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Weather
Not For Sale It seems incredible when written down in black and white, but nevertheless it is true - the movers and shakers of the `free-world' which has become the whole world global economy, seriously believe the main implication of the climate crisis called variously Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect is the perceived billions of dollars to be made out of it. Ordinary people who are assumed to be ignorant and powerless (the two are always linked, as if monetary wealth gave people a corresponding wealth of intellect) are experiencing and/or fearing they will experience unprecedented spells of bad weather, loss of home and livelihood or even their lives. Ordinary people are looking to business and governments to reduce their fossil fuel energy use, reduce the production of greenhouse gases and focus attention on ecology and not just economics. What a hope! All business leaders and even politicians seem to be able to see is dollar signs in a world where green means greenback. Shamefully the current New Zealand Government sees in the Global Warming issue a windfall in "carbon credits". Papers released recently by the New Zealand Government suggest it sees a multibillion-dollar windfall from carbon credit trading. The oh so convenient bit of science revolves around industries, and other organisations in different countries locking up atmospheric carbon in "carbon sinks" such as forests. The NZ Cabinet committee on climate change is expected to report by October 2000 and though there are plans to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by 2002 which is meant to reduce C02 emissions world-wide, one can't help wondering if the NZ Governments support for Kyoto is solely because it seas a buck in it. How short-sighted can a person get. There should be a political eyesight test for politicians before they get to stand for parliament .. or drive a car for that matter. If we go to the heart of the global economy, the USA, where the brain is meant to be located at the Harvard Business School, we see the latest pronouncement on the topic of climate in an article from Harvard Business Review which sounds a warning to business leaders that if the Kyoto Protocol is ratified - new regulations will be designed to reduce emissions that will have a disruptive effect on business. Hardly a great insight. The implication is that big business can avoid cost implications and fasten onto revenue implications of Global Warming if corporate executives start to look closely at the risks - and the opportunities - associated with shifts in the weather, potential regulations and public opinion. All this not so that climate crisis can be avoided, lives and livelihoods saved. No, Harvard is simply trying to save business for business as if the world's climate and ecology some-how will look after themselves or be looked after by voluntary organisations like governments consumers. The bad news is, there is bad weather ahead and being rich does not make one exempt from the effects of floods and hurricanes and droughts and UV rays (the ozone hole). Its no longer a prediction, there are now more frequent storms, higher temperatures, insurance issues, drier conditions, pests and fire risks. Being a smart cookie and focussing on commerce, anticipating Regulations, energy supply and price, regulations for reduction of emissions, tax increases, and planting trees is not it. Neither is the spin value the issue. Yes, good publicity can pay big dividends, but hell, is that as far as it goes, dividends. PlaNet recommendation: Re-frame the problem (ecology) and you reframe the solution (raised awareness of the environment).
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