People Before Profit blog

Heating up climate talks: A reader's guide to COP 21

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:10:00 +0000

All eyes will be on Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, when the City of Lights shines upon a hugely significant, potentially historic event - the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 21. It will take place in Le Bourget, a suburb just minutes outside of France's capital, with major world leaders including President Obama in attendance. Its objective? To achieve a legally binding, international agreement on climate. The chances of it happening? Yet to be determined, but fingers have been crossed worldwide as the potential for real, positive change arises once more.

COP 21 is so nicknamed because it is the 21^st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Some quick info for those not in the know: the Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the convention, composed of all the states that are party to the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that came into effect on February 16, 2005, and which commits its member states to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, based on the fact that climate change is a real and present threat to the world. So what, then, is the UNFCCC? It's a multilateral environmental agreement that was opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and which came into force on March 21, 1994. It aims to stabilize GHG emissions to a level that would prevent extreme interference with the climate.

To those ends, COP 21 will try to achieve a universal accord on this matter, which, if successful, would be a first after over two decades of UN negotiations. Specifically, the goal is to limit global temperature increase to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. Politically, the attending parties will strive to close the widening gap between what science is telling us about the changing climate and the hitherto insufficient actions that countries have taken to remedy the ensuing problems. And environmentally, there is a push associated with this event to change the narrative on green issues, on an international scale.

The projected audience will include government leaders from all over the world, regional and local politicians, NGOs, education representatives, companies, and, of course, press. That press will include the People's World, which will provide on the scene coverage, for which it is currently raising money via a new campaign on Indiegogo.

Environmental groups including the Sierra Club, the Blue-Green Alliance, 350.org, the Lima-Paris Action Agenda, the Climate Action Network, Avaaz, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will be there. And the goings-on will extend far beyond the conference alone, with civil societies taking place throughout Paris and all over France, composed of local citizens, students, activists, organized labor, government workers, health care workers, scientists and conservationists, economists, industry experts, and journalists.

It is impossible to predict whether the desired agreement will be actualized at this convention, but there is an expectancy, nonetheless, amongst the public and activist groups, for the Paris talks to result in some firm commitments made. The WWF developed a graphic that outlined many of these expectations, including: protection for forests and ecosystems; clear short and mid-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, anchored by strong and uniform international guidelines; long-term targets for phasing out fossil fuels and phasing in 100 percent renewable energy; and the ratification of amendments relating to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The talks will not only be important in and of themselves, but also because they are foregrounded by real people's movements across the world and bolstered by growing scientific knowledge and industrial and technological change. The one constant when it comes to environmental issues is that everything - from labor and health to war and poverty - is connected, and COP 21 shall epitomize that axiom.

Counterbalancing the progress made through these movements and developments, however, has been the political and legislative opposition in the U.S. foisted upon the populace by right-wing climate deniers, who have been inhibiting any and all efforts made by the Obama administration to combat global warming. This antagonism is also perceptible on an international scale, through corporations - especially those associated with fossil fuels - that disrupt livelihoods, buy elections, and leave ravaged ecosystems and burning, oil-stained landscapes in their wake.

Unfortunately, and while on the topic of destruction, one cannot speak of Paris and the climate conference without speaking also of the recent ISIS-orchestrated terrorist attacks that left at least 129 dead and 350 wounded. In the wake of this tragedy, security at COP 21 will be ramped up, and most major demonstrations - including two climate marches that were intended to bookend the conference - have been cancelled. This is not to say that the people have withdrawn out of fear, but rather, that due to the high political caliber of COP 21's composition, measures of precaution are being taken wherever possible. As for the French people, they have proven resilient in the face of these terrorist acts, and for them it's largely been business as usual in Paris. Indeed, one can bet that myriad smaller demonstrations will still take place throughout the country, and the People's World will try and capture the spirit of that activism while there.

Meanwhile, there's plenty of activism taking place right here in the U.S. in anticipation of the event, with thousands of nurses and environmentalists converging in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 3 to demand global reduction in greenhouse gas pollution. Dr. Paul Song, from California's Courage Campaign, remarked, "As an oncologist, I am profoundly aware of the health impacts of a changing climate. The UN climate summit could be humanity's last chance to meaningfully avoid irreversible climate disruption on a global scale."

