Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Conferences

Economist Reports on Climate Conference in New York

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SPAIN has business leakage, California has banned all coal-based electricity, cap and trade creates vested interests in property rights – these are some of the issues economist Alan Moran reports on in his summary of the recent Climate Change Conference in New York.  

Dr Moran also notes that scientists at the conference did not agree on whether there is likely to be global  warming or cooling in the near future or on the key drivers of climate. 

[Read more…] about Economist Reports on Climate Conference in New York

Time for Plan B: Adaptation to Climate Change

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The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s plan of prevention has been trialled by combining regulation under the Kyoto Protocol with the dissuasive powers of a carbon dioxide trading system, for instance in Europe.  From this trial it is apparent that the CO2 reductions agreed to under Kyoto, even were all to be achieved, will make no measurable difference to future temperature. Also, the experience of early mover countries on carbon dioxide taxation, such as Norway, is that at reasonable tax levels of $15-25/tonne no reduction in emissions is achieved, Norway’s having increased 15% since 1990. Thus Plan A doesn’t work, can’t work and won’t work; it is already a dead parrot.

Meanwhile, Nature has delivered powerful messages recently as to the danger of natural climate change, via Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in USA, and devastating bushfires and floods in Australia in 2009. It is obvious that countries need to be better prepared to understand, cope with and adapt to the damaging effects of these and other natural climatic events and trends. Just like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, major climatic events are unpredictable long in advance and unstoppable once started.

The appropriate response – and climate policy plan B – is to adapt to such events when and as they occur.

[Read more…] about Time for Plan B: Adaptation to Climate Change

European Union President to Open Skeptics Conference

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THE President of the Czech Republic and the current president of the European Union, Vaclav Klaus, will give the keynote address this evening at the opening of the second international Conference on Climate Change – billed as the world’s largest-ever gathering of global warming skeptics.  

The President is expected to be blunt when he addresses the 400 strong-audience who have flown in from around the world. 

The theme of the conference is “Global warming: was it ever really a crisis?”  

President Klaus has remarked that there is no climate crisis, but the consequences of a belief in “the crisis” are indeed frightening.

[Read more…] about European Union President to Open Skeptics Conference

Bob Carter in Brisbane Speaking on Climate Change as a Natural Hazard

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The Institute of Public Affairs holds lectures on interesting topics at the Brisbane Club.   Last night eighty guests heard Professor Bob Carter from James Cook University explain how climate always changes and why climate change is a natural hazard.   

Thanks Bob for another great presentation!

In the New Year, the Institue of Public Affairs is hoping to start a lecture series in Sydney along the lines of the Brisbane Club Lectures and Bob has agreed to give the inaugural lecture.

To be sure to be invited to these and other events become a member of the Institute of Public Affairs.