The proposal by Papua New Guinea and other 9 countries is endorsed by Stiglitz and is widely praised. Seems Brazil is going to turn that into reality soon.
The pricing is adequate? At least it is practical. The price may change in the future. The important thing is to start the first step.
2005年11月29日星期二
The good and the bad news about climate change
The Good:
An innovative proposal could become real and bring back rainforests.
The Inuits find that not only species they depend on are disappearing, the land, the house and themselves are endangered by climate change. Almost half the earth away, Tuvalu people are losing their island right under their feet. They are moving to New Zealand.
Climate change 'will dry Africa'
It is said that this Saturday people will hit the street calling for firm legislation on CO2 quota and reduction schedule. It could be an epic but also very sad scene.
An innovative proposal could become real and bring back rainforests.
Rainforests brought back to life as 'carbon trading' takes off
The Bad:The Inuits find that not only species they depend on are disappearing, the land, the house and themselves are endangered by climate change. Almost half the earth away, Tuvalu people are losing their island right under their feet. They are moving to New Zealand.
Climate change 'will dry Africa'
It is said that this Saturday people will hit the street calling for firm legislation on CO2 quota and reduction schedule. It could be an epic but also very sad scene.
发现一部好电影
The Constant Gardener
这部电影是和 tutorial group 的同学一起看的。在正式开演之前大概看了30分钟的广告和 trailer，但是电影开始之后所有人都沉默了128分钟。
它绝对不是你能边吃爆米花边看的电影。因为当你看到电影中的非洲之后，马上就会开始为自己的生活方式自责。这部影片再次对西方观众提出了质问：现在的生活方式到底是以怎样的代价换来的？当我们谈论非洲的时候好像在谈论另一个世界，但是这片大陆一直以来都在为整个世界提供资源，碳汇和生物多样性。从道义上说，我们是否能够忽略这片土地？
影片的官方 tagline 是 "Love at all cost"，我觉得不能完全体现影片的思想。倒是最后的旁白 "How cheaply can life be bought" 确实发人深省。
关于政治阴谋的影片不少了，但是这部影片提供了一个新的视角，质疑发达国家对第三世界的利用与道义债务，确实独树一帜，而且达到了相当的深度。
演员方面，Ralph Fiennes 的光彩盖过了所有其他角色，Rachel Weisz 的表演也很自然可亲，但是戏份太少，也没有太多剧情挑战，不好说比 Enemy at the Gates 时有没有进步。
导演 Fernando Meirelles 曾执导过 City of God ，回来看别人的影评才发现是他。他确实有入木三分地刻画贫富差距和社会不公的能力，不知道让他来拍《铁西区》的话会是什么样子。不过，希望他不会成为外国的张艺谋，也不要在成功之后去拍浮华的商业电影。
这部电影是和 tutorial group 的同学一起看的。在正式开演之前大概看了30分钟的广告和 trailer，但是电影开始之后所有人都沉默了128分钟。
它绝对不是你能边吃爆米花边看的电影。因为当你看到电影中的非洲之后，马上就会开始为自己的生活方式自责。这部影片再次对西方观众提出了质问：现在的生活方式到底是以怎样的代价换来的？当我们谈论非洲的时候好像在谈论另一个世界，但是这片大陆一直以来都在为整个世界提供资源，碳汇和生物多样性。从道义上说，我们是否能够忽略这片土地？
影片的官方 tagline 是 "Love at all cost"，我觉得不能完全体现影片的思想。倒是最后的旁白 "How cheaply can life be bought" 确实发人深省。
关于政治阴谋的影片不少了，但是这部影片提供了一个新的视角，质疑发达国家对第三世界的利用与道义债务，确实独树一帜，而且达到了相当的深度。
演员方面，Ralph Fiennes 的光彩盖过了所有其他角色，Rachel Weisz 的表演也很自然可亲，但是戏份太少，也没有太多剧情挑战，不好说比 Enemy at the Gates 时有没有进步。
导演 Fernando Meirelles 曾执导过 City of God ，回来看别人的影评才发现是他。他确实有入木三分地刻画贫富差距和社会不公的能力，不知道让他来拍《铁西区》的话会是什么样子。不过，希望他不会成为外国的张艺谋，也不要在成功之后去拍浮华的商业电影。
2005年11月28日星期一
The Opening of COP 11 and COP/MOP 1, Montreal
Today is the opening day of the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention.
