Comments Simon Donner has made
Read the fine print
Press coverage of the new emissions plan has largely missed a very key point. The required reduction in industrial emissions is actually a reduction in emissions intensity, that is, emissions per dollar of GDP or per unit of production. That changes the math of the entire plan (see here)
If industries are not required to reduce their actual emissions, the odds of reaching any long-term reduction goal, even the inadequate goal announced yesterday (20% below 2006 levels by 2020), are extremely low.On Getting the Fax Straight posted 2 years, 7 months ago 1 Response
not so different anymore?
At least the Canadian election campaigns are only a month long... that being said, the politics of climate in Canada are now quite similar to that in US. The party in power is currently unlikely to enact legislation with any teeth anytime soon, except under duress. But once the election campaign begins (as it has semi-officially in both countries)... all the parties, including the governing party, will battle over who has the best climate + emissions policy.
The real danger is that, in the meantime, the Republicans and the Conservatives (in Canada) may win points by bashing the oppositions over lack of action in the past(ie. bash Gore, Stephane Dion) and passing legislation that aims for the low-hanging carbon fruit. This will only slow the move to a policy addressing the real obstacles.
http://simondonner.blogspot.com
On Neither can we posted 2 years, 8 months ago 2 Responsesjust how high should the tape go?
It is a fun idea and a simple way to visualize potential sea level rise in the future. Participants should just be sure to read all the caveats on the web-site about the uncertainty of changes in sea level, and recognize that a 3-7 m rise would not happen for centuries. Otherwise, any critics could easily, and not so wrongly, claim that the scientific results are being twisted by environmental groups.
http://simondonner.blogspot.com
On San Francisco visualizes rising seas posted 3 years, 2 months ago 2 Responsessave the ozone layer!
The article is ridiculous on a number of levels, not the least of which is the lead "Even race car drivers care about the ozone layer."
The ozone layer? Maybe if they are racing refrigeration trucks around the track. Someone has their environmental problems confused.
http://simondonner.blogspot.com
On Corn-fed NASCAR posted 3 years, 4 months ago 1 Responseclimate and mood
I'm surprised the impact of climate on people's moods isn't been discussed more, either through legitimate research... or just plain comedy. Research does show people are more irritable and uncomfortable when it is hot and humid outside(more migranes, lower reaction times, shorter tempers, etc). The climate in different areas does seems to be realted to the culture... things are slower in the tropics, tensions run high in hot, crowded cities, etc. I'm worried about what is happening to the formerly genial population of Canadian cities like Toronto as there more and more hot, humid summer days.
http://simondonner.blogspot.com
On Crime goes up with temperature, says a new study. posted 3 years, 4 months ago 2 Responses