greenswitch – climate change and cleantech solutions

North Korea: It’s all about attention

read on this article below. it explains some history and how we got into this mess with North Korea.

WorkingForChange-One hell of a mess: a North Korea primer When we need a laugh in grim times, we count on our Attorney General John Ashcroft, the Whoopi Goldberg of the Bush administration. This week, Ashcroft took time off from tracking down terrorists in order to bust 55 people for selling for selling rolling papers, pipes and other drug paraphernalia. Nice to see a man who’s got his priorities straight.

…

North Korea had been sending lots of signals that it was ready to deal, ready to open up and to make concessions. But the Bush administration denounced it as a “rogue state” and used it as a prime excuse to promote the national missile defense system. Bush, ever the soft-spoken diplomat, told a reporter that he “loathes” Kim Jong Il on a “visceral level” and also called the dictator “a pygmy.” True, Kim Jong Il is vertically challenged and a repellent dictator, but insulting paranoiacs with nukes is not smart.

Comment from Dubai: War on Iraq may lead to global chaos

GN Online: War on Iraq may lead to global chaos Hatta said Paris’s stance was prompted by the fact that “if the aim of a U.S. war is to disarm Iraq, then it will be better to strengthen the inspection mechanism and rely on the final reports of the arms inspectors in addition to discussing other options away from war.”

He said he saw a difference between the positions of France and Germany although both of them are strongly opposed to an invasion of Iraq.

“France’s stand has a strategic basis but that of Germany is based on the peaceful background promoted and supported by the Germans after the end of the World War II.”

When empires become overconfident

an opinion from Japan. Does the US really lack the brains to put some sense into that power? I doubt it. There is so much brains — the question is: How do you channel the intelligence. There are many intelligent people in the US, usually very edgy, super smart, hard core people. And the rest are followers, believers — you need these people to create a strong movement. After all, these people were the ‘pioneers’, following the dreams but mostly other people, for gold or a new promise/land; sometimes sheepishly but always with great enthusiasm, verve and quite single minded. I have been living in the US for five years and I somewhat admire this quality to ‘go for it, what ever it takes’. On the other hand, Americans could need some of the “old European” qualities: being more pensive, thoughtful, analytical. But in times like these impatience rules, time and troops are marching. Can’t wait for the first body bags to arrive…all for the ‘homeland security’…

Japan Today Japan News – Commentary – When empires become overconfident – Japan’s Leading International News Network Most probably, there is an inverted relationship between brains and power in the U.S. It is today the most powerful country in the world, and its military budget equals the combined budgets of the 20 countries that come after it; but its current president has nothing of Franklin Roosevelt or John Kennedy. He is even different from President George Bush 41. His Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld “succeeded” in driving the Europeans to intensify their opposition to the war, by using expressions that are close to insults.

This situation is reflected in all sectors in the U.S., from business to popular culture. Enron, which burst like a soap bubble, is the rule and not the exception in a country that used to boast such giant companies, which were founded by men such as Ford, Morgan, Rockefeller and others.

The U.S. used to excel in the games of political chess, yet today it wants to change the rules of the game so as to ensure its victory. America, which has an extensive nuclear arsenal and a developed economy and advanced technology, lacks the brains to put some sense into that power.

Did US torch oil fires in Kuwait in ‘91?

I don’t know how credible this source is. But nevertheless, read on.

STRATIAwire by Jon Rappoport The American Gulf War Veterans Association, led by Joyce Riley, has issued a press release that accuses US forces of setting huge oil fires in Kuwait at the end of Gulf War One.

..

This veteran, as yet unnamed, states, “We were mustered into the briefing tent at which point a gentleman who I first had thought to be an American began to brief us on the operation [to burn the oil fields]. I was concerned because he was not wearing a US uniform and insignias.”

The Gulf Wart Veterans’ release continues: “The information provided over a series of meetings with this veteran corroborates reports from other veterans who are totally unconnected with this individual. This testimony brings into serious question the integrity of the US government, as it [the government] provided information to the American public and military during the last Gulf War.”

Wendell Berry on US security strategy

Wendell Berry is one of my favorite writers. Check out his essay on “A citizen´s response to the national security strategy”.

..

