David Attenborough’s call for ending the consumerism, growth, economy
Sir David Attenborough says the excesses of western countries should “be curbed” to restore the natural world and we’ll all be happier for it.
The veteran broadcaster said that the standard of living in wealthy nations is going to have to take a pause.
Nature would flourish once again he believes when “those that have a great deal, perhaps, have a little less”.
Sir David was speaking to Liz Bonnin for BBC Radio 5 Live’s new podcast ‘What Planet Are We On?’.
Speaking personally and frankly, Sir David explained, “We are going to have to live more economically than we do. And we can do that and, I believe we will do it more happily, not less happily. And that the excesses the capitalist system has brought us, have got to be curbed somehow.”
“That doesn’t mean to say that capitalism is dead and I’m not an economist and I don’t know. But I believe the nations of the world, ordinary people worldwide, are beginning to realise that greed does not actually lead to joy.”
Sir David said when we help the natural world, it becomes a better place for everyone and in the past, when we lived closer to nature, the planet was a “working eco-system in which everybody had a share”.
The 10-part podcast is being released on the second anniversary of the publication of a key scientific report on global warming.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change study looked at how the world would cope if temperatures rose by 1.5C by the end of this century.
The IPCC special report, released in October 2018 didn’t “save the planet” but it may yet prove to be the most critical moment in the story of climate change.
The study made two things very clear. The first was that there was a massive difference in keeping the rise in global temperatures this century to 1.5C as opposed to 2C.
Politicians had for years focussed on the higher number – the special report made clear that was a risky strategy, which could see the end of coral reefs and expose millions of people to the threat of floods.
The second key message from the IPCC was that the world could stay under 1.5C if carbon emissions were essentially slashed in half by 2030.
The urgency of the challenge laid out in the report inspired millions of young people to take action. This pressure is filtering up to politicians…….. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54268038
Zero interest in the climate
Saturday Paper editorial
On climate policy, the evidence is clear: ambition isn’t dictated by size, density, population or wealth. It comes down to one factor – how willing a government is to accept that rapid action is needed to avert catastrophic climate change. For nearly a decade, Australia’s government has been allergic to this fact. … (subscribers only)
Conservative UK government is considering a carbon tax, in its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Times 9th Oct 2020, Rishi Sunak is examining proposals for a UK-wide carbon tax that couldraise billions of pounds while encouraging the drive towards net-zero emissions. The chancellor is seeking to replace existing EU carbon-reduction schemes with the new tax when the transition period finishes at the end of the year.
“The danger with relying solely on a carbon tax is that no one believes politicians will not scrap it when things get tough, so no one invests. A cap and trade scheme that guarantees an outcome, alongside regulation and innovation support, is much more likely to lead to cuts in emissions.”
October 9 Energy News — geoharvey

Opinion: ¶ “Breathing Life Back Into Cities: Improving Air Quality And Equity Through Recovery Efforts” • Rocky Mountain Institute released an analysis outlining four strategies for advancing both air quality and equity that cities can use to build back better from the pandemic, the economic downturn, and a growing reckoning with racial injustice. […]
October 9 Energy News — geoharvey
Up to 20,000 new clean energy jobs up for grabs as Queensland readies to vote — RenewEconomy

A new Climate Council report says renewable energy zones, clean manufacturing and renewable exports provide political leaders a chance to create thousands of new jobs. The post Up to 20,000 new clean energy jobs up for grabs as Queensland readies to vote appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Up to 20,000 new clean energy jobs up for grabs as Queensland readies to vote — RenewEconomy
GRS, present and future of the photovoltaic EPC in Australia — RenewEconomy

With a track record of 360 MW awarded, four projects and a robust pipeline of another 320 MW, GRS has become one of the leading EPC contractor of solar farms in Australia. The post GRS, present and future of the photovoltaic EPC in Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.
GRS, present and future of the photovoltaic EPC in Australia — RenewEconomy
Solar Insiders Podcast: Rooftop PV still booming, and Australia’s biggest solar garden — RenewEconomy

Small scale rooftop solar PV installations are heading towards 3GW in 2020, despite Covid-19, and we talk to April Crawford-Smith about Australia’s biggest solar garden. The post Solar Insiders Podcast: Rooftop PV still booming, and Australia’s biggest solar garden appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Solar Insiders Podcast: Rooftop PV still booming, and Australia’s biggest solar garden — RenewEconomy
How “flexible exports” could convince more big energy users to install rooftop solar — RenewEconomy

An Energy Queensland network trial focusing on accommodating more, and smarter commercial solar has quietly shown the way on how it may work for consumers. The post How “flexible exports” could convince more big energy users to install rooftop solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.
How “flexible exports” could convince more big energy users to install rooftop solar — RenewEconomy
Iberdrola begins construction of Australia’s biggest hybrid wind and solar farm — RenewEconomy

Construction begins at Australia’s biggest wind and solar hybrid projects in South Australia, another key step towards state Liberal government target of net 100% renewables. The post Iberdrola begins construction of Australia’s biggest hybrid wind and solar farm appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Iberdrola begins construction of Australia’s biggest hybrid wind and solar farm — RenewEconomy
“Lines to nowhere:” Taylor mocks ISP and Labor’s $20bn grid plan — RenewEconomy

Taylor dismissed Labor’s promised $20 billion to support AEMO’s transition blueprint, describing it as “lines to nowhere” that will cause lights to go out. The post “Lines to nowhere:” Taylor mocks ISP and Labor’s $20bn grid plan appeared first on RenewEconomy.
“Lines to nowhere:” Taylor mocks ISP and Labor’s $20bn grid plan — RenewEconomy
Federal budget has failed on climate, but Victoria can lead a clean recovery — RenewEconomy

After the federal government’s failure to tackle the multiple challenges we face, Victorians look to the state government to show leadership on a green Covid recovery. The post Federal budget has failed on climate, but Victoria can lead a clean recovery appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Federal budget has failed on climate, but Victoria can lead a clean recovery — RenewEconomy
Budget papers create confusion over ARENA funding timelines — RenewEconomy

There is confusion over when ARENA’s new $1.4 billion in funding will be allocated, with budget papers contradicting statements from the federal energy minister. The post Budget papers create confusion over ARENA funding timelines appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Budget papers create confusion over ARENA funding timelines — RenewEconomy
More renewables, less gas: South Australia turns energy debate upside down — RenewEconomy

South Australia government and transmission companies say benefits of more wind and solar, and less gas, will more than offset ballooning costs of new link to NSW. The post More renewables, less gas: South Australia turns energy debate upside down appeared first on RenewEconomy.
More renewables, less gas: South Australia turns energy debate upside down — RenewEconomy
South Australian town of Kimba dumping the tourism industry, in favour of nuclear waste dumping?
Paul Waldon Fight To Stop A Nuclear Waste Dump In South Australia– 8 Oct 20
Paul Waldon ponders – on Kimba waste dump, and the risks of nuclear pollution to water
Paul Waldon Fight to stopa nuclear waste dump in South Australia, 8 Oct 20




