than concentrated solar power, an alternate technique that requires an array of mirrors and a turbine, and they do not require a source of water. They can even generate electricity on cloudy days. One disadvantage of the photovoltaic method is that the power captured cannot yet be stored economically. Since Ghana is short of power, however, the electricity generated will be injected directly into the grid, making this less of an issue.
A Hopeful Forecast
Since 1965, when the Akosombo dam was built to provide power for an aluminium smelter in Tema, Ghana has depended on hydroelectric power, a source that worked well until 1983. Since then, the country has seen increasingly frequent droughts, which not only disrupt power but have caused food shortages and much suffering. A major drought in 2006-2007, and one beginning in 2012 that arguably continues today, have required load shedding (rolling blackouts). In December 2013, the acting CEO of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Kirk Coffie, assured Ghanaians that there would be no load shedding in 2014, but already by January the VRA’s Communications Director was warning consumers of a possible power crisis due to low water levels at Akosombo.
For over 10 years, Ghana has been working to reduce its vulnerability to droughts. It has significantly cut its proportion of hydroelectric power from 91.5 percent of total power in 2000 to 67.5 percent in 2011. The belief that has propelled the Renewable Energy Act is that solar power will become a more reliable source of energy. It has a particular advantage in Africa in that much of the continent’s terrain is ideal for solar installations. The technology will not develop in the region without private investment. Until Ghana passed the Renewable Energy Act with an eye to winning private funding for such projects, an unsupportive regulatory environment and energy under pricing had discouraged investors.
Even before the Renewable Energy Act was passed, Ghana had decided to follow the path of deregulation of the electricity sector. According to Doug Coleman, the Project Director for Nzema at Blue Energy, the firm that is building the plant, the state began privatising its power assets when it separated electricity generation from transmission and distribution. Privatisation is far from complete but its impact on the sector is already showing. The government has by now stopped building new plants using state funds – although it does still hold the shares of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Electricity Company of Ghana and the Volta River Authority (VRA), the country’s main energy suppliers. The Renewable Energy Act guarantees investors a fixed tariff for the first 10 years and biannual reviews after that for the life of the plant. The country is also building a legal framework for regulating renewable energy projects that integrates its two energy regulatory bodies, an Energy Commission that gives approval to projects and a Public Utilities Regulatory Commission that, among other things, sets incentivising tariffs. These changes are making Ghana a more appealing environment for outside renewable energy investors.
The Nzema plant itself is a positive sign. Blue Energy became involved in Ghana after hearing about its plan to attract private investors with feed-in tariffs, a favourable kWh price set to encourage investment in renewable energy. The firm has completed six projects since its 2010 founding – three solar and three wind – and currently has nine renewable energy projects including Nzema at various stages of progress. The Ghanaian plant is the company’s first big project outside the UK.
Blue Energy received the country’s first private renewable energy license. Its feed-in tariff has been publicly set at $0.20 per kWh. With a projected capacity of 240,000 Mwh per year and an estimated plant cost of $400 million, Nzema could break even in less than 11 years. Obtaining Ghana’s first renewable energy licence has brought challenges, naturally. “Converting high-level strategic policy into procedures and processes takes time, especially when the existing procedures weren’t written with renewables in mind,” says Coleman. Blue Energy’s environmental permit process was especially rigorous, taking two and a half years. Coleman, who is confident that all the paperwork will be in order by the time Blue Energy is ready to begin construction in summer 2014, believes this is a good thing. Although the Ghanaian government is still shaping registration procedures and regulations, Coleman calls the authorities “very clear,” “very transparent,” and “delightful” to work with, and says they provide “strong guidance.” “You know what you have to do,” he says.
Blue Energy appears to be in Ghana for the long term. The business climate for renewables in the UK is not altogether favourable – feed-in tariffs there are dropping, especially for larger installations, and in October 2013, Prime Minister Cameron pledged to roll back “green charges” in order to reduce electric bills. On the Ghanaian side, the company has committed to funding education and healthcare facilities in the Aiwiaso area and to supporting small businesses. Communities in the area of the plant will also receive land lease revenues. According to Coleman, financing should be locked in by the end of the second quarter of 2014, and construction will start by the end of the year. Blue Energy is still talking to three engineering, procurement and construction contractors but is close to making a decision. Its 630,000 photovoltaic panels are expected to come from a market-leading manufacturer in China.
A Dawning Opportunity
Ghana’s government is actively courting investors from all over the world to help realise the dream of a renewable- powered Ghana – one where Ghanaians benefit and the country becomes an exporter of electricity and fuel. At the beginning of 2014, Emmanuel Armah- Kofi Buah, the country’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, promised “universal access to electricity” by 2016. And in an interview in February 2013, Ghana’s former energy minister, Joe Oteng-Adjei, offered international backers transparency and integrity and vowed that the country would not nationalise any investments.
Blue Energy is not the only major foreign energy company beginning work in Ghana. The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, TAQA, is investing $330 million to increase the capacity of the Takoradi II thermal power plant by 50 percent. The project will convert the gas-fired plant into a combined-cycle unit without increasing its carbon emissions. Jacobsen Jelco Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of Jacobsen Elektro Holding of Norway, plans to build a 360-MW thermal power plant at Aboadze. Furthermore, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia is negotiating with Ghana to build a nuclear power plant that would be completed sometime after 2016.
The country realises that simply increasing its capacity for electricity generation will not assure reliable power. It is also taking steps to eliminate congestion in its transmission system by the end of 2015; to increase delivery efficiency and reduce system losses; and to further promote conservation and energy-efficient technologies. In 2013, construction began on two new 161 kV transmission lines and three new 330 kV lines.
A Place in the Sun
Since 90 percent of Blue Energy’s building materials will be imported, the plant site had to be connected by good roads to a deep-water port. Aiwiaso’s proximity to the port of Takoradi, its abundant, stable solar irradiation and its adjacency to the 161 kV West African Power Pool transmission line made it a solid choice. The company has secured port access at Takoradi. The West African Highway, which runs from there to Aiwiaso, is being enlarged from two to three lanes.
The sun will always shine but clouds are less reliable by nature. Coleman points out that fluctuations in sunlight – and in the resulting ability to generate power – have meant a learning curve as the company works with GRIDCo and network operators to integrate this variable supply into Ghana’s existing system. Countries like Kenya and Uganda already have some experience with integrating variable loads and working with Ghana to implement these new systems has been an “enjoyable challenge,” Coleman says. The sentiment seems sincere. If the weather is never 100 percent reliable even in this part of the world, there’s one thing that is for certain, Coleman concludes, “the plant will get built”
http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/07/ghana-powers-up-the-largest-solar-plant-in-africa-is-coming
Scheduled for completion in October 2016, the Nzema solar power plant will be not just the largest in Africa but one of the largest in the world. It will add to Ghana’s current electricity generation capacity by 5.5 percent. And it will get the country 20 percent of the way to the 2020 goal set by the country’s 2011 Renewable Energy Act – to source 10 percent of its total energy from renewable sources. The project will cover 182 hectares, its 630,000 photovoltaic panels mounted on 37,000 tonnes of supporting steel framework with 2,000 kilometres of connecting cables.
The solar array will be huge but the vision behind this plant is even bigger: it will be the first test of the country’s ability to meet its energy act goals. If it is seen as a success, Ghana should be able to attract more investors like the UK-based Blue Energy Group, which was chosen in December 2012 to build Nzema.
Ghana wants to increase its electricity generation from 2,846 MW today to 5,000 MW by 2016, and the Nzema plant will contribute 155 MW, but there are other benefits. Nzema is expected to create 200 permanent jobs for Ghanaians. More reliable power thanks to the plant could create 2,100 more jobs throughout the economy. Finally, the plant is expected to pay $100 million in taxes to Ghana during its estimated 20-year operating lifetime.
Soaking up Some Rays
The 630,000-plus panels planned for Aiwiaso are photovoltaic (PV). When sunlight strikes a photovoltaic panel, it generates direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) for transmission by an inverter. Photovoltaics are cheaper and more flexible than concentrated solar power, an alternate technique that requires an array of mirrors and a turbine, and they do not require a source of water. They can even generate electricity on cloudy days. One disadvantage of the photovoltaic method is that the power captured cannot yet be stored economically. Since Ghana is short of power, however, the electricity generated will be injected directly into the grid, making this less of an issue.
A Hopeful Forecast
Since 1965, when the Akosombo dam was built to provide power for an aluminium smelter in Tema, Ghana has depended on hydroelectric power, a source that worked well until 1983. Since then, the country has seen increasingly frequent droughts, which not only disrupt power but have caused food shortages and much suffering. A major drought in 2006-2007, and one beginning in 2012 that arguably continues today, have required load shedding (rolling blackouts). In December 2013, the acting CEO of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Kirk Coffie, assured Ghanaians that there would be no load shedding in 2014, but already by January the VRA’s Communications Director was warning consumers of a possible power crisis due to low water levels at Akosombo.
For over 10 years, Ghana has been working to reduce its vulnerability to droughts. It has significantly cut its proportion of hydroelectric power from 91.5 percent of total power in 2000 to 67.5 percent in 2011. The belief that has propelled the Renewable Energy Act is that solar power will become a more reliable source of energy. It has a particular advantage in Africa in that much of the continent’s terrain is ideal for solar installations. The technology will not develop in the region without private investment. Until Ghana passed the Renewable Energy Act with an eye to winning private funding for such projects, an unsupportive regulatory environment and energy under pricing had discouraged investors.
Even before the Renewable Energy Act was passed, Ghana had decided to follow the path of deregulation of the electricity sector. According to Doug Coleman, the Project Director for Nzema at Blue Energy, the firm that is building the plant, the state began privatising its power assets when it separated electricity generation from transmission and distribution. Privatisation is far from complete but its impact on the sector is already showing. The government has by now stopped building new plants using state funds – although it does still hold the shares of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Electricity Company of Ghana and the Volta River Authority (VRA), the country’s main energy suppliers. The Renewable Energy Act guarantees investors a fixed tariff for the first 10 years and biannual reviews after that for the life of the plant. The country is also building a legal framework for regulating renewable energy projects that integrates its two energy regulatory bodies, an Energy Commission that gives approval to projects and a Public Utilities Regulatory Commission that, among other things, sets incentivising tariffs. These changes are making Ghana a more appealing environment for outside renewable energy investors.
The Nzema plant itself is a positive sign. Blue Energy became involved in Ghana after hearing about its plan to attract private investors with feed-in tariffs, a favourable kWh price set to encourage investment in renewable energy. The firm has completed six projects since its 2010 founding – three solar and three wind – and currently has nine renewable energy projects including Nzema at various stages of progress. The Ghanaian plant is the company’s first big project outside the UK.
Blue Energy received the country’s first private renewable energy license. Its feed-in tariff has been publicly set at $0.20 per kWh. With a projected capacity of 240,000 Mwh per year and an estimated plant cost of $400 million, Nzema could break even in less than 11 years. Obtaining Ghana’s first renewable energy licence has brought challenges, naturally. “Converting high-level strategic policy into procedures and processes takes time, especially when the existing procedures weren’t written with renewables in mind,” says Coleman. Blue Energy’s environmental permit process was especially rigorous, taking two and a half years. Coleman, who is confident that all the paperwork will be in order by the time Blue Energy is ready to begin construction in summer 2014, believes this is a good thing. Although the Ghanaian government is still shaping registration procedures and regulations, Coleman calls the authorities “very clear,” “very transparent,” and “delightful” to work with, and says they provide “strong guidance.” “You know what you have to do,” he says.
Blue Energy appears to be in Ghana for the long term. The business climate for renewables in the UK is not altogether favourable – feed-in tariffs there are dropping, especially for larger installations, and in October 2013, Prime Minister Cameron pledged to roll back “green charges” in order to reduce electric bills. On the Ghanaian side, the company has committed to funding education and healthcare facilities in the Aiwiaso area and to supporting small businesses. Communities in the area of the plant will also receive land lease revenues. According to Coleman, financing should be locked in by the end of the second quarter of 2014, and construction will start by the end of the year. Blue Energy is still talking to three engineering, procurement and construction contractors but is close to making a decision. Its 630,000 photovoltaic panels are expected to come from a market-leading manufacturer in China.
