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Climate Justice and the Negotiations

Payal Parekh — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:50:12 -0700

Today, I was interviewed on Terra Verde, an environmental radio program on KPFA in Berkeley. The focus of today's program was on climate justice and the international climate negotiations. The other guests were Jessica Tovar of Communities for a Better Environment and Tom Athanasiou of Ecoequity. You can listen to the program here.

Trailing Large Hydro: Quarter 2 CDM Update

Katy Yan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:23:27 -0700

Fig. 1: Projects entering the CDM pipeline.

For this second quarter update, I've introduced some new analyses (see below), along with those similar to the first quarter blog update. You can also get weekly email updates of CDM hydro projects and see our monthly spreadsheet, always available for your research and gleaning pleasure. Data based on the UNEP Risoe spreadsheet (June 1, 2009). Feel free to contact me about my calculations.

Real Cost of Belo Monte Dam Begins to Emerge

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:56:42 -0700

Snake Oil Salesman ( archive)

Brazil's energy minister calls the country's "crown jewel" - more than 11,000 MW of cheap energy, costing only US$ 4 billion to build (according to Lula's Growth Acceleration Program, or PAC)...or US$5 billion to build (according to the latest official studies by Eletrobrás). But, now, as companies take a harder look at the investment necessary to build Brazil's biggest hydroelectric project, Belo Monte's price tag is beginning to balloon.

Can Obama’s Diplomacy Help Protect Rivers in Chile’s Patagonia?

Gary Graham Hughes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:31:32 -0700

Michelle Bachelet will complete her presidential term in March 2010

For those who follow hydroelectric development issues in the Américas, it is newsworthy that Chilean President Michelle Bachelet made a trip to North America this week.

Brazil's Senator from Alcoa Hangs by a Sliver

Glenn Switkes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:26:40 -0700

Sen. José Sarney Receives Aluminum Eagle from President of Alcoa (Archive )

José Sarney rose to power in his home state of Maranhão during Brazil's military dictatorship. He ascended to the presidency of Brazil in 1985 when Tancredo Neves, the president-elect, died on the eve of his taking office. Now, his position as president of the Senate, where he wields power second only to that of Lula, is threatened by revelations of abuse of power in secret financial transactions favoring family members and political cronies, and even leaders of his own party are calling for him to step down.

Sarney's fate is of critical importance for the Brazilian dams industry, for Sarney has made Brazil's dam building plans in the Amazon and the promotion of the aluminum industry his personal fiefdom. Sarney was reportedly instrumental in Alcoa and Billiton's decision to base their aluminum plant in São Luís, capital of Maranhão. And, Sarney helped the companies arrange publicly subsidized energy from Tucuruí Dam.

Bad Deal Cut on Domestic Offsets

Payal Parekh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:56:30 -0700

In order to secure votes for the climate and energy bill from representatives of agricultural states, Congressman Waxman cut a deal with Congressman Peterson, chair of the House Agricultural Committee. Waxman compromised on two major issues. On the first, Waxman agreed to a five year moratorium before the indirect land-use effects of ethanol are assessed. On the second, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will adminster domestic ag offsets, instead of the EPA. The EPA will be also given a role, although in what capacity is still unclear.

The Return of the Outlaw Cowboys

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:59:03 -0700

Raul Seixas at the Tapajós River Garimpos (archive )

When I traveled to Itaituba last month, for community meetings on the planned Tapajós River dams, for me the image still remained of the period of the region's "Gold Rush" of the 1980's, when Itaituba was still a small town whose economy was dependent on providing services for the 70,000 gold dredgers ("garimpeiros") along the river. I found that this no longer applies - the city has matured, and has become more tranquil and organized. Now, Eletrobrás plans to take the region back to its glory days - this time, promising that Itaituba will become a launching pad from which workers will be dispatched to build a huge dam in the Amazonia National Park. The company has even posted a ludicrous video, which argues that there are too many protected areas in the region, and asks us to believe that helicopters will beam down workers who will open clearings in the rainforest to build the dam. Let's flash back to 1985, when Raul Seixas, arguably Brazil's most original rock-and-roller, was summoned to Itaituba to play a series of shows for the gold miners...

