CLIMATE CHANGE COULD DERAIL FUTURE PROGRESS IN IMPROVING LIVES OF WORLD’S POOR
06 November 2010
The UN’s 20th annual human development report published on 4th November, says the last 20 years have seen huge progress especially in health and education.
Progress is measured in income, health and education to compile the human development index.
Positive developments have occurred in many countries including Nepal, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Rwanda and Uganda, but Jeni Klugman, director of the Human Development Report Office warned of the dangers of climate change arresting this progress.
The UN says that the effects of climate change on grain yields will raise prices to more than double., and in a worst case scenario by 2050, per capita consumption of cereals could fall by a fifth, leaving an additional 25 million children malnourished.
Until now international agreements on climate change have been difficult to achieve, and policy responses slow.GOVERNMENT SPENDING REVIEW
20 October 2010
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE COME OUT OF IT BETTER THAN EXPECTED. There will be a 30% reduction in administrative costs, but just 5% annual budget cuts for 4 years, and capital spending will be increased. Key measures that affect you:
1. Setting up of green investment bank, to unlock private-sector funds, to stimulate green business, and make transition to low-carbon economy.
2. The feed-in tariff was unexpectedly saved from the cuts.
3. The Renewable Heat Scheme scaled down by 20%from original projections, but a new £860m scheme to reward companies that invest in renewable energies.
4. £200m to stimulate UK based offshore windpower
5. Up to £1bn to spend on a single commercial –scale carbon capture and storage plant for a coal power station.
On the negative side the £280m Warm Front initiative will be dismantled after 2011. The scheme provided means-tested grants for energy efficiency measures such as home insulation, and will therefore affect the poor.
PRESIDENT OF THE MALDIVES ALSO TO FIT SOLAR
06 October 2010
This Sunday as part of a 10.10.10. day of mass participation in climate events around the world, Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives will install panels at his home donated by a solar company Sungevity. The president’s island state is at risk from rising sea levels.THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SOLAR PANELS AGAIN 25 YEARS AFTER REMOVAL!
06 October 2010
A mix of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels are to be installed in the White House in Spring 2011.
This will be the first time since 1986, when Ronald Reagan removed a solar thermal system installed by Jimmy Carter in 1979. Carter held a showcase conference on the roof top hoping to reduce America’s dependence on oil.
The installation by the Obama administration follows lobbying by green campaigners, who have called on the President to reinstate the panels, and to reinforce the point have been driving around the US in a biodiesel powered van with one of the original panels installed by Carter.
