'Global Warning: 24 hours on the climate change frontline as Trump becomes president – as it happened' diff viewer (35/36)

This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on January 19, 2017 07:18 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

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Version 35	Version 36
Global warning: Australia and Asia predict climate cost of Trump's agenda – live	Global warning: Australia and Asia predict climate cost of Trump's agenda – live
2017-01-20 03:45:08 UTC	2017-01-20 04:20:08 UTC (35 minutes later)
	4.13am GMT
	04:13
	#GlobalWarning: the global sea level has risen 8cm since 1993 https://t.co/3n8F5fS2EE pic.twitter.com/S4DRX380gG
	4.09am GMT
	04:09
	HOUR 21: Blue skies, thick smog
	Elle Hunt
	We’re in the final stretch now. Here’s what we’ve covered in the last hour:
	The first-ever all-female expedition to Antarctica asks the question: is climate change a gender equality issue?
	Blair Palese, the chief executive of 350.org Australia, on how climate change deniers take their tactics “straight out of the tobacco playbook”; 350.org’s campaign against the Carmicheal coal mine; and what you can do to help combat climate change
	China correspondent Tom Phillips takes his air pollution-monitoring “egg” for a walk around Beijing – and runs into Boris Johnson
	The sperm bank that could hold the secret to saving the world’s coral reefs
	We’d love to hear more from you below the line, or on Twitter: I’m at @mlle_elle, Mikey is @MikeySlezak, and we’re using the hashtag #GlobalWarning.
	It’s also been some hours since you were last made aware of a penguin.
	3.50am GMT
	03:50
	And here’s the final part of our Q&A with Blair Palese, chief executive of 350.org Australia.
	Question: What’s the most important thing that individuals can do to help prevent climate change?
	Blair Palese:
	I think it’s important that we all take responsibility for climate change as we’ve all been part of the system that created it. We have the power to decide who governs us and what issues made the priority agenda no matter what vested interests do or say to stymie action. And as consumers we have huge power to decide where our money goes.
	Anyone concerned about climate change needs to engage in politics, call your elected officials, email them, meet them at events and tell them you want urgent action or you’ll vote them out. Talk to people about it in your community, take steps together locally to make a difference. And think hard about what you are doing with your money. If you don’t like what your bank or superfund is investing in – say fossil fuel projects – tell them that and move to one that is fossil free.
	Finally, get involved with a group or issue you care about – help us stop the Adani coal mine, take on Chevron’s plans to drill in the Bight, switch your power company from the big three to a company investing in and campaigning for renewable energy. If you don’t have time, donate to keep the campaigning alive. Any one of these steps will make a real difference.
3.44am GMT	3.44am GMT
03:44	03:44
Here’s another part of the Q&A I did with 350.org Australia’s chief executive Blaire Palese. Here she discusses the recent suceses of the climate movement, and what we’re going to see this year.	Here’s another part of the Q&A I did with 350.org Australia’s chief executive Blaire Palese. Here she discusses the recent suceses of the climate movement, and what we’re going to see this year.
Question: Despite some big setbacks, the climate movement has claimed some victories too. It now looks like the whole movement in Australia is focussing on stopping Adani building the Carmichael Coal mine. What will that campaign look like?	Question: Despite some big setbacks, the climate movement has claimed some victories too. It now looks like the whole movement in Australia is focussing on stopping Adani building the Carmichael Coal mine. What will that campaign look like?
Blaire Palese	Blaire Palese
The divestment of more than A$6 trillion (US$5.2 trillion) from fossil fuels is something I and the 350.org team are particularly proud of. The campaign started off very much as a symbolic effort. But much to our amazement after three years, it was all about money – and lots of it! – being moved from coal, oil and gas. Some 688 institutions and 58,399 individuals across 76 countries have committed to divest in some way. This is a real indicator that people are frustrated with government inaction and are taking their own steps to be part of the climate change solution.	The divestment of more than A$6 trillion (US$5.2 trillion) from fossil fuels is something I and the 350.org team are particularly proud of. The campaign started off very much as a symbolic effort. But much to our amazement after three years, it was all about money – and lots of it! – being moved from coal, oil and gas. Some 688 institutions and 58,399 individuals across 76 countries have committed to divest in some way. This is a real indicator that people are frustrated with government inaction and are taking their own steps to be part of the climate change solution.
