consumption rates comparisons
Colleagues, I am wondering if some of you can point me toward any comparisons of Northern Southern consumption of various resources (agricultural, mineral, whatever...) - current consumption, rates over time, etc. Ideas, citations and naked self-promotion are all most welcome. --Stacy Stacy D. VanDeveer Associate Professor University of New Hampshire Dept. of Political Science Horton SSC Durham, NH 03824 USA stacy.vandev...@unh.edumailto:stacy.vandev...@unh.edu tel: fax: mobile: Skype ID: (+1) 603-862-0167 [cid:image001.gif@01CA3B79.B5594AD0] http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=ensrc=jj_signatureTo=%28%2B1%29+603%2D862%2D0167email=...@cisunix.unh.edu (+1) 603-862-0178 (+1) 781-321-5880 [cid:image001.gif@01CA3B79.B5594AD0] http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=ensrc=jj_signatureTo=%28%2B1%29+781%2D321%2D5880email=...@cisunix.unh.edu stacy.vandeveer Want to always have my latest info?https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=51539758810src=client_sig_212_1_banner_joininvite=1lang=en Want a signature like this?http://www.plaxo.com/signature?src=client_sig_212_1_banner_siglang=en inline: image001.gif
Re: The Age of Stupid Premiers
Yes, I went here in Boston, and the theater was packed (maybe because it was the only one accessible by public transit?). I found the film to be more than a little depressing! As far as scientific information goes, Al Gore did a better job in An Inconvenient Truth of explaining why climate change is happening and what are the scientific underpinnings of the theory, as well as providing a sense of hopefulness that the average viewer can yet take action. What Age of Stupid did was to paint some possible results of the worst-case warming scenario, and it did so in a very fatalistic manner, from the wind turbine guy in the UK to the French Alpine climber to the two Iraqi kids. I even saw some people in the theater crying at the end, when Pete Postlethwaite sends the Archive message into space. I couldn't stay for the New York-based QA after the film (nothing is sure in this world but death, taxes, and that the dog must be let out), so I don't know if they provided ideas for action, but future screenings of the film will not have a QA afterward. Overall, it's a good addition to the growing body of environmental films, but I'm afraid that it's hopeless tone will push the average person into a sense of futility. -Beth -- Elizabeth L. Chalecki Visiting Asst. Professor, International Studies Program Boston College Carney 213 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 chalecki [at] bc.edu elizabeth.chalecki [at] gmail.com On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM, Alcock, Frank falc...@ncf.edu wrote: Did anyone besides myself see the film tonight? If so, what did you think? -- *From:* owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu on behalf of rldavis *Sent:* Sat 9/12/2009 4:48 PM *To:* NEES List; Global Environmental Education *Cc:* Monique Bosch *Subject:* The Age of Stupid Premiers Hi all-forgive me for cross posting. I wanted to bring the premier of a very important film to you attention. I was fortunate enough to see *The Age of Stupid* at a special showing for the attendees of the Climate Project’s Nashville Summit in March. At that time, it had only been released in the UK. It is a provocative, powerful, plausible, and disturbing film set in a post global warming world of 2055. From that perspective, it looks back at our own time, the “age of stupid” and chronicles 6 highly plausible (in fact, I see most of them actually going on now) stories that are interwoven to show how we got to a destroyed world. It is beautifully acted with Pete Postlethwaite as the principle and the production is excellent. About 20% fiction and 80% documentary. Here is the “blurb” from the web site: *The Age of Stupid* is the new four-year epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? *MORE * This will be premiered at a special showing at 400 theaters in North America on Monday 21 September at 7:30 eastern (6:30 central, etc.). I will be urging my own students to attend and I urge you to bring it to the attention of your students, friends, colleagues. You can get further information on both the film at the premier at the following web site: http://www.ageofstupid.net/screenings/country/United%20States the actual web site for the film (there is a link on the previous web site) is www.ageofstudpid.net. This site also talks about where to see the premier in 149 other countries around the world. For a review of the film from the *Sydney Herald* (it premiered in Aust and NZ in late August) go to http://www.ageofstupid.net/review/the_age_of_stupid_movie_review. Larry Davis
RE: consumption rates comparisons
Hi Stacy-- Brand new, easy to access report on consumption of resources worldwide available at: http://www.foeeurope.org/publications/2009/Overconsumption_Sep09.pdf Hope this helps. Gary Gary Gardner Senior Researcher Worldwatch Institute California office (to reach Gary) 411 Central Avenue Grass Valley, CA 95945 TEL: 530-273-7027 ggard...@worldwatch.org Main office 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 TEL: 202-452-1999 www.worldwatch.org From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu on behalf of VanDeveer, Stacy Sent: Tue 9/22/2009 11:42 AM To: gep-ed@listserve1.allegheny.edu Subject: consumption rates comparisons Colleagues, I am wondering if some of you can point me toward any comparisons of Northern Southern consumption of various resources (agricultural, mineral, whatever...) - current consumption, rates over time, etc. Ideas, citations and naked self-promotion are all most welcome. --Stacy Stacy D. VanDeveer Associate Professor University of New Hampshire Dept. of Political Science Horton SSC Durham, NH 03824 USA stacy.vandev...@unh.edu mailto:stacy.vandev...@unh.edu tel: fax: mobile: Skype ID: (+1) 603-862-0167 http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=ensrc=jj_signatureTo=%28%2B1%29+603%2D862%2D0167email=...@cisunix.unh.edu (+1) 603-862-0178 (+1) 781-321-5880 http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=ensrc=jj_signatureTo=%28%2B1%29+781%2D321%2D5880email=...@cisunix.unh.edu stacy.vandeveer Want to always have my latest info? https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=51539758810src=client_sig_212_1_banner_joininvite=1lang=en Want a signature like this? http://www.plaxo.com/signature?src=client_sig_212_1_banner_siglang=en inline: image001.gif