A Dawning Opportunity
Ghana’s government is actively courting investors from all over the world to help realise the dream of a renewable- powered Ghana – one where Ghanaians benefit and the country becomes an exporter of electricity and fuel. At the beginning of 2014, Emmanuel Armah- Kofi Buah, the country’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, promised “universal access to electricity” by 2016. And in an interview in February 2013, Ghana’s former energy minister, Joe Oteng-Adjei, offered international backers transparency and integrity and vowed that the country would not nationalise any investments.
Blue Energy is not the only major foreign energy company beginning work in Ghana. The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, TAQA, is investing $330 million to increase the capacity of the Takoradi II thermal power plant by 50 percent. The project will convert the gas-fired plant into a combined-cycle unit without increasing its carbon emissions. Jacobsen Jelco Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of Jacobsen Elektro Holding of Norway, plans to build a 360-MW thermal power plant at Aboadze. Furthermore, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia is negotiating with Ghana to build a nuclear power plant that would be completed sometime after 2016.
The country realises that simply increasing its capacity for electricity generation will not assure reliable power. It is also taking steps to eliminate congestion in its transmission system by the end of 2015; to increase delivery efficiency and reduce system losses; and to further promote conservation and energy-efficient technologies. In 2013, construction began on two new 161 kV transmission lines and three new 330 kV lines.
A Place in the Sun
Since 90 percent of Blue Energy’s building materials will be imported, the plant site had to be connected by good roads to a deep-water port. Aiwiaso’s proximity to the port of Takoradi, its abundant, stable solar irradiation and its adjacency to the 161 kV West African Power Pool transmission line made it a solid choice. The company has secured port access at Takoradi. The West African Highway, which runs from there to Aiwiaso, is being enlarged from two to three lanes.
The sun will always shine but clouds are less reliable by nature. Coleman points out that fluctuations in sunlight – and in the resulting ability to generate power – have meant a learning curve as the company works with GRIDCo and network operators to integrate this variable supply into Ghana’s existing system. Countries like Kenya and Uganda already have some experience with integrating variable loads and working with Ghana to implement these new systems has been an “enjoyable challenge,” Coleman says. The sentiment seems sincere. If the weather is never 100 percent reliable even in this part of the world, there’s one thing that is for certain, Coleman concludes, “the plant will get built”
http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/07/ghana-powers-up-the-largest-solar-plant-in-africa-is-coming
SOLAR PANEL ARRAY TECHNOLOGY FOR RAPID DEPLOYMENT IN OFF-GRID LOCATIONS
July 11, 2014 For Disaster Relief
July 11, 2014 For Disaster Relief
This remote ‘mobile-solar-powered generator’ runs on high power photovoltaic panels that extend from its container combined with an easy to set up wind turbine. A new innovative solar panel array technology designed by Ecosphere Technologies promises rapid deployment for energy production in off-grid locations.This remote ‘mobile-solar-powered generator’ runs on high power photovoltaic panels that extend from its container combined with an easy to set up wind turbine.
www.pvbuzz.com/solar-panel-array-off-grid
www.pvbuzz.com/solar-panel-array-off-grid
UK cities will exceed EU pollution limits until 2030, figures show
Adam Vaughan The Guardian,
Thursday 10 July 2014 14.28 BST
Adam Vaughan The Guardian,
Thursday 10 July 2014 14.28 BST
Air pollution levels in London, Birmingham, and Leeds will exceed European limits until at least 2030, newly-published figures show.
In a case at the European court of justice on Thursday lawyers for the commission described the UK's failure to act on the breach as "perhaps the longest running infringement of EU law in history." The UK has exceeded the EU's nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution limit since 2010, leading the European commission and environmental lawyers to launch separate legal actions against the government which faces potential fines of £300m a year for its infraction.
On Wednesday, the government published revised and more accurate projections for NO2 emissions, which show that it expects the Greater London urban area, West Midlands urban area and West Yorkshire urban area will be in breach until "after 2030", 5-10 years later than previously expected. NO2 is largely caused by diesel vehicles, and can aggravate existing health problems such as asthma. Studies have begun to suggest NO2 could have as great an effect on early deaths as particulate pollution which have already been linked to higher risks of lung cancer and heart failure. Air pollution causes an estimated 29,000 deaths a year in the UK, according to Public Health England.
Tyneside, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bristol, all previously expected to be in compliance of NO2 levels by 2015, will now not be compliant until 2025, according to the revised figures, which take into account more accurate "performance of modern diesel vehicles and older petrol cars".
Alan Andrews, a lawyer for ClientEarth which has brought a case against the UK for the breach which was heard by the European court of justice, said: “It’s bad enough that the government has no intention of complying with these limits in the foreseeable future. It’s even worse that they’re trying to hide behind legal procedural rules to keep this quiet. We have a right to breathe clean air and the right to know when the government is failing to protect us.
He added: “Another five years of delay means thousands more people will die or be made seriously ill. The UK needs to act now to get deadly diesel vehicles out of our towns and cities.” Barry Gardiner, shadow environment minister, said: "Today’s response from the European court of justice shows that the government is failing to meet even its own inadequate air pollution targets. Instead of implementing measures to reduce the levels of pollution, the government recently had to scrap its own air quality strategy because it would have made the problem worse, and currently the government have no plan.”
“Now the government’s only focus is covering their back by passing fines for their own failure to reduce air pollution on to local authorities. Without urgent action children in the UK will be waiting for another 20 years before they can expect any improvement.” This week, air pollution experts at King's College in London said that NO2 levels in London's Oxford Street were the worst in the world. A verdict on the ClientEarth case is expected from the European court of justice towards the end of this year.
A Defra spokesperson said: “We are investing heavily in measures to improve air quality and have committed billions to increase uptake of ultra-low-emission vehicles, sustainable travel and green transport initiatives. “As our understanding of NO2 evolves this must be reflected in our projections which is why we have revised these figures – work is under way to ensure compliance with EU limits in the shortest possible time.”
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/10/uk-cities-breach-eu-pollution-limits-2030
In a case at the European court of justice on Thursday lawyers for the commission described the UK's failure to act on the breach as "perhaps the longest running infringement of EU law in history." The UK has exceeded the EU's nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution limit since 2010, leading the European commission and environmental lawyers to launch separate legal actions against the government which faces potential fines of £300m a year for its infraction.
On Wednesday, the government published revised and more accurate projections for NO2 emissions, which show that it expects the Greater London urban area, West Midlands urban area and West Yorkshire urban area will be in breach until "after 2030", 5-10 years later than previously expected. NO2 is largely caused by diesel vehicles, and can aggravate existing health problems such as asthma. Studies have begun to suggest NO2 could have as great an effect on early deaths as particulate pollution which have already been linked to higher risks of lung cancer and heart failure. Air pollution causes an estimated 29,000 deaths a year in the UK, according to Public Health England.
Tyneside, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bristol, all previously expected to be in compliance of NO2 levels by 2015, will now not be compliant until 2025, according to the revised figures, which take into account more accurate "performance of modern diesel vehicles and older petrol cars".
Alan Andrews, a lawyer for ClientEarth which has brought a case against the UK for the breach which was heard by the European court of justice, said: “It’s bad enough that the government has no intention of complying with these limits in the foreseeable future. It’s even worse that they’re trying to hide behind legal procedural rules to keep this quiet. We have a right to breathe clean air and the right to know when the government is failing to protect us.
He added: “Another five years of delay means thousands more people will die or be made seriously ill. The UK needs to act now to get deadly diesel vehicles out of our towns and cities.” Barry Gardiner, shadow environment minister, said: "Today’s response from the European court of justice shows that the government is failing to meet even its own inadequate air pollution targets. Instead of implementing measures to reduce the levels of pollution, the government recently had to scrap its own air quality strategy because it would have made the problem worse, and currently the government have no plan.”
“Now the government’s only focus is covering their back by passing fines for their own failure to reduce air pollution on to local authorities. Without urgent action children in the UK will be waiting for another 20 years before they can expect any improvement.” This week, air pollution experts at King's College in London said that NO2 levels in London's Oxford Street were the worst in the world. A verdict on the ClientEarth case is expected from the European court of justice towards the end of this year.
A Defra spokesperson said: “We are investing heavily in measures to improve air quality and have committed billions to increase uptake of ultra-low-emission vehicles, sustainable travel and green transport initiatives. “As our understanding of NO2 evolves this must be reflected in our projections which is why we have revised these figures – work is under way to ensure compliance with EU limits in the shortest possible time.”
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/10/uk-cities-breach-eu-pollution-limits-2030
IFAD and the post-2015 global development agenda
As the International Fund for Agricultural Development looks beyond the Millennium Development Goals, whose target date is fast approaching, the Fund views the post-2015 global development framework as a unique opportunity to focus new policies, investments, and partnerships on rural transformation. Achieving a sustainable future for all requires that poor rural people be recognized as key actors and partners.
What will the world look like in 20 years?
We want a world where extreme poverty has been eradicated, all women and men are well nourished, benefits from growth are equitably distributed, decent job opportunities are available to everyone, natural resources are sustainably managed, and temperature increases resulting from climate change are manageable.
This future is within our collective reach. However, it will require a profound change of course in policy processes, public and private investments and development practices – giving priority to social, economic and political inclusion, equality and equity, sustainability, rights and good governance.
Rural inclusion and transformation are key
A rural transformation leading to sustainable development would bring universal benefits and so requires integration across the entire post-2015 agenda. Dynamic and inclusive rural development plays a pivotal role in food and nutrition security, inclusive growth and poverty eradication in countries at all levels of development. For instance, sustainable smallholder agriculture provides a powerful vehicle to deliver multiple benefits across all of the dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environment) for people no matter where they live. It is not peripheral, but rather at the very nexus of sustainable, inclusive development.
Designing goals, targets and indicators for rural inclusion and to unlock the potential of the rural sectors can have a major catalytic impact on the entire post-2015 development agenda. That means targets and indicators for access to assets and services that build the capacity of rural women, men, and youth to lead the transformation of the rural space and to become competitive in today’s rural and urban markets.
IFAD’s vision
IFAD sees the post-2015 agenda as an opportunity to recognize the need for rural transformation in the quest for sustainable development and poverty eradication by:
What will the world look like in 20 years?
We want a world where extreme poverty has been eradicated, all women and men are well nourished, benefits from growth are equitably distributed, decent job opportunities are available to everyone, natural resources are sustainably managed, and temperature increases resulting from climate change are manageable.
This future is within our collective reach. However, it will require a profound change of course in policy processes, public and private investments and development practices – giving priority to social, economic and political inclusion, equality and equity, sustainability, rights and good governance.
Rural inclusion and transformation are key
A rural transformation leading to sustainable development would bring universal benefits and so requires integration across the entire post-2015 agenda. Dynamic and inclusive rural development plays a pivotal role in food and nutrition security, inclusive growth and poverty eradication in countries at all levels of development. For instance, sustainable smallholder agriculture provides a powerful vehicle to deliver multiple benefits across all of the dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environment) for people no matter where they live. It is not peripheral, but rather at the very nexus of sustainable, inclusive development.
Designing goals, targets and indicators for rural inclusion and to unlock the potential of the rural sectors can have a major catalytic impact on the entire post-2015 development agenda. That means targets and indicators for access to assets and services that build the capacity of rural women, men, and youth to lead the transformation of the rural space and to become competitive in today’s rural and urban markets.
IFAD’s vision
IFAD sees the post-2015 agenda as an opportunity to recognize the need for rural transformation in the quest for sustainable development and poverty eradication by:
- Redressing rural-urban inequalities to promote inclusive job growth and to achieve poverty eradication in rural areas.
- Promoting the economic and social empowerment of poor rural women and men, so that they can build stronger livelihoods, both driving and benefiting from growth in the rural economy.
- Increasing agricultural productivity sustainably and strengthening agricultural markets, so as to achieve food security and nutrition for all.
- Strengthening the resilience and risk management capacity of smallholder farmers and rural households, particularly with respect to climate change
Global Sustainable Development Report
A first draft of the Executive Summary of the Prototype Global Sustainable Development Report was launched at the inaugural session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 24 September 2013. Following review and further stakeholder consultations, the Executive summary of the Prototype Global Sustainable Development Report was released on June 2014 and the full report was launched on 1 July 2014.
Please do not hesitate to provide your inputs and suggestions to the Division for Sustainable Development at http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/contact.
Please do not hesitate to provide your inputs and suggestions to the Division for Sustainable Development at http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/contact.
