Climate change enlightenment was fun while it lasted. But now it’s dead

George Monbiot writing in the Guardian, 20 Sep 2010. The closer it comes, the worse it looks. The best outcome anyone now expects from December’s climate summit in Mexico is that some delegates might stay awake during the meetings. When talks fail once, as they did in Copenhagen, governments lose interest. They don’t want to be associated with failure, they don’t want to pour time and energy into a broken process. Nine years after the world trade negotiations moved to Mexico after failing in Qatar, they remain in diplomatic limbo. Nothing in the preparations for the climate talks suggests any other outcome.

Dartmoor & Exmoor Low Carbon Festival 2010

Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival 2010, 06 – 10 October – Exmoor, 09 – 10 October – Dartmoor, Family fun days, a food festival, an eco-fashion event, a variety of guided walks and tours plus a series offree community events are on offer at this year’s Low Carbon Festival on Exmoor and Dartmoor. The Festival follows on from the success of the inaugural Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival in 2009. A series of free events and guided tours across both National Parks will highlight what measures are being taken to reduce carbon emissions and how we can adapt to the ever growing pressures on our resources.

Local talk on offsetting carbon emissions

“Wondered about offsetting your carbon emissions? Why, how, and does it make sense anyway?”. Thursday 9th September. The Community Club (opp Post Office) Moretonhampstead. Talk starts 7.30pm. Come early for home-grown Refreshments. Talk and Refreshments – Free. Moreton Action Group for Sustainability (MAGS) is hosting this talk by inspirational thinker, speaker, and practical engineering-based Antony Turner. The current theory and practise of carbon offsetting is a contentious subject which Antony will put in perspective, summarize and give us his conclusions based on his own work in this area over the last 7 years. Anyone who is interested in reducing carbon emissions is very welcome to come to this event. No booking necessary, but if you want further details phone Liz Prince on 01647 440690.

International climate change action (? or spin)

The first formal United Nations climate change talks since Copenhagen have concluded in Bonn, Germany last week. Detailed discussion progressed between over 180 countries on key climate issues such as mitigation, finance and governance. Meanwhile, the European Union ambition on the move to 30% has received a boost, with Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne stating ‘a move to 30% is achievable, right for the climate and right for our economies’.

World Environment Day 2010 – Sat 5 June

Westden endorses the United Nations’ World Environment Day (WED) 2010 which is aimed to be the biggest, most widely celebrated, global day for positive, environmental action.

Chagford Energy Fair – Sat 12 June 2010

Save money, get grants, earn income through the new tariffs and avoid cowboys in the fast changing world of renewable energy. Read more about the Chagford Energy Fair….

Global Warming Time Bomb

A cut down version of James Hansen’s recent book Global Warming Time Bomb is available from Columbia University.

13 million people sign up to Avaaz petition – why don’t you?

The Copenhagen climate summit ended up in failure: an unambitious, non-binding accord that leaders themselves admit won’t come close to tackling climate change. Sign the petition.

Watch ‘The Age of Stupid’ on BBC iPlayer now

Watch ‘The Age of Stupid’, Franny Armstrong’s latest project starring Pete Postlethwaite on BBC Iplayer. Climate change has devastated the world – why did we do nothing?

Act on Copenhagen updates…

Click on the banner above for updates from the Copenhagen conference.