News from Lima

A good idea of what is gaining on in Lima is show on the Guardian web site at this link:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2014/dec/05/highlights-from-week-one-at-the-lima-climate-talks-in-pictures




You might prefer to go to the UN web site for information:

 http://unfccc.int/meetings/lima_dec_2014/meeting/8141.php

Big week for global climate change! Article by Graham Readfern in the Guardian

From the web, 19th

http://gu.com/p/43dxd/sbl

Extract

Next stop Lima

The next major deal to limit greenhouse gas emissions is scheduled to be signed at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) meeting in Paris in December 2015. 

But to avoid the crashing failures of past negotiations (remember Copenhagen), negotiators and the UN will want to see major progress on that deal’s framework at COP20 in Lima, Peru, starting in two weeks time (I’ll be there for most of the second week).

During the last major meeting in Warsaw, Australia emerged with a new reputation for slowing the process down and lacking ambition, which Australian negotiators rejected.

The G20 Communiqué pointed to COP21 and said the G20 would “encourage” nations to confirm their targets for cutting emissions before March next year. 

The European Union has already said it will cut emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2030 but the deal is not considered to be watertight.

The US now has its target to cut emissions from where they were in 2005 by between 26 per cent and 28 per cent by 2025.

Pressure is now mounting on Australia to commit its targets to paper by March, although it could conceivably delay. 

This is a major stumbling block for Australia.

Most analysts say the government’s $2.5 billion Direct Action Policy will fall well short of the unconditional target of cutting emissions from their 2000 levels by five cent by the year 2020. 

Environment Minister Greg Hunt insists the scheme will deliver. Tony Abbott has said if it doesn’t he will not make any more money available.

But if Australia is to stand by its UN pledge to keep global warming below 2C then it will need to commit to targets soon. 

But currently there is a large blank space where a credible climate policy should be.

Only One Earth

In case you haven't noticed , there is another chance for the world leaders to get to grips with climate change. What this press notice ( below)  doesn't say is that we all must decide how we are going to stop ruining our planet!

On a  more cheerful note , I took this photo in our meadow in June. A furry caterpillar  ( no idea what species it is!) on a newly flowering wild  Pyramidal Orchid

Now for the news!

UN Climate Summit 2014

Climate change is not a far-off problem. It is happening now and is having very real consequences on people’s lives. Climate change is disrupting national economies, costing us dearly today and even more tomorrow.  But there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions are available now that will enable us all to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies.

There is a sense that change is in the air. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders, from government, finance, business, and civil society to Climate Summit 2014 this 23 September to galvanize and catalyze climate action.  He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. Climate Summit 2014 provides a unique opportunity for leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in action that will enable a meaningful global agreement in 2015.

Everyone can step up and take climate action. Visit the UN Climate Summit site to find out how. #climate2014

Article By        Louise Gray,     Environment Correspondent

( The Telegraph)

7:00AM GMT 13 Dec 2012

You can read this article by clicking on the link above.

"Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, is considering merging the work of Natural England and the Environment Agency as part of the “bonfire of the quangos”.

The Wildlife Trusts fear this will lead to a cut in staff and budgets, threatening key programmes to protect rare species.

Even more seriously, the review suggests that Natural England should “support and contribute to the Government's aims and priorities as effectively as possible".

But legal advice commissioned by the RSPB points out that this clashes with NE’s original purpose, that is "to ensure that the natural environment is conserved.”

Mike Clarke, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said the review threatened the independence of NE and therefore its ability to stand up to the Government on controversial planning decisions."

Just seen this news item. I must do some more research on it!

Reflections of a Curlew: Welcome to the Anthropocene

Here is a link to a very interesting Blog. I would be pleased to read  any comments you may feel able to share with me.


Reflections of a Curlew: Welcome to the Anthropocene