Monday, 7 December 2009
The Road to Copemhagen
John Vidal sets out in search of the human consequences of global warming that are already being felt in the vast watershed that links Nepal and Bangaldesh
Out and about
This morning was the first day for scraping frost from off the windscreen. A relatively light frost (and surprising because yesterday had been cloudy and mild) - but a reminder to give myself an extra five minutes before starting winter morning journeys.
A small comedy unfolded on the way to the car. I was walking down the stairs (NB as part of my contribution to combating climate change I only now use the lift when I have vast amounts of shopping to carry upstairs) of my flats followed by a neighbour whom I barely recognise. I held open the doors from the stairs to him. In turn he held open the main door to the flats to me. I unlocked the door to the cycle shed and he followed me in. We made some small talk about how overfull the cycle shed always is. We both pushed our bikes across the road to the car park. He unlocked his white Citroen van and put his bike in the back. I opened my bright-green Peugeot van and did the same. We looked at each other and smiled at the coincidence. Jacques Tati couldn't have co-ordinated a better piece of neighbourly synchronicity.
Later in the day I get two good pieces of news - a). my liver isn't imminently planning on filing for divorce from the rest of my body on the grounds of domestic abuse and b) my car passes its APK (annual road test) needing just two light bulbs replacing.
A small comedy unfolded on the way to the car. I was walking down the stairs (NB as part of my contribution to combating climate change I only now use the lift when I have vast amounts of shopping to carry upstairs) of my flats followed by a neighbour whom I barely recognise. I held open the doors from the stairs to him. In turn he held open the main door to the flats to me. I unlocked the door to the cycle shed and he followed me in. We made some small talk about how overfull the cycle shed always is. We both pushed our bikes across the road to the car park. He unlocked his white Citroen van and put his bike in the back. I opened my bright-green Peugeot van and did the same. We looked at each other and smiled at the coincidence. Jacques Tati couldn't have co-ordinated a better piece of neighbourly synchronicity.
Later in the day I get two good pieces of news - a). my liver isn't imminently planning on filing for divorce from the rest of my body on the grounds of domestic abuse and b) my car passes its APK (annual road test) needing just two light bulbs replacing.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Typical Dutch
A colleague of mine in the editing and translating field wrote this
very perceptive article about Dutch ways. Highly recommended -it's part of a series of anecdotal views of the strange habits of the Dutch as seen by oustiders.
very perceptive article about Dutch ways. Highly recommended -it's part of a series of anecdotal views of the strange habits of the Dutch as seen by oustiders.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Finally - away from the god blogs
Well I finally got away from the god blogs - and via several "how cute are my kids?" blogs I finally found one with a link to a site of random quotes - the first of which tickled me no end "The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it" (George Carlin). Who is/was George Carlin? He must have (had)something going for him.
God blogs
By this title I mean blogs about god - not the musings of the omnipotent (though that would probably attract quite a large audience).
Have any of my readers ever used the 'next blog' button at the top of the blogger screen? It can be an interesting distraction to click it a few times to see what other people do with their blogs. There's a lot of crap out there, but I have found the occasional gem.
Recently whenever I have tried this trick this has led me to a sequence of god blogs (almost universally American) - written by people who evaluate their whole lives through the actions of a potentially mythical omnipotent being. I don't want to make any comment on the content of these blogs - but am curious as to whether there is an algebraic formula by which blogspot thinks I might be interested in how Patch the dog's recovery was somehow faciliated by the force of a prayer to a higher power - or whether christians have organised a subtle coup de web which puts their blogs on the high ranking listings. Click that button now and pray it ain't so.
Have any of my readers ever used the 'next blog' button at the top of the blogger screen? It can be an interesting distraction to click it a few times to see what other people do with their blogs. There's a lot of crap out there, but I have found the occasional gem.
Recently whenever I have tried this trick this has led me to a sequence of god blogs (almost universally American) - written by people who evaluate their whole lives through the actions of a potentially mythical omnipotent being. I don't want to make any comment on the content of these blogs - but am curious as to whether there is an algebraic formula by which blogspot thinks I might be interested in how Patch the dog's recovery was somehow faciliated by the force of a prayer to a higher power - or whether christians have organised a subtle coup de web which puts their blogs on the high ranking listings. Click that button now and pray it ain't so.
In the gallery
Over the last few days my office has started to resemble an art gallery. I have been assembling the 2010 TextualHealing calendar and didn't have photos of all the works we wanted to include so this year's chosen artist bought the missing ones over here - so we could do a shoot on a sunny day. We had to wait almost week and now (reluctantly) I'll have to return some very lovely and colourful paintings.
In the tradition (established last year) of tempting readers without spoiling the suprise, here is one image that didn't quite make it on to the short list.
.
Choosing a set of images is not just a matter of finding seven 'nice' images but of balancing themes, dominant colours and matching the images to the seasons. Unfortunately this one got edged out on all those criteria. I loved the shape of those gnarled old trees and the fortitude they display.
