Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Archives for December 2010

When Half the World Population…

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“ENVIRONMENTAL policy isn’t just about the environment, it’s also about people. And it isn’t just about a future nearly impossible to predict, it’s also about what is happening today. When half the world population today does not have access to reliable supply of energy, to talk of problems that may arise 50 or 100 years later and call for reducing consumption is a hard political sell. Green activists almost always forget this. Political leaders do so at their own peril.”

Mr. Mitra is director of the Liberty Institute, an independent think tank in New Delhi, and a columnist for WSJ.com.

Qatar Outbids US and Australia for Soccer Matches

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The oil rich Gulf state of Qatar has out bided Australia, and even the US, for the FIFA Soccer World Cup.  According to The Australian:

“The Gulf state’s climate that will be so hot during the World Cup that the organisers admit they will need to build massive air-conditioning systems for entire stadiums, training facilities and fan zones to avoid serious health risks.”

Perhaps there are opportunities here for the carbon offsets industry?   Perhaps those who really care about Anthropogenic Global Warming should boycott the event?

After all, according to Wikipedia:

“Qatar has the highest per-capita carbon dioxide emissions, at 55.5 metric tons per person in 2005. This is almost double the next highest per-capita emitting country, which is Kuwait at 30.7 metric tons (2005) and they are three times those of the United States. Qatar had the highest per-capita carbon dioxide emissions for the past 18 years. These emissions are largely due to high rates of energy use in Qatar. Major uses of energy in Qatar include air conditioning, natural gas processing, water desalination and electricity production. Between 1995 and 2011 the electricity generating capacity of Qatar will have increased to six times the previous level. The fact that Qataris do not have to pay for either their water or electricity supplies is thought to contribute to their high rate of energy use. Despite being a desert state they are also one of the highest consumers of water per capita per day, using around 400 litres.”