Lula Contemplates his Navel

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:25:45 -0700

Lula Points to his Navel (Archive)

As Obama has said, "Lula's the man." So, all ears tuned in on Lula the other day in Londrina, Paraná when he spoke of his role in achieving the licensing of the Madeira River dams. What follows is a direct transcript of Lula's words of wisdom, with the help of a translator to more clearly elucidate his technical arguments:

Illusory Benefits of Carbon Offsets

Payal Parekh — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:28:44 -0700

Carbon offsets akin to an optical illusion?

Yesterday the San Francisco Chronicle reported on criticisms that environmental groups have with the Waxman-Markey bill, the climate and energy bill currently making its way through the House of Representatives. International Rivers' executive director, Patrick McCully explained the illusory benefits of carbon offsets, since most of them are not additional.The bill would allow up to 2 billion offsets, equivalent to approximately 30% of the US' emissions in 2005. If the total number of offsets are turned in every year, emissions would not decrease within the United States until 2027. Yet the latest science makes it clear that cuts of at least 40% are needed in advanced economies. My earlier blog, as well as our in-depth analysis describes more fully the problems with the offsets provisions in the bill.

Offsets and the Truthy Targets of Waxman-Markey

Patrick McCully — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:26:38 -0700

Steven Colbert

[Truthiness: The quality of seeming to be true, even if this contradicts evidence or rational thought - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/truthiness]

Explanations of the current version of the Waxman-Markey energy and climate bill (the American Clean Energy and Security Act or ACES) usually state that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from US polluters by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83% by 2050. (At the time of writing, the "current" version is the version passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee).

CDM Auditors Flunking Additionality

Katy Yan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:40:23 -0700

DNV and BV Cert both received an F (http://www.isletsofhope.com/pic/grade%20f.jpg)

Misbehaving school children aren't the only ones in need of remedial classes this summer. Auditors (or DOEs) of CDM projects have been given abysmal scores in a new report by WWF and the Öko Institute for Applied Ecology.

New Directions in Hydropower?

Peter Bosshard — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:27:15 -0700

World Bank President Zoellick with a Friend (World Bank)

A new report entitled, Directions in Hydropower, summarizes the World Bank’s current approach to hydropower projects. The report says that the Bank will scale up its support for hydropower, and claims that it will respect the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic sustainability in doing so. If we look at the World Bank’s report and practice in more detail, the social and environmental bottom lines still mainly seem to be meant for public consumption.

MAB Leaders in Pará are Freed

Glenn Switkes — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:50:22 -0700

Police Threaten MAB Protesters at Tucuruí Dam ( MAB)

Four leaders of the Dam-Affected Peoples' Movement will be freed this week from a high-security prison in Belém where they have been held for 45 days, following a judge's decision yesterday. 18 MAB members were arrested on April 26 at Tucuruí Dam, following a peaceful demonstration at the dam site protesting the government's failure to follow through on its commitments to mitigation projects that had been negotiated with the movement. Tucuruí has been in operation for 25 years, during which time various initiatives to find ways to improve the situation of the fishermen, farmers, and others who lost their land and livelihoods have been discussed, but never enacted.

The Home Depot and Patagonia Dams: The Excuses Grow Thin

Gary Graham Hughes — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:52:44 -0700

Atlanta Action Team Stands Up for Patagonia's Wild Rivers!

Atlanta, Georgia, is the corporate headquarters of The Home Depot, the second largest retailer in the United States.

200 More Brazilian Dams Could Fail

Glenn Switkes — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:29:18 -0700

Aftermath of Algodões I Dam Failure ( archive )

In the wake of the Algodões I Dam tragedy, a specialist who works for Brazil's National Water Agency has estimated that 200 other dams could be in danger of failing.

Death Toll Rises in Brazilian Dam Failure

Glenn Switkes — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:16:19 -0700

Algodões I Dam, Piauí, Brazil after it Burst ( Archive)

The death toll from the rupture of Algodões I Dam has risen to seven, with at least three other people reported missing. Thousands are still without power, and 3,000 are homeless as a result of the tragedy.

Stealing from the World Bank - an Eyewitness Account

Peter Bosshard — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:55:06 -0700

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

In a major departure from the past, World Bank President James Wolfensohn in 1996 identified corruption as the “cancer” of development. Wolfensohn promised to take vigorous action to combat bribery, and launched various strategies and action plans. A new book argues that behind the rhetoric of good governance, nothing has changed. In The World Bank and the Gods of Lending, the Bank insider and corruption fighter Steve Berkman explains in stunning detail how government officials milk billions of dollars from Bank loans and credits every year. The World Bank management, still mainly concerned with pushing money out the door, meanwhile looks the other way.