RE: The Age of Stupid Premiers
I did see it, and have to confess that I was disappointed. A heart-felt and sincere efort, but, in my view, not successful. Despite some brilliant pieces and insights, there were a lot of problems. Too many loose ends and points made vaguely or imprecisely. Too many questions embedded in the basic narrative (How's that guy providing the energy and maintenance for all those massive computers as humanity nearly vanishes and society has collapsed? Or didn't the filmmakers just love all too much that fancy computer wizardry as a way of telling a story, so, what the hell with the basic narrative underpinning?) How about telling us the real story of the long conflict in the Nigerian Delta region? And, by the by, why did that bright young lady decide she was going to be famous instead of becoming a doctor--maybe because she was seeing herself depicted on film and having those good times with the film makers--a problem of the observed being changed by the observor, perhaps? And, ho! w about pointing out that the Delta region itself is likely to be an early victim of sea level rise? And, similarly, throughout the film, just a lot of things that are not well carried through nor adequately explored. And, in forty years of activism and teaching, if there is one thing that I think I have learned it is that you are not likely to get very far with people by calling them stupid. No better way to close a mind than that. Or invite irritated counter-arguments that are likely to be beside the point but that assert a will and intelligence on the part of the one called stupid. For me, one of the most important and well-done segments was the one on NIMBY and wind farms in England. This one was well-framed and beautifully told in a way that at least should have an impact. One felt that the film-makers were more assured and competent on their home ground. As an example of organizing, it didn't seem well-organized--there was virtually no local publicity and the theater was near empty in Sacramento, and clearly with the already deeply converted. The Hollywood premier imitation was cheesey and distracting. And, rather than simply having an academic tell us that mass organizing was a good idea, or in addition to that, actually telling us about some of the many examples of effective organizing that are going on? It seems to me that An Inconvenient Truth remains a much better film whether one is looking for accuracy or impact. I would be interested in reading what others think. Angus Angus Wright Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies California State University, Sacramento From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu [owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu] On Behalf Of Alcock, Frank [falc...@ncf.edu] Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 7:34 PM To: rldavis; NEES List; Global Environmental Education Cc: Monique Bosch Subject: RE: The Age of Stupid Premiers Did anyone besides myself see the film tonight? If so, what did you think? From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu on behalf of rldavis Sent: Sat 9/12/2009 4:48 PM To: NEES List; Global Environmental Education Cc: Monique Bosch Subject: The Age of Stupid Premiers Hi all-forgive me for cross posting. I wanted to bring the premier of a very important film to you attention. I was fortunate enough to see The Age of Stupid at a special showing for the attendees of the Climate Project’s Nashville Summit in March. At that time, it had only been released in the UK. It is a provocative, powerful, plausible, and disturbing film set in a post global warming world of 2055. From that perspective, it looks back at our own time, the “age of stupid” and chronicles 6 highly plausible (in fact, I see most of them actually going on now) stories that are interwoven to show how we got to a destroyed world. It is beautifully acted with Pete Postlethwaite as the principle and the production is excellent. About 20% fiction and 80% documentary. Here is the “blurb” from the web site: The Age of Stupid is the new four-year epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? MORE This will be premiered at a special showing at 400 theaters in North America on Monday 21 September at 7:30 eastern (6:30 central, etc.). I will be urging my own students to attend and I urge you to bring it to the attention of your students, friends, colleagues. You can get further information on both the film at the premier at the following web site: http://www.ageofstupid.net/screenings/country/United%20States the actual web site for the film (there is a link on the previous web site) is www.ageofstudpid.net. This site also talks about where to see the premier in 149 other countries around the world. For a
RE: The Age of Stupid Premiers
