Most Fossil Fuels are Unburnable.."Most fossil-fuel reserves are un-burnable" if we want to stay below 2 degrees of global warming. Mark Carney--Governor of the Bank of England.
See Guardian article
excerpt:
"Yesterday, there were some newspaper headlines about the future cost of energy if we continue to invest in renewables. The inference was that fracking and other fossil fuels are necessary to keep future energy prices down.
But the truth is, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and as it gets harder and more damaging to get at the remaining reserves, whether they're in shale, oil sands or underneath a critical natural habitat like the Arctic, it gets more expensive, too.
And there's another reason we won't just be able to keep burning oil, coal and gas. Investors are increasingly selling their shares in companies that make their money from exploiting fossil fuels because those companies aren't viable in the long term.
Here's what the bright buttons at Oxford University said: "We can only burn 20% of the carbon in the proven fossil fuel reserves. We'll have reached that limit in 16 years at present rates of consumption. Now we have a carbon bubble, of unreal value. It is too risky to own shares in this bubble. It has to burst, and will burst."
And if academics don't do it for you, what about the governor of the Bank of England? http://www.theguardian.com/…/mark-carney-fossil-fuel-reserv…
The honest truth is that we will have to pay more for our energy in future, whether that's hidden (through enormous public subsidies for nuclear), or in energy bills as companies pass on the cost of developing renewable alternatives. So the real question is whether we spend now - on reaching scale, which will make renewable energy more affordable, and on ways of storing energy (eg a new pumped hydro scheme in North Wales: https://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-23920312. Currently going through planning - ) - https://www.snowdoniapumpedhydro.com/about.) or wait until the lights go off.
See Guardian article
excerpt:
"Yesterday, there were some newspaper headlines about the future cost of energy if we continue to invest in renewables. The inference was that fracking and other fossil fuels are necessary to keep future energy prices down.
But the truth is, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and as it gets harder and more damaging to get at the remaining reserves, whether they're in shale, oil sands or underneath a critical natural habitat like the Arctic, it gets more expensive, too.
And there's another reason we won't just be able to keep burning oil, coal and gas. Investors are increasingly selling their shares in companies that make their money from exploiting fossil fuels because those companies aren't viable in the long term.
Here's what the bright buttons at Oxford University said: "We can only burn 20% of the carbon in the proven fossil fuel reserves. We'll have reached that limit in 16 years at present rates of consumption. Now we have a carbon bubble, of unreal value. It is too risky to own shares in this bubble. It has to burst, and will burst."
And if academics don't do it for you, what about the governor of the Bank of England? http://www.theguardian.com/…/mark-carney-fossil-fuel-reserv…
The honest truth is that we will have to pay more for our energy in future, whether that's hidden (through enormous public subsidies for nuclear), or in energy bills as companies pass on the cost of developing renewable alternatives. So the real question is whether we spend now - on reaching scale, which will make renewable energy more affordable, and on ways of storing energy (eg a new pumped hydro scheme in North Wales: https://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-23920312. Currently going through planning - ) - https://www.snowdoniapumpedhydro.com/about.) or wait until the lights go off.
“Countdown is a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into action.” https://countdown.ted.com/
The Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change IPCC report:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its third report setting out the evidence on climate change mitigation (how to cut greenhouse gas emissions). This follows its two previous reports: 1st: on the physical science of what is happening to the planet, and 2nd: on the impacts for humans and ecosystems. The Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change IPCC report by Working Group III addressed mitigation options globally and across sectors.
The report sends out a stark message:
Our current trajectory could see us reach a devastating 5 degrees of warming by 2100.
To avoid this, we need a dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use and a corresponding increase in the use of renewable energy.
Spending on energy efficiency and low carbon technology needs to be very significantly increased.
The report itself consists of thousands of pages. The report's summary (pdf), is much more manageable, at just 33 pages, although it is important to note that the summary represents the scientists' findings as filtered through governmental negotiations. References to wealth being transferred from rich to poor nations, the rise in emissions from upper middle income countries, and indirect land use change relating to biofuels were all removed from the summary.
Carbon brief provides a good general summary of the report, as does the Climate Justice Campaign (pdf) and there are many more related resources are listed at the bottom of this email.
IPCC digested...
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has produced two more major climate change reports, which together with the report they published in September, amount to 5000 plus pages. To make the scientists’ findings easier to digest Friends of the Earth have boiled these down onto two pages and ten key facts.
