As Trump melted into the background at Davos, one big new climate idea stood out

London: Something strange happened this week: for the first time in a long time, Donald Trump wasn't the main attraction at a gathering of world leaders. The circus had lost its ringmaster.

President Donald Trump tells the World Economic
Forum in Davos that 'we must reject the perennial
prophets of doom'. Instead of focusing on climate
change, Trump opted to use the global stage
 to highlight the US economy's strength.

It wasn't from lack of trying. The US President blew into the World Economic Forum at Davos and quickly sprayed environmental activists like Greta Thunberg as "prophets of doom" and made the outlandish claim that America was enjoying an economic boom "likes of which the world has never seen". He threw a cluster of attention-seeking bombs but the spotlight just wouldn't stick.

Truth is the master showman's attention was elsewhere. He may have been in Switzerland but the Eurosceptic's eyes were focused on his impeachment trial in Washington and the rapidly approaching November election. Any new major international confrontations would have to wait.

It meant the adults in the room could get on with the job, free from the fallout of any Trump-shaped sideshow. The doom and fear that once dogged Davos gave way to intelligent debate and even some rare optimism about the economy following years of stagnant growth and damaging trade spats.

Read the story from The Age by Bevan Shields - “As Trump melted into the background at Davos, one big new climate idea stood out.”

Economics the focus Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday

Saturday’s gathering Beneath the Wisteria in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall will have a certain economic feel about it.

Greens candidate for Northern Victoria, Nicole Rowan,
 will be Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday with the
Greens candidate for the Seat of Shepparton, Nickee Freeman.

Convenor Robert McLean will talk about a recent conversation with University of Queensland economics professor, John Quiggin and one of the two guests is a lawyer and tax law trainer.

Tatura’s Nickee Freeman has announced she will contest the coming State election as a Greens candidate and will be Beneath the Wisteria on Saturday with her Greens counterpart and candidate for Northern Victoria, Nicole Rowan.

Both Nickee and Nicole will talk about what they can do to ensure the Victorian Government takes a heightened interest in environmental matters and so make certain those matters that concern those who gather Beneath the Wisteria receive expanded attention.

Beneath the Wisteria starts at 11:00 am, lasts for about an hour, is free, open to anyone interested and although some public seating is provided, those joining us are encouraged to bring a folding chair.

Questions can be directed to Robert at 0400 502 199.

Looking back at the Fall meeting of the AGU

This year's Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) has come and gone and quite a lot happened during the week from December 12 to 16.

As mentioned in our earlier post, several Skeptical Science team members were actively involved with giving talks and/or presenting posters while others were there to take it all in, as was the case for at least one from Skeptical Science, who was at the AGU gathering for the first time.

Read the recap here by members of the Skeptical Science team of the Fall meeting of the AGU.

The dilemma of making your point about climate change

Those concerned about climate change and who understand the causes of trapped in a strange dilemma.

They know the burning of fossil fuels worsens the situation and yet they also know that those concerns can be best demonstrated through gathering in a central place; a gathering whose success is almost wholly dependent upon fossil fuels.

Writing in Rolling Stone in a story headed: “A call to arms: an invitation to demand action on climate change” activist, Bill McKibben has invited people to visit New York City.

In encouraging people to join him, Mr McKibben said it was “An invitation to anyone who’d like to prove to themselves, and their children, that the give a damn about the biggest crisis our civilization has ever faced”.

“My guess is people will come by the tens of thousands, and it will be the largest demonstration yet of human resolve in the face of climate change.

“Sure, some of it will be exciting – who doesn't like the chance to march and sing and carry a clever sign through the canyons of Manhattan? But this is dead-serious business, a signal moment in the gathering fight of human beings to do something about global warming before it's too late to do anything but watch. You'll tell your grandchildren, assuming we win”.

Mr McKibben urged people to note the dates September 20 and 21 on their.

'10-Star' discussions Beneath the Wisteria

The idea that Shepparton should have 10-star display home will be discussed on Saturday, July 27, Beneath the Wisteria in the city’s Maude St Mall.



Discussion about Shepparton having a 10-star house which people could inspect and take ideas from arose following discussions prompted by Shepparton’s recent “Slap Tomorrow – A Wake-Up Call” forum.

More than 600 people attended the June forum and after listening to a trio of powerful speakers, it became obvious to the organizing committee that people wanted to see some real examples of how the causes of climate change could be eased.

Beyond that, it appeared, many were eager to know what the houses of the different future outlined at the forum would be like.

Subsequently, it was decided that the idea of a 10-star house should be discussed tomorrow along with thoughts about how it could be made a reality.

A 10-star home has to meet many criteria, among them that it is built using largely sustainable materials; it is orientated to suit the prevailing climate of the area and so with negligible use of energy, it is both cool and warm; it depends mostly upon renewable energy for lighting and general household appliances; is plumbed and built appropriately to ensure water use is limited; and is positioned in its respective community to ensure little need of fossil fuel powered transport.

Beyond all that, the 10-star home needs to look good, blend seamlessly with its surroundings and be constructed in a way to ensure it is robust enough to survive the worst nature can deliver.

The Saturday, July 27, Beneath the Wisteria gathering starts at 11:30am at the northern end of the Maude St Mall and while some public seating is available, those planning to attend the free event are advised to bring a folding chair.

Talks about investing 'ethically'

The idea of ethical investments will be discussed at the Saturday, March 30, gathering Beneath the Wisteria.

Those who understand the need to respond the demands of our changing climate also understand importance of investing in companies that do not aggravate the environment.

Beyond that, there is a critical need to avoid funding companies that operate and behave in a way that worsens Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Tomorrow’s gathering, which is open to the public, starts at 11:30am and discussions last for about an hour.

The group meets at the northern end of the Maude St Mall and although some public seating if provided, those planning to attend should bring along a folding chair.