In the tradition (established last year) of tempting readers without spoiling the suprise, here is one image that didn't quite make it on to the short list.
.Choosing a set of images is not just a matter of finding seven 'nice' images but of balancing themes, dominant colours and matching the images to the seasons. Unfortunately this one got edged out on all those criteria. I loved the shape of those gnarled old trees and the fortitude they display.
Monday, 30 November 2009
The Road to Copenhagen
Researching the background to the COP15 next month has led me to do an inordinate ammount of Googling (which I accept is not entirely carbon neutral) checking facts and figures, the various groupings involved and the gap between rhetoric and reality. One of the key sites is the COP15 home page . It has a good number of new articles from different sources, though perhaps not suprisingly little or nothing about Climategate .
One of the best articles I read there is by UN Climate chief Yvo de Boer who summarises the main challenges at Copenhagen as being
1. How much are the industrialized countries willing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases?
2. How much are major developing countries such as China and India willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions?
3. How is the help needed by developing countries to engage in reducing their emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change going to be financed?
4. How is that money going to be managed?
These last two questiosn were the ones driving the conference that I attended last week. The more you delve into these waters the murkier they become. More to follow on this topic when my article gets approved (factually rather than politically) and published.
One of the best articles I read there is by UN Climate chief Yvo de Boer who summarises the main challenges at Copenhagen as being
1. How much are the industrialized countries willing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases?
2. How much are major developing countries such as China and India willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions?
3. How is the help needed by developing countries to engage in reducing their emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change going to be financed?
4. How is that money going to be managed?
These last two questiosn were the ones driving the conference that I attended last week. The more you delve into these waters the murkier they become. More to follow on this topic when my article gets approved (factually rather than politically) and published.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Mathew and Son
Out the door at seven am yesterday - riding the bus in the dark to the train station - everyone with button-downed coats and hats, huddled into themselves. Then when it does get 'light' around Utrecht it is still only a steel grey sky that leaks rain over the rooftops. Didn't get back home at 8.30 or so. So glad I don't have to do that commute every day (I have some friends / associates who do it four times a week) it wouldn't leave much time for anything else.
Still it was good day - informative presentations - a chance to meet old colleagues and new clients and to make new contacts. Equally to enjoy the splendour of the Peace Palace (link available in last blog). Two of our afternoon sessions were scheduled in magnificent rooms in the old building, lending an air of gravitas to the occasion.
Still it was good day - informative presentations - a chance to meet old colleagues and new clients and to make new contacts. Equally to enjoy the splendour of the Peace Palace (link available in last blog). Two of our afternoon sessions were scheduled in magnificent rooms in the old building, lending an air of gravitas to the occasion.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Backroom negotiations?
Much of the news about the forthcoming Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change is a sort of "will they won't they" discussion about setting clear and binding targets for reducing carbon emissions in the foreseeable future. By now the science is pretty indisputable - so the discussions will come down to political and distributive effects. Who is going to bear the brunt of the cuts? And can the political leaders sell these targets to their electorates (and industrial lobby groups)? But there are other issues apart from emission reductions that also need addressing.
Countless communities in the world are already suffering the effects of climate change. These vary considerably. In the Southern Andes glaciers are massively retreating, leading communities to abandon age old settlements as they have an inadequate supply of fresh water. In sub-Saharan African extreme weather conditions threaten the livelihoods of pastoralists and farmers alike. In Bangladesh millions face increased incidence and severity of flooding. Some countries may disappear completely - as dramatically highlighted in this unusual location for a government cabinet meeting.
Much of the work that I have done in the past year has focused on documenting these issues, the responses at ground level and the need for the policy community to support such iniatives. In Africa farmers face the challenge of adapting their cropping or grazing systems to more intense weather conditions and prolonged periods of drought. In South East Asia the draining of peatlands (often for commercial plantations) has the potential to release millions of tons of CO2 (although re-wetting abandoned peatland has the potential to absorb large amounts). Elsewhere in the world grassroots and participatory initiatives are developing new techniques for coping with the increasing risk of hazards becoming disasters and for adapting to climate change. While the scale of the problems is enormous the inventiveness of local communities and social entrepreneurs is inspiring. Over the last year I have been honoured to work with Christian Aid, Drynet , Wetlands International and Cordaid in documenting these experiences and initiatives.
Helping countries and communities to meet these challenges has to be a priority at Copenhagen too. This can take the form of technical assistance in becoming more prepared for disasters and need to include compensatory mechanisms for things like carbon sequestration. This will be the subject of a conference to be held in The Hague on Thursday (26th November) which will be organised by Hier a Dutch 'platform' organisation (we call them umbrella organisations in the UK - so it shows I am starting to go a little bit native). Its part of the build up for Copenhagen - to get climate change adapation in developing countries firmly on the agenda. Speakers will include the Dutch Development Cooperation Minister and the lead negotiator from the G77 (who is the Director General of the Maldivian Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Water).