It could be a "historical event" because it is the first meeting of Parties to UNFCCC after Kyoto Protocal enter into force in February this year. However, the importance of the conference depends on its outcome. The attitudes of the US and 'big' developing countries, such as China, could well determine the result of this conference. A constructive result would be a better enforced reduction target than Kyoto, or the solution to debates between developed countries and LDCs. However, both of them would be too difficult to achieve before next protocol after Kyoto. It is helpful if they can proceed one step toward that in this conference.
Dispute is unavoidable. Some countries have already raised the problem of payback for conservation of rainforests in the first day's discussion. The problem is how we face and tackle with disputes. It is impossible to satisfy everyone. Compromising to everyone is not necessarily beneficial to all parties. It is ideal if all countries can consider holistically for the whole earth and mankind. Unfortunately, it is national interest often put before those.
Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge,UNFCCC states that:
"2005 has emerged as a remarkable year for international climate change policy. The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February opened a new phase in international efforts to protect the global climate. The first ever meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will open shortly, marking a formal start of work under the treaty."
Yes, but 2005 also saw the sign of end of fossil fuel, two horrible hurricanes, drought and flood all over the world. It could be too important if nothing is really done in this conference -- end of normal climate.
It could be a "historical event" because it is the first meeting of Parties to UNFCCC after Kyoto Protocal enter into force in February this year. However, the importance of the conference depends on its outcome. The attitudes of the US and 'big' developing countries, such as China, could well determine the result of this conference. A constructive result would be a better enforced reduction target than Kyoto, or the solution to debates between developed countries and LDCs. However, both of them would be too difficult to achieve before next protocol after Kyoto. It is helpful if they can proceed one step toward that in this conference.
Dispute is unavoidable. Some countries have already raised the problem of payback for conservation of rainforests in the first day's discussion. The problem is how we face and tackle with disputes. It is impossible to satisfy everyone. Compromising to everyone is not necessarily beneficial to all parties. It is ideal if all countries can consider holistically for the whole earth and mankind. Unfortunately, it is national interest often put before those.
Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge,UNFCCC states that:
"2005 has emerged as a remarkable year for international climate change policy. The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February opened a new phase in international efforts to protect the global climate. The first ever meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will open shortly, marking a formal start of work under the treaty."
Yes, but 2005 also saw the sign of end of fossil fuel, two horrible hurricanes, drought and flood all over the world. It could be too important if nothing is really done in this conference -- end of normal climate.
2005年11月27日星期日
2005年11月25日星期五
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal
This would be the first conference of CCC after the Kyoto Protocol come into effect. This conference will discuss about issues of Developing countries' role in fighting climate change. What is also interesting is US and UK's attitude. The conference will begin in 28 Nov, I will try to track the progress.
UK wins European battle over emissions
But lose the battle against CO2 emission technically....
This is an example of how EC, ECJ and UK interact in the implementation of emission quota scheme and trade system. In order to make the policy success to most countries, ECJ agreed that the UK claim for increasing quota is necessary.
Hope this trade between ECJ and UK would ultimately bring the environment something good...better enforced quota system, for example.
This is an example of how EC, ECJ and UK interact in the implementation of emission quota scheme and trade system. In order to make the policy success to most countries, ECJ agreed that the UK claim for increasing quota is necessary.
Hope this trade between ECJ and UK would ultimately bring the environment something good...better enforced quota system, for example.
2005年11月24日星期四
Dissertation Idea 3
It looks quite attractive. I just don't know if it is 'original' and 'innovative' enough.
