#Manchester Tyndall articles about shipping, #aviation and #climate by Prof Kevin Anderson and Dr Alice Bows

Posted on January 12, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Last week Professor Kevin Anderson sent out the following email.

Please find links to three (open access) pieces Alice Bows and I have recently had published: 1) a paper on shipping, 2) a commentary on aviation, and 3) a Tyndall Briefing note on aviation and shipping. In addition Alice Bows et al have led on a special issue on shipping (http://www.future-science.com/toc/cmt/3/6)

Apologies if none of these are of interest and I’m simply blocking your emails.

On the one hand the shipping industry maintains a strong pretence of contributing towards global commitments on climate change, whilst on the other it is planning for an emission rise of almost 300%. Such high-level declarations contrasting with woefully inadequate policies is all too reflective of the Machiavellian duality exhibited by many industries and nations. Focussing on shipping, the paper clarifies the scale of planned emission growth, concluding that nothing short of a Scharnow turn in the sectors emissions is necessary for even an outside chance of “preventing dangerous interference with the climate system”.
A one page summary can be found at http://kevinanderson.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Executing-a-Scharnow-turn-1-page-overview-Anderson-Bows-Dec-20122.pdf

Following strident calls by Tim Yeo et al for the urgent expansion of aviation capacity, this commentary tests how their arguments stand up to the evidence on the role of aviation in climate change and economic reform. The article highlights how the presumption that further aviation growth is good for the economy is at best premature and may be dangerously misleading. On climate change the conclusion is unequivocal. Regardless of the EU ETS, aviation growth is incompatible with the UK’s commitments under the Copenhagen Accord, the Cancun Agreements and the 2012 G8 Camp David Declaration.

Just a week on from the Prime Minister publicly declaring his “Government has the most incredibly green set of energy policies”, DECC chooses to continue ignoring emissions from aviation and shipping. This note illustrates how in 2012 the government a) refused to set a 2030 ‘decarbonisation’ target for electricity generation; b) gave a green-light to shale gas exploitation (a high carbon fossil fuel comprising ~75% carbon); c) proposed up to 37GW of new gas-fired power stations; and d) reversed the decision to rule out a third runway at Heathrow. This note argues such decisions cannot be reconciled with the PM’s claim to lead the “greenest government ever”.

If any of the above are of interest please feel free to circulate as you see fit; all the links are to documents that are open access.
Kind regards
Kevin

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Another one bites the dust: Envirolink NW into liquidation

Posted on January 11, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

The website businessdesk.com reports

ENVIROLINK Northwest, the not-for-profit organisation set up to drive the low carbon agenda in the region, has been placed into liquidation and all 19 staff have been made redundant. The organisation, which was based in Warrington, was founded in 2001. Its demise comes after the majority of its funding was lost following the closure of the North West Development Agency and subsequent public sector spending cuts.

In the years that MCFly has been publishing (2008 onwards, with a short break for a flight to Australia and half-way back) we have seen many quangos go, “green” businesses fizz, and campaigning groups die a painful death.

Now another bites the dust, to join the NWDA, 4NW, Foundation, Sustainability NW, the Environment Commission,  the Low Carbon Economic Area for the Built Environment, the City Council’s Environmental Advisory Panel, Hulme in Transition, Transition City Manchester, Call to Real Action, Manchester Campaign against Climate Change, Community Network for Manchester, Environment Network for Manchester, and on and on and on. (Chorlton’s Big Green Festival is awfully silent at present – we are unofficially told that they are having a “rest” year. We may don our asbestos suits and request an official statement.)

Still everyone, never fear – the Steering Group will stagger on. Not because of any competence, influence or usefulness, but merely because it is a useful stab-vest for Manchester City Council. So it goes.

Posted in Democratic deficit | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Press Release: “BREATHE CLEAN AIR GROUP STILL FIGHTING” in #Manchester and #Trafford

Posted on January 11, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Here at MCFly we aren’t big fans of press-release journalism. There’s already quite enough of it from the Manchester Evening News. Still, needs must, because we don’t have enough reporters. If you’d like to get involved, get in touch – mcmonthly@gmail.com. In the meantime, here’s a press-release we received from the folks at the Trafford-based Breathe Clean Air Group.

The campaign to stop the Barton Renewable Energy Plant, in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, continues. The Breathe Clean Air Group is planning a series of fundraising events and campaigning activities to improve the quality of air that will affect most of Greater Manchester.

