Australians want more climate change action

Most 'want more climate-change action'

March 11, 2008 = AUSTRALIANS overwhelmingly support the ratification of Kyoto - due to formally take effect today - and most want the Government to show international leadership on reducing greenhouse emissions.

Climate Institute research to be released today has found that Australians support the introduction of stronger policies to reduce greenhouse pollution. Polling commissioned by the institute found that only 7 per cent of Australians aged 18 and over oppose the ratification of Kyoto, with 64 per cent in support. Seventy-three per cent of those polled said that Australia should lead the world by introducing stronger policies to help reduce greenhouse pollution here.

Ninety per cent said the Government should "make homes more energy-efficient", 88 per cent said the Government should "ensure that new electricity generation comes from clean or renewable energy" and 87 per cent support government measures to reduce "emissions from cars". More >>>

[One would imagine that most rational people around the world would want 'more climate change action' as a preventative measure if there is even a small chance of climate change. We banned the use of CFC's and sulfur dioxide emissions and if we want to have a habitable planet for our children we must lower carbon output to zero. Sustainability is a matter of survival. Editor]

Former oil company exec takes on global warming

His message was simple: It's happening.

Friday February 01, 2008,

ANN ARBOR -- For the first 10 years or so that Steve Percy traveled around the country talking about climate change issues, his message was simple: It's happening.

Now, the former CEO of the oil company BP America has a slightly different message: Those people and companies who aren't working to combat climate change will be left behind.

"It's starting to manifest itself in what customers are asking for," he said. "If you're a business and not thinking about these things, likely your competitors are and (they) are going to beat you."

Percy was on a panel of politicians, scientists and business owners who gathered at the University of Michigan's Rackham Auditorium for a climate change solutions discussion. Several hundred community members and college students turned out for event.

It was hosted by Focus the Nation as one of over 1,600 events taking place across the country Thursday night to educate citizens about global warming and possible solutions. Founded in 2006 by Eban Goodstein, an economics professor at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., the grassroots, nonpartisan organization fosters discussion about how to mitigate climate change. More >>>

Lord Turner to head UK climate change committee

Lord Turner to head UK climate change committee

29 January 2008

Lord Jonathan Adair Turner has been named as the first chairman of the new Committee on Climate Change, which will provide the UK government with independent, expert advice on how the country can best meet its climate change goals.

Lord Turner is a former director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and was vice chairman of Merrill Lynch Europe. He is currently chairman to the Economic and Social Research Council and is also currently a non-executive director of a number of business groups.

The committee is being established as a high-profile independent statutory body under the Climate Change Bill. It will be the first of its kind, bringing together different strands of expertise from the fields of climate science and policy, economic, business competitiveness and financial management. In addition to the chairman, five to eight committee members will be appointed. The committee will also review the UK's target to reduce Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by at least 60% by 2050 to determine whether the target should be increased up to 80%, as announced by the prime minister in 2007. More >>>