• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Planning to Fail

December 2, 2010 @ 21:27 By Gavin Webber 7 Comments

When you coach a high performing sports team, the last thing you would say to them before a game would be something like, “Fella’s, I don’t have very high expectations of your performance going into this game, so just letting you know that I have told all your fans that you probably will not win!”  This statement would stick in the players minds during the entire game and they would most likely loose to the other team.

Well, unfortunately, this is exactly what some leaders have done to the negotiating teams who represent each country at the COP16 UN Climate Change conference at Cancun, Mexico.  The media has been full of stories about leaders telling their citizens to not expect much of an outcome at these negotiations.  Therefore, in effect they have, by proxy, told their main negotiating team not to try very hard at achieving an outcome.  negative reinforcement and preposterous, arse covering, political behaviour if you ask me.  What concerns me most is that the majority of the big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting nations have gone in with the same opening stance.

So what will that give us.  Well, I’ll tell you what I think.  A conference full of negotiators expecting to fail, except for a handful of countries who’s mere existence is in jeopardy i.e. low laying island nations.  They are fighting for the survival of their culture and society.  Generations of people had owned the land before them, but they will be unable to pass it on to their children due to rising sea levels.  If it were me faced with the same prospect, I would do the same.  Fight the good fight, and try and convince the other recalcitrant nations to forget about borders, and start thinking about humanity as a whole.  That is what is really at stake.

So that brings me back to negotiations.  I believe that many countries are treating this UN Climate conference like trade negotiations.  Let me try to explain by what I mean.  Each country seeks concessions for emission reduction targets at each meeting, hoping to build upon those concessions each time they get together.  With trade negotiations, after many years of talks and concession negotiation, agreements are made, and leaders ratify the treaty/agreement.  The only problem with using the same methodology for climate negotiations is that we just don’t have 10-20 years to negotiate a satisfactory outcome.  We can’t wait for this petty political processes. 

The science tells us that we should have acted well before now and should already be reducing emissions to avoid a 2 degrees Celsius rise in global average temperatures.  However, we are not.  2 degrees of warming is now locked in and unpreventable.  Emissions are again reaching record highs after the temporary blip as a result of the Global Financial Crisis.  Even if we began to drastically reduce our GHG emissions as a result of a miraculous deal struck at Cancun, the fact of the matter is that we have drastically change the world we live in, one that now has unpredictable climate, an approaching energy crisis, and will be a struggle to survive on for our children and their offspring.  This is the first time in history that a few generations have left the entire planet in worse shape than when they arrived in it and are not willing to make amends.

Sad, disappointing, depressing, but this is how I see things unfolding over the next two weeks!

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: climate change, Government

← Video Diary – Our Trip to Sydney How To Grow Garlic →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Kimmy says

    December 3, 2010 at 07:07

    My thoughts exactly,Gavin.It is like the world has its eyes closed.Unfortunately evolution doesn’t seem to have allowed the human species to think beyond their own life span …and therefore governments always think it is a problem for the next generation .
    I guess all we can do is live the life we want others to be living in a positive way . Enable others to see that this is a great way to live. Even as bloggers if we change the thinking of one person, we are making a difference.
    In the meantime, all this stuff changes the way I vote in the next election and I hope it does the same for other likeminded people. We do have the power to change things in this respect … I mean look at the last election!We can do it again.

    Reply
  2. Slice of life says

    December 3, 2010 at 07:59

    good post, freezing my behind off inside the house as it is currently -3 in November in England. people forget that global warming will also give us this freak weather.

    this country is crippled. millions of people cant get to work because of ill planning that “heck after february we wont have any more snow for years” chuckle chuckle all the politicians and mayors…

    now the country is at a stand still and in some areas there is no food on the shelves.

    A lesson needs to be learnt and learnt very quickly

    Reply
  3. Slice of life says

    December 3, 2010 at 08:01

    sorry forgot to say I live in England.

    Reply
  4. nevyn says

    December 3, 2010 at 11:38

    I find these ‘get togethers’ extremely frustrating to say the least. Nothing is accomplished, things will get worse but the delegates go around patting themselves on the back for the so called progress they made.

    Do you think a snow storm in the middle of the conference might be subtle enough for the delegates to realise we are in deep shit? I don’t, they seem to have a talent for missing the bloody obvious.

    Reply
  5. greenerme says

    December 3, 2010 at 12:34

    Very interesting observation Gav and yes you are spot on. There is a fine line between honesty and negativity. I agree, they set themselves up to not only fail but to justify it. You have got me thinking again Gav!

    Reply
  6. dixiebelle says

    December 3, 2010 at 12:52

    Well said, Gav.

    Reply
  7. Gavin says

    December 3, 2010 at 21:08

    Thanks everyone. Sometimes I think people read this post and copy my ideas. Have a read of this article by Ian Dunlop. Same ideas, same theme, a bit more articulate, but a day after my post. What do you think?

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Broad Bean Rust
Strawbridge Family Inspiration
Black Aphids On Garlic
Chicken Hygiene
Clay Oven First Layer
VegTrug Fail
The Seven Stages Of Change

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023