This “we” of the new strategy can refer only to the president. It is a royal “we”. A head of state, preparing to act alone in starting a preemptive war, will need to justify his intention by secret information, and will need to plan in secret and execute his plan without forewarning. The idea of a government acting alone in preemptive war is inherently undemocratic, for it does not require or even permit the president to obtain the consent of the governed.

As a policy, this new strategy depends on the acquiescence of a public kept fearful and ignorant, subject to manipulation by the executive power, and on the compliance of an intimidated and office dependent legislature. To the extent that a government is secret, it cannot be democratic or its people free. By this new doctrine, the president alone may start a war against any nation at any time, and with no more forewarning than preceded the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

“Axis of evil gets broader”

Austria joins Germany, France and Belgium as universal war party poopers: Austria won´t let US troops pass on their way to the middle east. In the meantime, according to German newspaper taz, northern Europe is still struggling in finding a common theme: Sweden wants to find a ´middle path´ between UN and (old) European decisions; politicians in Finland, which awaíts general elections soon, politicians also follow Sweden´s neither fish nor flesh course. Denmark, so far member of Rumsfeld´s exclusive ´new Europe´, is more sceptical these days than before.

War on Iraq — conceived in Israel

a lengthy article (in English) in Swiss magazine Zeitfragen on currents in Israel…read on here.

Iraq: soon no site for birders?

Not many authorities talk about environmental impacts of a possible war in Iraq. A dossier, prepared by BirdLife International, highlights environmental impacts.

Based on the unprecedented environmental damage caused by the 1990-1991 Gulf War and available data on the environmental effects of recent conflicts in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan [2,3], BirdLife has identified seven risks to the environment and biodiversity – and as a consequence also to local people – posed by war: 1. Physical destruction and disturbance of natural habitats of international importance and wildlife resulting from weapons use 2. Toxic pollution of natural habitats and wildlife resulting from oil spills or oil-well fires caused by fighting or deliberate damage 3. Radiological, chemical or bio-toxic contamination of natural habitats and wildlife resulting from the use of weapons of mass destruction and conventional bombing of military or industrial facilities 4. Physical destruction of natural habitats and wildlife resulting from increased human pressure caused by mass movements of refugees (ie, water pollution, use of wood as fuel, hunting of wildlife) 5. Burning of wetland and forest vegetation as a result of fighting or deliberate damage 6. Desertification exacerbated by military vehicles and weapons use 7. Extinction of endemic species or subspecies

Not just Oil – Also WATER

Excerpts from an article by Stephen C. Pelletier, formerly the CIA’s senior political analyst on Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and professor at the Army War College from 1988 to 2000 – “A War Crime or an Act of War?” – New York Times, (January 31, 2003).

“We are constantly reminded that Iraq has perhaps the world’s largest reserves of oil. But in a regional and perhaps even geopolitical sense, it may be more important that Iraq has the most extensive river system in the Middle East. In addition to the Tigris and Euphrates, there are the Greater Zab and Lesser Zab rivers in the north of the country. Iraq was covered with irrigation works by the sixth century A.D., and was a granary for the region.”

“Before the Persian Gulf war, Iraq had built an impressive system of dams and river control projects, the largest being the arbandikhan dam in the Kurdish area. And it was this dam the Iranians were aiming to take control of when they seized Halabja. In the 1990’s there was much discussion over the construction of a so-called Peace Pipeline that would bring the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates outh to the parched Gulf states and, by extension, Israel. No progress has been made on this, largely because of Iraqi intransigence. With Iraq in American hands, of course, all that could change.”

“Thus America could alter the destiny of the Middle East in a way that probably could not be challenged for decades – not solely by controlling Iraq’s oil, but by controlling its water. Even if America didn’t occupy the country, once Mr. Hussein’s Baath Party is driven from power, many lucrative opportunities would open up for American companies.”

Poll: Germans Believe U.S. a Nation of Warmongers

Right now, many discussions here in Germany on how to deal with a quite isolated situation (with France, Belgium, Russia and possibly China). Schroeder doesn’t have much choice, he has to hold on now and keep on chanting “no war in Iraq”. But pressure is building up. If it was up to the conservative opposition, Germany would be European state number 9 supporting a war in Iraq — or at least standing by UN/NATO. At least Germans are overwhelmingly behind our chancellor as the recent poll demonstrates below.

Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage A majority of Germans believe the United States is a nation of warmongers and only six percent think President Bush is interested in keeping the peace, according to a survey published Monday.

The poll by the respected Forsa institute, published in the Financial Times Deutschland newspaper, also found 97 percent of those questioned believed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was ready to go to war.

The survey found 57 percent agreed with the statement: “The United States is a nation of warmongers.”

…

The survey of 1,843 Germans found 93 percent believed Bush was ready to go to war in pursuit of his interests, while 80 percent said the United States wanted war to boost its power.

The poll also found 89 percent believed Schroeder was a “friend of peace.”

WIRE – RE News: Renewables Will Grow in Canada if Government Acts Almost 10% of electricity in Canada by 2025 could be generated by renewable energies if Canadians are environmentally sensitive, but only 2.5% if government fails to take action to encourage a `techno-vert’ energy scenario, according to predictions released by the National Energy Board..

…

By comparison, the ?techno-vert’ scenario would see “significant expansion” of windfarms in Alberta, Ontario and Québec, and maximum development of renewables. A high demand for environmentally-friendly energy, combined with government financial/tax incentives, incentive regulations and Renewable Portfolio Standards, would result in “significant development” of green power.

US: What liberal media?

I’ve just read this article “Winning Hearts and minds” in Washington Post on journalist opions. So you speak only English? Best sources may be UK sources such as BBC or Guardian to get a less filtered source.

Also read Nation’s Eric Alterman on the ‘liberal media’ in the US…To give you some perspective in political orientation: What’s considered ‘conservative’ in Germany may be ‘liberal’ in the US. Thus, our socialdemocratic-green government are probably already considered ‘communistic’ — and here in Germany we complain they are peeing way to the middle and not to the left; neo-liberal piss. Excuse me.

What Liberal Media? In recent times, the right has ginned up its “liberal media” propaganda machine. Books by both Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg have topped the bestseller lists, stringing together a series of charges so extreme that, well, it’s amazing neither one thought to accuse “liberals” of using the blood of conservatives’ children for extra flavor in their soy-milk decaf lattes.

Given the success of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal editorial pages, the Washington Times, the New York Post, The American Spectator, The Weekly Standard, the New York Sun, National Review, Commentary, Limbaugh, Drudge, etc., no sensible person can dispute the existence of a “conservative media.” The reader might be surprised to learn that neither do I quarrel with the notion of a “liberal media.” It is tiny and profoundly underfunded compared with its conservative counterpart, but it does exist.

As a columnist for The Nation and an independent weblogger for MSNBC.com, I work in the middle of it, and so do many of my friends. And guess what? It’s filled with right-wingers.

Evil axis of cigars, couscous and beer: Cuba, Libya, Germany

Donald Rumsfeld is on the run again in his mission to isolate Germany as the ultimate war party pooper. According to Rumsfeld, Fidel, Gaddafi and Gerhard play all in the same league; oblivious nay-sayers. This again aroused some anger in Germany.

Germans are usually like coconuts, hard shell, soft interior (in this metaphor Americans are like peaches: soft and juice outside, bruise easily but a hard core inside; what are Canadians? maybe a little tougher skin — Mangos?), while sometimes one ‘wump’ should be enough to get to the sweet coconut milk inside. And Rumsfeld also may be a disguised coconut. At least this is how interior minister Otto Schily explains it to Deutsche Welle: “Donald Rumsfeld comes from a certain area in Northern Germany where the language is sometimes a little bit curt. I don’t take it very seriously. (U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s ancestors came from a town near Bremen.)

And BBC collects some headlines of German newspapers. A selection from that article:

- “Axis of the ignorant” (Tageszeitung)

- “Sarcastro” (Tagesspiegel)

- “Rumsfeld’s latest jolt” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)

The Hamburger Morgenpost clearly feels irony is called for: “Hooray, at last we have some friends!”

But Berlin’s Tageszeitung takes the whole affair more seriously. It sees Germany’s arguments against war within the context of “the legal and political order of the world’s states”.

The paper says the world faces a choice: “US world domination or a multi-voiced concert, mono-centrism or poly-centrism”.

and here’s the lame US coverage:

ABCNEWS.com : Germany Seethes Over Rumsfeld Jibe, Protests Planned MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) – Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld faces a hostile reception on Friday from German politicians and peace activists over his remark that the country’s anti-war stance put it on a par with Libya and Cuba.

