The Complex Links Between Climate Change and Migration

Tuvalu
Source: Flickr

Climate migration may not be a very mainstream environmental topic, yet is an important, albeit complex, issue that must be addressed.  The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report acknowledges that climate change will impact migration flows.

How Does Climate Change Affect Jobs?

Traditionally, trade unions have not been the biggest climate policy supporters and climate change impacts on the labour market are not always obvious.  However, global warming affects poor people in both urban and rural areas disproportionately, increasing inequality.  This is just one finding from the European Trade Union Institute’s (ETUI) new report ‘Climate Change: Implications For Employment’, created with the European Climate Foundation (ECF). 

Challenges and Opportunities of Communicating Climate Change

Sustainability Communications Lunch with Tim Nuthall

At this month’s Sustainability Communications Lunch we were joined by Tim Nuthall, Media Manager of the Energy Strategy Centre at the European Climate Foundation.

CO2 Tops 400 ppm for First Time in Human History

Source: The Guardian

On 2 May 2013, carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere reached 400 parts-per-million (ppm) for the first time in human history.  This record was measured by the NOAA/ESRL's Global Monitoring Division in Mauna Loa, Hawaii.  The daily average for 9 May 2013 was an alarming 400.03 ppm.  When measurements started in 1958, the daily average was around 315 ppm, already a much higher level than the pre-industrial average of 280 ppm. 

The Controversial Debate on Shale Gas in Europe Continues

Source: Student Think Tank 

Energy poverty and the economic crisis, hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’, climate change, water contamination and earthquakes all add to the confusion around the topic of whether shale gas exploration should be allowed in Europe.  Fear and uncertainty seem to be used by different stakeholders - NGOs, politicians and industry - to try to convince the public about their different positions.

Climate Change Scepticism and the Decrease in Climate Change Coverage in the UK

people.howstuffworks.com

“The media have a responsibility to provide the correct information [on climate change] for the public to think quietly about”  - Nicholas Stern

The 2006 Al Gore documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ coincided with the publication of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment report, reconfirming a temperature rise and man’s role in the changing climate.  Both of these elements contributed to heightened public awareness of climate change which was reflected in the media. 

Wildfires and Drought: The Climate is Changing

Bédar, Spain on Sunday 26 August 2012

Bédar, Spain on Sunday 26 August 2012

This summer’s news coverage was again full of hundreds of wildfires around the world.  Spain, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Italy, Greece and many other countries faced again the catastrophe of wildfires.

Every year we face the same problem - summer and then wildfires.  Accidental wildfires, wildfires set by arsonists.  And the consequences are severe - forests are lost, flora and fauna become extinct, people lose their homes, their lives…

Will Nuclear Power Europe's Future?

Gilles Merritt flanked by Jo Leinen and Patrick Moore

Last night’s Debating Europe debate on the future of nuclear energy in Europe raised many interesting issues that Europe will have to consider in tackling its energy needs. Moderated by Gilles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe, the panellists were Patrick Moore, arguing in favour of nuclear energy, and MEP Jo Leinen arguing against.

Actual Progress on Climate at Durban?

In the early hours of this morning, the United Nations climate negotiations COP17 got behind the EU plan for a binding roadmap for the second period of the Kyoto Protocol. Over 120 countries (out of 194 present) agreed a legally-binding deal. After three all-nighters and going 36 hours over deadline, the talks concluded. The additional time is a classic COP tactic to wear people down until they agree. I remember journalists crashed out in the press room in Bonn ten years ago as the discussions went through the night*.

Climate change leading to more extreme weather

Source: IPCC

Since 1950, extreme hot days and heavy precipitation have become more common.  There is evidence that anthropogenic atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), have enhanced these extremes.  In this context, it’s crucial to provide appropriate risk management tools to increasingly vulnerable populations.

CO2 Emissions Still On The Rise

Source: energyfromthorium.com

Well so much for reducing carbon emissions.  As reported by The Associated Press on 4 November, new research by the US Department of Energy (DoE) has shown that global greenhouse gas emissions rose 6% in 2010.  Rather alarmingly, this represents the highest increase ever recorded, a “monster” increase that is unheard of, according to Gregg Marland, professor of geology at Appalachian State University, who has helped calculate US Department of Energy figures in the past which is particularly surprising given that we are in an economic crisis where you would expect production and the resulting emissions to be down.

Food vs Fuel: How Sustainable is Palm Oil?

The Sustainability of Palm Oil Production debate held by The Parliament Magazine in association with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council at the European Parliament on 14 June attracted a full house of MEPs, NGOs, policymakers, researchers, journalists and industry representatives to the Parliament Members’ Salon, where participating speakers set out widely divergent views on the issues surrounding palm oil.

Strong Words On Climate

Obama has appointed two new scientists to top jobs this week, demonstrating his concern about climate change.  There has been plenty of strong language on climate and energy coming out of the Obama camp, creating the expectation that Obama will be ready to push change but in this current climate, when it comes to the crunch, will he act if it is seen to cost the economy?

He appointed Harvard professor John Holdren as chief White House science adviser and marine biologist Jane Lubchenco to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  They are both outspoken on climate change as is Obama's future energy secretary, Nobel Prize winning physicist Steven Chu.  With these figures around him, how can he not feel the pressure?

There is speculation in Washington about mandatory vehicle exhaust emissions levels in California and other states and whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might start to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.  This could push Congress to legislate on emissions.  Obama watching just got even more interesting.