The Victorian gas ban could not have been achieved without a strong coalition of farmers, rural communities and city progressives that became a force that could not be ignored by the Andrews Government.	The Victorian gas ban could not have been achieved without a strong coalition of farmers, rural communities and city progressives that became a force that could not be ignored by the Andrews Government.
Getting BP to drop plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight was a different story, with environmental groups using delaying tactics and the threat of a global public campaign to ensure the project was too costly and unviable.	Getting BP to drop plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight was a different story, with environmental groups using delaying tactics and the threat of a global public campaign to ensure the project was too costly and unviable.
Right now, efforts to stop Adani from building the world’s largest new coal mine in Queensland is, for most of us concerned about climate change, the most critical fight in the country right now. Australia hasn’t opened up a new mineral reserve in 40 years, and if the Adani project goes ahead, the whole Galilee Basin could be developed, which would unleash enough coal to tip the carbon budget not just for us, but for the whole world. A broad coalition of environmental groups, local communities and Traditional Owners are coming together to do all we can to ensure this project doesn’t see the light of day. If you’d like to do something about climate change, join us to stop this climate-threatening coalmine!	Right now, efforts to stop Adani from building the world’s largest new coal mine in Queensland is, for most of us concerned about climate change, the most critical fight in the country right now. Australia hasn’t opened up a new mineral reserve in 40 years, and if the Adani project goes ahead, the whole Galilee Basin could be developed, which would unleash enough coal to tip the carbon budget not just for us, but for the whole world. A broad coalition of environmental groups, local communities and Traditional Owners are coming together to do all we can to ensure this project doesn’t see the light of day. If you’d like to do something about climate change, join us to stop this climate-threatening coalmine!
	Updated
	at 3.45am GMT
3.38am GMT	3.38am GMT
03:38	03:38
Elle Hunt	Elle Hunt
While the Queensland state government has said it’s doing all that it can to preserve the Great Barrier reef, a different kind of preservation work has been ongoing far from the reef – even the coastline – in regional New South Wales.	While the Queensland state government has said it’s doing all that it can to preserve the Great Barrier reef, a different kind of preservation work has been ongoing far from the reef – even the coastline – in regional New South Wales.
Since 2011, scientists from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Smithsonian Institution have been collecting and freezing coral sperm to store at Taronga’s CryoReserve in Dubbo.	Since 2011, scientists from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Smithsonian Institution have been collecting and freezing coral sperm to store at Taronga’s CryoReserve in Dubbo.
The project began in Australia in 2011, but has international partners that ensure the preservation of coral reefs worldwide. “It’s a bigger collaboration than just the Great Barrier Reef,” said coral scientist Bec Hobbs.	The project began in Australia in 2011, but has international partners that ensure the preservation of coral reefs worldwide. “It’s a bigger collaboration than just the Great Barrier Reef,” said coral scientist Bec Hobbs.
By freezing the cells in liquid nitrogen to preserve them indefinitely, scientists can use similar technology as sperm-banking for human IVF to grow new coral and make entire reef systems more resilient to coming change. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of freezing coral eggs and larvae.	By freezing the cells in liquid nitrogen to preserve them indefinitely, scientists can use similar technology as sperm-banking for human IVF to grow new coral and make entire reef systems more resilient to coming change. Researchers are also investigating the possibility of freezing coral eggs and larvae.
There are more than 600 species of coral on the Great Barrier Reef – in the last spawning event in November, scientists were able to add four more to the bank, said Hobbs.	There are more than 600 species of coral on the Great Barrier Reef – in the last spawning event in November, scientists were able to add four more to the bank, said Hobbs.
“At the moment we have samples from about a meagre 11 species, but that is still the most species that are banked anywhere in the world.”	“At the moment we have samples from about a meagre 11 species, but that is still the most species that are banked anywhere in the world.”
But their efforts to collect more species have been frustrated by lack of knowledge about reefs and coral reproduction. “We know quite a bit about certain species and others, relatively nothing,” said Hobbs.	But their efforts to collect more species have been frustrated by lack of knowledge about reefs and coral reproduction. “We know quite a bit about certain species and others, relatively nothing,” said Hobbs.
The research currently being carried out by Reef Recovery Initiative partners, then, is all the more vital for preserving the future of reefs.	The research currently being carried out by Reef Recovery Initiative partners, then, is all the more vital for preserving the future of reefs.