Saying ‘change is in the air,’ Ban urges new UN body to galvanize global sustainability agenda
30 June 2014
30 June 2014
27 June 2014 – With the close of the Millennium Development Goal era just months away, and work already beginning on a successor agenda to reign in poverty and put the planet on a sustainable course before it is too late, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today the “timing could not be better” for the launch of a strong UN body tackling all issues relating to the environment. “We are now poised for the crucial next phase of human development – a universal post-2015 sustainable development agenda. That agenda needs a strong voice for the environment,” Mr. Ban said in his address to the closing session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), which held its inaugural meeting this week in Nairobi, Kenya.
More than 1,200 high-level participants, including UN officials, diplomatic and civil society delegations, have been taking part in the historic first session of the Environment Assembly, being held under the theme “A Life of Dignity for All.”
The body, created in answer to a call made by governments at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) for a more representative entity dealing with the issue, includes all 193 UN Member States sitting alongside major stakeholders. The Environment Assembly now plans to meet every two years and will replace the Governing Council of the Nairobi-based UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
“With its augmented role as a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, UNEA has the mandate and capacity to position the environment alongside peace and security, poverty reduction, global health, trade and sustainable economic growth as an issue of crucial importance to every government,” said Mr. Ban. At UNEA this week, stakeholders deliberated on many important topics – including the sustainable development goals, consumption and production patterns, the environmental rule of law, and the illegal trade in timber and wildlife. “The message is clear: protecting humanity’s life support system is integral to sustainable development. And it is a duty for all,” the UN chief declared.
He went on to say that UNEP and the UNEA have a central role to play in the coming months and beyond, as 2015 marks the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently, the UN will a launch post-2015 sustainable development agenda. It is also when Member States have pledged to sign a meaningful new global climate agreement.
“The air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that grows our food are part of a delicate global ecosystem that is increasingly under pressure from human activities,” - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Noting that the “heavy hand” of humankind is now visible everywhere – from tropical deforestation to depleted ocean fisheries and from growing freshwater shortages, and the rapid decline of biodiversity to the growing menace of climate change – he recalled that on 23 September, he will convene a climate summit meeting in New York to mobilize political will and catalyze ambitious action on climate change.
“I urge you all to ensure that your Heads of State and Government and your leaders from business and civil society attend.
We need all sectors and all nations to work together to combat climate change and promote sustainable development,” declared the Secretary-General. Emphasizing that decisive action is needed “to change humanity’s relationship with our planet,” he said: “This forum has the power – and the responsibility – to promote a global transformation of attitude and practice.”
Yet he stressed that the UNAE’s job will not be easy, “as there are many vested interests and entrenched attitudes that will stand in your way. You will have to advocate hard with your counterparts in finance, energy, agriculture and trade.
“But whenever you need inspiration, just look at the advances of the past four decades; the arguments for environmental sustainability are compelling – and they are winning, in the minds of people, in boardrooms and in the corridors of power,” said Mr Ban, telling the Assembly: “Change is in the air. Solutions exist. It’s time to lead.”
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/2014/06
More than 1,200 high-level participants, including UN officials, diplomatic and civil society delegations, have been taking part in the historic first session of the Environment Assembly, being held under the theme “A Life of Dignity for All.”
The body, created in answer to a call made by governments at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) for a more representative entity dealing with the issue, includes all 193 UN Member States sitting alongside major stakeholders. The Environment Assembly now plans to meet every two years and will replace the Governing Council of the Nairobi-based UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
“With its augmented role as a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, UNEA has the mandate and capacity to position the environment alongside peace and security, poverty reduction, global health, trade and sustainable economic growth as an issue of crucial importance to every government,” said Mr. Ban. At UNEA this week, stakeholders deliberated on many important topics – including the sustainable development goals, consumption and production patterns, the environmental rule of law, and the illegal trade in timber and wildlife. “The message is clear: protecting humanity’s life support system is integral to sustainable development. And it is a duty for all,” the UN chief declared.
He went on to say that UNEP and the UNEA have a central role to play in the coming months and beyond, as 2015 marks the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently, the UN will a launch post-2015 sustainable development agenda. It is also when Member States have pledged to sign a meaningful new global climate agreement.
“The air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that grows our food are part of a delicate global ecosystem that is increasingly under pressure from human activities,” - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Noting that the “heavy hand” of humankind is now visible everywhere – from tropical deforestation to depleted ocean fisheries and from growing freshwater shortages, and the rapid decline of biodiversity to the growing menace of climate change – he recalled that on 23 September, he will convene a climate summit meeting in New York to mobilize political will and catalyze ambitious action on climate change.
“I urge you all to ensure that your Heads of State and Government and your leaders from business and civil society attend.
We need all sectors and all nations to work together to combat climate change and promote sustainable development,” declared the Secretary-General. Emphasizing that decisive action is needed “to change humanity’s relationship with our planet,” he said: “This forum has the power – and the responsibility – to promote a global transformation of attitude and practice.”
Yet he stressed that the UNAE’s job will not be easy, “as there are many vested interests and entrenched attitudes that will stand in your way. You will have to advocate hard with your counterparts in finance, energy, agriculture and trade.
“But whenever you need inspiration, just look at the advances of the past four decades; the arguments for environmental sustainability are compelling – and they are winning, in the minds of people, in boardrooms and in the corridors of power,” said Mr Ban, telling the Assembly: “Change is in the air. Solutions exist. It’s time to lead.”
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/2014/06
Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and other cities headed for imminent water supply collapse
wave of drought refugees now inevitable
Sunday, June 29, 2014
by Mike Adams,
wave of drought refugees now inevitable
Sunday, June 29, 2014
by Mike Adams,
One bizarre trait that strongly characterizes modern human civilization is a widespread inability to plan ahead. On every issue imaginable -- debt spending, fossil fuels, health care costs, resource extraction and so on -- our citizens and political leaders demonstrate near-retarded cognitive function by failing to see where their actions might lead. (And it's almost as if they're proud to be so stupid, too.)
There's no better example of this than the city of Las Vegas, Nevada -- a city of 600,000 people who almost universally depend on one lake for their water. And that lake is running dry at an alarming rate, after which there will be no more water for Las Vegas. The lake is called Lake Mead, created by the Hoover Dam. Back in 1936, when the Las Vegas population was very tiny by today's standards, Lake Mead took six years to fill with water. Now, with over two million people in the greater Vegas region depending on its water, Lake Mead has dropped by 50% and is receding with alarming speed. Where is all the water going? It's being siphoned off by large tunnel "straws" that redirect the water 25 miles to the city of Las Vegas. These straws, however, are sucking the lake dry.
Tim Barnett, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, explains it this way in a Telegraph news story (1):
The situation is as bad as you can imagine. It's just going to be screwed. And relatively quickly. Unless it can find a way to get more water from somewhere Las Vegas is out of business. Yet they're still building, which is stupid. Ah, but "stupid" is popular, you see. Delusional thinking is embedded into the American culture at every level: medicine, finance, security, fossil fuels, the food supply and more. After all, only delusional thinking would allow continued real estate development in a city with no future water supply, yet it continues to this very day in Las Vegas.
The collapse of Las Vegas is now inevitable
Barnett predicts the city's water supply will collapse when Lake Mead runs "bone dry" in less than 20 years. Rob Mrowka, a Las Vegas-based scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, agrees with his assessment, saying: The drought is like a slow spreading cancer across the desert. It's not like a tornado or a tsunami, bang. The effects are playing out over decades. And as the water situation becomes more dire we are going to start having to talk about the removal of people (from Las Vegas).
Mrowka, like anyone who applies rational thinking to the problems facing America today, will of course be aggressively ridiculed and condemned by the delusional-weavers. The greatest sin to commit in a society steeped in delusional thinking is to tell the truth about where things are headed. That's not something people want to hear, especially when the all the fountains at the Bellagio are so pretty. Las Vegas currently uses 219 gallons of water per person, per day -- one of the highest figures in the nation. That this is taking place in a desert is extreme stupidity, and it proves the point of this article: humanity is shortsighted and living in a delusional fantasy where people think they never have to deal with the long-term effects of present-day actions.
Attempts to resolve this water shortage problem are themselves steeped in stupidity and desperation: Vegas is trying to build a desperate water pipeline by spending over $15 billion to pipe in billions of gallons of water from another water source 260 miles away, but this project has been halted by the courts due to environmental concerns. Even if the pipeline were built, it only delays the inevitable. Building a city in the desert and importing the water supply simply isn't sustainable because there's just not enough rainwater nearby to go around. Duh. The coming water wars of the Western USATruth be told, much of the Western USA is in the same dire situation as Las Vegas. Cities like Los Angeles were founded in the desert, then artificially supplied with water that's literally pumped over a mountain. If those pumps are halted for any reason, Las Vegas immediately reverts to a desert, and the city becomes a death trap for its millions of residents who rapidly discover they are living in a desert.
Even when the water is pumping, the entire state of California -- yes, 100 percent -- has already been classified as being in a state of "severe drought." Imagine what this looks like without the imported water. Phoenix is also a city that's too large for its water supply. Nearby Tucson suffers much the same problem. Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are all wildly unsustainable in terms of water supplies. They all depend in part on the Colorado River, but that River is also headed for imminent collapse. High population cities not sustainable in most of the Western half of the United States. To fully grasp the seriousness of this situation, you might find it useful to scan this rainfall map of the United States:
There's no better example of this than the city of Las Vegas, Nevada -- a city of 600,000 people who almost universally depend on one lake for their water. And that lake is running dry at an alarming rate, after which there will be no more water for Las Vegas. The lake is called Lake Mead, created by the Hoover Dam. Back in 1936, when the Las Vegas population was very tiny by today's standards, Lake Mead took six years to fill with water. Now, with over two million people in the greater Vegas region depending on its water, Lake Mead has dropped by 50% and is receding with alarming speed. Where is all the water going? It's being siphoned off by large tunnel "straws" that redirect the water 25 miles to the city of Las Vegas. These straws, however, are sucking the lake dry.
Tim Barnett, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, explains it this way in a Telegraph news story (1):
The situation is as bad as you can imagine. It's just going to be screwed. And relatively quickly. Unless it can find a way to get more water from somewhere Las Vegas is out of business. Yet they're still building, which is stupid. Ah, but "stupid" is popular, you see. Delusional thinking is embedded into the American culture at every level: medicine, finance, security, fossil fuels, the food supply and more. After all, only delusional thinking would allow continued real estate development in a city with no future water supply, yet it continues to this very day in Las Vegas.
The collapse of Las Vegas is now inevitable
Barnett predicts the city's water supply will collapse when Lake Mead runs "bone dry" in less than 20 years. Rob Mrowka, a Las Vegas-based scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, agrees with his assessment, saying: The drought is like a slow spreading cancer across the desert. It's not like a tornado or a tsunami, bang. The effects are playing out over decades. And as the water situation becomes more dire we are going to start having to talk about the removal of people (from Las Vegas).
Mrowka, like anyone who applies rational thinking to the problems facing America today, will of course be aggressively ridiculed and condemned by the delusional-weavers. The greatest sin to commit in a society steeped in delusional thinking is to tell the truth about where things are headed. That's not something people want to hear, especially when the all the fountains at the Bellagio are so pretty. Las Vegas currently uses 219 gallons of water per person, per day -- one of the highest figures in the nation. That this is taking place in a desert is extreme stupidity, and it proves the point of this article: humanity is shortsighted and living in a delusional fantasy where people think they never have to deal with the long-term effects of present-day actions.
Attempts to resolve this water shortage problem are themselves steeped in stupidity and desperation: Vegas is trying to build a desperate water pipeline by spending over $15 billion to pipe in billions of gallons of water from another water source 260 miles away, but this project has been halted by the courts due to environmental concerns. Even if the pipeline were built, it only delays the inevitable. Building a city in the desert and importing the water supply simply isn't sustainable because there's just not enough rainwater nearby to go around. Duh. The coming water wars of the Western USATruth be told, much of the Western USA is in the same dire situation as Las Vegas. Cities like Los Angeles were founded in the desert, then artificially supplied with water that's literally pumped over a mountain. If those pumps are halted for any reason, Las Vegas immediately reverts to a desert, and the city becomes a death trap for its millions of residents who rapidly discover they are living in a desert.
Even when the water is pumping, the entire state of California -- yes, 100 percent -- has already been classified as being in a state of "severe drought." Imagine what this looks like without the imported water. Phoenix is also a city that's too large for its water supply. Nearby Tucson suffers much the same problem. Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are all wildly unsustainable in terms of water supplies. They all depend in part on the Colorado River, but that River is also headed for imminent collapse. High population cities not sustainable in most of the Western half of the United States. To fully grasp the seriousness of this situation, you might find it useful to scan this rainfall map of the United States:
Every large city in an orange or red portion of this map is headed for collapse. This covers the majority of the Western half of the nation. Refuge areas will be those with plentiful rainfall such as the Pacific Northwest and regions far East of the Rockies.
