Comments on: Muddled economics ignore reality

By: African delegates boycott talks | FrontPageSearch

African delegates boycott talks | FrontPageSearch — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:20:57 +0000

[...] http://hot-topic.co.nz/muddled-economics-ignore-reality/ [...]

By: Africa says do what science requires â€” Hot Topic

Africa says do what science requires â€” Hot Topic — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:58:26 +0000

[...] Zealand government thinking at present, as Nick Smith regularly demonstrates.Â Third, the NZIER report, welcomed by Smith, claimed that emission reductions were a low priority for New Zealand. The [...]

By: Le Chat Noir

Le Chat Noir — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:28:39 +0000

Carol: Iâ€™ll have to say that I didnâ€™t much like his foray into sociology towards the end â€“ I think oneâ€™s general political philosophy is more of a factor in climate change beliefs than is age, per se.

John Quiggin might disagree with you. In his post on the taxonomy of delusion he remarks that Emeritus disease has a bad prognosis and quotes Max Plank on the subject:

a new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.

More importantly Monbiot is pointing out that repeated exposition of the scientific case, however rational it may be, is not convincing the general public of the need for urgent action and is, in fact, strengthening their opposition to the likely lifestyle changes. Know anyone who has traded a Hummer (the vehicle) for a Honda recently? Chris Goodall believes that compromise will be necessary and sets out his case in the Guardian. Given the lack of progress to date I think it is unwise to dismiss the social scientists as they may be able to offer framings that help to remove the roadblocks. If you are interested you can see one such attempt here.

By: Macro

Macro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:52:19 +0000

The emphasis is on “EFFECTIVE”.
Africa has much to loose from inaction on global warming – we can already see the result in the running dry of the Nile, Nigeria is loosing 351,000 hectares of rangeland and cropland to desertification each year, the area of Lake Chad has shrunk 96% in 40 years . The ice cap of Kilimanjaro reduced by 33% from 1989 and 2000 and it is considered that it will be gone by 2015. Mt Kenya has lost 7 of its 18 glaciers. The rivers that are fed by these ice masses are becoming seasonal. 2 million people depend on these rivers for their water and the irrigation of their crops.
Yes Africa wants an “effective” international response.

By: R2D2

R2D2 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:31:36 +0000

What? They are “â€œWeâ€™re here to support an effective international response from other nations than our own.â€” – yeah thats what China and India are doing too!

By: Macro

Macro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:30:29 +0000

and here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFHRxy5sluI&feature=player_embedded

By: Macro

Macro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:16:42 +0000

Bryan – The group of African Nations are doing just that!
http://features.csmonitor.com/globalnews/2009/11/03/why-african-countries-are-boycotting-climate-change-talks/
They are walking out of the pre-Bon talks in Barcelona. After the developed nations were silent on the challenge of raising their targets to 40% reduction by 2020.

By: Bryan Walker

Bryan Walker — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:34:56 +0000

George, if that’s what they’re doing I hope they’re getting the reception they deserve.

By: georgedarroch

georgedarroch — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:49:45 +0000

Imagine the NZ representatives announcing â€œWeâ€™re here to support an effective international response from other nations than our own.â€

You don’t have to imagine. That is exactly what NZ’s representatives are doing.

By: Macro

Macro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:12:45 +0000

As for the NZIER well what can one say! Economists (with perhaps the notable exception of N Stern) as a rule it seems are are fixated by the GOLDEN RULE – “Those with the gold – RULE!”