Copenhagen - A party without guests? (blog action day)

Copenhagen will be the venue of the showdown of the year. More than 10,000 participants and activists are expected - but the crucial 20 players haven't yet decided whether they will come or not: the G20 head of states.

As whatseuropinion argues, the EU is not going to have a strong Commissioner to represent this important economic bloc. Nor will Germany have an environment minister with experience to attend the conference. But crucially, it is clear already now that the head of states will need to step in to save the conference from failure. Even if a compromise could be prepared during the week, the head of states would need to fly in to seal the deal - too much is at stake and too grave are the differences in interests.

Obama himself will receive the Peace Nobel Price shortly before the end of Copenhagen. That is, he will be in Scandinavia anyhow. He hasn't yet ruled out coming to Copenhagen - but for protocol reasons it is clear that he wouldn't attend unless other head of states would do so. Merkel, to name just another head of state, hasn't yet ruled out coming as well. So why not asking the head of states to step by in Copenhagen for a nice pyjama party? Obama, let's throw a proper party with the truely important guests!

Jonas - with greatings to the other 9,000+ blogs on blog action day

Energy vs. Climate?

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When experts hold a presentation on, let’s say, “The Economic Challenges of Climate Change” they usually divide their PowerPoint presentation into two parts: one for energy and one for climate change issues. Unfortunately, mostly a third part is missing that puts the picture together!

Energy

In order to satisfy the growing energy demand of a growth-oriented world politicians and economic experts emphasise the growing necessity to extract new energy resources in the face of energy scarcity. The solution is – as everyone agrees – growing investment in and development of renewable energy resources like wind, solar or biomass. But experts emphasise that these innovations, investments and developments take time – they usually calculate in decades – before those alternative energy resources actually pay out and become a sufficient substitute for conventional energy means like oil and gas. In that sense, it is argued that besides the investments in renewable energies money should also be poured into the exploration of new oil and gas resources.

Climate

The latter conclusion contradicts somehow the statements usually made by the same experts that in close connection to the energy problem, climate change issues have to be in the centre of attention, mainly in the form of carbon emission reductions. It is claimed that we have to act now in order to remain within the temperature rise that still prevents a global catastrophe. But the demand to develop new exploration fields for oil and gas seems to run counter to the emission reduction targets we should pursue. As an example: the extraction of the oil stored in the Canadian sand banks will become economically profitable with a high enough oil price despite the huge costs connected to the digging up and processing of the sand. Not calculated hereby is the huge amount of greenhouse emissions this will produce together with a tremendous amount of energy and water needed for the process, not to speak of the environmental damage to the land of the region. Another example is the increasing economic attractiveness of (especially gas) resources in the Arctic Ocean, which puts this vulnerable region in danger of unsustainable exploration and irreversible environmental damage.

Dilemma

So is there a trade-off? Does the Arctic have to be “sacrificed” and the increasing emissions through Canadian oil sand extraction be accepted in order to bridge the time until renewable and sustainable energy resources are sufficiently developed in order to replace conventional energy resources? What would the experts suggest?

Kathrin

It gets warm in the High North

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The Arctic or High North will be one of the regions being considerably affected by climate change. Temperatures are expected to rise more and quicker up there than anywhere else. Studies like the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) predict a temperature rise between 4 and 7 degrees Celsius in the Arctic at the end of this decade. Other models predict an ice-free Arctic Ocean already during the summer months of 2040.

This development points to the considerable economic and political potential of the High North, including great possibilities and numerous challenges. Most striking is the growing importance of energy in the Arctic region as the area becomes more accessible for the exploitation of Arctic hydrocarbon resources. Technical advances and high energy prices corresponding with increasing demand for energy worldwide make such an endeavour profitable. The development of new sea navigation routes through climate change will help to secure access to energy for Arctic petroleum extraction and will considerably shorten the distance between Europe and North America to Asia. Besides the increasing possibilities for energy exploitation, transport and fishing the environmental dangers connected to the increased human activity and economic interests in the area have also to be taken into account, not least the effects of climate change threatening the traditional livelihoods of the indigenous populations. In that sense the European Union Commission’s Communication emphasises that the exploitation of Arctic hydrocarbon resources and the opening of new navigation routes can be of benefit, provided it is done in full respect of the highest environmental standards. (“Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: The European Union and the Arctic Region”, Brussels 20 November 2008, p. 7)
The supply of more natural resources through the reduction of Arctic sea ice could also lead to heightened rivalry between various actors, for example concerning sovereignty issues between the eight Arctic states (US, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Iceland). Furthermore, in connection with Russia’s renewed self-assertiveness European states are increasingly concerned about threats to the stability and security of existing supplies of energy and are therefore looking for alternative measures for securing their energy demands. The High North might offer alternative and safer supplies.
The growing interest in the High North is not limited to the countries possessing soil in the area. Rather numerous actors on the international scene including states and private interests show increasingly keen interests in the High North. Consequently, in order to secure the sustainable exploration of natural resources in the Arctic in due respect of the indigenous livelihoods a multilateral approach encompassing all main actors (countries, organisations, interest groups etc.) has to be the main aim.

Kathrin

24.10. Klimaaktionstag

Der 24.10.2009 wird ein globaler Aktionstag um auf die Kopenhagenverhandlungen aufmerksam zu machen. Koordiniert über tcktcktck und 350.org, werden Aktivisten weltweit für den Klimaschutz demonstrieren. 350ppm (parts per million) steht für die CO2-Konzentration, die für die Welt kein Problem darstellt. Zur Zeit liegen wir bei 380ppm, und 450-550ppm ist mehr als wahrscheinlich, wenn sich nichts ändert.

Allein in Berlin werden viele interessante Aktionen starten:
- ein Dönerladen (oder ähnliches) wird von einem carrotmob besucht: carrotmobs sind flashmobs, bei denen ca 400-500 Kunden auf einmal kommen. Der Gewinn, der durch den Konsum entsteht, geht komplett an den Besitzer. Dafür muss er einen Anteil (ca 30%) in nachhaltige Investitionen stecken, z.B. in neue Isolationen.
- DJ Motte wird eine silent disco mit 350 Tänzern veranstalten: Jeder hat Kopfhörer auf und tanzt zu der Musik, die sonst niemand hören kann.
- Auch sonst werden verschiedene Demonstrationszüge durch Berlin ziehen und sich irgendwann treffen.

Jonas