This is why so many people are already headed to Central Texas, by the way. If you look at Texas, you'll notice it's clearly divided in terms of rainfall. Austin is roughly the dividing line, and everything West of Austin is bone dry, with little or no topsoil. East of Austin, you start to get precipitation which rapidly accelerates as you head toward Houston or East Texas, where patent trolls live in mucky swamplands and file lawsuits against technology companies.
This map might as well be called the "American migration map of 2050," because it shows where people will be forced to evacuate (areas in RED) and where they will be headed (areas in GREEN). "The Colorado is essentially a dying river," says Mr. Mrowka. "Ultimately, Las Vegas and our civilization in the American South West is going to disappear, like the Indians did before us." No one is more hated in America than a truth-teller Of course, anyone who dares point out this obvious fact in the USA is immediately branded a "conspiracy theorist" or a "doomsday pessimist." The politically correct stance on all this in America today is to live in the proper state of delusional denial that's socially acceptable.
Never mind the fact that these large U.S. cities -- Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego and more -- will collapse into ghost towns long before the year 2100. Yet we are told, instead, to worry about global warming because it might raise the sea level by two inches over that period of time. Global warming is the "popular fear" of the day, you see, but the truth about the dwindling water supply of cities like Los Angeles is simply imagined away as if the problem didn't exist at all. Ironically, the most likely attempts to solve the water crisis will involve worsening global warming by burning coal to run energy-intensive desalination plants that produce fresh water. There's plenty of water to go around, after all, if you can just remove all the salt from it. But that process requires an enormous amount of energy at great expense. Desalinated water is so expensive that the mere act of washing your own car in your driveway might use $25 worth of water one day. Water is about to get very, very expensive across the South West, and that's if it exists at all.
Even solar-powered desalination plants are extremely expensive to get off the ground. Although "clean" in their operation, solar panels are made with lead and other toxic heavy metals, and the electronics that drive these systems require rare earth metals mined in China. Even with renewable energy, it turns out, there is no "clean" way to get fresh water out of the ocean... not at any cost. Millions of clueless residents have a rude surprise waiting for them in the years aheadUltimately, Mr. Mrowka is the one who is correct: Present-day human populations are not sustainable in the South West. This is a mathematical certainty, and it leaves just two options: 1) Mass migrations away from the cities, or 2) Mass death.
One way or another, the populations will have to come down or die of dehydration. In that sense, the problem is self-solving from a planetary perspective. Humans who are too stupid to live within the boundaries of geological resources will be evacuated or eliminated, one way or another. But you can also expect violence to erupt in this process as states or regions go to war over water rights. Water, after all, equals economic productivity in the context of agriculture, and he who controls the water reaps the benefit of crop production. You can fully expect to see violent conflicts over these water rights in the decades ahead as the American South West collapses back into its more natural desert-like state. Ultimately, Mother Earth wins all water wars. Humans who are too stupid to realize this will either be involuntarily relocated or removed from the gene pool.
This is why so many people are already headed to Central Texas, by the way. If you look at Texas, you'll notice it's clearly divided in terms of rainfall. Austin is roughly the dividing line, and everything West of Austin is bone dry, with little or no topsoil. East of Austin, you start to get precipitation which rapidly accelerates as you head toward Houston or East Texas, where patent trolls live in mucky swamplands and file lawsuits against technology companies.
This map might as well be called the "American migration map of 2050," because it shows where people will be forced to evacuate (areas in RED) and where they will be headed (areas in GREEN). "The Colorado is essentially a dying river," says Mr. Mrowka. "Ultimately, Las Vegas and our civilization in the American South West is going to disappear, like the Indians did before us." No one is more hated in America than a truth-teller Of course, anyone who dares point out this obvious fact in the USA is immediately branded a "conspiracy theorist" or a "doomsday pessimist." The politically correct stance on all this in America today is to live in the proper state of delusional denial that's socially acceptable.
Never mind the fact that these large U.S. cities -- Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego and more -- will collapse into ghost towns long before the year 2100. Yet we are told, instead, to worry about global warming because it might raise the sea level by two inches over that period of time. Global warming is the "popular fear" of the day, you see, but the truth about the dwindling water supply of cities like Los Angeles is simply imagined away as if the problem didn't exist at all. Ironically, the most likely attempts to solve the water crisis will involve worsening global warming by burning coal to run energy-intensive desalination plants that produce fresh water. There's plenty of water to go around, after all, if you can just remove all the salt from it. But that process requires an enormous amount of energy at great expense. Desalinated water is so expensive that the mere act of washing your own car in your driveway might use $25 worth of water one day. Water is about to get very, very expensive across the South West, and that's if it exists at all.
Even solar-powered desalination plants are extremely expensive to get off the ground. Although "clean" in their operation, solar panels are made with lead and other toxic heavy metals, and the electronics that drive these systems require rare earth metals mined in China. Even with renewable energy, it turns out, there is no "clean" way to get fresh water out of the ocean... not at any cost. Millions of clueless residents have a rude surprise waiting for them in the years aheadUltimately, Mr. Mrowka is the one who is correct: Present-day human populations are not sustainable in the South West. This is a mathematical certainty, and it leaves just two options: 1) Mass migrations away from the cities, or 2) Mass death.
One way or another, the populations will have to come down or die of dehydration. In that sense, the problem is self-solving from a planetary perspective. Humans who are too stupid to live within the boundaries of geological resources will be evacuated or eliminated, one way or another. But you can also expect violence to erupt in this process as states or regions go to war over water rights. Water, after all, equals economic productivity in the context of agriculture, and he who controls the water reaps the benefit of crop production. You can fully expect to see violent conflicts over these water rights in the decades ahead as the American South West collapses back into its more natural desert-like state. Ultimately, Mother Earth wins all water wars. Humans who are too stupid to realize this will either be involuntarily relocated or removed from the gene pool.
Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/no...
http://www.naturalnews.com/045790_Las_Vegas_water_supply_imminent_collapse.html
(1) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/no...
http://www.naturalnews.com/045790_Las_Vegas_water_supply_imminent_collapse.html
U.S. temperatures have been recorded since 1880, and last month’s results were hotter than any May that preceded it.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday issued a report stating that the land and ocean
temperatures recorded in May 2014 combined to make it the hottest May in recorded history. The combined average was about 1.33 degrees higher than the 20th century average of 58.6 degrees. While the previous record was set in 2010, four of the last five years have included the hottest May months in recorded history. May 2012 was the third warmest, followed by 1998 and 2013.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday issued a report stating that the land and ocean
temperatures recorded in May 2014 combined to make it the hottest May in recorded history. The combined average was about 1.33 degrees higher than the 20th century average of 58.6 degrees. While the previous record was set in 2010, four of the last five years have included the hottest May months in recorded history. May 2012 was the third warmest, followed by 1998 and 2013.
The global land surface temperature was 2.03 degrees above the 20th century average of 52 degrees, the fourth highest for May on record. For the ocean, the May global sea surface temperature was 1.06 degrees above the 20th century average of 61.3 degrees, making it the record highest for May and tying with June 1998, October 2003, and July 2009 as the highest departure from average for any month on record. May 2014 marked the 39th consecutive May and 351st consecutive month (more than 29 years) with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last below-average global temperature for May took place in 1976. The last below-average temperature for any month was February 1985.
The majority of scientists believe that man-made emissions are the largest contributor towarming. That belief led to a recent carbon emissions proposal from the Obama Administration. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued a mixed ruling regarding greenhouse gas regulations, exempting some facilities from federal air regulations. However, the ruling has no impact on the emissions proposal presented earlier this month.
http://ecowatch.com/2014/06/24/hottest-may-ever-recorded
http://ecowatch.com/2014/06/24/hottest-may-ever-recorded
Latest UN climate talks bring forward significant results on agriculture and food security
Jun 24, 2014
by Pernille Høj (Communications assistant CCAFS coordinating Unit)
At the eleventh hour, the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn finally made progress on issues related to agriculture.
Here are some of the key results from the negotiations from SBSTA 40.
For quite some time, the 40th Session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) looked bleak in terms of progress on addressing issues relating to agriculture. Despite a wide range of actors, from parties to observer and non-governmental organisations, raising issues such as food security and adaptation to climate change, Climate-smart Agriculture, sustainable landscapes and links to mitigation through official side events, sessions and meetings, the results of the negotiations were coming up short. But late into the second week of the sessions, negotiations on agriculture took a leap forward as the agriculture contact group agreed on constructive steps forward in a two year plan to address issues of adaptation of agriculture to climate change impacts, promoting sustainable rural development and productivity of agricultural systems and food security.
The role of agriculture
During the talks in Bonn, many actors pressed hard for a substantial plan for agriculture under the UNFCCC processes. During the Technical Expert Meeting on Land Use on 11 June, the Farmers Constituency presented their views on the role and status of agriculture in the face of climate change: “It is clear that the risks posed by climate change have a direct bearing on food security and the development of the economies of our rural areas. Farmers face the twin challenge of producing enough food for the world’s growing population while ensuring the livelihoods of those whose subsistence depends on agricultural production,” reads the intervention made by the Farmers Constituency (FC) at the meeting.
The expert meeting touched upon an integrated approach to land use and adaption and mitigation. The issue was raised in a number of interventions, and thus agricultural actors attending SBSTA 40 took forward the discussion of how to integrate adaptation to climate change and mitigation practices and mechanisms. The technical expert meetings ultimately served more as a brainstorming session than as a negotiation, though sharp views still came forward at the meeting: “The farmers’ constituency encourages you to take the necessary steps here in Bonn to put us safely on track towards a SBSTA work program on agriculture and thereby ensure that an inclusion of agriculture and the land sectors in a 2015 agreement is on a strong scientific footing,” as it further says in the FC intervention.
Key results
On 13 June, progress was finally made at the negotiations. A substantive SBSTA work program on agriculture, despite the call from the FC, was not realized in the conclusions on agriculture, but many of the issues put forward by actors related to agriculture were noted. The conclusions set forward activities reaching more than two years into the future, which is groundbreaking, as the past five years, results on agriculture has been rather procedural. Many delegations mentioned the importance of adaptation activities that ensure food security as the entry point for climate activities in countries facing food insecurity and development challenges.
G-77/China was unified in supporting the conclusions on agriculture. The African Group and the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC) Group played particularly important roles in advocating for the conclusions on agriculture.
In the centre of the conclusion is adaptation at national and local level. The SBSTA agreed to undertake scientific and technical work within the following four areas, the: Development of early warning systems and contingency plans in relation to extreme weather events and its effects.
Assessment of risk and vulnerability of agricultural systems to different climate change scenarios at regional, national and local levels.
Identification of adaptation measures, taking into account the diversity of the agricultural systems, indigenous knowledge systems and the differences in scale. Identification and assessment of agricultural practices and technologies to enhance productivity in a sustainable manner, food security and resilience. The SBSTA also requested the UNFCCC secretariat to organize in-session workshops on these four elements, the two first to be held at SBSTA 42 (in June 2015) and the two next to be held at SBSTA 44 (in June 2016).
The parties of SBSTA will submit their views on the four elements from the final conclusions on agriculture by February 2015. Reports from the first two workshops will be considered at SBSTA 43, held during COP 21 in Paris. Reports from the next to workshops will be considered one year after at SBSTA 45.
Read the full text of the draft conclusions here.
What now?
The results mark the start of, if not a program, then a much clearer course on agriculture – decisions in Paris can be taken regardless of the results, but nevertheless the SBSTA can inform parts of this process. The more direct links between mitigation and adaptation was also left out, but adaption co-benefits were included, which gives space for mitigation activities that occur through actions for adaptation. This is complementary to climate-smart agriculture practices.
Another important upcoming event will be the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s Climate Summit in New York in September 2014 – here the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture will be launched to further the agenda for agriculture and climate-smart production practices. In the meantime, work in the field continues in order to fast-track mitigation of emissions from agricultural production and enhance adaptation to climate change for smallholder farmers.
