There is growing consensus that the spike in food prices spells trouble for hunger in poor countries over coming months. Why is the international community doing so little about it?
REDD shafted by deepwater drilling concessions
Pressure builds on Indonesia to sign up to a moratorium on deforestation. Meanwhile, both US and UK governments refuse pleas for a moratorium on deepwater drilling for oil. Is this a contradiction?
Fuel subsidies debacle undermines global warming roadmap
The abrupt New Year’s Eve reversal of President Morales’ decision to raise petrol and diesel prices represents a setback for prospects of reducing global carbon dioxide emissions.
Cancún condemns ocean acidification to footnote
The Cancún climate change agreement pays little attention to the threat of ocean acidification. Environmental campaigners should do more to redress the balance.
Cancún path to climate compensation culture
Global economic recession prevented the Cancún climate change conference from achieving any meaningful progress. But the small print may contain significant acceptance that global warming causes “loss and damages”.
How to get high on ambition in Cancún
Climate change negotiations in Cancún appear to be deadlocked. But what do ministers really think? What do their children think? A truth drug would transform the conference result.
The US Emperor brings no clothes to Cancún
The US position in the Cancún climate change conference is that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” Can it deliver its own side of this bargain?
I am no longer a climate change sceptic
Climate change sceptics should watch Michel Jarraud talk about the Russian heat wave of 2010. The Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization told the Cancun climate conference that the temperatures were “off the scale.”
Do we really love the Kyoto Protocol?
Is the Kyoto Protocol as important as NGO campaigners claim? Why not concentrate efforts on improving the Copenhagen Accord? The UN climate change conference in Cancún must resolve its divisions over the shape of a long term agreement.
No poetry in ocean acidification
Scientific reports seem to be better at communicating the threat of ocean acidification than environmental NGOs. No wonder UN negotiations on emissions reductions take no notice of the subject.