Basically it is about modeling the niche of invasive species and predicting their distribution. Using GIS you can even change some parameters to simulate environment changes and find the possible response of invaded ecosystem. But a lot of people had already done this....
Basically it is about modeling the niche of invasive species and predicting their distribution. Using GIS you can even change some parameters to simulate environment changes and find the possible response of invaded ecosystem. But a lot of people had already done this....
2005年11月21日星期一
Dissertation Idea 2
Only some very vague ideas so far. It is about invasive species.
It is known that in Peak District there are some species are under the threat of alien species. For example water vole predated by mink. An article discussed the possibility to predict invasion by niche analysis.
Or, it is possible to look to the trees planted by forestry sectors, see how they affect local moorland or bog.
Tomorrow I will go to check out the list of invasive species in UK. See what I can do on this.
It is known that in Peak District there are some species are under the threat of alien species. For example water vole predated by mink. An article discussed the possibility to predict invasion by niche analysis.
Or, it is possible to look to the trees planted by forestry sectors, see how they affect local moorland or bog.
Tomorrow I will go to check out the list of invasive species in UK. See what I can do on this.
2005年11月19日星期六
Dissertation Idea 1
Organic Farm vs. Conventional (inorganic) farm.
The first thought is to compare their productivity and biodiversity, but, if you search "Organic Farming" with Google, you will get an article at the second rank on this topic. Therefore if I want to be original, I have to choose another topic.
Another title I can think of now is organic farm vs. conventional farm in carbon dioxide consolidation and emission. But this will need a comprehensive understanding of farming processes on both types of farm. To make it simple, maybe I shouldn't consider the crops on farm because their fate is too complex. Maybe I shall focus on the process on these farms. Again, data sources would be a big problem, because I don't have time to collect data for a whole year.
The first thought is to compare their productivity and biodiversity, but, if you search "Organic Farming" with Google, you will get an article at the second rank on this topic. Therefore if I want to be original, I have to choose another topic.
Another title I can think of now is organic farm vs. conventional farm in carbon dioxide consolidation and emission. But this will need a comprehensive understanding of farming processes on both types of farm. To make it simple, maybe I shouldn't consider the crops on farm because their fate is too complex. Maybe I shall focus on the process on these farms. Again, data sources would be a big problem, because I don't have time to collect data for a whole year.
2005年11月18日星期五
Climate Change - negative
Yesterday I talked with Prof. Michael D. Steven, who is working on Climage Change in School of Geography. He told me that there is little I can do in a three-month dissertation on climate change, which is too complex and require long timescale research. On the ecosystem response, it is always changing and a lot of anthropogenic impacts other than climate change are influencing it. Thus it is very hard too.
He suggested that I can do something on air pollution, which is relatively easy and cheap to study. Or, urban warm-island, but that would require a car and I need to do the monitoring in the midnight.... Another option is to take part in his experiment on carbon dioxide. Seems among the three the last one is the most possible to succeed.
I need other information to decide what problem I should study in my dissertation.
He suggested that I can do something on air pollution, which is relatively easy and cheap to study. Or, urban warm-island, but that would require a car and I need to do the monitoring in the midnight.... Another option is to take part in his experiment on carbon dioxide. Seems among the three the last one is the most possible to succeed.
I need other information to decide what problem I should study in my dissertation.
2005年11月16日星期三
Designing a monitoring programme for Peak District National Park
The purposes of the National Park are: a. to preserve natural beauty and historical value; b. to provide recreation and enjoyment to the public. Our aim is to understand how well does the Peak District National Park meet these two purposes, and achieve sustainable development, through monitoring some indicators.
In my opinion, we can consider sustainable development in two aspects: sustainability and development. They are two sides of a coin. In sustainability assessment, the pressures, our response and effects should be identified and measured. In development assessment the growth of economy and society, living standard and benefits received by the community should be measured.
The topics concerned can be sorted in these two categories. From the structure plan of Peak District, we can obtain the aspects concerned, key areas and measures to be taken. What we need further are general principles of measuring sustainability, existing monitoring programmes and measurement methods, e.g. framework, indicator sets and models.