Ultimately, what one should realize going into the climate talks is that this conference has the potential to be the beginning of a progressive and paradigm-shifting process. It is one that begins with interpolitical collaboration and international cooperation, and which continues with working people and citizens using the thrust of that initiative to propel a worldwide movement. And, by the time COP 21 concludes, we can hope that it will end by taking the fight against climate change to a transformative, universal level.

Photo: EcoWatch

Real progress possible at coming Paris climate summit

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:49:00 +0000

Breaking news for readers: Peoples World will be on site in Paris, France at the 2015 Climate Summit. PW reporters Teresa Albano and Blake Deppe will be there filing live reports for our website and on social media outlets. Keep posted to these pages for reports and updates.

There are five interacting factors which have set the stage for significant progress at the UN-sponsored climate change negotiations (COP21) in Paris-Le Bourget, Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Hopes for a meaningful treaty and aggressive targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases are growing at the same time as the need for such action becomes ever more clear.

Those five factors are:

1. The science

2. The growing people's movements for climate action

3. The pressure from bilateral agreements and commitments in advance of Paris

4. The falling economic cost of renewables

5. The need for even more fundamental change

First, the science relating to climate change, and the growing dangers from the changes already taking place, are more certain than ever. The oceans are acidifying, affecting fisheries, dead zones, sea level rise, and decreasing the ability of the oceans to absorb carbon dioxide. Forest fires and droughts are increasing in number and intensity. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes and massive flooding are intensifying. Glacial melt, and the potential for a catastrophic collapse of parts of the Antarctic ice sheets are growing.

All this means that the case for taking action is becoming harder to ignore, harder to deflect. Republican obfuscation and denial are even more obviously out-of-touch with reality.

Second, people's movements demanding action on climate change are growing. The Peoples Climate March from September 2014 set the tone, with over 400,000 gathering in New York City, and around 200,000 participating in support actions around the world. There are demonstrations planned in the U.S. on Nov. 9 and after. There are plans for a massive march in Paris to coincide with the negotiations, along with large-scale civil disobedience actions. Struggles for divestment from fossil fuel corporations are occurring at universities, in cities, and directed at public funds. Future demonstrations are being planned as well. This street heat is a crucial element of the pressure building for a serious agreement in Paris, often downplayed in the attention to governmental negotiating positions.

The movement is multifaceted. Divestment from fossil fuel companies is being tackled by student groups, progressive church communities, good government groups tackling the investment of public fund, and even by some investment advisors. Climate change demonstrations are growing in number and size. Creative coalitions are being built, such as those which successfully opposed the Keystone XL pipeline project, and other creative forms of struggle. Indigenous communities worldwide are playing a leadership role in demanding an end to projects which would despoil their land, as well as demanding cultural changes to better adapt ourselves to the laws and needs of nature. Links are being built between labor, community, environmental, tribal, peace, and good government organizations,

Voters are demanding that candidates address climate change, especially young voters. Bernie Sanders is campaigning on his stance on global warming, and pressure from his campaign and the public forced Hillary Clinton to commit to killing the Keystone XL pipeline (a few weeks in advance of the Obama administration decision rejecting the project on environmental grounds).

Also, there is new pressure from the leaders and members of many religious communities, from the Pope to Islamic leaders to the Dali Lama, and from parts of the U.S. evangelical movement and other religious forces.

Building this public demand for action are the revelations that Exxon Mobil (and likely other fossil fuel companies) knew about and understood the implications of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change for decades, while funding climate change denialists.

The people's movements are already having an impact on state and local governments. Mayors from around the world met with Pope Francis to talk about their role. California, facing a disastrous multi-year drought, his taking action on its own.

Thirdly, there is pressure from governmental negotiating positions and bilateral agreements already in effect. The landmark agreement between the U.S. and China was a crucial step in breaking old log-jams in the process. Since then, China and France have also signed a bilateral agreement, and many countries have announced ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in preparation for the Paris meeting.

