Author: Gareth

Government to consult on emissions targets

Key.jpgNZ negotiators at the UN climate talks in Bonn have let slip that the government is planning “public consultation” on the emissions targets the country will set. David Williams at The Press broke the story yesterday:

New Zealand’s climate change ambassador, Adrian Macey, told a United Nations climate conference in Bonn, Germany, yesterday that New Zealand had been improving data collection and using economic modelling and analysis to help with greenhouse-gas reduction targets. “We are also undertaking a public consultation process,” Macey told the 3000 conference delegates.

This comes as news to most people, but Williams obtained confirmation that consultation was planned from climate minister Nick Smith’s staff:

“The Government will consult with the public prior to setting medium-term targets in August,” the minister’s spokesman said. “No announcements have been made.”

Except to the rest of the world, obviously. Expect the usual suspects to immediately start lobbying for do-nothing targets. Meanwhile, government climate policy continues to look as if it’s being decided on the hoof.

Race for the prize

The rather good 3 Quarks Daily has launched a new series of blog prizes, beginning with an award for the best science post. Ken at Open Parachute tipped me off, and so you’ll find I’ve taken the opportunity for a bit of self-promotion and nominated the first(*) Monckton tale — Monckton & The Case Of The Missing Curry. There’s a week of public voting (nominees here, voting here — ends on June 8th NY time), and then a shortlist will be handed over to the estimable Steven Pinker for judging. First prize (the “top quark”) is US$1,000, which is a lot more than it looks when converted to NZ dollars… Votes are therefore solicited. But if you prefer to support Ken’s entries, that’s fine by me.

* – A second Monckton tale, tentatively titled Monckton Flies West, is in preparation. But don’t hold your breath.

[Gratuitous Theremin abuse]

Lomborg criticises crank conference*

Lomborg.jpgThe weekend before last, business leaders from around the world met in Copenhagen and issued a call for an international commitment to steep emissions cuts. Bjorn Lomborg’s contribution to proceedings was a column the Wall Street Journal headlined “The Climate-Industrial Complex”. It seems Bjorn was concerned that some capitalists might seek to profit from action to deal with the climate. Shock! Horror! He went on to wring his hands about those backing the Copenhagen conference:

There would be an outcry — and rightfully so — if big oil organized a climate change conference and invited only climate-change deniers.

And in late-breaking news, we hear that Lomborg has noticed today’s crank conference in Washington, funded by oil money, and has loudly condemned proceedings in the Wall Street Journal…

The partnership among self-interested businesses, grandstanding politicians and alarmistsceptic campaigners truly is an unholy alliance. The climate-industrial complex does not promote discussion on how to overcome this challenge in a way that will be best for everybody. We should not be surprised or impressed that those who stand to make a profit are among the loudest calling for politicians to actdo nothing. Spending a fortune on global carbon regulations will benefit a feweveryone, but dearly cost everybody elsea few. [Fixed that for you, Bjorn…]

* – In your dreams…

The home front

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This is the trailer for Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s new movie Home, to be released worldwide on World Environment Day (June 5th) – on YouTube, DVD, and in cinemas and special screenings in 50 countries round the world. Arthus-Bertrand is best known for his aerial photography and the 3-million selling book Earth From Above. He describes Home thus:

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth’s climate. The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and Home has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.

A good cause, and to judge from some of the “making of” clips at the YouTube site, a spectacular movie. The Alliance Francaise is organising a showing in Wellington, and there are related events in Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland (I can’t find details of those at the time of writing — if someone knows more, please post in comments…).

[Update: See comments for full list of NZ showings, organised by AF.]

[Billy Bragg]

Do you feel lucky?

Airconcover.jpgOnce again, Ian Wishart is working himself up into a fine frenzy over at his blog, responding to a perceptive post by Bomber Bradbury at Tumeke! In the comments there he claimed to have “pointed out numerous mistakes in Gareth’s snide and out of context ‘review'”, and — funnily enough — I didn’t feel inclined to let that pass. So I suggested a little wager, and drew this furious response. So, knowing it will make precious little difference in the strange version of reality that Wishart occupies, here’s my (final) response…

Continue reading “Do you feel lucky?”