Matt,

Clearly, more of the same old same old systems and solutions will only get us more of the same old same old results. Even moderate “tweaks” are not apt to significantly alter the outcomes we are currently expecting. Is this what we truly want? More of what got us to where we are today?

Isn’t this a good time to think very hard about what we want, who we want to be, and how we might be able to get closer to our goals, even if it means some signficant changes in our views of just what sort of standard oerating proceddure would be most appropriate? Even if we had to spend a few less dollars and hours engaged in consumerism and escapist entertainment? If Nero fiddled while Rome burned, are we consuming while the environment deteriorates?

For example, what if we decided that it would be better if every building generated its own electricity and adopted a national Combined Heat and Power [CHP] policy? How would this change LEEDS?

Matt, Here is a good set of resources about poverty and climate change from a UK gov office…

Firstly, sorry but I appear to have accidentally opened four hexagons by mistake. But on the excellent points being made about the poor suffering most. We have witnessed a tragic exaple this week with the Nigeria trickle-down-blow-up effect. There are some excellent sites about the effect of Shell onthe Niger Delta and Ogoni people. I think a key part of wht we do as citizens concerned about climate change must be solidarity actions with those communities in the frontline of the struggle against climate criminals such as Shell. Here’s a scary fact (which I got from remember ken saro-wiwa campaign): Shell’s gas-flaring in the Niger Delta is the world’s greatest single source of carbon emissions. But the movements of the Delta are very close to securing a legal victory to shut them down (but close is no good). Also Shell is a company registered in London. Now in England as in other norther industrial countries the scepics are saying well, what does it matter what we do to reduce arbon emissions because the Chinese, the Indians, the Brazilians will soon be pumping gazilions etc etc. You know the song. Well, it is a UK-registered company responsible for the ese emissions and I reckon we have the moral duty and legal right to take Shell back into public ownership, dismantle it and sends its executivs on retraining and rehabilitation courses in the hopes that they may one day be re-introduced back to the community as useful members of society. I know, it’s a pipe-dream.