Group Chairman, Pete Kilvert said “we presented a substantial case at the Public Inquiry, held at Manchester United football stadium last November and now await the Government Planning Inspector’s recommendation expected in February. Then Minister of State Eric Pickles will make the final decision by early May. Our fundraising activities have almost covered our legal costs and we intend to move into 2013, the “European Year of Air”, with a positive programme to protect and improve air quality in Trafford and Greater Manchester”.

Following a successful Grand Christmas Draw, which raised over £1,000, the Breathe Clean Air Group is to run a St.Valentine’s Day Raffle as well as a number of gigs. (see http://www.BreatheCleanAirGroup.co.uk for details). “We greatly appreciate the support from local people and hope that they will continue to support us during 2013” added Mr Kilvert.

The Group is still collecting signatures on their petition and is planning to take this to London in March. Petition forms are available on the website and residents are urged to download one and collect more signatures.

The European Commission declared that 2013 is “The Year of Air” with key European air pollution legislation up for review. “We hope that this
means improvements to air quality” said Mr Kilvert, “but we know that certain authorities in this country want to weaken the legislation. This would mean that the areas of highest air pollution will be allowed some flexibility to exceed current standards, which will result in more disease and early death for people. The Breathe Clean Air Group will challenge any worsening of air quality standards”.

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Colour me amazed: Australian weather-mappers need new colours for new peak temperatures #deeppurple #toast

Posted on January 10, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Oscar Wilde said that “A Map Of The World Without Utopia Is Not Worth Glancing At.”

Perhaps a twenty-first century Wilde would say  that “a map of the world without dystopia is not worth colouring in…”

australiadeeppurpleRecord heat sees Australia map upgrade

(AFP) – 14 hours ago

SYDNEY — Extreme heat in Australia forced the government’s weather bureau to upgrade its temperature scale, with new colours on the climate map to reflect new highs forecast next week.

Central Australia was shown with a purple area on the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast map issued for next Monday, a new colour code suggesting temperatures will soar above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

The bureau’s head of climate monitoring and prediction David Jones said the new scale, which also features a pink code for temperatures from 52 to 54 degrees, reflected the potential for old heat records to be smashed.

“The scale has just been increased today and I would anticipate it is because the forecast coming from the bureau’s model is showing temperatures in excess of 50 degrees,” Jones told Fairfax newspapers….

And in Australia, the mainstream media seems not to be joining the dots.

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#Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese on #climate adaptation? Maybe…

Posted on January 10, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, has a blog. The latest post on it makes mention of adaptation to climate change. We’ve posted the following question. Let’s see what happens…

leesescreenshotWelcome back,

at the end of the blog post you write

“The update has considerably more on adaptation than the original but continues to challenge us all to address one of the most fundamental issues facing the world today.”

Well, I’d like to refer you to the papers for the first meeting Low Carbon Hub meeting (6th December 2012), which I believe that you chaired.
In the main paper for that meeting “FUTURE WAYS OF WORKING AND BUSINESS PLAN REVIEW” there is a pretty blunt assessment by the officers of the Greater Manchester Environment Team (paragraph 4.2, on page 5)

“It should also be noted that a significant proportion of deliverables for which no resources were identified at the beginning of the year, have also been progressed. The key exceptions are that we have not progressed the roll out of the MCC carbon literacy project across GM, we have not substantially followed up the actions from the Ecocities launch….” (emphasis added)

Soooo, big shiny launch of the Ecocities project last May (a conference that was, it should be noted, supposed to be held in six months earlier). A few people get to give speeches and deliver powerpoints, followed by some light networking. But then … “we have not substantially followed up the actions…”

Could you please tell us what your response to this report was on the 6th December when it was tabled, and also what precisely will be different “going forward” (as they so frequently say in the adminosphere.) A cynic might be forgiven, you see, for thinking that the main function of the climateriat in Manchester is not actions, but rather the writing of reports that can then be “refreshed” a couple of years down the line.

Many thanks in advance.

Marc Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com

P.S. And yes, I am aware that MACF is a Manchester thing and Ecocities is ostensibly a Greater Manchester thing.

Posted in Adaptation, Climate Change Action Plan, Democratic deficit, GM Climate Strategy, Manchester City Council | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: How will Low Carbon #Manchester look? Tues 15 Jan, 6pm…

Posted on January 9, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

There is a registration page for this free event here.

How will Low Carbon Manchester look?

Richard Roberts – GMA Chairman Tuesday, 15 January 2013 from 18:00 to 20:00 (GMT)

instmech“This informative and interesting presentation discusses the current carbon footprint of Manchester, national and local reduction targets and potential projects which could help us to reach them.

