The Doha climate summit agreement, which delayed vital action to tackle global warming for another seven years, will cost $5 trillion (£3.1trn) to remedy, according to new research. The study said that delaying the implementation of carbon emission reduction measures until 2020 would cost 25 percent more than taking action to achieve the same reduction now. The increase would take the cost from $20trn if action started today to $25trn if it began in 2020, as agreed in Doha last month. The research was conducted by the ‘well-respected’ International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). (Independent)
'Confusing' climate coverage is turning people off
There is "widespread public confusion" over climate change coupled with a growing lack of interest in the issue, according to new research. Conflicting media reports on the topic are in part contributing towards this trend. This is further compounded by the continuing politicisation of climate change, making it seem less of a key issue in public perception. The study was carried out by the Glasgow University Media Group and Chatham House, and found that most respondents showed only a vague understanding of climate science. The aim of the research was to examine specific triggers for changes in patterns of understanding and attitude – and the conditions under which these lead to changes in behaviour. (Edie)
Shell violated air permits for arctic ships
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that Shell committed numerous violations of air pollution permits for its two Arctic drill ships, adding to the company’s recent catalogue of environmental issues. The agency said that Shell’s two drilling ships had repeatedly allowed excess nitrogen oxides to escape during the 2012 drilling season. The violations were discovered during EPA inspections and through Shell’s self-reporting system. Shell will have to modify the ships and apply for new permits if it intends to use them to drill in the Arctic in the future. (New York Times, ABC News)
Human Rights
Ecuadorean tribe fight to defend rainforest
An indigenous Ecuadorian community is preparing to resist the national army and one of the biggest oil companies in South America in a bid to defend the Amazon rainforest. The Kichwa tribe on Sani Isla, said they are ready to fight to the death to protect their territory, which covers 70,000 hectares of pristine rainforest. Petroamazonas – the state-backed oil company – have told them it will begin prospecting on 15 January, backed by public security forces. A local community spokesperson, Klider Gualinga, said more than 80 percent of the village is opposed to the oil deal, but a minority are pushing it through against their wishes and local rules. Community members are appealing for outside assistance in their legal battle and efforts to find economic alternatives. (Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
British lead export is ‘outrageous’
A British company convicted of bribing foreign officials to maintain sales of a poisonous lead fuel additive is continuing to sell the chemical abroad to unstable countries, despite mounting evidence that it is responsible for long term damage to human health and may be linked to violent crime. Environmental groups have called on the UK Government to ban Innospec Ltd, which claims to be the world's only producer of tetraethyl lead (TEL), from further exports of the substance. TEL is banned from use on Britain's roads but remains legal in six developing nations. (Independent)
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