3.24am GMT	3.24am GMT
03:24	03:24
Our correspondents around the region have been monitoring the air quality in their various cities.	Our correspondents around the region have been monitoring the air quality in their various cities.
While Beijing is usually incredibly smoggy, Tom Phillips is reporting unusually blue skies and remarkably low PM2.5 readings.	While Beijing is usually incredibly smoggy, Tom Phillips is reporting unusually blue skies and remarkably low PM2.5 readings.
Beijing marking Guardian's #globalwarming extravaganza with gorgeous blue skies & rock bottom air pollution levels pic.twitter.com/xBxwqNT9Sc	Beijing marking Guardian's #globalwarming extravaganza with gorgeous blue skies & rock bottom air pollution levels pic.twitter.com/xBxwqNT9Sc
@tomphillipsin air quality in Guardian bureau a magnificent, lung-cleansing (and rare) 4! pic.twitter.com/qczg8r9JGb	@tomphillipsin air quality in Guardian bureau a magnificent, lung-cleansing (and rare) 4! pic.twitter.com/qczg8r9JGb
But when Tom descended into the subway, things didn’t look so great.	But when Tom descended into the subway, things didn’t look so great.
@tomphillipsin on the underground, situation not so great. 4x WHO 'safe' levels on my commute to work this morning #globalwarning pic.twitter.com/KcrvN2ZcZy	@tomphillipsin on the underground, situation not so great. 4x WHO 'safe' levels on my commute to work this morning #globalwarning pic.twitter.com/KcrvN2ZcZy
@tomphillipsin the air quality around this poster of boris johnson also not great #GlobalWarning pic.twitter.com/0G61wm1DZo	@tomphillipsin the air quality around this poster of boris johnson also not great #GlobalWarning pic.twitter.com/0G61wm1DZo
Updated	Updated
at 3.28am GMT	at 3.28am GMT
3.17am GMT	3.17am GMT
03:17	03:17
Blair Palese is the chief executive of 350.org Australia. I asked her a series of questions about the climate movement here and abroad. Here’s the first question and answer:	Blair Palese is the chief executive of 350.org Australia. I asked her a series of questions about the climate movement here and abroad. Here’s the first question and answer:
Question: The rise of Trump in the US, and the continued lack of federal action on climate change here in Australia, must be seen in some ways as a failure of the climate movement. What lessons can be learned from what’s happened in recent years and how can the climate movement win?	Question: The rise of Trump in the US, and the continued lack of federal action on climate change here in Australia, must be seen in some ways as a failure of the climate movement. What lessons can be learned from what’s happened in recent years and how can the climate movement win?
Blair Palese:	Blair Palese:
Climate change is an incredibly difficult issue for people to get their heads around. Complex, yes, but more importantly, made confusing by media with vested interests questioning climate change science – a tactic straight out of the tobacco playbook. Understanding that science is never 100% certain is not something most of us think much about, so it’s easily exploited. And, as our movement is up against the most cashed up industry in the world – the fossil fuel industry – it’s a David vs Goliath battle to convince people and politicians that the longer we wait, the harder and more expensive are the steps we must take to stop climate change.	Climate change is an incredibly difficult issue for people to get their heads around. Complex, yes, but more importantly, made confusing by media with vested interests questioning climate change science – a tactic straight out of the tobacco playbook. Understanding that science is never 100% certain is not something most of us think much about, so it’s easily exploited. And, as our movement is up against the most cashed up industry in the world – the fossil fuel industry – it’s a David vs Goliath battle to convince people and politicians that the longer we wait, the harder and more expensive are the steps we must take to stop climate change.
That said, those working on the issue do need to reach out more broadly to everyone, everywhere about the importance of the issue and ensure our movement spans the political, race, gender and age spectrum to be truly representative. It’s worth remembering that the People’s Climate Marches of 2015 saw more than 600,000 people take to the streets in 175 countries -- by all accounts the biggest thing of its kind in history.	That said, those working on the issue do need to reach out more broadly to everyone, everywhere about the importance of the issue and ensure our movement spans the political, race, gender and age spectrum to be truly representative. It’s worth remembering that the People’s Climate Marches of 2015 saw more than 600,000 people take to the streets in 175 countries -- by all accounts the biggest thing of its kind in history.