In the light of that you may not want to read this, but you should: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/12/western-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse-has-already-begun-scientists-warn
Low Carbon Communities Network
The report’s core message sets a challenge to all of us, particularly in nations such as the UK, whose wealth has been built on historic emissions. This is a critical time to act on climate change and create momentum.
Friends of the Earth have asked all their supporters to get active. We know some people are organising meetings, some ad-hoc, around the IPCC report. We would suggest that you approach activists from Friends of the Earth and other groups in your area and organise such a meeting.
There are a range of themes in the IPCC mitigation report which could be used; our suggestion is:
What would the UK look like if we took climate change seriously?
Resources for public meetings:
There are more resources concerning the IPCC Mitigation report below. CampaignCC's blog on the report highlights the contrast of the report’s findings with current UK government policies. Additionally if you would like us to send you a Global Resource pack for the report then please email us at leia[at]campaigncc.org.
Also very relevant is the latest Zero Carbon Britain report, released last week. This sets out how the UK's energy supply, buildings, transport and agriculture could be regulated, to enable net zero carbon by 2030. Contrary to the IPCC report, this only relies on current technology.
The authors at the Centre for Alternative Technology have produced resources including presentation slides and video footage from the launch.
For information on strategies for an urgent transition to a low-carbon economy, you should check out CampaignCC's One Million Climate Jobs report and associated videos. An updated edition of the report will be published later this year.
The IPCC summary report says that there is still scientific debate on whether biofuels are a successful way of reducing emissions. The full report contains much more about the potential problems, but concludes 'bioenergy can play a critical role for mitigation' (pp.28).
CampaignCC's allies, Biofuelwatch have criticised the IPCC position on Bio-energy. Are you interested in holding a meeting on Bio-energy as a false solution? Biofuelwatch have resources and may be able to provide a speaker; who can give more information on current UK biomass expansion.
CampaignCC want to strengthen and build more local climate networks across the UK in the run up to next years national election and climate negotiations in Paris.
As part of this CampaignCC are organising a massive street mobilisation on March 7th 2015 which will be the climax of their many other activities this year, bringing activists together with a clear message:
It's Time to Act on Climate Change.
CampaignCC want to encourage grassroots discussion and mobilisation all across the UK.
There are plenty of other activities to participate in, such as:
Post on your website
Blog about / use IPCC findings as the basis for a blog
Tweet and share resources and opinions on Facebook & Twitter
Send out information to your lists
Send out information to friendly journalists/local media
We have a busy year ahead of us, but please let CampaignCC know how you are getting on locally with meetings and other activities, and if you need any help.
Resources:
There are many other resources on CampaignCC's website and below.
On changes to summary text: SMH, New York Times, Scientific American
Friends of the Earth video from leading climate scientist Prof Kevin Anderson, on the need for urgency and ambition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7pwpjthh6E
Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice Campaign's IPCC brief: http://climatejusticecampaign.org/images/ipcc/IPCC_WG3_Report_Fin.pdf
Kevin Anderson's article in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/what-would-it-look-like-if-we-took-global-warming-seriously-9226644.html
Kevin Anderson's paper “Going beyond dangerous”: http://www.whatnext.org/resources/Publications/Volume-III/Single-articles/wnv3_andersson_144.pdf
Joe Romm-Report by US academic as to why he thinks the IPCC are overly cautious:
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/30/3420723/climate-breakdown-of-food-systems/
Kirklees declaration on tipping points: http://www.campaigncc.org/blog/KCCCtippingpoints.
Friends of the Earth EWNI has a newspage on the latest climate science:
http://www.foe.co.uk/news/latest-climate-science
Friends of the Earth note on geoengineering: http://climatejusticecampaign.org/images/ipcc/Geoengineering.pdf
Guardian article on mitigation (7/4/14): http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/apr/07/ipcc-un-climate-change-mitigation-wg3-worsen-geoengineering
from a Campaign Against Climate Change email
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its third report setting out the evidence on climate change mitigation (how to cut greenhouse gas emissions). This follows its two previous reports: 1st: on the physical science of what is happening to the planet, and 2nd: on the impacts for humans and ecosystems. The Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change IPCC report by Working Group III addressed mitigation options globally and across sectors.
The report sends out a stark message:
Our current trajectory could see us reach a devastating 5 degrees of warming by 2100.
To avoid this, we need a dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use and a corresponding increase in the use of renewable energy.
Spending on energy efficiency and low carbon technology needs to be very significantly increased.
