CLIMATE CHANGE: A Game With Too Many Free Riders

By Stephen Leahy*

BROOKLIN, Canada, Apr 4 (IPS) - The evidence is piling up that climate change threatens to bring a chaotic future unlike anything ever known. Taking collective action in time to avert the worst means rewarding climate-safe behaviour, punishing climate transgressors and publicly praising those who are trying to protect the environment, a new study suggests.

The nations of the world will come together to set a target and timeframe for reducing emissions from burning fossil fuels at the end of 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Scientists have repeatedly stated the 2020 target must be 25 to 40 percent emission reductions from the 1990 emission baseline. Can the global community reach this collective target through individual efforts when everyone suffers individually if the target is missed?

The short answer: No.

CLIMATE CHANGE: A Game With Too Many Free Riders

This is the last in a four part series:

Part One - CLIMATE CHANGE: The Future Is Now
Part Two - CLIMATE CHANGE: The Fault Lies Not in Our Cars but in Ourselves
Part Three - CLIMATE CHANGE: A Vision Worth Fighting For

Biotech groups desert international agriculture project | Environment | guardian.co.uk

"The draft report says there is a 'wide range of perspectives on the environmental, human health and economic risks and benefits of modern biotechnology, many of which are as yet unknown'. It says it is not clear whether GM crops increase yields and warns that use of the technology in the developing world could concentrate 'ownership of agricultural resources' in the hands of the companies involved, as well as causing problems with patents." Read more at Biotech groups desert international agriculture project | Environment | guardian.co.uk:

Rotten to the Core

For sale: West’s deadly nuclear secrets - Times Online: "The Turks and Israelis had planted “moles” in military and academic institutions which handled nuclear technology. Edmonds says there were several transactions of nuclear material every month, with the Pakistanis being among the eventual buyers. “The network appeared to be obtaining information from every nuclear agency in the United States,” she said."

NDTV.com: Worldwide call to stop climate change

NDTV.com: Worldwide call to stop climate change: "Environmental campaigners called for demonstrations worldwide on Saturday from costume parades in Manila to bicycle protests in London to draw attention to climate change and push leaders to take robust action.

"Hundreds of people rallied in the Philippines' capital wearing miniature windmills atop hats, or framing their faces in cardboard cutouts of the sun. ''We are trying to send a message that we are going to have to use renewable energy sometime, because the environment, we need to really preserve it,'' high school student Samantha Gonzales said in Manila. ''We have to act now.''

"In all, marches were planned in more than 50 cities across the world Saturday, to coincide with the two-week UN Climate Change Conference, which runs through Friday in Bali, Indonesia."

The world and climate change: all together now | openDemocracy

The world and climate change: all together now | openDemocracy:

"A planetary crisis calls for clear thinking and shared action towards a global deal, says Tom Burke. "

BALI, Indonesia (AP) -- China said Friday it will not consider mandatory cuts on greenhouse gases, saying the United States and other industrialized c

Wired News - AP News

BALI, Indonesia (AP) -- Wired News- AP

China said Friday it will not consider mandatory cuts on greenhouse gases, saying the United States and other industrialized countries should take the lead in fighting climate change by embracing a less-extravagant lifestyle.

This a start of discussion that must lead to a zero CO2 emission human culture. It is not us/them anymore but "how do we get it done?" Lifestyle changes we have not dreamed of but need to make none-the-less!

Climate campaigner's road from 'raving idiot' to Australian of the year - Yahoo! News UK

Climate campaigner's road from 'raving idiot' to Australian of the year - Yahoo! News UK:

"By Neil Sands AFP - Monday, December 3 03:40 am SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian scientist Tim Flannery grew used to receiving quizzical looks in the 1990s as he pounded the corridors of power in Canberra urging politicians to do something about climate change. 'You'd go and see a federal minister and they'd stare at you like you were a raving idiot,' Flannery says of his early lobbying efforts. 'You could see them thinking 'what's this guy spouting on about?'. 'That only changed recently.'"

Join Live Earth

Climate change: "Carbon footprint" enters everyday vocabulary - Yahoo! News

Climate change: "Carbon footprint" enters everyday vocabulary - Yahoo! News: "Individuals keen on reducing their 'carbon footprint' -- the dangerous greenhouse gas that each of us emit through our purchases and activities -- can now turn to a multiplying panoply of tools to calculate their pollution, reduce it or compensate for it. 'Our daily habits are responsible for 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions,' says France's Agency for the Environment and Control of Energy (ADEME)."

Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC) Homepage

Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC): "The DESERTEC Concept of TREC is to boost the generation of electricity and desalinated water by solar thermal power plants and wind turbines in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and to transmit the clean electrical power via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission lines throughout those areas and as from 2020 (with overall just 10-15% transmission losses) to Europe."

Solution are everywhere it is the criminals that hold the trump cards that are the problem.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Rudd sets new Australian agenda

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Rudd sets new Australian agenda: "Mr Rudd said he would overturn a number of his predecessor's policies, signing the Kyoto Protocol and withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq.

He also promised to attend next month's UN climate change summit in Bali."

Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See

Watch this video of why the choice to take action to avoid climate change is unavoidable. There is also an opportunity to refute the argument if you can. You decide or ... well at least be aware of the probable consequences.

Comment is free: Learn to swim

Comment is free: Learn to swim:

"The adaptation argument has become the retreat position in recent months for climate change sceptics who now find climate data and evidence from the poles mounting against them. No longer able to argue that there's no need to act because the climate isn't changing, they now argue against action because it's too expensive, requires too much government leadership (they say intervention) ... but he ignores the fact that climate change could destroy more demand-and-supply chains around the world than new government policies ever could."

AlterNet: Biofuels Could Kill More People Than the Iraq War - Topix

AlterNet: Biofuels Could Kill More People Than the Iraq War - Topix: "If the governments promoting biofuels do not reverse their policies, the humanitarian impact will be greater than that of the Iraq war."

Climate change talks reach agreement - Yahoo! News

Climate change talks reach agreement - Yahoo! News:

"The document, summarizing the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change, will be distributed to delegates at a crucial meeting in Indonesia next month that is intended to launch a political process on international cooperation to control global warming."

Global Warming After Gore from Alternet

AlterNet: Environment: Global Warming After Gore:

"It is time for global warming activists to leave behind their focus on the 'planetary crisis' and the regulatory-centered agenda and embrace an energetic and inspiring vision that captures people's minds, hearts and votes."

(Talk) is not the Answer
Ride a Bicycle

Deep Economy by Bill McKibben

Book Review:Book Review: Deep Economy by Bill McKibben on the Guerrilla News Network


I just finished the book and it was much above expectations. I think every college economics course should require it as a companion to whatever standard text is used. The information contained is too important to be left to experts, such is the essence of a liberal education! It is the kind of alternate view that students, and this includes all citizens of a responsible world, need to make critical choices about the future of the world in which they will live.

It is required reading in my opinion.

Compromise Measure Aims to Limit Global Warming - New York Times

Compromise Measure Aims to Limit Global Warming - New York Times:

"The complex measure, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, and Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, would put in place a firm limit on emissions of heat-trapping gases that most scientists say are causing the warming of the planet."

The down side it relies on "cap and trade" strategies that inherently flawed, never-the-less it is a move in the left direction by the right guys.

Native American Energy

Click here - Watch their Video

...not just the content - be attentive to the integral message!


Carbon offsets are one way to begin a broad based change in our consumer culture. Start now:
1. become carbon carbon neutral and invest in a future where peace is possible,
2. get informed and active in the a race to save the planet , and
3. encourage your friends to do the same!