In the stucture plan there are a number of chapters, each concentrate on a topic. They may be considered as key concerns on sustainable development. They are: conservatioin, housing, shops, services and community facilities, economy, recreation and tourism, utilities, minerals, waste management, transport, and the centre town in the District: Bakewell.
In each chapter some issues are identified. This issues may give us directions on what indicators and measurements are needed. For example, issues in conservation include: development in the countryside; development in the towns, villages and conservation areas; farming and forestry; buildings, wildlife, sites and features of heritage or landscape importance; environment enhancement and improvement; pollution and disturbance; development on unstable or contaminated land; energy; rivers, water courses and flood defence.
There are also survey reports to look at. In Rural White Paper and This Common Heritage some national indicators are given.
In my opinion, we can consider sustainable development in two aspects: sustainability and development. They are two sides of a coin. In sustainability assessment, the pressures, our response and effects should be identified and measured. In development assessment the growth of economy and society, living standard and benefits received by the community should be measured.
The topics concerned can be sorted in these two categories. From the structure plan of Peak District, we can obtain the aspects concerned, key areas and measures to be taken. What we need further are general principles of measuring sustainability, existing monitoring programmes and measurement methods, e.g. framework, indicator sets and models.
In the stucture plan there are a number of chapters, each concentrate on a topic. They may be considered as key concerns on sustainable development. They are: conservatioin, housing, shops, services and community facilities, economy, recreation and tourism, utilities, minerals, waste management, transport, and the centre town in the District: Bakewell.
In each chapter some issues are identified. This issues may give us directions on what indicators and measurements are needed. For example, issues in conservation include: development in the countryside; development in the towns, villages and conservation areas; farming and forestry; buildings, wildlife, sites and features of heritage or landscape importance; environment enhancement and improvement; pollution and disturbance; development on unstable or contaminated land; energy; rivers, water courses and flood defence.
There are also survey reports to look at. In Rural White Paper and This Common Heritage some national indicators are given.
2005年11月14日星期一
Choosing topic for my dissertation
Though it is half a year away, but I should make more preparation. Besides, this may help my application.
Now there are three options.
1. Find a local conservation group and see what I can do for them.
2. Join Operation Wallacea's expedition, to remote countries and get data, then finish my dissertation. Some fund raising is necessary.
3. Work with UKCIP, it is related to climate change and could help my application and further study.
I am seeking information on them. But I have to be fast if I am really going to work on climate change.
Now there are three options.
1. Find a local conservation group and see what I can do for them.
2. Join Operation Wallacea's expedition, to remote countries and get data, then finish my dissertation. Some fund raising is necessary.
3. Work with UKCIP, it is related to climate change and could help my application and further study.
I am seeking information on them. But I have to be fast if I am really going to work on climate change.
2005年11月12日星期六
A talk with my tutor
On wednesday I had a talk with my tutor, Prof. Roy Haines-Young. The talk was mainly about 3 topics: information flood, choosing topics for my dissertation and future career.
About information flood, there do not seem to be many handy solutions, a diary and a year planner is still the best choice.
The choice of topic for my dissertation, can be linked to conservation group's ongoing activities. I can write them letter to see if they have any problems need my help as an Environmental Management student. They seldom present their problems on the web or publications, but it is said that their will be many job vacancies. Of course, many students want to link their dissertation with such actural projects, so I may need my tutor's help when writing applications.
About my further study and work, it is said that my career prospect is very bright. People with understanding of both Oriental and Western culture and environmental expertise will be of great need in the near future because China is developing rapidly and many foreign companies hoping to enter China market would need such people to deal with environmental concerns.
About information flood, there do not seem to be many handy solutions, a diary and a year planner is still the best choice.
The choice of topic for my dissertation, can be linked to conservation group's ongoing activities. I can write them letter to see if they have any problems need my help as an Environmental Management student. They seldom present their problems on the web or publications, but it is said that their will be many job vacancies. Of course, many students want to link their dissertation with such actural projects, so I may need my tutor's help when writing applications.