Our job now is not only to raise the alarm about climate change but to communicate the huge benefits we will all get from solving it. Our voices need to be loud and varied if we are to successfully stand up to fossil fuel dollars.	Our job now is not only to raise the alarm about climate change but to communicate the huge benefits we will all get from solving it. Our voices need to be loud and varied if we are to successfully stand up to fossil fuel dollars.
Come back soon to see some more Q&A’s with Blaire.	Come back soon to see some more Q&A’s with Blaire.
3.14am GMT	3.14am GMT
03:14	03:14
Elle Hunt	Elle Hunt
The Homeward Bound Project aims to take 1000 women working in science around the world to Antarctica to increase their influence and impact in policy and decision-making.	The Homeward Bound Project aims to take 1000 women working in science around the world to Antarctica to increase their influence and impact in policy and decision-making.
Belinda Fairbrother, the community conservation manager at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, was part of the inaugural contingent of 76 women to spend 22 days in Antarctica in December: the largest-ever female expedition to Earth’s southernmost continent.	Belinda Fairbrother, the community conservation manager at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, was part of the inaugural contingent of 76 women to spend 22 days in Antarctica in December: the largest-ever female expedition to Earth’s southernmost continent.
She said the impacts of climate change were keenly felt there, with the Antarctic peninsula was among the fastest-warming places in the world and penguin populations suffering.	She said the impacts of climate change were keenly felt there, with the Antarctic peninsula was among the fastest-warming places in the world and penguin populations suffering.
“It really brings home the challenges we face elsewhere in the world.”	“It really brings home the challenges we face elsewhere in the world.”
Having met scientists at Palmer Station, a US station in the Antarctic, she realised that no progress was possible alone, and that storytelling was as important as facts in mobilising people to act.	Having met scientists at Palmer Station, a US station in the Antarctic, she realised that no progress was possible alone, and that storytelling was as important as facts in mobilising people to act.
“In these remote landscapes, that’s what really struck me – we need to work together, past issues and conflict. Going forward, that radical collaboration is what we’re going to need to deal with climate change as a global issue.”	“In these remote landscapes, that’s what really struck me – we need to work together, past issues and conflict. Going forward, that radical collaboration is what we’re going to need to deal with climate change as a global issue.”
Hearing personal accounts of knowledgeable people experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand and working to combat them helped to mobilise her, said Fairbrother: “Data’s only going to get us so far. … Climate change is real but what’s also real is people’s innovation and ability to stand up to issues like this.”	Hearing personal accounts of knowledgeable people experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand and working to combat them helped to mobilise her, said Fairbrother: “Data’s only going to get us so far. … Climate change is real but what’s also real is people’s innovation and ability to stand up to issues like this.”
Fairbrother also said her experience had shown her that gender equity and more equal decision-making was a key part of the solution to climate change.	Fairbrother also said her experience had shown her that gender equity and more equal decision-making was a key part of the solution to climate change.
The Homeward Bound Project aims to elevate each participant’s leadership capabilities and profile with view to addressing underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence, “to impact policy and decisions towards a sustainable future”.	The Homeward Bound Project aims to elevate each participant’s leadership capabilities and profile with view to addressing underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence, “to impact policy and decisions towards a sustainable future”.
There are already hundreds of women waitlisted for the second program, to depart in 2018.	There are already hundreds of women waitlisted for the second program, to depart in 2018.
3.07am GMT	3.07am GMT
03:07	03:07
HOUR 20: Through the smog	HOUR 20: Through the smog
Elle Hunt	Elle Hunt
We started on Lizard island and went all the way to China, by way of the Tumblrverse and a possible planet populated only by carp.	We started on Lizard island and went all the way to China, by way of the Tumblrverse and a possible planet populated only by carp.
