“Global Warming and Social Justice: Alternative Scenarios”

Live Blogging at the National Teach-In:

Speaker: Selwin Hart
Moderator: Astrid Jirka, Office of International Programs

4:23 - Sorry I’m late, I was recording a few videos for the U.S. legislatures. It took two turns but I think I was able to get my point across. Back to the lecture.

4:25 - So what are the impacts of global climate change on the rest of the world? In Africa, droughts will be hotter and longer, further spread of disease and at the end of the 21st Century the sea levels will rise on coastal cities. It will take 5% to 10% of these countries GDP to solve.

4:28 - “We have a moral obligation,” Hart said. “It would be morally reprehensible for countries causing these problems to turn a blind eye to countries suffering from these problems.”

4:32 - Small island developing states are highly vulnerable because of sea level rise and extreme weather events like hurricanes. They are seeing stronger and more frequent hurricane. Some countries are only a meter above sea level, which the most conservative estimates, by 2100, sea levels will rise 1.4 meters. “We all have a stake in this. We only have a chance to affect the impact.”

4:36 - We rely on very few exports, small population. They rely on argiculture and tourism. AOSIS has a hard line because their infrastructure is primarily localed on coast where 50% of the population live. Many of them are experiencing the impacts of global climate change. The annual damage of climate disasters is 2-7% of their GDP is just to recover from a climate change event: hurricanes, droughts, sea level rise, etc.

4:39 - Insurance coverage is increasingly unavailable. Hart signs heavily. Clearly every time he speaks about this subject it still has an impact on him. It must be exhusting to explain to these global giants like the US about how their country is disappearing and it’s the United States fault.

4:46 - What are the prospects of sucess? If Barbados, or other high risk countries, could have control of this problem, they would have come to a conclution. Instead 25 countries which contribute to 85% of GHG annual emissions. The US is at 19%, China is at 17% and EU is at 13%. But there are disparities between those who live in the US and China, or Germany and Mexico. Many people in these 25 top contries earn less than a $1 a day.

4:50 - Essential elements of comprehensive agreement at Copenhagen: 1) Legally binding emission reduction commitments for all developed countries in the range sugested by the IPCC 25-40% by 2020. 2) Some form of new mitigation commitments by developing countries. 3)Tech assistance and other incentives for develption country actions. 4) Support for climate change adaptation in poor and vulnerable countries.

4:52 - “Some have said this is technically and economically impossible.” Hart said. “We are not going to take no for an answer. The science is clear, without urgent and ambition action, your future is in jepordy.”

“United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)”

Live Blogging at the National Teach-In

Speakers: Selwin Hart and Ithaca College delegates to the 2008 UNFCCC in Poland. Hart is the secretary of the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations and the coordinator of the Alliance of Small Island States in the Ad hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action of the UNFCCC.
Moderator: Astrid Jirka, Office of International Programs

2:42 Astrid - “We’re here to talk about the international effort.” 20 students went to the conference in Poland, and another 20 students will go next year.

2:44  - Selwin Hart is running late. Astrid is talking about www.350.org

2:46 - Easier to just say the climate change conference. The history of the conference: major international conference in 1987 on social injustice, economies and environment. The triple bottom line began to form. All of them intersect and we (as a world) need to look at everything holistically.

2:49 - In 1992 the UNFCCC is established as a result of the Earth Summit: Developed framework for annual meetings to discuss how to implement the treaty. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol developed: and in 2005 the Kyoto protocol was ratified (with Russia) which expires in 2012.

2:54 - 1999 at COP6 (conference of the parties). IC environmental studies student, Sean Vormwald, organized climate change summit in Montreal in 2005. In Fall 2008, the International Environmental Policy students attended COP14.

2:57 - From 5,000 to 15,000 people attend these conferences, with UN peacekeeping forces providing security, who are from all over the world. Very tight security with scanned ID cards. What can each country do to lower the global environmental impact and discussions.

3:00 - English is the official language of the conference so there are many translation booths at the conference.

3:01 -The G8 was talking about 50% reduction of carbon by 2050 and the Alliance of Small Island States, which Hart is a member, says they can reduce by 85% by 2050. How can countries with lower GNP actually do better than the United States which has so much money? It’s totally crazy.

3:04 - There are negations and discussions going on, with each country or group of country saying what they believe they can do and how they can do it. They state their opinion on the matter.

3:08 - The Union of Concerned Scientists and Cool Cities (which Ithaca is a part of) gave talks and presentations. There are lots of booths from every major and several minor exhibits. Ithaca college hand a tiny conference which represented how higher ed in the US are trying to reduce our carbon foot print.

3:10 - About 500 youth (which includes college aged students) attended this conference. There are about 5,000 youths expected to attend Copenhagen.