Click to read full coverage of CCAFS activities at SBSTA.
http://ccafs.cgiar.org/blog/latest-un-climate-talks-bring-forward-significant-results-agriculture-and-food-security#%2EU6qPLY1dUw4
The Problem
Grasslands across the world are degrading leading to hunger, entrenched poverty and even famine for the communities that depend upon them. We plan to use holistic management, a method which has been tried and tested in across the USA, Australia and in Zimbabwe amongst other countries and shown to restore grasslands, with benefits including:
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https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/end-hunger-empower-ethiopia-s-pastoralists#home
Greening Ethiopia's Highlands: A New Hope for Africa
Greening Ethiopia's Highlands: A New Hope for Africa
While rainfall has recently doused World Cup football pitches in southern and eastern Brazil, persistent drought elsewhere poses a challenge for the country’s hydropower, the US Department of Energy said on Tuesday. “Brazil is currently experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, which has contributed to electricity blackouts in many Brazilian regions,” the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. “The south has been inundated with rainfall that has affected some World Cup matches, including those held in Natal, the site of team USA’s victory over Ghana last night,” it added.
“(But) the drought has persisted in northern Brazil. Much of Brazil’s hydroelectric potential lies in the country’s Amazon River basin. This reliance on one resource for most of the country’s electricity generation, combined with the distant and disparate locations of its population centers, has presented electricity reliability challenges.”
Hydropower is responsible for more than three quarters of Brazil’s electricity generation, making the present drought a topic of energy security. Brazil’s hydropower consumption fell 7% last year, according to data published by the energy company BP on Monday. Analysts expect that the country can cope with extra electricity demand during the World Cup, in the worst case limiting supply in regions not participating in the tournament, and stepping up gas-fired power.
Hydropower consumption last year fell by 6.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE), while natural gas consumption almost made up the difference, growing by 5.4 MTOE, according to the BP data. “Brazil has spent more than $5 billion to subsidize electric utilities replacing lost hydroelectric generation with fossil fuel-fired generation, including large amounts of liquefied natural gas, and has taken steps to provide backup generation for stadiums,” the EIA said. Notwithstanding the energy security risks, Brazil is in the process of building the world’s third biggest dam, on a tributary of the Amazon.
The country already has the world’s second biggest dam, by generating capacity, shared with Paraguay on the Parana River in the south west of the country. At around 14,000 megawatts (MW), it is second only to the China Three Gorges’ 22,500 MW.
And it is expected to commission an equally enormous dam within two years. “The 14,000-megawatt Belo Monte dam along the Xingu River, expected to be completed in 2016, will become the second-largest dam in Brazil—and the third-largest dam in the world—at a projected cost of $13 billion,” the EIA said.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/17/hydropower-poses-grid-challenge-for-brazil
“(But) the drought has persisted in northern Brazil. Much of Brazil’s hydroelectric potential lies in the country’s Amazon River basin. This reliance on one resource for most of the country’s electricity generation, combined with the distant and disparate locations of its population centers, has presented electricity reliability challenges.”
Hydropower is responsible for more than three quarters of Brazil’s electricity generation, making the present drought a topic of energy security. Brazil’s hydropower consumption fell 7% last year, according to data published by the energy company BP on Monday. Analysts expect that the country can cope with extra electricity demand during the World Cup, in the worst case limiting supply in regions not participating in the tournament, and stepping up gas-fired power.
Hydropower consumption last year fell by 6.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE), while natural gas consumption almost made up the difference, growing by 5.4 MTOE, according to the BP data. “Brazil has spent more than $5 billion to subsidize electric utilities replacing lost hydroelectric generation with fossil fuel-fired generation, including large amounts of liquefied natural gas, and has taken steps to provide backup generation for stadiums,” the EIA said. Notwithstanding the energy security risks, Brazil is in the process of building the world’s third biggest dam, on a tributary of the Amazon.
The country already has the world’s second biggest dam, by generating capacity, shared with Paraguay on the Parana River in the south west of the country. At around 14,000 megawatts (MW), it is second only to the China Three Gorges’ 22,500 MW.
And it is expected to commission an equally enormous dam within two years. “The 14,000-megawatt Belo Monte dam along the Xingu River, expected to be completed in 2016, will become the second-largest dam in Brazil—and the third-largest dam in the world—at a projected cost of $13 billion,” the EIA said.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/17/hydropower-poses-grid-challenge-for-brazil
Amazonian Communities Occupy the Belo Monte Dam Site To Free the Xingu River
Amazon Watch, International Rivers, Movimento Xingu Vivo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 15, 2012
Amazon Watch, International Rivers, Movimento Xingu Vivo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 15, 2012
Xingu River, Brazil - Three hundred indigenous people, small farmers, fisherfolk, and local residents occupied the Belo Monte Dam project, removing a strip of earth to restore the Xingu’s natural flow and “freeing the river.” Participants gathered in formation spelling out the words “Pare Belo Monte” meaning “Stop Belo Monte” to send a powerful message about the devastating impacts of the dam on the eve of the UN Rio+20 Summit. Their message is that projects that destroys livelihoods and the environment and that violate indigenous rights cannot be called “Clean Energy”. They are demanding the cancellation of the $18 billion Belo Monte dam project. (Photo credit: Atossa Soltani/ Amazon Watch / Spectral Q)
Altamira, Brazil – While the Brazilian Government prepares to host the Rio+20 United Nations Earth Summit, 3,000 kilometers north in the country's Amazon region indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolk, activists and local residents affected by the construction of the massive Belo Monte Dam project began a symbolic peaceful occupation of the dam site to "free the Xingu River." In the early morning hours, three hundred women and children arrived in the hamlet of Belo Monte on the Transamazon Highway, and marched onto a temporary earthen dam recently built to impede the flow of the Xingu River. Using pick axes and shovels, local people who are being displaced by the project removed a strip of earthen dam to restore the Xingu's natural flow.
Residents gathered in formation spelling out the words "Pare Belo Monte" meaning "Stop Belo Monte" to send a powerful message to the world prior to the gathering in Rio and demanding the cancellation of the $18 billion Belo Monte dam project (aerial photos of the human banner available upon request). Demonstrators planted five hundred native açai trees to stabilize the riverbank that has been destroyed by the initial construction of the Belo Monte dam. They also erected 200 crosses on the banks of the Xingu to honor the lives of those lost defending the Amazon.
Also this morning, hundreds of residents of Altamira held a march to the headquarters of dam-building consortium NESA. The actions are part of Xingu+23, a multi-day series of festivities, debates and actions commemorating 23 years since the residents of the Xingu first defeated the original Belo Monte dam. Residents have been gathering in the community of San Antonio, a hamlet displaced by the consortium's base of operations and in Altamira, a boomtown of 130,000 severely affected by the dam project.
Altamira, Brazil – While the Brazilian Government prepares to host the Rio+20 United Nations Earth Summit, 3,000 kilometers north in the country's Amazon region indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolk, activists and local residents affected by the construction of the massive Belo Monte Dam project began a symbolic peaceful occupation of the dam site to "free the Xingu River." In the early morning hours, three hundred women and children arrived in the hamlet of Belo Monte on the Transamazon Highway, and marched onto a temporary earthen dam recently built to impede the flow of the Xingu River. Using pick axes and shovels, local people who are being displaced by the project removed a strip of earthen dam to restore the Xingu's natural flow.
Residents gathered in formation spelling out the words "Pare Belo Monte" meaning "Stop Belo Monte" to send a powerful message to the world prior to the gathering in Rio and demanding the cancellation of the $18 billion Belo Monte dam project (aerial photos of the human banner available upon request). Demonstrators planted five hundred native açai trees to stabilize the riverbank that has been destroyed by the initial construction of the Belo Monte dam. They also erected 200 crosses on the banks of the Xingu to honor the lives of those lost defending the Amazon.
Also this morning, hundreds of residents of Altamira held a march to the headquarters of dam-building consortium NESA. The actions are part of Xingu+23, a multi-day series of festivities, debates and actions commemorating 23 years since the residents of the Xingu first defeated the original Belo Monte dam. Residents have been gathering in the community of San Antonio, a hamlet displaced by the consortium's base of operations and in Altamira, a boomtown of 130,000 severely affected by the dam project.
Antonia Melo, the coordinator of Xingu Vivo Movement said, "This battle is far from being over. This is our cry: we want this river to stay alive. This dam will not be built. We, the people who live along the banks of the Xingu, who subsist from the river, who drink from the river, and who are already suffering from of the most irresponsible projects in the history of Brazil are demanding: Stop Belo Monte."
Sheyla Juruna, a leader from the Juruna indigenous community affected by the dam said, "The time is now! The Brazilian government is killing the Xingu River and destroying the lives of indigenous peoples. We need to send a message that we have not been silenced and that this is our territory. We vow to take action in our own way to stop the Belo Monte dam.
We will defend our river until the end!"
Sheyla Juruna, a leader from the Juruna indigenous community affected by the dam said, "The time is now! The Brazilian government is killing the Xingu River and destroying the lives of indigenous peoples. We need to send a message that we have not been silenced and that this is our territory. We vow to take action in our own way to stop the Belo Monte dam.
We will defend our river until the end!"
Protestors and affected communities are highlighting the glaring gap between reality and the Brazilian government's rhetoric about Amazon dams as a source of "clean energy" for a "green economy." The Belo Monte dam is the tip of the iceberg of an unprecedented wave of 70 large dams proposed for in the Amazon Basin fueled by narrow political and economic interests, with devastating and irreversible consequences for one of the world's most precious biomes and its peoples.
A delegation of international observers and human rights advocates including Brazilian actor Sergio Marone of the Drop of Water Movement came to witness and lend visibility to the actions.
Stated to be the 3rd largest hydroelectric project in the world, Belo Monte would divert 80 percent of the Xingu River's flow through artificial canals, flooding over 600 square kilometers of rainforest while drying out a 100-kilometer stretch of the river known as the "Big Bend," which is home to hundreds of indigenous and riverine families. Though sold to the public as "clean energy," Belo Monte would generate an enormous amount of methane, a greenhouse gas 25-50 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Miller, +55-21-8380-7699, [email protected]
Atossa Soltani, +1-202-256-9795 or +55-21-8380-8050 or +55-93-9210-7211, [email protected]
Brent Millikan, +55 618-153-7009, [email protected]
Movimento Xingu Vivo, +55-11-9853-9950 or +55-93-3515-2927
http://amazonwatch.org/news/2012/0615-amazonian-communities-occupy-the-belo-monte-dam-site-to-free-the-xingu-river
A delegation of international observers and human rights advocates including Brazilian actor Sergio Marone of the Drop of Water Movement came to witness and lend visibility to the actions.
Stated to be the 3rd largest hydroelectric project in the world, Belo Monte would divert 80 percent of the Xingu River's flow through artificial canals, flooding over 600 square kilometers of rainforest while drying out a 100-kilometer stretch of the river known as the "Big Bend," which is home to hundreds of indigenous and riverine families. Though sold to the public as "clean energy," Belo Monte would generate an enormous amount of methane, a greenhouse gas 25-50 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Miller, +55-21-8380-7699, [email protected]
Atossa Soltani, +1-202-256-9795 or +55-21-8380-8050 or +55-93-9210-7211, [email protected]
Brent Millikan, +55 618-153-7009, [email protected]
Movimento Xingu Vivo, +55-11-9853-9950 or +55-93-3515-2927
http://amazonwatch.org/news/2012/0615-amazonian-communities-occupy-the-belo-monte-dam-site-to-free-the-xingu-river
Brazil targets climate victory at ‘greenest’ World Cup
Last updated on 10 June 2014, 8:02 pm
By Fabíola Ortiz in Rio de Janeiro
Government offsets emissions and hails efficient stadia, but critics warn of football greenwash
Last updated on 10 June 2014, 8:02 pm
By Fabíola Ortiz in Rio de Janeiro
Government offsets emissions and hails efficient stadia, but critics warn of football greenwash
A few days before the first ball starts rolling at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, organisers Brazil have announced the offset of its greenhouse gas emissions. Around US$ 1.5 billion is being set aside to adress the climate impacts of the world’s largest mass spectator event. The projection estimates an amount of 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 during the tournament, which runs from June 12 – July 13.
According to Carlos Klink, Brazilian Climate Change Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, the country has been undergoing a sustainable agenda for over the past three years and is leading a special mechanism to compensate carbon emissions in big events. “There was no methodolgy for big events so far. We studied the best practices in the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methodology and decided to create our own methodology with international expertise and making it in a participatory way”, stated Klink to RTCC.
