Reports on Climate Change
However one interprets the science, it's bad news
Submitted by David Shearman on Sun, 03/06/2007 - 11:08. Reports on Climate ChangeThe recent IPCC report estimates that sea level rise will be 0.3 meters by the end of this century. However more recent evidence of acceleration indicates that 0.5 meters may be reached if all other variables remain the same.
These estimates are likely to be conservative for several reasons. Firstly the IPCC collection of data for the 4th IPCC report finished about two years ago. Data since then suggests acceleration. Secondly, the IPCC scientists are conservative in their consensus opinions. Like many scientists they are reticent to overstate even if they feel there is a likelihood of more extreme rises. Thirdly, the IPCC final reports have government influence to tone down the reports - governments do not want to face the facts on this issue.
Please Buy Environmentally and Health Friendly Copy Paper for your Practice!
Submitted by David Shearman on Thu, 24/05/2007 - 22:23. Reports on Climate ChangeRarely can one have a simple, easy choice that has a simultaneous impact of reducing the use of electricity and water, enhancing biodiversity and reducing atmospheric pollution. The choice is to purchase the appropriate copy paper for your practice. yet nearly all paper consumed in Austraia is made using chlorine that creates dioxins that are discharged into the environment and uses the timber of native forests.
This article is written because my supplier of Canon paper, OfficeWorks, has dropped it. This environmental battle is being lost as detailed by the ACF, "in the 2001-02 financial year, Australians used 1.23 million tonnes of writing and printing paper. This equates to over 30 million trees being cut down". Most of these trees are culled from native forests,under Regional Forest Agreements supported by both major Parties
Parliamentary responses to a briefing from DEA
Submitted by David Shearman on Fri, 18/05/2007 - 22:36. Reports on Climate ChangeMembers of Doctors for the Environment will be aware that an important part of our work involves periodic briefings of all members of the Federal Parliament. We do not regard this activity as lobbying, rather it is a briefing within the sphere of our expertise. A recent briefing covered important implications of climate change for human health. The letter was personally addressed to each Member and Senator of Parliament at their constituency offices. The briefing was headed “Health aspects of Climate Change". I summarize the responses we received for your interest and comment. It is important that we receive feed back from members. To do this you need to read my report on the blog and respond. This system is confidential to members
A Carbon Neutral Country. What would it take for Australia to become a leader in greenhouse?
Submitted by David Shearman on Tue, 01/05/2007 - 18:07. Reports on Climate ChangeBy Professor Peter Newman
Murdoch University
This article is also posted as a blog where members of DEA are invited to comment.
Carbon neutral is becoming the policy for innovative companies, individuals and even football teams. Can it be applied to a country? What would it mean for Australia?
I have recently returned from a 6 month study trip which coincided with the remarkable increase in global awareness on climate change due largely to Al Gore and the Stern Report. Of course there was considerable work over 20-30 years by NGO’s, scientists and European politicians that laid the foundation for this awareness. Nevertheless the world tipped into carbon politics over the past 6 months.
Climate change and Environmental Refugees
Submitted by David Shearman on Tue, 01/05/2007 - 10:19. Reports on Climate Change
Draft discussion paper for Doctors for the Environment Australia
By Bryan Furnass.
This paper will be developed into a Policy and members of DEA are invited to comment in the "Blog" where the article is reproduced
Abstract
1) Climate change is an established scientific fact, and DEA should plan policies to help the Australian community adapt to its effects
2) Over coming decades, southern Australia is likely to experience continuing droughts, fires, heat waves and threats to food security in inland areas, with rising sea levels and storms threatening human habitation in low-lying coastal areas. Water security will be an on-going priority problem nation-wide. Although at risk from increasing cyclone activity, northern Australia may expect greater than average rainfall, particularly during La Nina events
Commentary on the second part of the IPCC Report on Climate Change
Submitted by David Shearman on Sun, 15/04/2007 - 18:52. Reports on Climate Changeby David Shearman
My January news letter was devoted to the first part of the IPCC report which dealt with the science of climatic change and its certainty. The second part of the IPCC report, just published, describes the existing and predicted effects of climate change on the life support systems of humans and other species. The specific human heath aspects are described
The report is a shocker. A badly needed outcome of the report is US recognition of the problem. To date the US press has been defensive and skeptical. However the latest findings are reported in detail e.g. New York Times April 6
Book Review: Energy Autonomy. The economic, social and technological case for renewable energy
Submitted by David Shearman on Sun, 25/03/2007 - 18:46. Reports on Climate ChangeBy Hermann Scheer
Member of the German Parliament, since 1980;
President of EUROSOLAR - The European Association for Renewable Energy;
General Chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE);
Published by Earthscan/James&James: ISBN 1-84407-355-6, 2006 (310 pages)
Members of DEA are increasingly interested in renewable energy and this topic is reviewed in detail in DEA's "An Energy Policy for Australia" Europe has become the power house of alternative energy development and Hermann Scheer is a leading figure in these developments. We are grateful to Bryan Furnass for reviewing Scheer's latest book
Investigation Reveals Widespread Suppression of Federal Climate Research
Submitted by David Shearman on Sat, 10/02/2007 - 18:16. Reports on Climate ChangeThis release from the Union of Concerned Scientists,Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions, www.ucsusa.org details widespread interferance with scientific data on climate change. It smacks of the totalitarian view of science that was prevalent in the USSR. Unfortunately these suppressions have not been confined to the USA and surely we would not be in the parlous state we are now if scientists had been willing to speak freely. Even today we have Ministers in Western democracies saying that this or that solution is not available to us because it might harm jobs. I wonder how many jobs will remain in 2050 if we continue as we are at present?
David Shearman
Justice Scalia and Climate Change
Submitted by David Shearman on Sat, 10/02/2007 - 18:03. Reports on Climate ChangeBy David Shearman
The name Scalia will be known to you. He was a legal arm of the Bush government before being nominated for the Supreme Court where he now sits. He dismisses the idea that detainees (e.g. those at Guantanamo) have rights under the US constitution or international conventions, He has made many other interesting statements. He now sits on a climate change case before the Supreme Court, Massachusetts versus the Environmental Protection Agency, a case of immense importance.
Global warming. Our worst fears are exceeded by reality
Submitted by David Shearman on Fri, 09/02/2007 - 11:17. Reports on Climate Change
We publish this excellent article by Steve Connor from The Independent UK and we express our thanks for permission. It makes depressing but necessary reading.
On the basis of computer modelling global warming was expected to be a slow steady increase in temperature, a continuation of the process of the past few decades. There were theories that warming might lead to what might be termed high impact low probability events and in particular there was speculation about reversal of the Gulf Stream. However in the past few years data indicates that the rate of warming is accelerating and concern has increased as information on feedback mechanisms has become available. Unfortunately the probability of high impact events is increasing.