The report itself consists of thousands of pages. The report's summary (pdf), is much more manageable, at just 33 pages, although it is important to note that the summary represents the scientists' findings as filtered through governmental negotiations. References to wealth being transferred from rich to poor nations, the rise in emissions from upper middle income countries, and indirect land use change relating to biofuels were all removed from the summary.
Carbon brief provides a good general summary of the report, as does the Climate Justice Campaign (pdf) and there are many more related resources are listed at the bottom of this email.
IPCC digested...
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has produced two more major climate change reports, which together with the report they published in September, amount to 5000 plus pages. To make the scientists’ findings easier to digest Friends of the Earth have boiled these down onto two pages and ten key facts.
In the light of that you may not want to read this, but you should: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/12/western-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse-has-already-begun-scientists-warn
Low Carbon Communities Network
The report’s core message sets a challenge to all of us, particularly in nations such as the UK, whose wealth has been built on historic emissions. This is a critical time to act on climate change and create momentum.
Friends of the Earth have asked all their supporters to get active. We know some people are organising meetings, some ad-hoc, around the IPCC report. We would suggest that you approach activists from Friends of the Earth and other groups in your area and organise such a meeting.
There are a range of themes in the IPCC mitigation report which could be used; our suggestion is:
What would the UK look like if we took climate change seriously?
Resources for public meetings:
There are more resources concerning the IPCC Mitigation report below. CampaignCC's blog on the report highlights the contrast of the report’s findings with current UK government policies. Additionally if you would like us to send you a Global Resource pack for the report then please email us at leia[at]campaigncc.org.
Also very relevant is the latest Zero Carbon Britain report, released last week. This sets out how the UK's energy supply, buildings, transport and agriculture could be regulated, to enable net zero carbon by 2030. Contrary to the IPCC report, this only relies on current technology.
The authors at the Centre for Alternative Technology have produced resources including presentation slides and video footage from the launch.
For information on strategies for an urgent transition to a low-carbon economy, you should check out CampaignCC's One Million Climate Jobs report and associated videos. An updated edition of the report will be published later this year.
The IPCC summary report says that there is still scientific debate on whether biofuels are a successful way of reducing emissions. The full report contains much more about the potential problems, but concludes 'bioenergy can play a critical role for mitigation' (pp.28).
CampaignCC's allies, Biofuelwatch have criticised the IPCC position on Bio-energy. Are you interested in holding a meeting on Bio-energy as a false solution? Biofuelwatch have resources and may be able to provide a speaker; who can give more information on current UK biomass expansion.
CampaignCC want to strengthen and build more local climate networks across the UK in the run up to next years national election and climate negotiations in Paris.
As part of this CampaignCC are organising a massive street mobilisation on March 7th 2015 which will be the climax of their many other activities this year, bringing activists together with a clear message:
It's Time to Act on Climate Change.
CampaignCC want to encourage grassroots discussion and mobilisation all across the UK.
There are plenty of other activities to participate in, such as:
Post on your website
Blog about / use IPCC findings as the basis for a blog
Tweet and share resources and opinions on Facebook & Twitter
Send out information to your lists
Send out information to friendly journalists/local media
We have a busy year ahead of us, but please let CampaignCC know how you are getting on locally with meetings and other activities, and if you need any help.
Resources:
There are many other resources on CampaignCC's website and below.
On changes to summary text: SMH, New York Times, Scientific American
Friends of the Earth video from leading climate scientist Prof Kevin Anderson, on the need for urgency and ambition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7pwpjthh6E
Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice Campaign's IPCC brief: http://climatejusticecampaign.org/images/ipcc/IPCC_WG3_Report_Fin.pdf
Kevin Anderson's article in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/what-would-it-look-like-if-we-took-global-warming-seriously-9226644.html
Kevin Anderson's paper “Going beyond dangerous”: http://www.whatnext.org/resources/Publications/Volume-III/Single-articles/wnv3_andersson_144.pdf
Joe Romm-Report by US academic as to why he thinks the IPCC are overly cautious:
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/30/3420723/climate-breakdown-of-food-systems/
Kirklees declaration on tipping points: http://www.campaigncc.org/blog/KCCCtippingpoints.
Friends of the Earth EWNI has a newspage on the latest climate science:
http://www.foe.co.uk/news/latest-climate-science
Friends of the Earth note on geoengineering: http://climatejusticecampaign.org/images/ipcc/Geoengineering.pdf
Guardian article on mitigation (7/4/14): http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/apr/07/ipcc-un-climate-change-mitigation-wg3-worsen-geoengineering
from a Campaign Against Climate Change email