The biggest challenge was to create a brand new mechanism to compensate all the emissions before the World Cup kicks off. Brazil wants to be a pioneer in the field of offsetting CO2, said Klink. The direct emissions are an estimated 60,000 tonnes of carbon. The equivalent to 520,000 tonnes of carbon credits have already been donated to the country by 11 different companies from agribusiness sector, as well as civil engineering building and steel enterprises.
Last April, Brazilian authorities launched a low carbon initiative making a call for proposals for companies willing to participate in the process of compensating the World Cup CO2 emissions by contributing with Certified Emission Reductions (CER) from projects able to neutralize greenhouse effect gases. This public appeal ends in July. This program has received the recognition from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of a global trend by organizers to green big sporting events. It encourages holders of carbon credits from the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to donate, offseting emissions from construction and renovation of stadiums, consumption of fossil fuels from official and public transport, and other sources.
The CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reductions equivalent to one tonne of CO2. Those certificates may be traded and sold in order to help industrialized countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Brazil is part of the 105 developing countries list registered aiming to deliver finance for emission-reduction projects. Klink says Brazil has already been contacted by other governments to understand how this process works, and if they can copy the process for other events.“We got much more than we needed and are really pleased for that. It’s a huge achievement because the whole methodology is transparent with the best practices worldwide. We hope this can be used as a model for big events as well as the Olympic Games”, he said.
It is likely to be the first time that 100% of the direct emissions from the World Cup are mitigated, and all of the stadiums environmentally certified, a requirement FIFA may adopt in the future. Surfing on this trend, FIFA has also estimated its carbon footprint of this largest single-sport event in the world. The period of preparations recorded 38,048 tonnes of CO2, but the total amount of the event regarding FIFA operations and matches could be around 2.7 million of tonnes of CO2.
Green business in Brazil could also benefit from this new focus on efficiency.
Certified stadiums, incentives for sustainable consumption, production and the recycling of solid waste are some ‘actions’ that are being sold in a massive green propaganda push throughout the Brazilian media. For Claudio Langone who coordinates the Sustainability Agenda from the Ministry of Sports, the greatest challenge was to build a green agenda that could beat the World Cups in South Africa (2010) and Germany (2006). “We’re not working focused only on mitigating environmental impacts. There used to be a common sense that the environmental licensing could be an obstacle for the World Cup projects specially the ones regarding infrastructure and mobility,” he told RTCC. “We faced the challenge of building up a sustainable agenda for the whole 12 cities that will host football matches, each one with a different background.”
As a condition to receive financing for the arenas, the country’s state-owned development bank (BNDES) established a requirement that all stadiums had to attain the LEED certificate (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) granted by the US Green Building Council, and recognised by more than 130 countries. This shall be the first ever World Cup to have all the football arenas with the green certification either by reusing water or energy efficiency as well as recycled materials. Two out of 12 arenas (Salvador and Fortaleza) are already certified, other six one are undergoing the certification process with the expectation of obtaining the LEED seal before the event starts next week.
And the rest of the arenas located in Porto Alegre, Natal, Cuiabá and São Paulo shall get it by the end of the year due to delays in the reforms. “All stadiums are reducing in at least one third the emissions.” Langone said. The iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the final takes place on 13 July, has been completely renovated and boasts of being a “sustainable temple”. Built for the 1950 World Cup the arena has a capacity of 78,000 people and has being showing off its water saving and rainwater storage systems to local media.
The refurbishment includes the installation of 2,500 square meters of photovoltaic panels on the surface covering the terraces generating 400,000 kW/h every year enough only to supply 3% of the stadium’s power requirements. Despite its stunning beaches and views, Rio, like many of Brazil's cities, faces tough economic and social problems
Despite its stunning beaches and views, Rio, like many of Brazil’s cities, faces tough economic and social problems.
According to Carlos Klink, Brazilian Climate Change Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, the country has been undergoing a sustainable agenda for over the past three years and is leading a special mechanism to compensate carbon emissions in big events. “There was no methodolgy for big events so far. We studied the best practices in the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methodology and decided to create our own methodology with international expertise and making it in a participatory way”, stated Klink to RTCC.
The biggest challenge was to create a brand new mechanism to compensate all the emissions before the World Cup kicks off. Brazil wants to be a pioneer in the field of offsetting CO2, said Klink. The direct emissions are an estimated 60,000 tonnes of carbon. The equivalent to 520,000 tonnes of carbon credits have already been donated to the country by 11 different companies from agribusiness sector, as well as civil engineering building and steel enterprises.
Last April, Brazilian authorities launched a low carbon initiative making a call for proposals for companies willing to participate in the process of compensating the World Cup CO2 emissions by contributing with Certified Emission Reductions (CER) from projects able to neutralize greenhouse effect gases. This public appeal ends in July. This program has received the recognition from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of a global trend by organizers to green big sporting events. It encourages holders of carbon credits from the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to donate, offseting emissions from construction and renovation of stadiums, consumption of fossil fuels from official and public transport, and other sources.
The CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reductions equivalent to one tonne of CO2. Those certificates may be traded and sold in order to help industrialized countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Brazil is part of the 105 developing countries list registered aiming to deliver finance for emission-reduction projects. Klink says Brazil has already been contacted by other governments to understand how this process works, and if they can copy the process for other events.“We got much more than we needed and are really pleased for that. It’s a huge achievement because the whole methodology is transparent with the best practices worldwide. We hope this can be used as a model for big events as well as the Olympic Games”, he said.
It is likely to be the first time that 100% of the direct emissions from the World Cup are mitigated, and all of the stadiums environmentally certified, a requirement FIFA may adopt in the future. Surfing on this trend, FIFA has also estimated its carbon footprint of this largest single-sport event in the world. The period of preparations recorded 38,048 tonnes of CO2, but the total amount of the event regarding FIFA operations and matches could be around 2.7 million of tonnes of CO2.
Green business in Brazil could also benefit from this new focus on efficiency.
Certified stadiums, incentives for sustainable consumption, production and the recycling of solid waste are some ‘actions’ that are being sold in a massive green propaganda push throughout the Brazilian media. For Claudio Langone who coordinates the Sustainability Agenda from the Ministry of Sports, the greatest challenge was to build a green agenda that could beat the World Cups in South Africa (2010) and Germany (2006). “We’re not working focused only on mitigating environmental impacts. There used to be a common sense that the environmental licensing could be an obstacle for the World Cup projects specially the ones regarding infrastructure and mobility,” he told RTCC. “We faced the challenge of building up a sustainable agenda for the whole 12 cities that will host football matches, each one with a different background.”
As a condition to receive financing for the arenas, the country’s state-owned development bank (BNDES) established a requirement that all stadiums had to attain the LEED certificate (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) granted by the US Green Building Council, and recognised by more than 130 countries. This shall be the first ever World Cup to have all the football arenas with the green certification either by reusing water or energy efficiency as well as recycled materials. Two out of 12 arenas (Salvador and Fortaleza) are already certified, other six one are undergoing the certification process with the expectation of obtaining the LEED seal before the event starts next week.
And the rest of the arenas located in Porto Alegre, Natal, Cuiabá and São Paulo shall get it by the end of the year due to delays in the reforms. “All stadiums are reducing in at least one third the emissions.” Langone said. The iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the final takes place on 13 July, has been completely renovated and boasts of being a “sustainable temple”. Built for the 1950 World Cup the arena has a capacity of 78,000 people and has being showing off its water saving and rainwater storage systems to local media.
The refurbishment includes the installation of 2,500 square meters of photovoltaic panels on the surface covering the terraces generating 400,000 kW/h every year enough only to supply 3% of the stadium’s power requirements. Despite its stunning beaches and views, Rio, like many of Brazil's cities, faces tough economic and social problems
Despite its stunning beaches and views, Rio, like many of Brazil’s cities, faces tough economic and social problems.
World Cup 2014 in 22 photos - Anti-Fifa Graffiti Collection
http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=14459
http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=14459
But not everyone is convinced by Brazil’s new green drive.
The economist consultant for the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and member of the Brazilian Network of Environmental Information (REBIA) Luiz Prado says is very skeptical about the whole set of green marketing policies that is being announced. “The stadiums are equipped with the minimum capacity of capture and water reuse. We’re in the absurd situation of growing the grass pitch with artificial lightning despite being in a tropical country. This artificial light costs at least US$ 45,000 every month. We don’t have any sustainable stadiums at all”, he said.
Prado argues that he finds it difficult to discover a trace of sustainability in the whole event. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, his great concern is regarding transportation due to the reason there will be over 800,000 tourists visiting the city. The mobility package for this famous Brazilian city has prioritized Bus Rapid Transit (BRTs) corridors as a way of improving urban circulation.
The most recent BRT launched was Transcarioca in 4 June and the far most expensive project spent for the whole World Cup preparations. This BRT with 39 km of extension connecting international airport to satellite sites had an initial estimated cost of US$ 710 million, but had its budget increased by nearly US$ 1 billion. “You don’t reach the ariport by subway, if you arrive from an international flight with your luggage and take a bus that will go through 27 neighbourhoods (47 stations) to the final stop which is a bus terminal, you still won’t be able to reach where you need to, the hotels in the coastal area of the city”, he said.
According to Prado, lack of transparency was the biggest mistake committed while planning. “The authorities did not calculate the real costs. No alternative has never being presented to the society,” he added.
REPORT: Brazil asks for free offsets to ‘green’ 2014 FIFA World Cup
The push for a ‘green’ World Cup comes at a critical time for the country, which on Monday had its estimates for 2014 economic growth cut from 1.50% to 1.44%. The government is battling deep social inequality issues in many of its big cities, and trying to balance development while protecting the environment. A recent paper in the journal Science argued that since 2004, farmers spared over 86,000 square kilometers of rainforests, close to 14.3 million soccer fields, from clear-cutting.
“Saving these forests amounts to a 70% decline in deforestation and 3.2 billion tons of CO2 kept out of the atmosphere. The decline in deforestation in 2013 alone represented a 1.5% reduction in global emissions for that year,” said the study.
But the scientists warn that as global demand for soy and beef starts to increase, the government will need to explore new measures to protect the Amazon. From 1999-2004, rainforests were cut down at alarming rates, with areas the size of the US state of Vermont cut down each year from 2002 to 2004.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/10/brazil-targets-climate-victory-at-greenest-world-cup
The economist consultant for the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and member of the Brazilian Network of Environmental Information (REBIA) Luiz Prado says is very skeptical about the whole set of green marketing policies that is being announced. “The stadiums are equipped with the minimum capacity of capture and water reuse. We’re in the absurd situation of growing the grass pitch with artificial lightning despite being in a tropical country. This artificial light costs at least US$ 45,000 every month. We don’t have any sustainable stadiums at all”, he said.
Prado argues that he finds it difficult to discover a trace of sustainability in the whole event. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, his great concern is regarding transportation due to the reason there will be over 800,000 tourists visiting the city. The mobility package for this famous Brazilian city has prioritized Bus Rapid Transit (BRTs) corridors as a way of improving urban circulation.
The most recent BRT launched was Transcarioca in 4 June and the far most expensive project spent for the whole World Cup preparations. This BRT with 39 km of extension connecting international airport to satellite sites had an initial estimated cost of US$ 710 million, but had its budget increased by nearly US$ 1 billion. “You don’t reach the ariport by subway, if you arrive from an international flight with your luggage and take a bus that will go through 27 neighbourhoods (47 stations) to the final stop which is a bus terminal, you still won’t be able to reach where you need to, the hotels in the coastal area of the city”, he said.
According to Prado, lack of transparency was the biggest mistake committed while planning. “The authorities did not calculate the real costs. No alternative has never being presented to the society,” he added.
REPORT: Brazil asks for free offsets to ‘green’ 2014 FIFA World Cup
The push for a ‘green’ World Cup comes at a critical time for the country, which on Monday had its estimates for 2014 economic growth cut from 1.50% to 1.44%. The government is battling deep social inequality issues in many of its big cities, and trying to balance development while protecting the environment. A recent paper in the journal Science argued that since 2004, farmers spared over 86,000 square kilometers of rainforests, close to 14.3 million soccer fields, from clear-cutting.
“Saving these forests amounts to a 70% decline in deforestation and 3.2 billion tons of CO2 kept out of the atmosphere. The decline in deforestation in 2013 alone represented a 1.5% reduction in global emissions for that year,” said the study.