I suspect that many of my colleagues will disagree with me but let me share some thoughts. If this film's intent is to catalyze action across a broad range of demographic groups I doubt it will have its intended effect. Worse, it might actually have some unintended consequences. I think that hard core climate change activists will see it as a therapeutic venting exercise and/or an energizing call to arms. But for most Americans I fear that it plays into the worst stereotypes of global warming alarmism and it violates just about every principle of effective communications strategies for stimulating social change (doomsday scenarios and shaming rarely invoke the desired response). There were a few segments that I liked. The cartoons were harsh societal critiques but presented in a witty sort of way. And the Alps and UK-NIMBY chronicles were compelling in many respects. On the whole, however, I had a lot of issues with the coherence and likely impact of the messages implicit in many of the chronicles - some of which are touched upon by Beth, Angus and Michelle - and I thought the solutions segment was a ripe target for political ridicule. For those of you that pay close attention to rhetoric in American political debates, you probably have noticed how hard the conservative talking heads have worked to associate the word rationing and images of Soviet style bread lines with liberal and/or democratic policy agendas. They don't want you to think of rationing when you think of health care reform, they want rationing to be an immediate psychological response to the word liberal or democrat in a word association exercise for every American. So you can probably guess what my reaction was to the carbon rationing card idea. I'd go so far as to say that those who would like to see American climate change legislation derailed would probably want as many Americans as possible to see that segment if not the entire film. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the conservative talk show hosts drawing people's attention to the movie and encouraging them to see it. No need for presenting distorted caricatures. Here's your liberal worldview and accompanying policy agenda in all its glory. I'm afraid this movie (and the accompanying premier theatrics) reinforced my sense that climate activists like to make movies that appeal to climate activists. They also like to congratulate themselves for doing so. Meanwhile, powerful interest groups that have a stake in the status quo continue to pay people to communicate messages to targeted demographic groups through a variety of media channels with very effective results. Feel free to disagree. Frank From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu [mailto:owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu] On Behalf Of Betsill,Michele Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:19 PM To: gep-ed@listserve1.allegheny.edu Subject: RE: The Age of Stupid Premiers I too went to the premier but left before the after show events (turns out kids must also be tended to!). I think I'm still processing my response and will be interested to hear reactions tomorrow from some of my students. I definitely went away with a sick feeling in my stomach but wasn't convinced it was a great mechanism for educating the general public about climate change. I agree with Angus that many points were unconnected and/or left vague and I wonder whether those who do not spend 24/7 thinking about climate change would really be able to put the pieces together. I'm afraid people will leave either feeling that the situation is hopeless or incredibly guilty, neither of which is particularly helpful in mobilizing society for change. Finally, I was surprised by the faith the filmmakers put in multilateral environmental agreements. At the end, they suggest the fate of the human species rests on the outcome of Copenhagen. That's a REALLY scary thought and misses so many of the other opportunities we have for addressing the issue. My two cents for what it's worth. Michele ___ Michele Betsill, PhD Associate Professor Department of Political Science Clark B350 Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA +1 970 491 5270 Founder and co-leader, Environmental Governance Working Group http://egwg.colostate.edu http://egwg.colostate.edu/ From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu [mailto:owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Chalecki Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:48 AM To: Alcock, Frank; gep-ed@listserve1.allegheny.edu Subject: Re: The Age of Stupid Premiers Yes, I went here in Boston, and the theater was packed (maybe because it was the only one accessible by public transit?). I found the film to be more than a little depressing! As far as scientific information goes, Al Gore did a better job in An Inconvenient Truth of explaining why climate change is happening and what are the
Re: consumption rates comparisons
Hi all related to Stacy's request, can someone tell me the original source of the "20% of population consuming 80% of the worlds resources" dynamic? I think it was a world bank pub somewhere but I can not find it. Peter Peter J. Jacques, Ph.D. Department of Political ScienceUniversity of Central FloridaP.O. Box 1613564000 Central Florida Blvd.Orlando, FL 32816-1356 Phone: (407) 823-2608 Fax: (407) 823-0051http://ucf.academia.edu/PeterJacques "VanDeveer, Stacy" stacy.vandev...@unh.edu 9/22/2009 11:42 AM Colleagues, I am wondering if some of you can point me toward any comparisons of Northern Southern consumption of various resources (agricultural, mineral, whatever…) – current consumption, rates over time, etc. Ideas, citations and naked self-promotion are all most welcome. --Stacy Stacy D. VanDeveerAssociate Professor University of New HampshireDept. of Political ScienceHorton SSCDurham, NH 03824 USA stacy.vandev...@unh.edu tel: fax: mobile: Skype ID: (+1) 603-862-0167 (+1) 603-862-0178(+1) 781-321-5880 stacy.vandeveer Want to always have my latest info? Want a signature like this?
