US urges scientists to block out sun

David Adam and Liz Minchin
January 29, 2007

THE US wants the world’s scientists to develop technology to block sunlight as a last-ditch way to halt global warming.

It says research into techniques such as giant mirrors in space or reflective dust pumped into the atmosphere would be “important insurance” against rising emissions, and has lobbied for such a strategy to be recommended by a UN report on climate change, the first part of which is due out on Friday).

The US has also attempted to steer the UN report, prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), away from conclusions that would support a new worldwide climate treaty based on binding targets to reduce emissions. It has demanded a draft of the report be changed to emphasise the benefits of voluntary agreements and to include criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol, which the US opposes. Continue reading

Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 25 – Just a few years ago, politicians and environmental groups in the Netherlands were thrilled by the early and rapid adoption of “sustainable energy,â€? achieved in part by coaxing electrical plants to use biofuel – in particular, palm oil from Southeast Asia.

Spurred by government subsidies, energy companies became so enthusiastic that they designed generators that ran exclusively on the oil, which in theory would be cleaner than fossil fuels like coal because it is derived from plants.

Continue reading

Rising Tide Boston seeks to build ties and work towards action with pre-existing community groups fighting struggles for environmental and social justice. Our poorest communities suffer the greatest burden of a system that promotes climate chaos and destroys local environments and communities. Visit the links below to learn about local struggles or come to a Rising Tide meeting:

First and Third Sundays of Every Month
6:00pm @ The Lucy Parsons Center
549 Columbus Ave, Boston MA
(Near Mass Ave on the Orange Line and Symphony on the Green Line)

Contact Boston Rising Tide for more info:
evan—AT—riotfolk.org / 978-852-6457