by Alex Evans | Jul 3, 2009 | Climate and resource scarcity, UK
Yes, yes, it’s not a phrase one hears very often these days, but credit where it’s due: Gordon Brown’s climate change speech a week ago was first rate. Don’t just take it from me – Dan Smith thinks so too:
I think the Brown government – covered as it is with the ordure of scandal and recession that is dished out daily by the UK news media, the commentariat and the blogosphere – deserves a whole heap of credit for getting out in front of the crowd like this.
So what’s Brown done that’s so praiseworthy? In essence, the right thing on financing for climate change in developing countries (both the adaptation and the mitigation / technology transfer side of the equation). The key points in his speech are:
– a commitment that “I will commit the UK now to paying its fair share of the global total of [a climate financing mechanism for developing countries]. And we would expect other developed countries to do the same”;
– recognition that climate finance must be additional to the 0.7% aid target, and that “while some climate finance can come from official development assistance – where it clearly meets both poverty reduction and adaptation or mitigation objectives – a ceiling should be placed on this … in the UK we will limit such expenditure to up to 10% of our official development assistance. And we will work towards this limit being agreed internationally”;
– and a headline global needs figure of $100 billion a year by 2020 for adaptation.
These are really significant announcements. The $100 billion figure is at the high end of the range of figures so far mentioned (and looking at the rate at which the science outlook is worsening on climate damages, the high end is the correct end of the spectrum). But better still is the absolutely explicit commitment on additionality. Aid advocates have been seriously worried about the potential that more and more development aid would end up being diverted to coping with climate, rather than actively reducing poverty – Brown’s speech puts a tough new benchmark in place.
The big question now is whether the Conservative party will match Brown’s pledge on adaptation finance. True, they say that they’re committed to reaching the 0.7% aid spending target (it’s one of only two spending areas that the Conservatives have promised to protect) – but that’s of little use if all the money ends up being diverted to coping with climate change…
by Alex Evans | Jul 3, 2009 | Conflict and security, UK
Here in the UK, there’s much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth about the fact that it’s even conceivable that we might lose our triple-A credit rating.
But over at ForeignPolicy.com, the bad news is already here: for it emerges that our “security apparatus” is ranked worse than the United Arab Emirates, which kind of makes you question their methodology given things like this – although on the other hand, now that I think of it…
It also transpires in the full list that Iceland is regarded as more stable than Britain; and that Ireland is even better off, being a member of the coveted “most stable” club (other members: Scandics; Aussies; Kiwis; er – that’s it). And there I was thinking that Ireland and Iceland had felt the brunt of the credit crunch among OECD countries…
by Alex Evans | Jul 3, 2009 | Climate and resource scarcity, North America
Paul Krugman’s NYT column on Monday didn’t pull any punches as far as the 212 Congresspeople who voted ‘no’ on the Waxman-Markey climate bill were concerned:
as I watched the deniers make their arguments, I couldn’t help thinking that I was watching a form of treason — treason against the planet.
He continues:
…sometimes even the most authoritative analyses get things wrong. And if dissenting opinion-makers and politicians based their dissent on hard work and hard thinking — if they had carefully studied the issue, consulted with experts and concluded that the overwhelming scientific consensus was misguided — they could at least claim to be acting responsibly.
But if you watched the debate on Friday, you didn’t see people who’ve thought hard about a crucial issue, and are trying to do the right thing. What you saw, instead, were people who show no sign of being interested in the truth. They don’t like the political and policy implications of climate change, so they’ve decided not to believe in it — and they’ll grab any argument, nomatter how disreputable, that feeds their denial.
(more…)
by Richard Gowan | Jul 2, 2009 | Cooperation and coherence, Influence and networks, North America, Off topic
If one man can see the links between global health risks and national security, it’s Diddy:
“Official Vodka of Summer” and Diddy Celebrate Military Service with an Invitation to the Summer’s Most Exclusive Party
NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka, the “Official Vodka of Summer,” and Sean “Diddy” Combs today have invited Tanya Vinson of the United States Air Force to serve as Diddy’s personal guest as he celebrates our nation’s independence during his world-famous White Party on July 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California, which this year is co-hosted by ‘Malaria No More,’ a non-profit, non-governmental organization determined to end the malaria crisis in Africa.
As a sponsor of the event, CIROC Vodka launched a program in April to honor several American service men and women with entry to this exclusive event. The grand prize winner, Tanya Vinson, has received the ultimate CIROC White Party experience for two, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and transportation, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the armed forces.
“As we celebrate Independence Day at this year’s White Party, it’s only fitting that we show our gratitude for the heroic men and women who protect our freedom every day,” said Combs, who entered into a strategic marketing alliance with the ultra-premium spirit more than one year ago. “I am proud to honor our military by personally hosting Tanya at my Fourth of July White Party.”
A staple on the celebrity party circuit, Diddy’s White Party is revered as one of the most sophisticated and stylish events of the year. Although traditionally held at the end of summer, this year’s fete – themed ‘We Are Family’ – will occur on Independence Day in honor of our nation’s independence and the historic presidential election.
Ms. Vinson, a recruiter in the United States Air Force, holds what has become one of the toughest jobs in the military. As one of the faces for this branch of service, she is tasked with replenishing the ranks of our military during one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history.
The maker’s of CIROC Vodka would like to remind all consumers to celebrate life responsibly this Fourth of July. Use a designated a driver. Those without a designated driver can text “DRIVESAFE” to 44264 from their wireless devices to receive taxi information in their area.
Diageo
Taylor PR
Tammy Thompson
Alexandra Sklansky
Tammy.Thompson@diageo.com
asklansky@taylorpr.com
203-229-4876
212-714-5702
Hat-tip: The Intoxocologist
by Richard Gowan | Jul 2, 2009 | Climate and resource scarcity, North America
Raymond Chandler got it wrong:
In fact, an analysis by The New York Times of rainfall and homicides for the last six years shows that when it rains substantially in the summertime, there are fewer homicides.
When there was no precipitation, there was an average of 17 homicides every 10 days. But when there was an inch or more of rain, the average dropped to 14.
That does not surprise Vernon J. Geberth a former Bronx homicide squad commanding officer. He said that when there was a downpour, the police would sometimes joke, “The best cop in the world is on duty tonight.”
The gap is even wider when looking just at Saturdays in the summer. Those are the days that typically post the highest number of homicides in a year. When there was no rain, the average number of homicides for every 10 Saturdays in summer jumped to 24. For every 10 Saturdays doused with at least an inch of rain, the average number was 18.
These numbers may add up to something of a bright spot for a city that officially entered summer with the second wettest June on record, according to meteorologists at Pennsylvania State University. With a little more than 200 homicides so far this year, the city is on pace for a low not seen since the early 1960s. The first few days of July promise more of the same damp weather, with a chance of rain every day.