“There’s no time to lose”: a coral reef scientist urges governments to act on carbon emissions	“There’s no time to lose”: a coral reef scientist urges governments to act on carbon emissions
Street violence over water supplies not some future dystopia, but a present reality in Tamil Nadu, southern India	Street violence over water supplies not some future dystopia, but a present reality in Tamil Nadu, southern India
John Connor, chief executive of the Climate Institute, comments on the slow-moving gains of climate policy	John Connor, chief executive of the Climate Institute, comments on the slow-moving gains of climate policy
China correspondent Tom Phillips reports back from one of the largest solar farms on Earth in Qinghai province	China correspondent Tom Phillips reports back from one of the largest solar farms on Earth in Qinghai province
Millennial lobby group Generation Zero gets to advocates young in New Zealand	Millennial lobby group Generation Zero gets to advocates young in New Zealand
The worst mangrove dieback in recorded history in Australia’s Northern Territory, and the ramifications for that coastline	The worst mangrove dieback in recorded history in Australia’s Northern Territory, and the ramifications for that coastline
Smog from China aggravates a severe air pollution problem in Hong Kong	Smog from China aggravates a severe air pollution problem in Hong Kong
Mikey Slezak looks to the future	Mikey Slezak looks to the future
Calla Wahlquist with the latest on “fire behaviour” analysis in Victoria, Australia’s most fire-prone state	Calla Wahlquist with the latest on “fire behaviour” analysis in Victoria, Australia’s most fire-prone state
China doubles down on its pledge to cut carbon emissions – no matter what the Donald may do	China doubles down on its pledge to cut carbon emissions – no matter what the Donald may do
Meanwhile, here’s the carbon countdown again – only 27.5% of the total carbon budget remaining in tons (CO2-e), if we want to to limit human-induced warming to less than 2C.	Meanwhile, here’s the carbon countdown again – only 27.5% of the total carbon budget remaining in tons (CO2-e), if we want to to limit human-induced warming to less than 2C.
And here’s a thoughtful response to CassandrasVoice’s earlier question about how long – specifically – we’ve got before climate change has severe enough impact on the majority for us to act.	And here’s a thoughtful response to CassandrasVoice’s earlier question about how long – specifically – we’ve got before climate change has severe enough impact on the majority for us to act.
Been trying to find similar information for the last 5 years. I believe if the general public were to know how climate change will impact on their day to day living, as well as when these changes will occur, there would be many more involved in climate action. But scientists are conservative creatures and putting up such predictions would inevitably be very difficult due to inherent uncertainties in the modelling, which relies on very complex algorithms. There would also be cries from the tired old deniers of alarmism which may cause wholesale derailment of any climate action. And most people I feel, would rather be ignorant of the impending doom that awaits them.	Been trying to find similar information for the last 5 years. I believe if the general public were to know how climate change will impact on their day to day living, as well as when these changes will occur, there would be many more involved in climate action. But scientists are conservative creatures and putting up such predictions would inevitably be very difficult due to inherent uncertainties in the modelling, which relies on very complex algorithms. There would also be cries from the tired old deniers of alarmism which may cause wholesale derailment of any climate action. And most people I feel, would rather be ignorant of the impending doom that awaits them.
Updated	Updated
at 3.08am GMT	at 3.08am GMT
3.04am GMT	3.04am GMT
03:04	03:04
Tom Phillips	Tom Phillips
Li Shuo, a Beijing-based campaigner for Greenpeace, is among the activists hoping that China, the world’s largest polluter, will take up a greater leadership role on climate change in a post-Trump world.	Li Shuo, a Beijing-based campaigner for Greenpeace, is among the activists hoping that China, the world’s largest polluter, will take up a greater leadership role on climate change in a post-Trump world.
Li is an expert in clean energy, air pollution and climate change and also studied US-China relations at Nanjing University in east China.	Li is an expert in clean energy, air pollution and climate change and also studied US-China relations at Nanjing University in east China.
Writing in the Guardian today, Li argues that Trump’s election “casts a dark shadow on the prospect of future international climate cooperation” but says Beijing’s apparent willingness to take on a larger role offers some hope.	Writing in the Guardian today, Li argues that Trump’s election “casts a dark shadow on the prospect of future international climate cooperation” but says Beijing’s apparent willingness to take on a larger role offers some hope.
You can read Li’s full piece here:	You can read Li’s full piece here:
3.00am GMT	3.00am GMT
03:00	03:00
I recently sat down over Skype with the chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter.	I recently sat down over Skype with the chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter.
I pressed him on whether or not the election of Trump in the US meant that the public has stopped caring for climate change. He was adamant that was not the case.	I pressed him on whether or not the election of Trump in the US meant that the public has stopped caring for climate change. He was adamant that was not the case.
“There’s much that might be said about this election but i don’t think we can in any way treat it as a mandate for inaction,” he said.	“There’s much that might be said about this election but i don’t think we can in any way treat it as a mandate for inaction,” he said.
