The Earth is Full

Posted on April 2, 2012 by jeremy

This TED talk is a useful summary of Paul Gilding’s book, The Great DIsruption. Listening to the first half of his presentation, one could be forgiven for thinking that Gilding has thrown in the towel, based on his projected level of doom and gloom. This is not entirely the case. Yes, things do look grim, but Gilding is not nearly as pessimistic as James Lovelock or Clive Hamilton. The book goes into great detail as why he (and his collaborator Jorgen Randers) believe there is a future for humanity with their One Degree War Plan.

 

Filed under: Climate, Development, Ecological degradation, Energy, Food, Human rights, International political economy, Materialism, Oil, Pollution, Sustainable development | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Is It Too Late to Prevent Catastrophic Climate Change?

Posted on October 24, 2009 by jeremy

People in 181 countries are coming together today to take part in arguably the most widespread day of environmental action in history. An estimated 5200 events are scheduled to take place around the world, to call for strong action and decisive leadership on the climate crisis. The main objective is to draw attention to the science of climate change and what constitutes an acceptable level of CO2 in the atmosphere. The figure is 350 parts per million (ppm); hence the formation of 350.org. Right now, it is around 389 ppm. Meanwhile our politicians are saying that 450 is politically realistic. If you agree with Clive Hamilton, then 450 is simply not acceptable at all. This speech, entitled: Is It Too Late to Prevent Catastrophic Climate Change? was delivered in Sydney at a meeting of the Royal Society of the Arts last Wednesday, and the message is very depressing.

Filed under: Australian politics, Climate | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Hamilton sticks the boot in on Flannery

Posted on February 5, 2009 by jeremy

Clive%20Hamiltonwebpic.jpg
Image source: usyd.edu.au

After publicly criticising Tim Flannery a couple of years ago for playing into the Howard goverment’s hands with his “advocacy of do-nothing green consumerism” and his pro-nuclear stance, Clive Hamilton has really upped the ante today with an article in Crikey entitled: Flip-flop Flannery is a climate change opportunist. A “talented science populariser can be a policy flake” says Hamilton, as he casts aspersions on the coherence of Flannery’s views. While it is probably true that Flannery has been cosying up to the those on the right of Australian politics a little more than is conscionable given their record on climate change and the environment more generally, flicking through my copy of The Weather Makers, I don’t think he can be accused of not arguing for government intervention. Having said this, if Hamilton’s broadside does anything, it should at least cause Flannery to come out and state his position more clearly.

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Filed under: Australian politics, Climate, Sustainable development | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

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