The Biggest Obstacles to a Climate Deal at COP16 are Overwhelm and Emotional Disconnect

by greenmedia

In a completely unscientific study, Green Media News has found the biggest obstacles to reaching a global deal on climate change are the massive overwhelm and emotional disconnect that stop climate change issues from becoming part of the national discourse.

Huh?

OK, I'm overwhelmed with all this. And I have a high tolerance for minutia; if I'm overwhelmed, that's not a good sign for the climate movement.

I have to admit I'm torn. I've been reading news from Cancun all afternoon. And I'm tempted to go down the list and talk about all the things that are happening at COP16 and around the world relative to climate change.

Fyi this article was cross-posted to Green Media News at around midnight last night.

continued at Daily Kos....

If you're reading this...

by citisven

...you are probably on a computer. Or some sort of hand-held device. Smart phone. Pod. Pad. Berry. Tablet. Insert [catchy name of the next latest greatest cool and hip new gadget about to hit the market].

What the manufacturers of these shiny new objects fail to tell us is what goes into making them and what happens after we're done with them.

Annie Leonard, the producer of the acclaimed The Story of Stuff video, just released her latest work, The Story of Electronics.

I think it's well worth watching and pondering.

continued at Daily Kos....

EcoJustice: Coming to Ecuador, with or without Chevron

by citisven

A few weeks ago I had the great privilege of meeting Lou Dematteis, a former Reuters staff photographer who covered the wars that raged throughout Central America in the 1980s and first traveled to Ecuador's northern Amazon region in 1993.

What he found there was not a shooting war, but a war on the environment, a gut-wrenching clash between the "civilized" world's thirst for cheap oil and indigenous people's right to live in health and harmony with their native lands.

Lou's photos not only tell the story of the human and ecological cost of our oil addiction, but they've been invaluable visual documents helping to keep Chevron/Texaco, the culprit of this epic environmental catastrophe, from engaging in "pollute and run" business as usual.

Most importantly, these images highlight the power of local communities not only in fighting the corporate juggernaut that is fleecing the planet's resources for short term profits, but in calling attention to the systemic problems inherent in fossil fuel dependent economic models, and inspiring sustainable solutions for all.  

Take a ride and see for yourself.      

   

continued at Daily Kos....

A Measure of Justice for Ivory Coast

by rebb

cross-posted at Intlawgrrls

Today a Dutch court handed down a really important decision in a case that has haunted me for years. It hasn't gotten the notice I think it deserves.  Particularly in light of the BP fiasco, this case is a reminder not to buy the nonsense that corporations can be trusted to do the right thing.  Indeed, this case is a cautionary tale of just how irresponsible and negligent supposedly responsible international corporations can be, and how they get away with it.

Four years ago, Trafigura illegally dumped toxic wastes in various locations around the city of Abjidjan in Cote d' Ivoire.  More than 100,000 people were sickened and 15 died from exposure to the wastes.

Today, a Dutch court found Tranfigura criminally liable for offenses associated with this incident.

continued at Daily Kos...

What's next for coal ash?

by Sue Sturgis

Disaster has pushed Washington to call for new standards for handling waste from coal-fired power plants. It's invited citizens to weigh in, but will their voices carry above lobbyists fighting tough regulations?

continued at Daily Kos....

Power politics: Utilities vs. coal ash regulation

by Sue Sturgis

After years of inaction, federal officials are mulling new regulations to confront the growing problem of coal ash. But energy companies have fought off regulation before, and they're fighting the new rules every step of the way.

continued at Daily Kos....

Special investigation: Coal's dirty secret

by Sue Sturgis

Coal ash is one of the country's biggest waste streams and is full of toxic substances, yet it remains virtually unregulated. Can Washington overcome the fierce opposition of energy interests to protect communities and the environment?

continued at Daily Kos....