Rumsfeld’s comments on Wednesday putting Germany in the same category as Libya and Cuba as states that would not be helpful in any international effort to overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have infuriated many, putting new pressure on already strained transatlantic ties.

“These comments of Rumsfeld should help bring more people out onto the street,” said Raied Naieem, a member of the anti-globalization group Attac that is organizing the protests. Rumsfeld is due to fly onto Germany from Italy later on Friday.

US oil interests in US: Come share with big red brother

Russia is concerned US oil companies are going to control Iraqi’s oil fields after an invasion. Will oil vultures share? And what will happen if not?

Russia seeks a share of Iraqi oil — The Washington Times Russia seeks a share of Iraqi oil

By Timothy Burn

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

One of Russia’s top oil executives said yesterday that his country wants an equal stake in Iraq’s oil market and that its petroleum industry is stable enough to withstand a drop in oil prices that could come after a war in Iraq.

“We are hoping that after all of this ends the Americans are not going to take everything for themselves,” Mikhail Khodorkovsky, chairman and chief executive of Yukos Oil Co., Russia’s second-largest oil and gas company, told editors and reporters at The Washington Times.

Yukos would “be very happy” if the United States delayed any military operation “for another two years,” he said. “A price of $30 per barrel is real nice. But we know that all good things must come to an end. The Russian oil industry is basically ready for the next period of when oil prices are going to be lower.”

China: Going to drag us all down?

I am in Germany right now — so here are news on China…China is already number two energy sucker in the world — far behind the US. Growth rates are high and so are environmental concerns: In 2000 China emitted around 3 billion tons CO2, this could increase to 5.5 billion tons in 2020. China has to rely on environmentally unfriendly coal, doesn’t have much oil resources, which comes from mid east. No wonder China isn’t much interested in getting into a war with Iraq and a possible US control of the oil fields.

Erneuerbare Energien – Aktuelle Nachrichten Weltweit liegt China bei der Energienachfrage auf Platz zwei hinter den USA. Der Primärenergieverbrauch habe sich von 1980 bis 2002 verdoppelt und werde weiter zunehmen, so das RWI. Der wichtigste Energieträger ist Steinkohle – deren Verwertung unter Gesichtspunkten des Klimaschutzes besonders problematisch ist. Für den globalen Klimaschutz wirft der hohe Energieverbrauch gewaltige Probleme auf:

Allein im Jahr 2000 wurden nach Angaben des RWI in China 3 Mrd. t des Treibhausgases CO2 emittiert, bis 2020 könnte der Ausstoß auf 5,5 Mrd. t steigen.

In China hat jedoch das wirtschaftliche Wachstum auch nach der Ratifizierung des Kyoto-Protokolls wesentlich höhere Priorität als der Umweltschutz. Diskutiert würden Umweltabgaben, wie im letzten Fünfjahresplan (2001 bis 2005) dargelegt. Nach einer Modellrechnung des RWI ginge der CO2-Ausstoss bei Einführung einer Steuer gerade einmal um 4 Prozent zurück. Zusätzliche Potenziale könnten durch die direkte Förderung alternativer Energien wie Wind-, Solarenergie oder Wasserkraft erschlossen werden.

• English translation of source above using FreeTranslation.com

Russia: Too much oil to ship

Who’s the number one oil exporting country in the world? The Saudis? Nope. Russia is! Only problem: How to get all that oil to the customers. Canadians watch out, there is going to be a fat pipeline “With love from Russia” crossing Canada somehow somewhere to the US. It’s only a matter of time — and money.

Russia Unable to Ship All Its Plentiful Oil MOSCOW, Feb. 3 — Russia may be bumping up against a ceiling on its ability to export more oil. One big producer is already experiencing pipeline bottlenecks, and a senior executive of another warned today that the country would face a serious problem by autumn.

As Russia steps up its oil production and takes more market share from producers in the Middle East, its means of exporting oil — ports, pipelines and rail lines — are running at or near capacity.

Oil companies here earn far more from exports than from domestic sales, and the big producers are scrambling to find new routes out of Russia for their crude. Several companies want to build new pipelines, which until now have been owned exclusively by a state monopoly, Transneft.