We need a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty – and we need it now

How did government respond to the recent scientific conclusion that only “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” can deliver the globally agreed target for stopping climate breakdown? In the UK, fracking for fossil fuels was given the green light, plans were announced for a huge new road in the south-east, incentives for electric vehicles withered, the expansion of Heathrow airport is still going ahead and Gatwick airport is trying to expand too by bringing a back-up runway into use. It’s like seeing a sign that says “Danger: vertical cliff drop” and pulling on your best running shoes to take a flying leap.

 Brown coal power plant in North Rhine-Westphalia. ‘
Currently global demand for coal, oil and gas are all
growing, with fossil fuels accounting for 81% of energy use.’ 

Something isn’t working. The head of the oil company Shell responded to the new climate science warming by clarifying that “Shell’s core business is, and will be for the foreseeable future, very much in oil and gas.” BP announced new North Sea oil projects. Immediate choices are being made with blank disregard to avoiding climate breakdown.

Read the opinion piece from The Guardian by Andrew Simms and Peter Newell - “We need a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty – and we need it now.”

Overwhelmed by climate change? Here's what you can do

The challenge of avoiding catastrophic climate breakdown requires “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society”, according to a new IPCC report.

 Calling for change … New York climate activist
groups campaigning in January 2017. 

Experts say that although the challenges are huge there is still time to create a thriving, sustainable future. The main focus is on the decisions facing governments around the world but the IPCC acknowledges the role individuals can play.

Here are some of the things people can do.

Read the story from The Guardian by Matthew Taylor and Adam Vaughan - “Overwhelmed by climate change? Here's what you can do.”

'Rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society' - IPCC

Incheon, Republic of Korea, October 8 – Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said on Monday. 

The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments review the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change. 

Read the - “Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5oC approved by governments.”

Adapt or perish: UK leads the way in protecting citizens against climate change

Despite the distraction and political chaos of Brexit negotiations, the United Kingdom has just published a far-reaching and thoroughly impressive plan to manage risks from climate change.

To the World Health Organisation, climate change
 is the greatest health threat of this century.

This follows on from their broader 25-year Environment Plan, released in January. It aims to "help the natural world regain and retain good health", to enable it to better cope with climate change.

The recently released climate plan is a strategy to save lives from heat, flood and fire — yes, fire, even in the UK!

It should be compulsory reading for the Australian Government, because we have no such plan. Considering the lives that will be lost, this is negligence in medical terms.

Read the opinion piece from ABC News by David Shearman - “Adapt or perish: UK leads the way in protecting citizens against climate change.”