About my further study and work, it is said that my career prospect is very bright. People with understanding of both Oriental and Western culture and environmental expertise will be of great need in the near future because China is developing rapidly and many foreign companies hoping to enter China market would need such people to deal with environmental concerns.
2005年11月10日星期四
被 Sony Bomb 命中了⋯⋯
也不知道是在北京摔过的缘故，还是我最近 apt-get 得太厉害，11月6日早上当我起床察看昨夜系统更新的结果时，我的 Hiweed-Debian 告诉我出现了错误，要求重启后再配置。重启之后还是很顺利地进了 X-Window，但是重新配置 locale 的时候卡住了，硬盘开始发出不正常的声音⋯⋯之后机器就越来越慢，我试图重装系统，结果安装程序因为硬盘的缘故进行不下去了。若干次尝试以后安装程序终于告诉我机器硬盘坏了⋯⋯err，我的作业以及当初在西藏照的照片还都在上面⋯⋯
SONY 的电器以前在日本有“ソニィボォンボ”的恶名，指索尼的电器在保修期过后就会立即出故障，好像定时炸弹一样⋯⋯我这台电脑刚过保修期半年，似乎的确是 sony bomb ⋯⋯不过我自己的使用也不是没有问题，至少我的确摔过机器⋯⋯事已至此，只好先把它放到一边，等有空的时候去换硬盘了。
SONY 的电器以前在日本有“ソニィボォンボ”的恶名，指索尼的电器在保修期过后就会立即出故障，好像定时炸弹一样⋯⋯我这台电脑刚过保修期半年，似乎的确是 sony bomb ⋯⋯不过我自己的使用也不是没有问题，至少我的确摔过机器⋯⋯事已至此，只好先把它放到一边，等有空的时候去换硬盘了。
2005年11月2日星期三
How to avoid a gloomy, hot future?
We have no direct proof that the global climate is becoming warmer, because of the nature of science. We cannot 'prove' anything, but can only 'disprove' something. Therefore we cannot assert that the temperature is rising from recent years' measures. However, it is highly probable that this year's unusually frequent hurricanes and floods are due to climate change.
To one not so optimistic (i.e. me), what happened in 2005 could hint those scene in those movies like Mad Max, Water World, and A. I.. The end of fossil fuel production is not very far. Global warming is influencing everyone.
Is it really happening? I think, yes. If we do nothing.
A G8 plus meeting is being held in London in these days. British PM Blair chose climate change and countermeasure as a central topic. He is quite right. No matter what intention he has. G. Bush is talking about technology saving the world from greenhouse gas. Blair seems recognise that science can tackle global warming. But if no protocol is given, who will use the technology to control emission? Tech costs money. And people do not want to lose money unless it is asked by law or policy.
The European effort on controlling GHG emission would serve as a critical example. If it is not successful enough, developing countries such as China will not be on board (maybe a Chinese version Katrina will change policy makers' mind). Unfortunately, in the last 2 years the carbon dioxide emission in UK has rised, possibly due to gas shortage and changing back to coal in power generation. It is difficult to reach the limit set by Kyoto Protocol before 2012.
So, China and other rapid developing countries' attitude must be ensured. We hope that no matter how well EC did, all countries will be able to work together to fight global warming and solve energy problem. Even if you are really lucky, you have prosperous economy, and only other countries suffer from the GHG you emitted, you will soon find this all meaningless because other countries are collapsing and no one would buy your products and services. This is globalisation. We all bear the same fate. It depends on our action.
To one not so optimistic (i.e. me), what happened in 2005 could hint those scene in those movies like Mad Max, Water World, and A. I.. The end of fossil fuel production is not very far. Global warming is influencing everyone.
Is it really happening? I think, yes. If we do nothing.
