Climate Change

[jo]

We have a blunt-speaking (but very articulate) head of our Foreign Affairs Department ( here in the Philippines) which is a government unit like the USA State Department. No mincing words, he delivered these words at a current conference on the subject in Scotland --

EDIT: Instead of the journalist reporting, may I simply upload his full speech --







Even at our personal levels, we can contribute in some ways towards coping with climate change.

Using recyclables to minimize use of fuel oil energy in production, tending a little garden and maybe even planting trees, organizing efforts to minimize travel( which use fuel oil) even short ones ( like errands) in our locality, well-planned short or long vacation-travel instead of spur-of-the-moment, minimize airline travel, etc.

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

See above --

EnvironmentClimate change


Hugh Jackman brings star appeal to climate action talks
By Anne Davies in New York
September 22, 2009 — 6.48am


United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon could be in need of a superhero tomorrow - someone capable of bench-pressing 136 kilograms - when he hosts the UN Climate Summit, climate lobbyist Steve Howard joked as he introduced Wolverine, aka Australian star Hugh Jackman to the media in New York.

It's hard to believe anyone could upstage Mr Ban, former British prime minister Tony Blair and the chief climate change negotiators from the US, China and India just 12 hours out from the most important meeting on climate change to be held in the lead- up to Copenhagen, but Jackman came close, even without the Wolverine claws and the sexy leathers.

(Check out photo from the above story link)
Actor Hugh Jackman, right, stands with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, second left, the Climate Group chief executive Steve Howard, left, and former British prime minister Tony Blair.CREDIT:AFP

Looking almost demure in a grey suit and tie, Jackman was at the New York City Climate Week event to give voice to the cause of people who are sometimes overlooked in the high level talk of carbon trading schemes, treaty structures and technology breakthroughs - the poor.

Jackman is an ambassador to World Vision, and has seen firsthand the hardships of people in Africa who are struggling to achieve food security as their climate becomes more unpredictable and hostile.

After the obligatory jokes about being the sexiest man alive and leaving behind the Wolverine claws and mutant powers, Jackman got down to business telling the story of a coffee farmer, Dukalee, whom he had visited in Ethiopia a year ago.

"On this trip it really gelled for me that you can't separate the issues of climate change and poverty," he said.

"They are inextricably linked. Having been to Ethiopia and seen these farmers, seen the battle they face from what is a problem that the developed countries have brought on many of these developing countries, there is a justice, there is a gap we need to fill," he said.

For Hollywood celebrities, the issue of carbon footprints can be a sensitive one. After all, private jets aren't exactly the ultimate green machine.

"I don't do private jets," he assured the media. "I try and do my best and I teach [sustainability] to my kids.


"It's humbling, it's embarrassing sometimes, when you go to Dukalee's farm who has nothing and who's doing no harm by shovelling manure, and there's me in my lovely apartment," he added.

"Deb [wife Deborra-lee Furness] and I have brought in a company to say what we can do in our home - change light bulbs, etc.

"Everyone does their best," he said.

World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said climate change was threatening to undo 50 years of the UN's development work.


"Our per capita carbon output is 27 tonnes and the per capita output in India is 1.3 tonnes. If the rest of the world lived like we do in Australia we would need three planets. Where is the United Nations going to find three planets?" he said.

"It's why Hugh has said very eloquently that climate change and poverty have morphed," he said.

[jo]

President Biden's commitment to climate change --

www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/joe-biden-makes-the-case-for-democracies-to-lead-the-way-on-climate-crisis-during-final-day-in-glasgow/ar-AAQdHY0?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531


www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/biden-announces-rule-to-limit-methane-leaks-targeting-oil-and-gas-industry-at-cop26-climate-summit/ar-AAQcXYy?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531