But the scientists warn that as global demand for soy and beef starts to increase, the government will need to explore new measures to protect the Amazon. From 1999-2004, rainforests were cut down at alarming rates, with areas the size of the US state of Vermont cut down each year from 2002 to 2004.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/10/brazil-targets-climate-victory-at-greenest-world-cup
The future starts now,’ Ban says at launch of UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All
5 June 2014
Launching the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today hailed modern energy services as the source of profound and life-changing opportunities – for the poorest communities and the richest investors – and urged generating the innovative ideas and vital partnerships to wholly transform the global energy landscape.
“We are here because we understand that sustainable energy is central to the post-2015 sustainable development agenda,” the UN chief told the first annual Sustainable Energy for All Forum, which opened yesterday in New York and wraps up tomorrow, aiming to generate momentum for Mr. Ban’s eponymous 2011 initiative that brings together governments, civil society and business to make sustainable energy for all a reality by 2030.
The Forum, which sets the stage for the launch of the UN Decade (2014-2024), was also addressed by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (by video) and John Ashe, President of the UN General Assembly, which designated the Decade as a vehicle to increase advocacy and action. Kandeh Yumkella, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and CEO of SE4ALL (Sustainable Energy for All), announced that the initial two years of the Decade would be focused on a campaign for energy access for women and children’s health. He said that while energy is a global issue, in many places, it is a woman’s issue. It can mean the difference between safety and fear, freedom and servitude, and even life and death. “The world must come together to end energy poverty and ensure that the poor can manage their lives and thrive economically.”
“The Sustainable Energy for All initiative is maturing and bearing fruit – thanks to you,” Mr. Ban told the Forum, noting that commitments worth many billions of dollars have been pledged and delivered. More than 80 developing countries have joined the initiative. From India to Brazil a growing number of people have light and power where there was none before.
“From NGOs to multilateral development banks, we are working together for a common goal,” said the Secretary-General, recalling that the initiative had set three targets: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, all by 2030.
“Our efforts so far show that these objectives are realistic. Our focus now must be to achieve them,” he said, noting that while some 30 countries have announced relevant action agendas this year, the declaration of the UN Decade will provide an “extra boost.” Indeed, Mr. Ban explained that the Decade can bring the world closer to the goals of universal energy and a life of dignity and opportunity for all. “Modern energy services are the key to changing people’s quality of life. Clinics can store life-saving vaccines. Children can study after dark. Cleaner cookstoves can save the lives of millions of women and children every year. Electricity can power street-lights that will make women safer,” he said.
“The benefits will be felt throughout society in all countries. That is why we must continue to build our initiative and bring more partners and stakeholders aboard,” he said, adding that the Forum should be seen as an annual meeting place for the global energy community. “Here we can shape a new energy future. That future starts now.” Looking forward to the 23 September climate summit in New York, the Secretary-General said, “The more you bring in terms of concrete deliverables, the more we can achieve towards our objectives, and the better we can support global efforts to combat climate change and strengthen resilience. I count on all actors here today to deliver new and expanded commitments and partnerships that will transform the global energy landscape.”
In his remarks, Mr. Ashe said the history of the development of modern society is inextricably intertwined with the story of the development of energy and its impact on the natural, social and economic environments. From climate change to agriculture and from gender equality to health, he said, access to sustainable energy clearly impacts all dimensions of sustainable human development. Energy is woven into the fabric of human life at all levels, and all people and all nations need access to energy to grow and prosper. But it is precisely for this reason that the crippling lack of access to sustainable energy services is so important to address at this point in time, he said. “As we prepare to usher in a new development paradigm in the post-2015 era, the issue of sustainable energy for all must form an integral part of our deliberations on shaping a sustainable future,” he declared, referring to the ongoing UN-led effort to craft a global development agenda to succeed the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/2014/06/05/the-future-starts-now-ban-says-at-launch-of-un-decade-of-sustainable-energy-for-all
“We are here because we understand that sustainable energy is central to the post-2015 sustainable development agenda,” the UN chief told the first annual Sustainable Energy for All Forum, which opened yesterday in New York and wraps up tomorrow, aiming to generate momentum for Mr. Ban’s eponymous 2011 initiative that brings together governments, civil society and business to make sustainable energy for all a reality by 2030.
The Forum, which sets the stage for the launch of the UN Decade (2014-2024), was also addressed by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (by video) and John Ashe, President of the UN General Assembly, which designated the Decade as a vehicle to increase advocacy and action. Kandeh Yumkella, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and CEO of SE4ALL (Sustainable Energy for All), announced that the initial two years of the Decade would be focused on a campaign for energy access for women and children’s health. He said that while energy is a global issue, in many places, it is a woman’s issue. It can mean the difference between safety and fear, freedom and servitude, and even life and death. “The world must come together to end energy poverty and ensure that the poor can manage their lives and thrive economically.”
“The Sustainable Energy for All initiative is maturing and bearing fruit – thanks to you,” Mr. Ban told the Forum, noting that commitments worth many billions of dollars have been pledged and delivered. More than 80 developing countries have joined the initiative. From India to Brazil a growing number of people have light and power where there was none before.
“From NGOs to multilateral development banks, we are working together for a common goal,” said the Secretary-General, recalling that the initiative had set three targets: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, all by 2030.
“Our efforts so far show that these objectives are realistic. Our focus now must be to achieve them,” he said, noting that while some 30 countries have announced relevant action agendas this year, the declaration of the UN Decade will provide an “extra boost.” Indeed, Mr. Ban explained that the Decade can bring the world closer to the goals of universal energy and a life of dignity and opportunity for all. “Modern energy services are the key to changing people’s quality of life. Clinics can store life-saving vaccines. Children can study after dark. Cleaner cookstoves can save the lives of millions of women and children every year. Electricity can power street-lights that will make women safer,” he said.
“The benefits will be felt throughout society in all countries. That is why we must continue to build our initiative and bring more partners and stakeholders aboard,” he said, adding that the Forum should be seen as an annual meeting place for the global energy community. “Here we can shape a new energy future. That future starts now.” Looking forward to the 23 September climate summit in New York, the Secretary-General said, “The more you bring in terms of concrete deliverables, the more we can achieve towards our objectives, and the better we can support global efforts to combat climate change and strengthen resilience. I count on all actors here today to deliver new and expanded commitments and partnerships that will transform the global energy landscape.”
In his remarks, Mr. Ashe said the history of the development of modern society is inextricably intertwined with the story of the development of energy and its impact on the natural, social and economic environments. From climate change to agriculture and from gender equality to health, he said, access to sustainable energy clearly impacts all dimensions of sustainable human development. Energy is woven into the fabric of human life at all levels, and all people and all nations need access to energy to grow and prosper. But it is precisely for this reason that the crippling lack of access to sustainable energy services is so important to address at this point in time, he said. “As we prepare to usher in a new development paradigm in the post-2015 era, the issue of sustainable energy for all must form an integral part of our deliberations on shaping a sustainable future,” he declared, referring to the ongoing UN-led effort to craft a global development agenda to succeed the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/2014/06/05/the-future-starts-now-ban-says-at-launch-of-un-decade-of-sustainable-energy-for-all
Obama and EPA Release Historic Carbon Reduction Plan to Fight Climate Change
Brandon Baker
June 2, 2014 10:06 am
For the first time in U.S. history, an administration has proposed rules to cut carbon-dioxide emissions from existing power plants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that existing plants reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent—compared to 2005 levels—by 2030. Coal-fired power plants are responsible for about 40 percent of the country’s emissions and collectively constitute the nation’s single-largest source of greenhouse gas pollution. If reached, that goal would represent “net climate and health benefits” of $48 billion to $82 billion, according to the EPA’s 645-page document. Despite that reduction, coal and natural gas would still remain the country’s top two sources of energy, combining for more than 60 percent of the grid, the EPA projects.
Though the carbon rule represents a monumental moment many environmentalists have been awaiting, it remains a proposal until June 2015, when the open period for revisions and public comment ends. Still, optimism arose Monday for the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s climate action plan. “The President promised he would act to tackle the climate crisis and protect the health of our children and grandchildren—and he is keeping his word,” Michael Brune, executive director of the 2.4 million-member Sierra Club said prior to the rules’ unveiling. “These aren’t just the first-ever protections to clean up carbon pollution from power plants, they represent the largest single step any President has ever taken to fight climate disruption.”
Emissions dropped by about 10 percent from 2005 to 2012, which is a “good start” when coupled with advances in renewable energy and efficiency programs, Obama said. Still, the rules are needed for the country to do its part in curbing climate change, scientists have warned about for years. “Right now, there are no national limits to the amount of carbon pollution that existing plants can pump into the air we breathe—none,” Obama said in his national address Saturday. “We limit the amount of toxic chemicals like mercury, sulfur and arsenic that power plants put in our air and water. But they can dump unlimited amounts of carbon pollution into the air. “It’s not smart, it’s not safe, and it doesn’t make sense.”
The EPA believes researchers and developers, as well as individual cities and states, have shown that the 30-percent target is achievable because current innovations in electricity and sustainability. Just last week the solar energy sector celebrated dominating the first quarter of 2014 with 74 percent of all new energy capacity. “This is a critical first step toward the U.S. meeting its obligations as a good global citizen to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dr. Michael E. Mann, an author and director of Penn State University’s Earth System Science Center.
Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the proposal an opportunity for the nation to continue its increased deployment of renewable energy.
“When it comes to environmental protection, today is a defining moment in American history,” Resch said. “As a nation, we’re poised to finally turn the page from sooty smokestacks to sunnier skies—and America’s solar energy industry is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the fight against climate change.
“At their very heart, the proposed new EPA regulations provide a common sense and flexible approach to reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. They also can serve as a roadmap for future renewable energy policy in America.”
The House of Representatives and coal industry are largely expected to push back on the rule, particularly as the November elections approach. While clean energy advocates and legislators who support their cause will argue about the positive impact the rule will have on the air we breathe, opposers will focus on the potential for job losses. Governors in coal-heavy states like West Virginia, Kentucky and Kansas have already directing their state environmental agencies to craft their own carbon emission plans that focus on compliance costs for individual power plants, the Associated Press reported.
Greenpeace USA Climate and Energy Campaign Director Gabe Wisniewski says pushback regarding the rule’s potential economic impact from the industry, legislators and lobbyists like the American Legislative Exchange Council is to be expected, though, it will likely make little sense. “The most successful and innovative businesses in the country are sprinting to adopt efficient, renewable energy,” he said in a statement. “Leading technology companies like Apple, Facebook and Google have all committed to power with 100-percent renewable energy, and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies are joining them.”
The Hip Hop Caucus, which played a crucial role in inspiring the youth vote in recent elections, also expressed approval of the rule proposal. “For the civil right generation and the post-civil right generation—named the Hip Hop generation by many—solving climate change is a 21st century civil rights struggle,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., the group’s president and CEO. “The creation of carbon pollution standards is best for all of America. We must protect all of our citizens—rich and poor, women and men, the elderly and children, those of all races—from health- and life-threatening pollution. “Carbon pollution standards for existing power plants are about making our country the best it can be.” Some groups were supportive of the proposal, but said it was a little too late and could have done more.
“Waterkeeper Alliance is supportive of President Obama’s actions today to cut carbon emissions and protect the environment,” said Donna Lisenby, the organization’s global coal campaign coordinator. “The rulemaking comes late in the Obama Presidency and doesn’t go as far as we’d like, but it’s welcome news for our nation’s rivers and environment.
“We would have preferred a stronger rulemaking that took effect immediately and required deeper carbon cuts, but this action is welcome news for everyone who respects and appreciates the value of our nation’s threatened waterways and the health of our planet.”
Is the “World Cup of all World Cups” a social powder keg for Brazil?
Posted on June 2, 2014
“What could’ve been robbed has already been stolen”.
So goes a recent and famous repost by Joana Havelange, an Executive of the Local Organising Committee, about the World Cup and corruption. This more or less sets the tone of the current national mood concerning the World Cup, and Brazilian newspapers are guessing that this neat sound bite might turn into a slogan for the entire event.
As Brazil edges closer to what will be one of the biggest events the country has seen in years, there’s a bubbling sensation akin to a match-box that’s waiting to strike up into one big ball of fire – suddenly and fiercely. #NãoVaiTerCopa, “No World Cup”, has engraved itself into social media sites and can be seen as graffiti on the walls of host cities across Brazil. Instead of eliciting joy and excitement, the World Cup has put Brazil on tenterhooks.
I tend to take taxis when I travel for work around Brazil, and these short trips in the car provide great moments for a relaxed chat with a local. So far, in the six host cities I’ve recently visited, all but one taxi driver out of 20 or so expressed a sense of excitement. Most responses are angry, referring to the event as horrible, corrupt, unnecessary and not a priority.
