User:Peter Campbell/Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009

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A Green Light for Copenhagen's Cyclists - Video Library - The New York Times

Other countries are doing far more than us to cut emissions

To adapt an old saying, bad news is halfway round the world before good news has got its boot on. The media love bad news because they know their customers find it more interesting. But when the news is mixed, ignoring the good bits can leave you with a false impression of reality. You already know the latest bad news on action to limit climate change: the loss of a Democrat majority in the House of Representatives has obliged Barack Obama to abandon his efforts to get an emissions trading scheme through Congress. [?]

Copenhagen bike lanes cause chaos in Melbourne

THE first day's operation of a new style of bicycle lane along a key city road left motorists confused and traffic stalled for much of the morning as drivers grappled with the change. Melbourne City Council in 2008 approved ''Copenhagen-style'' cycle lanes for Albert Street, which carries 25,000 cars a day into and out of the CBD. The council installed the cycle lanes in May, and yesterday its officers began warning motorists not to park in them. [?]

Suffer the little children at Larvatus Prodeo

When Rudd recently deferred the main component of his climate change strategy, the CPRS, into the never-never Peter Wood reminded us of a speech that Rudd made at Copenhagen. In ringing tones he called for the assembled leaders “to frame a Grand Bargain on climate change” and reminded them that the children of the world were watching and waiting. There is little doubt that, at Copenhagen, Rudd as a ‘friend of the chair’ gave it his best shot. But at the end of his term as PM will he be able to, in all conscience, say the same? [?]

Little climate change from $50,000 trip

LORD mayor Robert Doyle's trip to the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen last year - and a pit stop in London - cost ratepayers $50,000. For that price Cr Doyle, his chief of staff, Alister Paterson, and his strategic adviser, Amelia Bitsis, flew business class to Copenhagen and London, where Cr Doyle discussed climate change and homelessness with mayors from around the world. [?]

The 7.30 Report - ABC

China's role in the breakdown of the Copenhagen climate talks is a hot topic of debate in western governments, with one British Minister saying it hijacked the summit and held the world to ransom to prevent a deal being done. That may overstating it, but it's clear that China is leading the developing world to its model of Government, especially the demand that country's not interfere in the internal affairs of others. This was made clear this week with the execution of a British drug smuggler who was reportedly mentally ill. This incident caused an international outcry. Cambridge Professor Stefan Halper has been an advisor to four American presidents and believes the West might be losing a crucial battle of ideas. [?]

How do I know China wrecked the Copenhagen deal? I was in the room | Mark Lynas | Environment | The Guardian

Copenhagen was a disaster. That much is agreed. But the truth about what actually happened is in danger of being lost amid the spin and inevitable mutual recriminations. The truth is this: China wrecked the talks, intentionally humiliated Barack Obama, and insisted on an awful "deal" so western leaders would walk away carrying the blame. How do I know this? Because I was in the room and saw it happen. [?]

Obama says climate discontent justified - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

United States President Barack Obama has defended the chaotic outcome of the Copenhagen climate talks, but says disenchantment is "justified". The climate change conference in the Danish capital ended last week with a non-binding agreement that the European Union has blasted as a China-US stitch-up which will do little to curtail global warming. "I think that people are justified in being disappointed about the outcome in Copenhagen," Mr Obama said after the summit ended with only vague prescriptions to curb greenhouse gas emissions. "The science says that we've got to significantly reduce emissions over the next 40 years. "There's nothing in the Copenhagen agreement that ensures that that happens." [?]

Monbiot.com » Scramble for the Atmosphere

The useless, destructive talks at Copenhagen show that the treaty-making system has scarcely changed in 130 years. By George Monbiot. Published in the Guardian 18th December 2009 First they put the planet in square brackets, now they have deleted it from the text. This is no longer about saving the biosphere: now it’s just a matter of saving face. As the talks melt down, everything that might have made a new treaty worthwhile is being scratched out. Any deal will do, as long as the negotiators can pretend they have achieved something. A clearer and less destructive treaty than the texts currently being discussed would be a sheaf of blank paper, which every negotiating party solemnly sits down to sign(1). [?]

India, China cooperated to torpedo climate deal - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

India has confirmed it worked with China and other emerging nations to ensure there were no legally binding targets from the Copenhagen climate talks. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has told Parliament that India got its way at Copenhagen. He says India, China, South Africa and Brazil emerged as a powerful force. [?]