CLIMATE CHANGE provides space for lengthy pieces which elaborate IMAGINATIVE ACTION
AUGUST 2019
Dear Readers,
We are changing the focus of this page from TALES to CLIMATE CHANGE.
Whilst important and loved as are the longer stories in Tales, the urgent priority is getting ALL our heads around NOW ACTION.
So, each month we’ll jot down examples of ‘The Imagination Acts’ belief ….that, you and me can DO something when we leap with the parachute of our IMAGINATIONS on our backs.
Dream, Think, Speak Christopher Le Brun
ZEITGEIST : the spirit of the time- from mind activity to body action
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1. It is time to … 
You have the power to bring about positive change. Every action makes a difference, so start today with the theme that inspires you most.
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2. Net Zero Foundation
Net Zero — Not a Debate Anymore
We have all the technologies needed to convert 100% of our buildings, most vehicles, and much of industry to Net Zero Carbon NOW. We can have all the Green Bond funding needed to convert our buildings to Net Zero immediately. The Net Zero Technologies (PV/GHP/EE, etc) are all now proven to be cost effective and make us money individually and as a society.
Why is Net Zero not yet a national strategic priority? We literally can eliminate most fossil fuel use from our entire economy right now, except for certain parts of industry, some culinary use, and some transportation.
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3. Himalayan glaciers melting double fast since 2000
Spiti Valley, northern Indian province of Himachal Pradesh in the Himalayas.
Posted by EarthSky Voices in Earth | July 11, 2019
A new study, which used declassified images from spy satellites, shows that glaciers in the Himalayas melted twice as fast from 2000 to 2016 as they did from 1975 to 2000.
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4. Olafur Eliasson returns to Tate Modern with this unmissable exhibition
Olaf Eliasson – Waterfall 2019
In Eliasson’s captivating installations you become aware of your senses, people around you and the world beyond.
Within the exhibition will be an area which explores Eliasson’s deep engagement with society and the environment. Discover what an artist’s perspective can bring to issues of climate change, energy, migration as well as architecture.
HERE – Tate Modern Olafur Eliasson
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5. UNITED NATIONS Climate Change Summit 2019
Global emissions are reaching record levels and show no sign of peaking. The last four years were the four hottest on record, and winter temperatures in the Arctic have risen by 3°C since 1990. Sea levels are rising, coral reefs are dying, and we are starting to see the life-threatening impact of climate change on health, through air pollution, heatwaves and risks to food security.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all leaders to come to New York on 23 September with concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020, in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent over the next decade, and to net zero emissions by 2050.
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6. We knew Heathrow expansion would come back to haunt us
You can be in favour of Heathrow expansion, or you can be serious about stopping climate change. You can’t be both.
Oliver Hayes, climate change campaigner at Friends of the Earth.
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice, protesters gather in the ongoing battle against Heathrow . Inside, Friends of the Earth gets the green light to take the government to court in the spring of 2019. It will argue that giving permission to a third runway at Heathrow is unlawful on the grounds of climate change.
Read on to meet the local campaigners working to protect their communities from airport expansion.
HERE = Friends of the Earth Heathrow expansion
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7. Global Footprint Network
About the Organisation
Humans are using more resources than the Earth can provide. We are in global ecological overshoot.
In 2003, Global Footprint Network was established to enable a sustainable future where all people have the opportunity to live satisfying lives within the means of one planet. An essential step in creating a one-planet future is measuring human impact on the Earth so we can make more informed choices.
HERE – Global Footprint Network/
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8. Green Finance Institute
The Green Finance Institute was launched at the City of London Corporation’s flagship annual Green Finance Summit.
The formation of the Green Finance Institute was announced by the Chancellor in 2018 in response to the recommendation of the Green Finance Taskforce, and will play a vital role in ensuring the UK remains a world-leading market for green finance.
HERE – Green Finance initiative
HERE – Green_Finance_Strategy_PDF_
HERE – Establishing_China’s_Green_Financial_System_Summary_Report
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9. Deep sea mining
Deep sea mining could lead to “the potential extinction of unique species which form the first rung of the food chain,” according to a report commissioned by an arm of the British government = The Subsea Mining Capability Statement.
The British government has licenses for exploratory mining of polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean as part of a joint venture with UK Seabed Resources, a subsidiary of US defence firm Lockheed Martin.
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10. The Greta Thunberg effect: at last, MPs focus on climate change
Greta Thunberg,
Swedish climate change activist
Michael Gove admits to feeling guilt as young activist says: ‘your fossil fuels policy is beyond absurd’.
Greta Thunberg took her climate message to the heart of power in Westminster on Tuesday 23 April 2019, with a quiet but powerful message to MPs that prompted politicians to declare contrition for their failure to act.
HERE – Greta Thunberg at Westminster
HERE – HM Gov 25 Year Environment Plan Report
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11. ‘The most important issue of our time’ – Parliament debates 1 May 2019
MPs are debating the environment and climate change. The subject for debate was chosen by the Official Opposition.
Opening the Opposition Day debate on environment and climate change, the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn called on the House to declare an environment and climate change emergency, saying;
“This is no longer about a distant future, we’re talking about nothing less than the irreversible destruction of the environment within our lifetimes.”
He spoke of the student climate change protests and said this was an opportunity to listen to young people, who he called “ahead of politicians” on the issue, and demonstrate that they had been heard.
Responding for the Government, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs thanked members across the House and the devolved assemblies for work on climate change. He said;
“The environment belongs to all of us. The cause of climate change is a fight which unites us. All of us in the House have a common humanity that we need to defend.”
The motion was passed without a division.
HERE – May 2019 MP’S debate the environment and climate change
HERE – Two thirds of Britons agree planet is in a climate emergency
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PREVIOUS TALE –
From Holyhead to Hollywood
– the journey of Graham Wyn Jones :
Storyboard Artist
PREVIOUS TALE –
Aching and yearning for the wild: The experience of children in the garden
PREVIOUS TALE – ‘The NHS Crisis or Opportunity’