Related is the pressure governments are feeling to be able to claim they are taking action. They will likely exaggerate the effects of the negotiations, and try to convince people that those actions are enough by themselves-even though the science says otherwise (see point 5).

Fourthly, the economics of renewable energy are changing rapidly. Costs of production are falling as manufacturing gets to scale, and scientists and engineers are making the process more efficient, turning more latent energy into usable energy. This is true of solar, on-shore wind, off-shore wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal processes, and new products that use less energy and use it more efficiently are rapidly becoming available. As well, progress has been made in the affordability and practicality of small-scale installations bringing power to many poor areas and making it possible for them to skip the stage of fossil fuels.

This combines with the latest studies which show that the impact of climate change on our economies and health will be worse than previously thought.

Lastly, even as the hopes for a major agreement in Paris grow, the awareness of scientists and citizens alike is growing that whatever comes from the Paris negotiations will be insufficient to keep global temperatures from rising past levels that will be catastrophic for human civilization.

These five factors are not separate and distinct-they are integrally connected, and each of them impacts the others. For example, the falling cost of renewables makes it possible for countries to adopt more stringent goals for greenhouse gas reduction. At the same time, pressure from the street heat of the climate movement forces governments to consider more public and forceful goals and actions. For example, the actual experience of some countries as they transfer away from fossil fuels successfully, such as Germany, gives the lie to right-wing claims that action on climate will destroy economies. Instead, renewables often provide new jobs and cheaper power.

And the growing body of scientific knowledge and collection of data feeds the realization that, while we need an international binding agreement as one key element of the steps needed, it will not be enough. More and more people understand that capitalism itself is on trial, that it is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions and the major obstacle to the fundamental change required by this crisis facing all humanity.

The key element in this struggle is the growth of the people's movement. We need more science, we need more technological change, we need more aggressive national goals for greenhouse gas reduction, and we need technology to be implemented on a massive scale-but without the pressure of mass political consciousness and action, the forces opposing progress will have an easier time throwing up smokescreens, delaying decisions, creating false hopes that change is not needed. Breaking the power of the fossil fuel companies in the U.S. electoral system, exacerbated by the "Citizens United" Supreme Court decision allowing limitless campaign contributions and "dark money" PACs, requires citizen involvement before they destroy the future of our children and grandchildren in the name of short-term excess profits.

To sum up: Science continues to prove climate change and its impacts, and public pressure is building to demand an international agreement to tackle climate change; there is real hope for a serious agreement in Paris; renewable energy is becoming cost-effective making an energy transition possible; and the Paris agreement and changing energy industry will by themselves be only a step in the right direction.

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Photo: "Paris Climat" (Paris Climate) | COP21 website

Science news roundup: meals, toys, and TV endanger kids

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 10:42:00 +0000

Following are links to some of the most interesting science stories reported this week relating to both political and social affairs and health news from which everyone may benefit. You can comment on these reports at the end of the round up:

Kids meals, toys, and TV advertising: A triple threat to child health

Despite the fact that scientists have shown that the foods provided at fast food restaurants are antithetical to children's health the government has failed to issue regulations preventing fast food companies from luring children to their dens by offering toys as incentives by means of ads aired on federally regulated airwaves.

Negative publicity reduces police motivation but does not result in depolicing

Well the FBI director and other right-wingers have had their say about the "Ferguson Effect" but the scientific study above shows how wrong they are. There has been no increase in crime as a result of protests against the police killing unarmed minority people and acts of racial profiling. If anything is specifically responsible for the statistically insignificant "crime increase" it's the cut in funding for public safety due to austerity measures in response to capitalism's ongoing decline.

New research shows how to make effective political arguments, sociologist says

The gist is to use your opponent's moral system not your own when you frame your arguments to persuade them to adopt your position. This is not "new" it is an old lawyers trick as well as a technique of rhetoric and debate. If someone quotes the Bible to support his position, then find a quote that supports your position and try and convince him what you believe is really biblical. This article further expains how this method works. Socialists should bone up on Adam Smith.

Sitting for long periods not bad for health, suggest researchers

New hope for couch potatoes!

