At last here is a story that suggests many new projects planned for gas extraction and distribution may not be required IF we try and limit global CO2 emissions to a 2 degree Celsius rise. There are many hints in the media that Paris 2015 will be our last opportunity to agree drastic action to alter our polluting behaviour. Keep in mind this is only 6 months away now. Will anything happen or not?
Two links here: Santiago largely shut down because of air pollution (it’s location exacerbates the smog problem); then a major discussion on gobal health. It highlights the problem of fossil fuels, and interestingly states that lack of political will is now the major hurdle to a low carbon reality, instead of absence of knowledge or technology. Various reports are mentioned in the second link. The conundrum is saving all the peoples’ lives adds to to our global population pressure. No easy answers.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/22/chile-santiago-smog-environment-emergency
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/23/climate-change-threatens-50-years-of-progress-in-global-health-study-says
There are several similar articles available today, but I like this one. In the first paragraph there is a link to another Guardian piece, from that one you can download the science paper itself. The authors have been conservative in their study, so probably things will actually be worse than this. 🙁
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/21/mass-extinction-science-warning
Once again Japan tries to outwit the International Whaling Commission by producing yet another ‘scientific plan’ to show that killing the large marine mammals would be sustainable. It is a fact that Japan permits the whalemeat to enter its luxury food market. My burning question is: “In how many other fields of science do your scientific experimental animals get eaten?” I doubt there are many.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/19/japan-asked-to-prove-whaling-for-scientific-research
If this doesn’t make you wake up, then probably nothing will. Largely as a result of war, driven primarily by the USA and its various coalition allies, millions of innocent people around the world have been displaced and forced to flee their homes and homelands. Humans have a survival instinct and will do pretty much anything to continue life. As such, rules and supposed national borders mean very little.
Around 4 million people fleeing the war in Syria have already registered with UNHCR (United Nations high commissioner for refugees). This shows clearly that aggressor nations are happy to spend money causing mayhem, that they then use to gain business opportunities for their military-industrial complexes; but they are entirely neglecting the impact of their activities. They then expect other people to pay for and accommodate the refugees. Add in to this environmental destruction and biodiversity loss, and gross greenhouse gas emissions then we can only conclude that these aggressor nations lack any morality. Actions speak louder than words.
The Amnesty International report can be downloaded from the first paragraph of the link below.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/15/worst-refugee-crisis-since-second-world-war-report-middle-east-africa-syria
As expected Pope Francis is about to release his encyclical concerning the environment and climate change. The Guardian article below explains much of what is likely to be included in the Bull. The Pope concurs with many of our ideas here at The BA. One important aspect is the cultural & aesthetic appreciation of Nature in its own right. Remember too that the Vatican has a voice at the UN and is a country in its own right; as well as speaking for over a billion Catholics worldwide.
Also as expected the Yankee Republicans said “the pope should stick to his job!”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/13/pope-francis-intervention-transforms-climate-change-debate
