Scientists, others gather in Thailand to finalize third IPCC report

One Fight In Bangkok

In its third report of the year, due out Friday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will recommend climate solutions. (The first report confirmed the existence and science of our collective mess, and the second outlined its likely effects.) So what will save us? A draft released this weekend suggests nuclear power, genetically modified crops, and carbon burial as leading options. Uh, awesome? We feel so much better? "Simply replacing one set of technologies with another set of technologies won't work, especially when there are such big downsides with some of them," says Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth. "Structural change to the economy, behavior change, and culture change -- those have to be elements in a world of decarbonization." At least 400 experts from some 120 countries are meeting in Bangkok this week to go over the fine print before the final draft is released -- and, says a U.N. Environment Program spokesperson, the whole thing could be "completely rewritten."

straight to the source: BBC News, 30 Apr 2007

straight to the source: Yahoo! News, Agence France-Presse, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, 30 Apr 2007

straight to the source: The Scotsman, Michael Howie, 30 Apr 2007

straight to the source: The Guardian, The Observer, Amelia Hill, Juliette Jowit, and Robin McKie, 29 Apr 2007

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Comments: (2 comments)

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The IPCC must not kowtow to fossil fuel interests!

... although perhaps the climate of opinion in this forum is that, well, maybe insofar as endorsing nuclear, they might want to consider being just a little go-along-to-get-along, and ... what was that phrase ... STFU.

For sure, that's not my climate of opinion. They stood up, and good for them.

--- G. R. L. Cowan, former hydrogen-energy fan
Oxygen expands around boron fire, car goes

by GRLCowan at 10:57 AM on 30 Apr 2007

Report on IPCC - or more Grist hype?

Once again, Grist gives us half a report, I assume because it makes for better sarcasm. In addition to the nuclear power, genetically modified crops, and carbon burial that makes Grist "feel so much better," the BBC article referenced talks about "shifting to renewable forms of energy" and "making buildings more energy-efficient."

The Guardian story says the plan includes "energy efficiency and renewable energy from wind and wave farms, and more futuristic ideas for hydrogen car fleets and 'intelligent' buildings which can control energy use."

The blog at the Scotsman says "The report also sets out solutions, such as capturing and burying emissions from coal-fired power plants; a shift to renewable energies such as solar and wind power; more use of nuclear power and biofuels and more efficient lighting and insulation of buildings."

C'mon, Grist. You act like the little girl that runs to Mommy yelling, "Johnny broke the window!" but neglects to tell Mommy that she pushed him through it. Grow up. Either tell the whole story, or stop wasting our time.

by GaGa at 4:46 AM on 01 May 2007

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