Global marine analysis suggests food chain collapse

This research indicates that as CO2 increases in the oceans the food chain will collapse from top to bottom. Larger marine life forms will disappear along with animals that need shells to survive. Micro organisms will increase however. Future oceans will be thinned or without life forms currently abundant. Every bit of gas, oil, and coal we use hastens the day!

Photo: Thinkstock (Stock photo)

Green news roundup: Keystone XL, Arctic oil drilling get X'ed out

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 15:19:00 +0000

So far, October and November have ushered in victories for environmentalists. Corporations and fossil fuels have been soundly defeated or exposed on many fronts, from the dismissal of the Keystone XL pipeline project, to the revelation that Exxon knew about climate change by the mid-80s, and denied it. More than anything, the news items below stand as proof that activism gets results.

Nurses welcome suspension of application for Keystone XL

After a long battle, it seems that the controversial Keystone XL pipeline is now a pipe dream for corporations, and little more than an unpleasant memory for the environmental activists who have been fighting it. The announcement came Nov. 2 that TransCanada was suspending its U.S. application for approval of the project.

At the forefront of the celebrations was National Nurses United (NNU), the nation's largest nurses organization, whose workers have long opposed the pipeline. "Today's announcement is a reminder of the power of public protest by tens of thousands of environmental justice and climate activists, First Nation members, ranchers, nurses, and social activists across the U.S. and Canada who have raised public awareness about the threat posed by the pipeline," stated NNU co-president Jean Ross, RN.

The NNU went on to praise Sen. Bernie Sanders, another longtime opponent of Keystone XL. Ross remarked, "His outspoken public advocacy on the issue, in joining with activists who have worked to stop Keystone, has helped raise the public debate in the Presidential campaign, and encouraged others to also oppose the project."

Ross concluded, "As a society we need to reduce the effects of environmental factors, including climate change, that are making people sick and endangering the future for children."

Obama cancels oil drilling leases in the Arctic

After teams of kayaktivists blocked oil rigs and joined in with the armies of other activists who cried out in opposition, Shell withdrew its plans to drill for oil in the Arctic. The corporation quietly backed out after wasting over $7 billion there and making a series of pitiful blunders.

But if the Arctic drilling project is dead, then on Oct. 18, President Obama laid it to rest. The U.S. Interior Department cancelled the two drilling leases for the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Now Shell will no longer have the opportunity to restart its efforts, as demonstrated two days prior to the announcement, when the department rejected the company's request for an extension on the lease. The department noted that the corporation could not properly illustrate how it would take advantage of the extra time.

"This is a historic decision to keep Arctic oil in the ground that will be felt for years to come," said Greenpeace spokesman Travis Nichols. "It's great news for the Arctic and for everyone fighting against extreme fossil fuel projects. This is [also] the right move for President Obama to secure his climate legacy."

Exxon knew about climate change, denied it anyway

But Shell is not the only oil company thought to be in a state of embarrassment. Investigation by two separate teams - one at Inside Climate News, the other at the LA Times - has uncovered a startling fact about ExxonMobil - that the company knew everything about climate change during the 1980s. The corporation then, of course, spent the decades that followed spreading and funding climate denial.

Drawing public attention with the Twitter hashtag #exxonknew, the news publications are currently doing further reporting on the matter. In the meantime, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has called upon the Department of Justice to investigate the matter. Sanders said, "Exxon's scientists did studies and told the leadership of Exxon that climate change was real and potentially very dangerous. Exxon took in this information and proceeded to spend tens of millions of dollars on organizations whose job was to deny the reality of climate change. If that's true, that happens to be against the law. That is a violation of racketeering legislation."

He added, "The scientist community is virtually honest. But when you have people like the Koch brothers and ExxonMobil spending huge amounts of money trying to deny reality, it slows up the entire world from directly addressing what is an international crisis."

In agreement with what Sanders has said, ThinkProgress further clarified that ExxonMobil could be held liable for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) if it's discovered that the company worked to suppress knowledge about climate change.

It is still not known whether the Justice Department will pursue the matter, but it's very likely that attention will continue to be drawn to this controversial issue.

Photo: Nati Harnik/AP