RE: The Age of Stupid Premiers
I didn't get to see it, but have been following the substantial publicity, especially with all the celebs and politicians at the British launch earlier in the year, and the reviews have generally been positive. http://www.ageofstupid.net/press_reviews Films can be very powerful emotionally without having the tidy coherence of an academic article - from the trailers and clips, I imagine that Age of Stupid could move a lot of people from concern to activism. At least it's not as silly as Day after Tomorrow! But it's also likely to be polarizing, giving fuel to the Glenn Beck followers who hate health care reform and everything else coming out of the Obama administration. Disaster scenarios such as Age of Stupid and Christopher Steiners' recent $20 per Gallon provide the hook for my latest blog item about drivers for climate action, The Age of Wisdom? http://climateinc.org/2009/09/the-age-of-wisdom/ (was that another plug for my Climate Inc. http://climateinc.org/ blog?!) Cheers David David L. Levy Professor and Chair Department of Management and Marketing University of Massachusetts, Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA http://www.faculty.umb.edu/david_levy/ http://www.faculty.umb.edu/david_levy/ Climate Inc. http://climateinc.org/ - Business and Climate Change Blog
student activism (?) and climate change song from down under
Dear All To add slightly different note on activism, and on music rather than film, some time ago a list was circulated with climate change songs. My students really enjoyed it. So much so they’ve sent me one of their own. So here’s to add a song from down under and a GEP student http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x-13jNXux8 charlotte Dr Charlotte Epstein Senior Lecturer Department of Government and International Relations School of Social and Political Sciences The University of Sydney Room 287 | Merewether Building (HO4) NSW 2006| Australia P 61 2 9351 2082 F 61 2 9351 3624 e c.epst...@usyd.edu.aul | w http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/government/staff/charlotte_epstein.htm
RE: consumption rates comparisons
But this seems to equate people with states. The statement seems to be saying that high-income countries are consuming 20%, etc. People here are proxies for states. Consequently, I would not rely on these statistics. After all, there are now more 'high-income' people in China than in, say, Germany, and certainly the UK (and possibly the US)... -Original Message- From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu on behalf of Olivia Bina Sent: Wed 9/23/2009 1:09 PM To: Pam Chasek Cc: Peter Jacques; gep-ed@listserve1.allegheny.edu Subject: Re: consumption rates comparisons Dear all, since I too needed the exact reference, I went off to look for it. Thanks Pam! UNDP (1998) Human Development Report 1998 Consumption for Human Development - Overview, Summary version, the United Nations Development Programme, New York, http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr1998/ (accessed: 22/9/09). 'Inequalities in consumption are stark. Globally, the 20% of the world's people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption on expenditures - the poorest 20% a miniscule 1.3%' page 2 and graph, p.3 best Olivia *** Olivia Bina Assistant Professor, Energy, Sustainable Development, SEA International Deputy Director, Centre for Strategic Environmental Assessment for China Department of Geography and Resource Management The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong S.A.R. Tel work: (00852) 2609 6647 Email: o.c.bina...@cantab.net Skype: oliviabina *** On 23 Sep 2009, at 04:31, Pam Chasek wrote: I believe the source was UNDP, Human Development Report 1998 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998). Pam Pamela Chasek, PhD Executive Editor, Earth Negotiations Bulletin IISD Reporting Services 300 East 56th Street #11A New York, NY 10022 USA +1-212-888-2737 E-mail: p...@iisd.org International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) www.iisd.org IISD Reporting Services - Earth Negotiations Bulletin www.iisd.ca Subscribe for free to our publications http://www.iisd.ca/email/subscribe.htm From: owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu [mailto:owner-gep...@listserve1.allegheny.edu ] On Behalf Of Peter Jacques Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 3:57 PM To: gep-ed@listserve1.allegheny.edu Subject: Re: consumption rates comparisons Hi all related to Stacy's request, can someone tell me the original source of the 20% of population consuming 80% of the worlds resources dynamic? I think it was a world bank pub somewhere but I can not find it. Peter Peter J. Jacques, Ph.D. Department of Political Science University of Central Florida P.O. Box 161356 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-1356 Phone: (407) 823-2608 Fax: (407) 823-0051 http://ucf.academia.edu/PeterJacques VanDeveer, Stacy stacy.vandev...@unh.edu 9/22/2009 11:42 AM Colleagues, I am wondering if some of you can point me toward any comparisons of Northern Southern consumption of various resources (agricultural, mineral, whatever.) - current consumption, rates over time, etc. Ideas, citations and naked self-promotion are all most welcome. --Stacy Stacy D. VanDeveer Associate Professor University of New Hampshire Dept. of Political Science Horton SSC Durham, NH 03824 USA stacy.vandev...@unh.edu tel: fax: mobile: Skype ID: (+1) 603-862-0167 image001.gif (+1) 603-862-0178 (+1) 781-321-5880 image001.gif stacy.vandeveer Want to always have my latest info? Want a signature like this?
