Disillusioned Discordian

France has the lowest Carbon footprint of any country in Europe. Why - Because they are prepared to adopt Nuclear power as a solution to our energy problems. Here in the UK we could have a load of new shiny reactors providing low CO2 energy, as opposed to having new Gas and Coal stations that are often reliant on imports. However the likes of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have been putting a spanner in the works, by using the High court to object to the government consultation. Overblown fears about radioactive waste and a small risk to human health are outweighing the long term global risk of climate change. The French manage their nuclear waste perfectly well, so why can’t the UK? Unfortunately fears around Nuclear energy persist largely based on disasters such as Chernobyl and concepts surronging the ‘unatural’ manner in which the energy is produced ( ssshh don’t tell them the sun is a form of nuclear reaction). Technology since then has progressed to such an extent that ‘Meltdowns’ are no longer possible in modern reactors with power failure leading to automatic shut of procedures which close the reactor down.   

Today however the government has signalled that it is about to go ahead with a plan to build new reactors. For Green activists such as myself who think Nuclear energy is the only practical short-term solution to climate change this is a step forward in the fight against climate change.

Heathrow climate camp is underway, and it’s hearting to see so many people coming together to make a point about increased global warming and increased aviation usage. As well as all the media hype about direct action, it’s worth remember that most of the camps activates will be workshops and educational in nature. Providing a forum for people to participate in climate politics (and politicians say people are disinterested in democracy). The camp has sated that it will not aim to disrupt passengers attempting to fly. Although people increasingly chose to fly for their holidays and this is obviously part of the problem, the solution lies in getting these people onside. I therefore hope that any direct action the camp participates on is focused at the likes of BAA’s corporate offices rather than families trying to take their holidays. Attack the corporate infrastructure and persuade the customers. Indymedia are onsite with a Sat Link powered by wind generators, and they have some excellent coverage of all the fantastic work which is going on there. 

The camp comes at a time when people are becoming more and more aware about how their lifestyles are effecting the environment. Years of scientist and activists trying to explain why we must act is starting to trickle through into the public consciousness. Hopefully the pressure can now be applied to strengthen the push to create a strong and legally binding law with annual targets for reducing Co2 emissions. Although I won’t be able to attend the climate camp, I’d like to congratulate everyone there for trying to halt climate change. If you can’t make it to the camp but want to make a difference consider getting involved with the Big Ask campaign. In the next couple of months Friends of the Earth we will be once again lobbying our MPs to take the necessary action to create a change to a greener and more sustainable economic policy. Lobbying you MP is an important way to hold our leaders to account to the democratic values they pontificate about.

At last someone talks some sense, Professor Mike Hulme will be talking about climate change at a meeting addressed to the British Association for the Advancement of Science. His argument is one which lampoons the media’s handling of climate change stories. With their desire to sell newspapers they basically hype any story about the environment up into an end of the world type scenario. There are plenty of climate change activists who also promote this type of attitude. When I was down in
Brighton there was a guy named Graham Ennis who regular made a nuisance of himself via a ‘micro institute’ (read made up pseudo-science organization acting as platform for paranoid conspiracy politics). This chap would go on about climate change, arguing it would definitely result in a  10 Meter storm surge washing away local housing developments he took personal objection to (therefore giving him an argument why they shouldn’t be built). When you bear in mind that this event was  A actualy rather hard to predict and in fact quite unlikely;  B In an area with quite ample and pre-exisitng sea defences and C The plot allready had existing buildings on it then it becomes a prime example of the an alramist moron at work. This damages positive change by providing ammunition and a straw man arguments for climate skeptics to attack.

Anyway back to the point climate change needs to be tackled in nice manageable bite-sized chunks. We also need to feel empowered to change if we are going to mange it. I see global warming as a problem that could potential unite mankind with a common goal. It’s a shame therefore it’s always painted with such a gloom and doom negativity. Go on journalist write some uplifting stories about how green community action is brining people together and making the world better.