3:13 - Big technology exhibit, art exhibit and tons of youth showing off their ideas and creativity: While wearing construction caps, two youths were holding a sign in one of the pictures which read, “We want hard caps on emissions internationally.” Get it? To close, Astrid showed this video from YouTube:

3:23 - Hart “underestimated” the size of our campus, and got lost. Ouch

3:24 - “It’s quite difficult to be a negotiator for a small island state. We don’t have the monetary sources, or the influence. But they do have an enthusiastic youth.”

3:27 - Thirty years ago the alarm was raised at the first world climate change conference. He goes over much of the same history we just learned about. Can’t be late for class, man.

3:30 - Very boring. From 1979 to 1988, we found a response to climate change. History is really dry and not very interesting, especially because we’ve heard it all before.

3:37 - Differentiation between annex 1 parties and non-annex parties is basically first world countries verse third world. The definitions are obscure. Some governments need money to grow (like India and China) which still have tons of poverty, but China actually produces more carbon than the United States. “So how do we craft a agreement which takes those into consideration? Maybe YOU can help me with that.”

3:42 - While he’s very boring and I don’t have much to write, it is very very interesting to see through this man all the hope of a world wide change. He’s listing and talking about countries lowering emission and committments. It’s like seeing a general talk about a world war, but it’s a war of science, economies and cultures. The idea of it all is enormously.

3:46 - The question for him is, “how can he negociate when their countries can only bring so many countries and the stakes are so high.”

3:51  - Alliances vary from issue to issue. Oh man, he’s picking up! Must be the ticking clock. AOSIS, has become the heart of the group. They have the toughests restrictions and greatest reductions. In total the are 90 countries, mostly extremely small. They work closesly and with other like minded groups. They are always calling for urgent and ambition action versus OPEC which is asking for NO action or status quo. OPEC and AOSIS are against one another. The European Union sways back and forth.

3:52 - 2009? Will the US Led? Is no agreement better than some agreement?

“Tompkins County’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element of the Comprehensive Plan

Live Blogging at the National Teach-in:

Robert McKenna is from Energy Stratigies

11:20 am - Looking at the energy of Tompkins County

11:21 - GHG Legislative Proposals - What the projected out look will be, and proposals from national government proposal. Trying to cap about 80% by 2050. There are about ten different plans on the graph from the 110th Congress.

11:25   - “From a technology standpoint, there’s a lot of work taking place.” They are looking at sequestration putting high carbon fuels underground. Said it’s very expensive and and unproven technology.

11:25   - Geothermal is being used in Gateway building, which out West there are potential to make electricity in West because there are geological warm water.

11:26  - Algea is mention as well as huge wind farms, consisting of 1000s of turbines lined up together.

11:28 -  Discusses the carbon market, in Chicago there is a carbon market, and in Europe there is also active trading. So what’s the cost of carbon in the future?

11:30 - We pay a lot for our energy right now, because we use about 50% carbon sources, such as nuclear and hydro power. Wisconsin gets cheap fuel from coal, so they pay less now. But Wisconsin will see a 54% increase in energy costs because of the carbon price/market, while New York will only see a 13% increase.

Obama: Carbon and Energy

11:33 - Obama - “Delay is no longer an option, denial is no longer an accepted response.” Beth is getting excited. So am I.

11:34 - Obama has called for $15 billion each year for private sector to build a new energy future. And a renewable energy standard of 25% by 2025.

11:37 - The energy and climate change team - Obama is a ethanol advocate, which Beth says is a proven non-solution.

11:39  - The Obama energy team:Carol Browner is the “Energy Czar.” Very cool person. I remember seeing her in DC speak with Tom Friedman and Governor of Pennsylvania.

11:41- Cap and Trade is explained: used very well to reduce sulfur which contributes to acid rain. Check out the Center for American Progress’s plan on Cap and Trade

11:43 - States taking action on Cap and Trade: South east isn’t doing anything. 21 states and three provinces have developed carbon markets.

11:45 - Key Issues to be resolved in Cap and Trade. What sectors do you regulate. How do you give away the allowances? Europe made mistake of giving it away, while some want to give away their allowances.

11:46 - Some want free-for-all in offsets, which is pointless if you ask me.

11:49 - The first carbon capture system is in Illinois which should capture 90% and cost about $2 billion. This of course is somewhat scandalous because this is Obama and Blagojevich are from. Many Senators are trying to get Chu (the Secretary of Energy) to bring this tech to their states.

11:54 - Massachusetts vs. EPA (2007) case back in 1999 petitioned the EPA to regulate carbon under the Clean Air Act. US Supreme Court had a decision in 5-4 held that the plaintiffs had standing to sue and that the agency must regulate CO2 emissions if it finds that GHG emissions “may reasonably be anticipated to endanger” public health or welfare.

11:56 - The EPA has not yet made a determination. There are growing state and regional inconsistencies which means there must be a call for federal legislation. The EPA was told to look at the Clean Air Act and are looking at if they must regulate. Bush said no, but Obama says yes!

