COP17 Carbon Footprint

Fazda

Fazda

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I work about 300 metres away from the ICC and COP17 has started in all its glory this morning.

The result is amazing.

It is almost impossible to drive down Braam Fisher Road which runs past the ICC, thanks to an almost constant traffic jam. Blue light idiots are rushing up every road in the area, and I can hardly hear myself think as helicopter after helicopter clatters overhead to drop yet another VIP at the ICC.

I just wonder what sort of a carbon footprint this whole shebang is creating around Durban. :mad:
 
I can predict that this conference will accomplish nothing for the environment. :rolleyes:
 
According to a ENews presenter the opening was delayed because of a lost set of keys :erm:

These are the clowns that have anointed themselves representatives of humanity tasked with saving the planet. We just have to open our wallets.....
 
Most people think only CO2 causes global warming, methane is also responsible for climate change. These delegates at COP17 will preach and have discussions about how to reduce climate change but will eat a lot of (cow) meat. The production of meat is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. All those delegates must not eat meat, that will show that this climate change conference isn't just a holiday for them.
 
Sly21C said:
Most people think only CO2 causes global warming, methane is also responsible for climate change. These delegates at COP17 will preach and have discussions about how to reduce climate change but will eat a lot of (cow) meat. The production of meat is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. All those delegates must not eat meat, that will show that this climate change conference isn't just a holiday for them.
Click to expand...

*sigh*
 
Mixed feelings, on one hand very happy for Durbans tourism industry, i was at the beach yesterday arguably more tourism activity then I saw during the world cup. Will also boost confidence of major conferences in Durban in the future.

I think any deal is useless without Usa,China and India, although Chin and India are developing countries, now is the best time to implement green solutions and infrastructure before they use the excuse they don’t have the infrastructure.
To accurately calculate the carbon footprint one would have to know what activities the delegates would have undertaken had they not been in South Africa, would they leave to an office or sit at home. I hope the news and attention will make the average Durban resident aware of the climate and perhaps walk a few blocks to their local store, individual choices made by residents has a potential to make a bigger impact on the climate than the whole conference.

The world is now dealing with pressing crisis’s as the Euro debt, American economy and famine in Somalia not the best time to ask them to throw cash at the environment.
 
schumi said:
I think any deal is useless without Usa,China and India, although Chin and India are developing countries, now is the best time to implement green solutions and infrastructure before they use the excuse they don’t have the infrastructure. .
Click to expand...

Perhaps if there were viable "green" solutions you'd have a point.
 
Alan said:
Perhaps if there were viable "green" solutions you'd have a point.
Click to expand...

Ahhh so there are no viable green solutions as far as you are concerned?? :rolleyes:

As an aside, I have just been across to MacDonalds for lunch and that seems to be where quite a few of the delegates are going as well....interesting to see two hybrids and a "green" diesel from BMW in the queue for Big Mac's :D
 
Sly21C said:
Most people think only CO2 causes global warming, methane is also responsible for climate change. These delegates at COP17 will preach and have discussions about how to reduce climate change but will eat a lot of (cow) meat. The production of meat is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. All those delegates must not eat meat, that will show that this climate change conference isn't just a holiday for them.
Click to expand...

Warming hits 'tipping point'
Siberia feels the heat It's a frozen peat bog the size of France and Germany combined, contains billions of tonnes of greenhouse gas and, for the first time since the ice age, it is melting

Methane from peat bogs may worsen global warming

The emission of methane from peat wetlands

More Warming Worries: Methane from the Arctic
 
Fazda said:
Ahhh so there are no viable green solutions as far as you are concerned?? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Not on nearly a large enough scale no. Perhaps you know of one to replace China's coal power plants
 
This conference is nothing more than doing nothing...a bunch of politicians who don't know jack of the environment now has to take informed decisions..
 
They jetted in. Couldn't they use rafts and gliders instead? Oh, and use horse drawn carts for their daily commute between hotels and the ICC.
 
Alan said:
Not on nearly a large enough scale no. Perhaps you know of one to replace China's coal power plants
Click to expand...

Baby steps first, ie solar powered geysers added on to existing geysers has proven to be cheap, compared to an individual paying for coal powered electricity, don't know about China and usa, but been to India a year ago,been to a few cities never really saw an energy saving light. Research in the future will eventually find green power stations, If even half the populations of these counties do their bit, it will make a significant dip.
 
The Irony is that the biggest polution in the world is caused by governments...
 
schumi said:
Baby steps first, ie solar powered geysers added on to existing geysers has proven to be cheap, compared to an individual paying for coal powered electricity, don't know about China and usa, but been to India a year ago,been to a few cities never really saw an energy saving light. Research in the future will eventually find green power stations, If even half the populations of these counties do their bit, it will make a significant dip.
Click to expand...

Just ignore Alan, if I had been against COP17, he would have been for it....strange soul.

To answer his original question, however, China has refused to do anything before the USA commits, so we have a catch 22 situation, particularly if Alan's GOP gets into power and puts us back to the 19th Century as far as "green" issues go.
 
schumi said:
Mixed feelings, on one hand very happy for Durbans tourism industry, i was at the beach yesterday arguably more tourism activity then I saw during the world cup. Will also boost confidence of major conferences in Durban in the future.

I think any deal is useless without Usa,China and India, although Chin and India are developing countries, now is the best time to implement green solutions and infrastructure before they use the excuse they don’t have the infrastructure.
To accurately calculate the carbon footprint one would have to know what activities the delegates would have undertaken had they not been in South Africa, would they leave to an office or sit at home. I hope the news and attention will make the average Durban resident aware of the climate and perhaps walk a few blocks to their local store, individual choices made by residents has a potential to make a bigger impact on the climate than the whole conference.

The world is now dealing with pressing crisis’s as the Euro debt, American economy and famine in Somalia not the best time to ask them to throw cash at the environment.
Click to expand...

But we live in the 21st century.

All these delegates could have used video conferencing instead of flying/driving to Durban. They could all have sit in their office and no need to drive anywhere.
 
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