The world is faced with an unconventional, unprecedented challenge – that of climate change – and needs unconventional ways to overcome it. The intersection of climate, finance and technology is doing just that, by turning to blockchain for climate finance. This was the hot topic at several discussion sessions at COP 24, and therefore, this …
INAUGURATION DAY - It took a while for me to find the room, but I made it! There was an enormous gathering inside of an annex deep within the maze of additional corridors sutured onto the arena. During our first day at the conference one of the most exciting events took place – the very …
The Problem of Implementation: In the face of immediate climate impacts and a closing window of opportunity to avoid irreversible catastrophic damage (see IPCC Special Report on 1.5 Degrees Celsius), the global policy toolbox to combat climate change appears limited. At COP24, delegations readily acknowledged these conditions, calling for a drastic ramp up of efforts …
Continue reading COP24 to World: No Climate Progress Without Diversification!
At COP24 in Katowice, Poland, over one hundred languages are spoken in the hallways and rooms of the International Conference Centre and Spodek Arena where the negotiations are held. In light of this fact, a host of translators are on hand to ensure that country representatives and observer delegates do not face any language barriers …
USA[1] Mitigation: reduction in emissions of major emitters Transparency: UN oversight to be sure countries fulfill pledges Monetary assistance for less-developed countries China[2] Negotiators will do a better job reaching a deal than heads of state (learned from Copenhagen 2009) Would limit warming to 2C or less Encouraging mobilization of $100 billion from developed countries to help less-developed …
Continue reading What’s the Big Deal? : Stakeholder hopes for COP21
From inside the UN Delegation Hall - 2:00 pm: Professor Thomas Gladwin, instructor for the University of Michigan's annual Erb Seminar, asked his students to debate the following statement: “Humanity will be able to limit global warming to no more than 1.5-2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and will thus experience abrupt, irreversible, runaway and …
A very cool set of videos over at Google Earth. Use Google Earth to learn about adaptation strategies that mitigate the effects of climate change. The Google Earth Outreach team and our partners have created this series of tours and videos. Fly over tree canopies in 3D, learn about how climate change affects our planet …
I've seen some stunning headlines recently.. "Water map shows billions at risk of 'water insecurity'", "China moving heaven and Earth to bring water to Beijing", "Huge parts of world drying up due to land evapotranspiration" Most scientists agree that the climate change is already underway -- irrespective of who's to blame and how much we …
Continue reading Redrawing rivers to reduce water insecurity?
"China & India must play a leading role in reducing GHG emissions and develop 'clean' energy economies." This is repeated often by other nations, environmentalists, and anyone who feels like dispensing advice. I take some issue with China & India being put in the same bucket when talking about GHG reductions and the level of …
Many scientists believe that climate change will increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, but will we improve our ability to understand and react to these risks? Nassim Taleb popularized the term “Black Swan” to refer to outlier events that could not have been predicted by drawing from past experience—alluding to the surprise of 17th …
Continue reading Black Swan Events and the Plight of Probability
Climate Blue 