A G8 plus meeting is being held in London in these days. British PM Blair chose climate change and countermeasure as a central topic. He is quite right. No matter what intention he has. G. Bush is talking about technology saving the world from greenhouse gas. Blair seems recognise that science can tackle global warming. But if no protocol is given, who will use the technology to control emission? Tech costs money. And people do not want to lose money unless it is asked by law or policy.
The European effort on controlling GHG emission would serve as a critical example. If it is not successful enough, developing countries such as China will not be on board (maybe a Chinese version Katrina will change policy makers' mind). Unfortunately, in the last 2 years the carbon dioxide emission in UK has rised, possibly due to gas shortage and changing back to coal in power generation. It is difficult to reach the limit set by Kyoto Protocol before 2012.
So, China and other rapid developing countries' attitude must be ensured. We hope that no matter how well EC did, all countries will be able to work together to fight global warming and solve energy problem. Even if you are really lucky, you have prosperous economy, and only other countries suffer from the GHG you emitted, you will soon find this all meaningless because other countries are collapsing and no one would buy your products and services. This is globalisation. We all bear the same fate. It depends on our action.
Some Gossips on Greenpeace
This radical environmentalist organisation is recently making its interesting public image.
Raid left me fearing for life, says Mrs Prescott
To act like ninjas, I think, cannot raise public awareness of energy issues. Well, unless they are ninjas reported by the media.
Greenpeace ship strikes coral reef
Luckily, the action of both parties are fast and understanding. It is really only gossip. Greenpeace did good in their tour and this incident.
Raid left me fearing for life, says Mrs Prescott
To act like ninjas, I think, cannot raise public awareness of energy issues. Well, unless they are ninjas reported by the media.
Greenpeace ship strikes coral reef
Luckily, the action of both parties are fast and understanding. It is really only gossip. Greenpeace did good in their tour and this incident.
2005年11月1日星期二
关于人生观和爱情观的 message 谈话
中午忍受不了饥饿从图书馆逃回来，登录水木收信，遇到文盲，然后就从当天中午吃什么饭开始聊到4、5年后朋友们的去向，以及什么时候结束单身生活的问题。
文盲和我一样不能忍受有人天天粘在身边，但与我不同的是，她比我更能忍受寂寞。在比较了女朋友和狗的优缺点以后，我们一致认为，比较不麻烦又不寂寞的生活方式是在拉萨附近养一头牛，白天放它出去吃草，晚上可以互相做伴 :D
然后谈到把女孩子变成家庭主妇到底好还是不好。我今天才知道男生女生对于这个问题居然有这么大的分歧。我以为很残酷的事情对女孩子来说，有时候是一辈子的幸福所在啊~~
今后我们的生活，也许就是不断地在社会中做布朗运动，也许会遇到一个值得寄托一生幸福的人，也许不会。在那之前，知己对我们来说是最重要的，其余重要的东西，对于文盲来说是美女和美酒（原文如此），对于我来说，是书本和经历。
回国后要去尝尝文盲做的杂烩汤。
另外那个在拉萨开酒馆的建议现在看起来挺有吸引力的:)
文盲和我一样不能忍受有人天天粘在身边，但与我不同的是，她比我更能忍受寂寞。在比较了女朋友和狗的优缺点以后，我们一致认为，比较不麻烦又不寂寞的生活方式是在拉萨附近养一头牛，白天放它出去吃草，晚上可以互相做伴 :D
然后谈到把女孩子变成家庭主妇到底好还是不好。我今天才知道男生女生对于这个问题居然有这么大的分歧。我以为很残酷的事情对女孩子来说，有时候是一辈子的幸福所在啊~~
今后我们的生活，也许就是不断地在社会中做布朗运动，也许会遇到一个值得寄托一生幸福的人，也许不会。在那之前，知己对我们来说是最重要的，其余重要的东西，对于文盲来说是美女和美酒（原文如此），对于我来说，是书本和经历。
回国后要去尝尝文盲做的杂烩汤。
另外那个在拉萨开酒馆的建议现在看起来挺有吸引力的:)
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