The new energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband yesterday hinted he will today accept proposals from Lord Turner's climate change committee to increase Britain's target to cut carbon emissions from 60% to 80% by 2050. In his first interview since appointed secretary of state at the new Department for Energy and Climate change, Miliband insisted there would be no retreat from the government's climate change agenda in the face of the coming recession. While refusing to be specific about his response in the Commons today to Lord Adair Turner's report, he makes it clear that he shares the assumption that the science has changed since the original 60% reduction target was set in 2000. "The central argument of the Stern report is that the costs of not acting are worse than the costs of acting, and the longer you leave it, the more expensive it gets. So I don't think there is an option not to act," he said. However, in a controversial move, he also told the Guardian that aviation … [Read more...] about Target to cut carbon emissions may be increased as Miliband insists climate change is priority
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Riesling wine, holding out between pesticides and climate change
Martin Schömann proudly shows the mix of wild plants growing alongside his vines on the steep slopes of the German wine region of Moselle. Riesling vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. "Despite being a wine monoculture, we foster biodiversity in the soil," Schömann told DW. "Plants aren't the enemy, they're our friends." Read more: Why biodiversity loss hurts humans as much as climate change Schömann was the first grower in Central Moselle to turn from conventional to organic wine. Wild strawberries, mullein and lemon balm now share the earth, water and nutrients with the vines on his six hectares (15 acres) of land. Schömann belongs to the less than 10% of organic winemakers in the Mosel A glance across the sweeping landscape is all it takes to see that Schömann's approach is the exception. His land is surrounded by grey soils that appear devoid of life except row upon row of … [Read more...] about Riesling wine, holding out between pesticides and climate change
A third of the world now faces deadly heatwaves as result of climate change
Nearly a third of the world’s population is now exposed to climatic conditions that produce deadly heatwaves, as the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere makes it “almost inevitable” that vast areas of the planet will face rising fatalities from high temperatures, new research has found. Climate change has escalated the heatwave risk across the globe, the study states, with nearly half of the world’s population set to suffer periods of deadly heat by the end of the century even if greenhouse gases are radically cut. “For heatwaves, our options are now between bad or terrible,” said Camilo Mora, an academic at the University of Hawaii and lead author of the study. High temperatures are currently baking large swaths of the south-western US, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing an excessive heat warning for Phoenix, Arizona, which is set to reach 119F (48.3C) on Monday. The heat warning extends across much of Arizona and up … [Read more...] about A third of the world now faces deadly heatwaves as result of climate change
Climate change: UN talks in dire need of ‘Greta effect’
When Greta Thunberg landed in Lisbon on her way to COP25, she told reporters that she, along with other young people, was pretty annoyed by the lack of action on climate change. "We are angry, we are frustrated and it's because of good reasons," she said.Set to take part in what's expected to be a very large Friday climate protest in Madrid, Ms Thunberg is not alone in feeling angry and frustrated with the climate talks process. Climate summit told of nation's 'fight to death' Greta Thunberg: People underestimate 'angry kids' Massive Attack help create carbon-zero tours Critical year for climate change begins in Madrid The hope among many here is that the scale of the march and her speech to the COP next week will give a big boost to the talks process that seems badly in need of a lift. This COP started with great speeches last Monday from the UN secretary-general and others, warning that time is running out and that negotiators should be guided by the science. Since then, the urgency … [Read more...] about Climate change: UN talks in dire need of ‘Greta effect’
Teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg tells MPs: ‘Our future’s been sold’
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has told MPs her future and those of her fellow youngsters has been "sold".Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, the 16-year-old Nobel peace prize nominee, said: "We probably don't even have a future any more."That future has been sold so that a small number of people can make unimaginable amounts of money."It was stolen from us every time you said 'the sky is the limit'."Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who listened to Miss Thunberg in parliament's Portcullis House, told her: "We have not done nearly enough." Advertisement He added: "Suddenly in the past few years it has become inescapable that we have to act."The time to act is now, the challenge could not be clearer, Greta you have been heard." More from Extinction Rebellion Dame Emma Thompson gives 'gloomy' climate forecast at Extinction Rebellion protest Extinction Rebellion are on the rise and here to stay Inside Extinction Rebellion: Two months embedded with … [Read more...] about Teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg tells MPs: ‘Our future’s been sold’