One of the reports that I edited this summer was commissioned for this conference. I received a hard copy in the post today (it is always nice if a client remembers you that way). I mailed her back to say thanks and asked how the conference went and was told it was this week. "Would I like to come?" Well why not I'm not overworked at the moment, have never seen the Peace Palace and have promised myself that I should get out and spend more time networking with my clients. While I am replanning my Wednesday and Friday, so as to absorb a lost working day, I get a phone call from the organisers of the conference (fifteen minutes after having subscribed) asking if I would be a rapporteur for their morning session - as they need someone to write up the events for their publicity and lobbying activities. So I get a 'front row seat' for the build up to the Copenhagen Conference! Doubtless I will have more to say on this topic over the next few days. For the rest of the evening I think I will just marvel at how my networks link up.
Countless communities in the world are already suffering the effects of climate change. These vary considerably. In the Southern Andes glaciers are massively retreating, leading communities to abandon age old settlements as they have an inadequate supply of fresh water. In sub-Saharan African extreme weather conditions threaten the livelihoods of pastoralists and farmers alike. In Bangladesh millions face increased incidence and severity of flooding. Some countries may disappear completely - as dramatically highlighted in this unusual location for a government cabinet meeting.
Much of the work that I have done in the past year has focused on documenting these issues, the responses at ground level and the need for the policy community to support such iniatives. In Africa farmers face the challenge of adapting their cropping or grazing systems to more intense weather conditions and prolonged periods of drought. In South East Asia the draining of peatlands (often for commercial plantations) has the potential to release millions of tons of CO2 (although re-wetting abandoned peatland has the potential to absorb large amounts). Elsewhere in the world grassroots and participatory initiatives are developing new techniques for coping with the increasing risk of hazards becoming disasters and for adapting to climate change. While the scale of the problems is enormous the inventiveness of local communities and social entrepreneurs is inspiring. Over the last year I have been honoured to work with Christian Aid, Drynet , Wetlands International and Cordaid in documenting these experiences and initiatives.
Helping countries and communities to meet these challenges has to be a priority at Copenhagen too. This can take the form of technical assistance in becoming more prepared for disasters and need to include compensatory mechanisms for things like carbon sequestration. This will be the subject of a conference to be held in The Hague on Thursday (26th November) which will be organised by Hier a Dutch 'platform' organisation (we call them umbrella organisations in the UK - so it shows I am starting to go a little bit native). Its part of the build up for Copenhagen - to get climate change adapation in developing countries firmly on the agenda. Speakers will include the Dutch Development Cooperation Minister and the lead negotiator from the G77 (who is the Director General of the Maldivian Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Water).
One of the reports that I edited this summer was commissioned for this conference. I received a hard copy in the post today (it is always nice if a client remembers you that way). I mailed her back to say thanks and asked how the conference went and was told it was this week. "Would I like to come?" Well why not I'm not overworked at the moment, have never seen the Peace Palace and have promised myself that I should get out and spend more time networking with my clients. While I am replanning my Wednesday and Friday, so as to absorb a lost working day, I get a phone call from the organisers of the conference (fifteen minutes after having subscribed) asking if I would be a rapporteur for their morning session - as they need someone to write up the events for their publicity and lobbying activities. So I get a 'front row seat' for the build up to the Copenhagen Conference! Doubtless I will have more to say on this topic over the next few days. For the rest of the evening I think I will just marvel at how my networks link up.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Autumn colours
It has been a long and colourful autumn, the trees seemed to keep their colours for months. I noticed that some trees (mostly beech) lose their leaves in stages - losing all the leaves from their outer branches first - but often retaining the lower ones, closer to the heart of the plant, till later - often even through the winter. On Friday I did a farm visit and saw a stand of trees -which I couldn't identify - with a totally different shedding pattern. They were completely bereft of leaves except one remaining vestigial leave at the end of each branch. They were little flags - refusing to surrender.
One of the last trees to lose their leaves were the Ginkos in the car park next to my flat. When all the other trees had lost their colour they continued to glow a golden colour, just a few feet outside my window.
Now winter is starting to show its hand. This evening I set out to drive to Nijmegen to see a friend. The rain and wind were unbelievable - I couldn't see fifty feet ahead of me. Mindful of the extreme weather conditions in the UK in the last few days I decided to turn back. I just didn't want to be on a motorway in weather like that.
One of the last trees to lose their leaves were the Ginkos in the car park next to my flat. When all the other trees had lost their colour they continued to glow a golden colour, just a few feet outside my window.
Now winter is starting to show its hand. This evening I set out to drive to Nijmegen to see a friend. The rain and wind were unbelievable - I couldn't see fifty feet ahead of me. Mindful of the extreme weather conditions in the UK in the last few days I decided to turn back. I just didn't want to be on a motorway in weather like that.
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