Fatalities as Northeast Brazilian Dam Bursts

Glenn Switkes — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:17:56 -0700

Cocal, Brazilian City Flooded after Algodões I Dam Burst ( TV Canal 13)

Algodões Dam in northeast Brazil, weakened by weeks of heavy rains, burst yesterday afternoon, leaving the city of Cocal da Estação, with 30,000 inhabitants, under 20 meters of water. At least six people have reportedly been drowned, and 500 homes destroyed.

Ibama's President and the Jirau Follies

Glenn Switkes — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:23:15 -0700

Roberto Messias Franco, President of Ibama (Valter Campanato, ABr)

Work on Jirau, one of two dams being built on the Madeira River in the Brazilian Amazon, ground to a halt this week after its temporary construction license expired. Environmental authority Ibama had issued a provisional license to the Enersus consortium, led by Suez, so it could "take advantage of the hydrological window" to erect its coffer dam, and get the energy on-line a year sooner. It didn't work out that way. Enersus failed to build the initial structures on schedule, and now has to face the music and have a definitive license approved by Ibama. But, things haven't gone quite according to Enersus' plan.

Today a Rockstar Saved a Town

Ann-Kathrin Schneider — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:16:15 -0700

Erkud,Tarkan &Güven in Berlin in May 2009 - Fighting the Ilisu Dam in Turkey

Today in Berlin, its all about Tarkan and Merkel. Tarkan, the biggest Turkish popstar is in town, and he is the talk of town. He is here to convince the German government to withdraw support from the controversial Ilisu Dam, which the Turkish government plans to build on the Tigris River in the Southeast of the country, with the help of German, Swiss and Austrian money. The Berliner Zeitung, one of the biggest German dailys, today spread the rumour that Tarkan was to meet with German chancelor Merkel to convince her to withdraw support for the project.

Fighting (Politely) to Keep Dirty Hydro Offsets Out of California

Katy Yan — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:41:51 -0700

Xiaoxi Dam, Hunan Province, China

In addition to supporting AB1404, International Rivers is submitting comments to the California Air Resources Board during their stakeholder offsets workshops--all in a very polite and civilized manner. (CARB afterall has some very civilized and admirable people working on AB32.) The most recent one is posted here.

HidroAysén and The Home Depot: Myth vs. Fact

Gary Graham Hughes — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:28:12 -0700

Pointing Out Matte Group (CMPC) Brand in Home Depot Actions

The Home Depot is feeling the pressure of our campaign, so much so that they have taken to responding to Patagonia Campaign supporters that have sent them email actions and postcards.

Platform Dams

Glenn Switkes — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:57:34 -0700

Rapids near site of proposed São Luiz Dam, Tapajós River ( Glenn Switkes, International Rivers)

I just got back from the Tapajós River, where Eletronorte says it will construct the São Luiz dam in essentially the same way that offshore oil platforms are built and operated. The company says it will avoid having large work camps invade the Amazonia National Park by mounting a platform at the dam site to house a rotating crew, which will return to the nearest city, Itaituba every three days for R & R.

Climate Science 101

Payal Parekh — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:30:31 -0700

Last week I was invited to speak at a conference on jobs and the environment organized by the UC Berkeley Labor Center. The main focus of the day was carbon pricing policies such as cap and trade. But I wasn't asked to speak about offsets or the CDM. Instead I was asked to wear my climate scientist hat and present the latest scientific evidence for climate change. My presentation drew heavily from the fourth assessment report of the IPCC.

Three Gorges Dam – Still China’s Model for the World?

Peter Bosshard — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:01:09 -0700

Three Gorges Dam construction (Chris De Bode)

On his eight-day visit to China, Nepal’s Prime Minister Prachanda planned to visit the Three Gorges Dam this week. He would have followed in the footsteps of dignitaries from South Africa, Congo, Switzerland and many other countries. China is aggressively marketing the Three Gorges Project to the rest of the world. As it happened, Nepal’s Prime Minister resigned just before leaving for China. Yet the propaganda efforts around the Yangtze reservoir beg the question: Is the Three Gorges Dam still China’s model for the world?