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Asked 2/23/2008

Did the U.N.'s IPCC set a horrific example by staging the Bali climate conference?

“The U.N.’s ‘Bali High’ .December 2007 witnessed 15,000 climateers and media descend upon the paradise island resort of Bali for the 13th annual U.N. global warming meeting. The reason for much jet and limo travel — and other prodigious greenhouse gas generating activity associated with such a mega-conference — is relatively modest: setting the agenda and timeframe for a post-Kyoto treaty. Sure seems like something that could have been handled in a less carbon-intensive way — either by Internet and video conferencing or, if meeting is necessary, somewhere in North America or Europe where most key attendees are based.

The 15,000 politicians, activists, MPs, journalists, and civil servants from 180 countries who traveled to Bali for the talks emitted between 60,000 and 100,000 ton of carbon dioxide, according to estimates. This is not far short of what a country like Malawi or Chad emits in a year, the UN said yesterday. The greatest emissions resulted from flights to and from Indonesia, but extra air conditioning and car travel during two weeks of meetings added significantly to the carbon budget.
While all UN delegates and most European government delegates had their flights offset with financial investments in ‘schemes’ which buy up greenhouse emissions, it is not known how many other attendees tried to lessen their impact.”
They might have scored some credibility points by organizing their meetings for tele-conferencing. Committee/breakout sessions....etc.
The same way that many large corporations do it!
Face it..... they could have done things differently.....while helping the environment AND $$$Millions!!
Actually, I do have experience with large conferences. The media....I believe... has considerable experience using the internet.
Do you think for a moment that a 15,000 video-conference can't be organized?
Well Crabby.... I guess you told me!! I didn't realize that the fossil-fuel industry had published the Bali-Conference-pollution observations!

In any event, judging by the defensive nature of some of the responses, the Bali-Conference-pollution issue was/is a sensitive issue.

 
 
 
 
 
Answers

Answer 1/1 - Submitted 2/24/2008

For a subject of such alleged importance, the responses are "inadequate." Yes, BB is accusing the alarmists of hypocrisy. Why is hypocrisy so quickly excused, when the hypocrite is the alarmist?

BB is on target. They COULD have done things differently. The conference COULD have had a MUCH smaller carbon footprint. The people preaching CO2 reduction COULD have made a powerful statement. Something like,”Global warming is such an important issue that politicians will forfeit a publicly funded South Pacific boondoggle.” Instead, the message was, "Woo Hoo! Free Bali vacation!" You want to prove that it is not a boondoggle? Hold the conference is Oslo in January.

"Getting the attention of the media . . . is just as important of a goal as anything else they accomplished" Anyone who reads newspapers or magazines is well aware that the media has reported on global warming ad naseum. Is yet another media circus really needed?

"How much carbon do you suppose the Bali conference emitted compared to a coal burning power plant? 15 minutes worth? A whole hour?" Should I use that logic? In my whole life, I won't emit as much as the visitors to the conference did. Is this this a proper measure, or an excuse for hypocrisy?

"Al Gore has a big house, too." Like 99% of Americans, my lifestyle will generate only a tiny fraction of Al's carbon footprint. Why would someone concerned about carbon emissions fail to criticize Al?

How about the original question? In your opinion, did the IPCC set a good example? Is that what you expect from those who have concerns about global warming?

 
 
 
 

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