11:58 - California was one of 18 states wishing to impose stricter tailpipe emissions standards. New proposed standards at federal level would raise passenger car and light trucks mpg to 35. Go Governator!

12:01 - There is a quick dated talk on the Stimulus Package which includes a $40 billion to DOE for clean, efficient, America energy. $2.6 billion to replace older fleet vehicles with fule efficient automobiles. $6 billion to repair fedearla buildings using green tech. $400 million for rural business inititves.

Film Review: The 11th Hour

Imagine sitting in a classroom of 50 professors, and each one talks for no more than 60 seconds at a time. All the while, a steady stream of semi-related video clips flickers on a screen and a soft mood music of piano and cello flow over the scene. Welcome to The 11th Hour.

The movie premiered tonight in Clarke Lounge in the Campus Center, as a part of the National Teach-In to be held tomorrow. Yesterday, the organizers of the Teach-In screened “An Inconvenient Truth.”   

I realize now why “The 11th Hour,” has been floating around in the atmosphere of bits of conversations and subtle references in blogs and articles. Why I’ve never before tonight sat down to see it. Why it is always compared to “An Inconvenient Truth.” While the movie brings in some big names (Lester Brown, David Suzuki, and Stephen Hawkings) and stabs at some heavy environmental ideas, the entire movie plays out like a college thesis film produced during a caffeine drenched weekend before deadline.

The boring and generic music, coupled with the boring and generic video clips gave it the feeling of a rushed half-produced, half-lucky editing job. There were more interviews with authors, professors, scientists, journalists and directors/founders of advocacy groups than I can count while wearing my shoes. Sometimes the arguments flowed nicely, sometimes they would pop from one area of environmentalism to another like popcorn on the stove.

This isn’t to say that the environmental nerd (like myself) didn’t find everything they are saying fascinating and encouraging. Fascinating in the ways we continue to suicidally destroy our planet. And encouraging in all the fantastic new ways we can fix our planet. From new building designs, cars, roads and cities. From what we eat, what we wear, and what we entertain ourselves with.

“We get to re-imagine every single thing we do,” one interviewee said. “This generation gets to essentially completely change the world.”

If you’ve never watched anything thing like this before, and you’ve never heard of greenhouse gases, deforestation, soil erosion, social justice, food toxins and desertification, then, yeah, watch it. It’s a great crash course in all these things. And if you’re a environmental junkie, like me, yeah, watch it. I mean it’s one of the few green movies out there that has secured a big star like narrator and producer Leonardo diCaprio. And there’s some subtle “Bush Bashing.” And what environmentalist doesn’t like that?

Final Plans for IC’s National Teach-In

Ithaca College Office of Media Relations
SOURCE: Ithaca College Office
of Media Relations

For those of you not in the know, the National Teach-In, which will be focused on climate change and global solutions, will be held exactly a week from today in Emerson Suites. It’s surprising to me how far we’ve come in just two years when The Ithacan ran a front page cover story on “Melting the Myth” in which the IPCC report verified all the claims of scientists for the past decade on global warming.

The National Teach-In will take place on February 5, 2009 in Emerson suites. Different universities, colleges, business and even faith-based groups (which are becoming increasingly eco-friendly - check out the pope!) will be holding a full day of classes, discussions and/or films to discuss. The National Teach-In is the project of a non-profit organization, Education for Global Warming Solutions (EdSolv), in Portland, Oregon. Last year, the teach-in was called Focus the Nation, but sometime afterward, Focus the Nation split.

Last year, Ithaca participated in Focus the Nation with poor results. Students didn’t organize any “teach-in,” and the national web cast was plagued with crappy bandwidth problems.

But that was then. This is now.

In one week in Emerson Suites, Ithaca will host a full day of lectures and discussions, starting at 9:25 and closing with a film screening of “The Carbon Connection,” (check out the video trailer) which will have panel discussion after the film. I think it’s brilliant that the sessions fit into the Thursday class structure. Now students can attend full sessions without leaving early or arriving late, ANNND professors, like the wonderful Todd Shack and Vera Whisman, can take their students to the sessions.

For a full listing of all the day’s events, check out Dave Maley’s post.

I will probably attend every session, except one, because my professor said no :-( But if you have limited time, I recommend these two:

- “Ithaca College’s Plan to Achieve Carbon Neutrality” at 9:25 am - Trust me, it’s worth getting up for. It will have a HUGE impact on our institutions future and our tuition. Plus, it’s the most exciting environmental news on campus since the HSBC grant or compost in the Pub!

- “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)” at 2:35 - Nineteen students traveled to Poland for their “International Environmental Policy” course for the United Nations Forum Convention on Climate Change. Basically, this was the greatest thing ever for these students, and it was enormously important for global policy on climate change. Check out the student’s blogs here.

Go. Mark your calendar now. Tell your professors. Tell you friends. Tell strangers. Tell that guy behind the counter of Sammy’s and the crazy guy walking around the commons. Tell everyone! Go.