Using knowledge gained from low carbon communities in Northern Europe and work on renewable projects in the UK and drawing on research carried out by the ARCC CN (Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate Co-ordination Network), the CLUES Project (Challenging Lock in through Urban Energy Systems) and Government Office for Science Foresight will examine what future energy scenarios could look like in Manchester and what impact they might have on the way we live in the city.”

Manchester Metropolitan University. Room T0.03, John Dalton building (via Chester Street).
M1 5GD Manchester
United Kingdom
Tuesday, 15 January 2013 from 18:00 to 20:00 (GMT)

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PMT #02: Please publicise MCFly and/or complete a sentence…. #Manchester #climate

Posted on January 9, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

PMTiconPlease follow us on facebook and twitter (@mcr_climate) and get into the habit of reposting/retweeting our posts.
And/or complete this sentence (by posting in the comments box)  “MCFly would be a lot better as a resource for people trying to make Manchester greener if ….”

Thank you to all of you who responded to last week’s “PMT” and wrote to the chair of TfGM, Councillor Andrew Fender, about the lack of an early press release about the TfGM budget consultation.  We will keep you updated on this story!

PMT??  Stands for “Practical MCFly Tasks.”  Every Wednesday we are going to ask readers to do something (usually something simple and quick, but occasionally a bit more complex and a bit longer).  That “something” might be “publicise the latest issue of MCFly on facebook” or it might be “respond to this consultation” or it might be something else.  If your group has something that you’d like to see in this slot, email us at mcmonthly@gmail.com

“MCFly: giving you PMT every week of the year.”

Posted in PMT | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Last chance to nominate someone for “Woman and the Environment” for #Manchester International Women’s Day awards

Posted on January 8, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Do you know women doing good work in Manchester (especially on environment, but there are a bunch of categories).  Well, you have until THIS FRIDAY, 11th January, to nominate them for an award.  See the email below, which we received today (1)…  UPDATE: The deadline is being extended ; it’s now the end of January.

As part of Manchester’s International Women’s Day celebrations we will be hosting the city’s women’s awards on Friday 8 March 2013 at Manchester Town Hall.

These awards are coordinated by the International Women’s Day Steering Group and  provide an opportunity to recognise the amazing contribution women make to the city and to redress the under-representation of women in many industries by celebrating local women’s achievements.

The women’s awards categories for 2013 are:

Women in Art
Women in Business
Women and Culture
Women in the Community
Women and the Environment
Valuing older Women
Women in Science (STEM)
Women in Sport
Outstanding Young Woman
Women’s Champion in honour of Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw

If you would like the opportunity to sing the praises of a great woman from Manchester or with Manchester connections, please complete the International Women’s Day nomination form and return to:

Donna Saunders
Corporate Performance Group
Business Support Team
Manchester City Council
PO Box 532
Manchester
M60 2LA

Please note nominations close on Friday 11 January 2013.   end of the month.

For more information contact:

Alex Keelan
0161 234 4263
a.keelan@manchester.gov.uk

(1) Thanks to Steven Flower for bringing this to our attention!

Posted in Manchester City Council | Leave a comment

Newsflash: #Manchester Stakeholder Conference to be held on Monday 4th March. MCFly urges you not to bother booking annual leave NOW.

Posted on January 8, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

You may have read on the official website “manchesterclimate.com”  that the Stakeholder Conference would be held on Friday 8th March.  This was wrong. (1)

You may have read in a report to Manchester City Council that the Stakeholder Conference would be held on Friday 8th March.  This was wrong.

It will be held on Monday 4th March. (2)

For what it’s worth, the last one was a bit of a catastrophe, and the group “responsible” appears only now to have started serious work on the next one very recently (see our recent interview with the chair of the group here.)

So we are not holding our breath about this one being any less catastrophic. And so we are not encouraging anyone who has limited annual leave left to spend it on this.  Doubtless some masochists will attend, and will provide those too busy or sane to do so reports.

You may be wondering

  • Is it half day or whole day?
  • When will you be able to sign up?
  • How will  you be able to sign up?
  • When will you know if you are going to be allowed to attend?

All good questions, which as of yet do not have answers.

Marc Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com

Footnotes

(1) From before Christmas until last night the site was proclaiming the 8th March. It now reflects reality. Bravo!  Anyday now there will be a new blog post too…

(2)    Announced at the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 8th January.  A full report on this meeting will follow soon…

Posted in Climate Change Action Plan, Democratic deficit | Tagged , | Leave a comment

#Manchester Evening News: “Win flights to… London” – “Going green as top priority”? #epicfail

Posted on January 8, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Seriously.

menandclimatechange

Posted in Aviation, humour, Manchester Airport | Tagged | 2 Comments