Stadiums are ivory towers with little connection to their local environment
Across host cities, World Cup stadiums pierce the cityscape like shiny ivory towers, oddly unfitting to the surrounding environment. Whilst in Fortaleza, a taxi took me from the airport into town and we drove straight past the stadium. It was impressive, and so was one of the main avenues that had been completely demolished, now just a river of mud and dirt, months behind schedule. The airport terminal promised for the World Cup was also a mere pile of bricks with some lead sticking out of foundation pillars. “So is that piece of junk going to be delivered as promised after the World Cup?” the taxi driver said as he jerked his thumb at the sort-of-started-but-not-really new airport terminal, “it probably won’t, as the rest of the stuff they promised”.
Some of the most expensive shiny new stadiums have been built in host cities that don’t even have a decent football team like Brasília, Manaus and Cuiabá. Locals wonder who will foot the bill for maintenance costs and if they will ever fill the stadiums again after the event. Built to world-class, expensive FIFA standards, the legacy of the World Cup stadiums remains unclear, given many will be handed over to the private sector, therefore losing the opportunity for public-centred activities within the stadiums. As urbanist and academic Christopher Gaffney points out on his blog: “of the nine stadiums fully constructed with public money, seven have been handed over to Public Private Partnerships and Manaus and Cuiabá are desperately trying to find elephant trainers. Why doesn’t the government demand that these stadiums have public schools or emergency care centers inside them? Why can´t we make them multi-functional, integrated elements of the social and urban fabrics?”.
protestos-copa
During the opening match of the World Cup, Dilma and Blatter from FIFA were welcomed by voracious booing that filled the stadium. Yet Fans showed with equal vigour their love and support for their national team. That the stadium played host to both booing and support demonstrates Brazilians’ love-hate relationship with the World Cup. The national and international protest against FIFA has reached such as extent that the organisation felt obliged to publish an FAQ that aims to clarify accusations directed at FIFA, which fails to mention important drivers such as the FIFA standards for stadiums, which cater to luxury and result in expensive stadiums.
Brazilians are pissed off and are slowly but surely gaining courage to show it – including on President Dilma’s Twitter page (a great 101 lesson into Brazilian insults and offensive humour, btw). In this new republic that’s still acclimatising to democracy, Brazilians are reclaiming spaces and growing their collective voice, despite facing police brutality.
So goes a recent and famous repost by Joana Havelange, an Executive of the Local Organising Committee, about the World Cup and corruption. This more or less sets the tone of the current national mood concerning the World Cup, and Brazilian newspapers are guessing that this neat sound bite might turn into a slogan for the entire event.
As Brazil edges closer to what will be one of the biggest events the country has seen in years, there’s a bubbling sensation akin to a match-box that’s waiting to strike up into one big ball of fire – suddenly and fiercely. #NãoVaiTerCopa, “No World Cup”, has engraved itself into social media sites and can be seen as graffiti on the walls of host cities across Brazil. Instead of eliciting joy and excitement, the World Cup has put Brazil on tenterhooks.
I tend to take taxis when I travel for work around Brazil, and these short trips in the car provide great moments for a relaxed chat with a local. So far, in the six host cities I’ve recently visited, all but one taxi driver out of 20 or so expressed a sense of excitement. Most responses are angry, referring to the event as horrible, corrupt, unnecessary and not a priority.
Stadiums are ivory towers with little connection to their local environment
Across host cities, World Cup stadiums pierce the cityscape like shiny ivory towers, oddly unfitting to the surrounding environment. Whilst in Fortaleza, a taxi took me from the airport into town and we drove straight past the stadium. It was impressive, and so was one of the main avenues that had been completely demolished, now just a river of mud and dirt, months behind schedule. The airport terminal promised for the World Cup was also a mere pile of bricks with some lead sticking out of foundation pillars. “So is that piece of junk going to be delivered as promised after the World Cup?” the taxi driver said as he jerked his thumb at the sort-of-started-but-not-really new airport terminal, “it probably won’t, as the rest of the stuff they promised”.
Some of the most expensive shiny new stadiums have been built in host cities that don’t even have a decent football team like Brasília, Manaus and Cuiabá. Locals wonder who will foot the bill for maintenance costs and if they will ever fill the stadiums again after the event. Built to world-class, expensive FIFA standards, the legacy of the World Cup stadiums remains unclear, given many will be handed over to the private sector, therefore losing the opportunity for public-centred activities within the stadiums. As urbanist and academic Christopher Gaffney points out on his blog: “of the nine stadiums fully constructed with public money, seven have been handed over to Public Private Partnerships and Manaus and Cuiabá are desperately trying to find elephant trainers. Why doesn’t the government demand that these stadiums have public schools or emergency care centers inside them? Why can´t we make them multi-functional, integrated elements of the social and urban fabrics?”.
protestos-copa
During the opening match of the World Cup, Dilma and Blatter from FIFA were welcomed by voracious booing that filled the stadium. Yet Fans showed with equal vigour their love and support for their national team. That the stadium played host to both booing and support demonstrates Brazilians’ love-hate relationship with the World Cup. The national and international protest against FIFA has reached such as extent that the organisation felt obliged to publish an FAQ that aims to clarify accusations directed at FIFA, which fails to mention important drivers such as the FIFA standards for stadiums, which cater to luxury and result in expensive stadiums.
Brazilians are pissed off and are slowly but surely gaining courage to show it – including on President Dilma’s Twitter page (a great 101 lesson into Brazilian insults and offensive humour, btw). In this new republic that’s still acclimatising to democracy, Brazilians are reclaiming spaces and growing their collective voice, despite facing police brutality.
Forever the “country of the future”?
And the Brazilian people have legitimate reasons too – with São Paulo’s population facing a severe water shortage crisis, 7 million people lacking basic sanitation, less than 20% of all committed infrastructure projects complete, and a government and police force that is getting ready to treat protestors as terrorists, it’s unlikely we’re going to be samba-ing our way to the stadiums. In the face of such issues, a World Cup hardly seems a priority, yet the government continues to invest more in stadiums than public health or education.
The World Cup was an opportunity for the “country of the future” to finally break through the developing ranks, emerge and shine amongst the new world. Brazilians were excited with the long list of promises attached to the World Cup. So whilst this event could have spurred growth, completed much-needed infrastructure projects and provided basic services to a growing middle class, Brazilians feel that they have been let down once again. As a taxi driver in São Paulo told me: “It’s as if we have forever been rowing against the tide, and I’m unsure how long I can go on.”
It’s no longer about the football
With a history of corruption, Brazilians sense they have been robbed yet again. Undelivered commitments and empty promises fuelled the social unrest we saw last year in June. With an upcoming national election in October after 12 years of PT rule (Worker’s Party), this World Cup isn’t about football; it’s more than a sporting event. This World Cup is a politically defining moment for Brazilian power structures and society, and is the Brazilian people’s opportunity to taken on more political driving force.
http://katerinaelias.wordpress.com/category/brazil-2
And the Brazilian people have legitimate reasons too – with São Paulo’s population facing a severe water shortage crisis, 7 million people lacking basic sanitation, less than 20% of all committed infrastructure projects complete, and a government and police force that is getting ready to treat protestors as terrorists, it’s unlikely we’re going to be samba-ing our way to the stadiums. In the face of such issues, a World Cup hardly seems a priority, yet the government continues to invest more in stadiums than public health or education.
The World Cup was an opportunity for the “country of the future” to finally break through the developing ranks, emerge and shine amongst the new world. Brazilians were excited with the long list of promises attached to the World Cup. So whilst this event could have spurred growth, completed much-needed infrastructure projects and provided basic services to a growing middle class, Brazilians feel that they have been let down once again. As a taxi driver in São Paulo told me: “It’s as if we have forever been rowing against the tide, and I’m unsure how long I can go on.”
It’s no longer about the football
With a history of corruption, Brazilians sense they have been robbed yet again. Undelivered commitments and empty promises fuelled the social unrest we saw last year in June. With an upcoming national election in October after 12 years of PT rule (Worker’s Party), this World Cup isn’t about football; it’s more than a sporting event. This World Cup is a politically defining moment for Brazilian power structures and society, and is the Brazilian people’s opportunity to taken on more political driving force.
http://katerinaelias.wordpress.com/category/brazil-2
Brazil drought fuels World Cup blackouts fear
Last updated on 30 May 2014, 7:36 am
By Kieran Cooke
Water reserves at hydropower plants, which produce 70% of country’s power are now at record lows
With only two weeks to go before the football World Cup kicks off in Brazil, the country’s worst drought in decades is severely reducing hydropower energy supplies as climate researchers warn of a serious trend that is also hitting agriculture.
Although recent rains have brought some relief, many parts of Brazil are in the grip of the most severe drought for years, and temperatures have been unusually high. In many areas, reservoirs at hydro plants – which produce about 70% of Brazil’s power – are at record lows. São Paulo state in the south-east, where the World Cup’s opening game will be staged on June 12, is home to more than 43 million people and is the country’s economic powerhouse. But it has been experiencing its worst drought since rainfall records began in 1930. In order to keep the lights on, the government of President Dilma Rousseff has been desperately upping energy supplies from thermal power stations. But fears persist that blackouts will hit during the World Cup.
Although recent rains have brought some relief, many parts of Brazil are in the grip of the most severe drought for years, and temperatures have been unusually high. In many areas, reservoirs at hydro plants – which produce about 70% of Brazil’s power – are at record lows. São Paulo state in the south-east, where the World Cup’s opening game will be staged on June 12, is home to more than 43 million people and is the country’s economic powerhouse. But it has been experiencing its worst drought since rainfall records began in 1930. In order to keep the lights on, the government of President Dilma Rousseff has been desperately upping energy supplies from thermal power stations. But fears persist that blackouts will hit during the World Cup.
World Cup 2014 in 22 photos - Anti-Fifa Graffiti Collection
http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=14459
http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=14459
Public anger
If that happens, it’s likely to add to the anger felt by many Brazilians about the billions of dollars being spent on facilities for the football tournament – and on staging the Olympics next year. To ward off public discontent, the government has been forced to spend the equivalent of more than US$5 billion to subsidise utilities that are having to replace hydro power with more expensive oil, coal and natural gas. Analysts say consumers will have to pay substantially more for their energy, although price hikes are likely to be delayed until after elections in October. The government has also dismissed the idea of power rationing – for now at least. While the government worries about power supplies, Brazil’s agriculture sector – which accounts for about 25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product – is suffering potentially long-lasting drought damage.
Professor Hilton Silveira Pinto is a climate researcher at the Centre for Meteorological and Climate Research Applied to Agriculture at the University of Campinas. He told the Bloomberg news service: “This is a taste of what is to come in the future.”
Abandon lands
A study co-authored by Pinto warns that large numbers of farmers could be forced to abandon their lands and migrate to more temperate areas as temperatures rise. Coffee growers in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais in the south-east have seen their crops fail due to record high temperatures, combined with drought conditions. In Bahia state and other areas in the north-east of Brazil, farmers have lost crops and large numbers of livestock as the drought has persisted. The study says projected future warming trends indicate that Brazil’s overall production of soybeans could decline by as much as 24% by 2020, with wheat production dropping even further.
That’s not just bad news for Brazil and millions of its farmers. Over recent decades, Brazil has emerged as one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, and is now the number one exporter of soybeans, beef, sugar, orange juice − and, of course, coffee. Prices of these goods are set to rise internationally, so Brazil’s changing climate and its drought is likely to have an impact not just on World Cup football.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/05/30/brazil-drought-fuels-world-cup-blackouts-fear
A study co-authored by Pinto warns that large numbers of farmers could be forced to abandon their lands and migrate to more temperate areas as temperatures rise. Coffee growers in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais in the south-east have seen their crops fail due to record high temperatures, combined with drought conditions. In Bahia state and other areas in the north-east of Brazil, farmers have lost crops and large numbers of livestock as the drought has persisted. The study says projected future warming trends indicate that Brazil’s overall production of soybeans could decline by as much as 24% by 2020, with wheat production dropping even further.
That’s not just bad news for Brazil and millions of its farmers. Over recent decades, Brazil has emerged as one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, and is now the number one exporter of soybeans, beef, sugar, orange juice − and, of course, coffee. Prices of these goods are set to rise internationally, so Brazil’s changing climate and its drought is likely to have an impact not just on World Cup football.
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/05/30/brazil-drought-fuels-world-cup-blackouts-fear