“One of the sad ironies of protest electoral votes may be that some of those who have been most left behind by an economic system that is deepening inequality, and are lashing out and voting for candidates seen as anti-establishment, are also people that are at the greatest risk from global warming when we see extreme weather events, we see extreme temperatures and so on. So I don’t think there’s any doubt that inequality and climate change are intimately, intimately connected.”	“One of the sad ironies of protest electoral votes may be that some of those who have been most left behind by an economic system that is deepening inequality, and are lashing out and voting for candidates seen as anti-establishment, are also people that are at the greatest risk from global warming when we see extreme weather events, we see extreme temperatures and so on. So I don’t think there’s any doubt that inequality and climate change are intimately, intimately connected.”
Check out the full video below. And tweet your comments or thoughts to me at @mikeyslezak or to David at @David_Ritter, or leave them below in the comments.	Check out the full video below. And tweet your comments or thoughts to me at @mikeyslezak or to David at @David_Ritter, or leave them below in the comments.
2.53am GMT	2.53am GMT
02:53	02:53
Tom Phillips	Tom Phillips
The war on global warming is “a responsibility we must assume for future generations,” Chinese president told the world’s economic elite in Davos this week, signalling that Beijing would stay true to its pledge to cut carbon emissions, even if Donald Trump did not.	The war on global warming is “a responsibility we must assume for future generations,” Chinese president told the world’s economic elite in Davos this week, signalling that Beijing would stay true to its pledge to cut carbon emissions, even if Donald Trump did not.
China has several reasons for sticking to its guns.	China has several reasons for sticking to its guns.
Firstly, there is consensus in China that the country is likely to be among the biggest victims of climate change: a 2015 government report warned rising sea levels, temperatures, and rainfall posed a real and present danger to hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens.	Firstly, there is consensus in China that the country is likely to be among the biggest victims of climate change: a 2015 government report warned rising sea levels, temperatures, and rainfall posed a real and present danger to hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens.
Melting glaciers in China’s extreme west and the desertification of large swaths of land in the north have set alarm bells ringing in Beijing.	Melting glaciers in China’s extreme west and the desertification of large swaths of land in the north have set alarm bells ringing in Beijing.
Secondly, Beijing understands it must take action against deadly episodes of air pollution that are fuelling increasing public rage. China’s leaders view climate change mitigation as an effective argument with which to take on the powerful energy sector responsible for the smog, which is blamed for up to one million premature deaths per year.	Secondly, Beijing understands it must take action against deadly episodes of air pollution that are fuelling increasing public rage. China’s leaders view climate change mitigation as an effective argument with which to take on the powerful energy sector responsible for the smog, which is blamed for up to one million premature deaths per year.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Beijing sees huge economic benefits in transitioning towards a consumption and services based low carbon economy and becoming a world-leader in the energy technologies of the future. Already its global dominance of the renewables market is becoming clear through billions of dollars of overseas investment last year in countries from Australia to Brazil and Pakistan.	Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Beijing sees huge economic benefits in transitioning towards a consumption and services based low carbon economy and becoming a world-leader in the energy technologies of the future. Already its global dominance of the renewables market is becoming clear through billions of dollars of overseas investment last year in countries from Australia to Brazil and Pakistan.
China is now the world’s largest investor in clean energy and recently unveiled plans to pump more than $360bn into renewable energy sources by 2020.	China is now the world’s largest investor in clean energy and recently unveiled plans to pump more than $360bn into renewable energy sources by 2020.
Finally, there is the question of soft power. With a climate denier now occupying the White House, some in Beijing see a golden opportunity to boost China’s global standing by spearheading the war on global warming.	Finally, there is the question of soft power. With a climate denier now occupying the White House, some in Beijing see a golden opportunity to boost China’s global standing by spearheading the war on global warming.
Xi’s speech at the World Economic Forum - in which he urged the world to “meet the challenges of climate change” and praised the Paris climate deal as “a hard-won achievement” - suggests China may be preparing to do just that.	Xi’s speech at the World Economic Forum - in which he urged the world to “meet the challenges of climate change” and praised the Paris climate deal as “a hard-won achievement” - suggests China may be preparing to do just that.
“History,” the Chinese president told his audience to loud applause, “is created by the brave.”	“History,” the Chinese president told his audience to loud applause, “is created by the brave.”
2.50am GMT	2.50am GMT
02:50	02:50
Calla Wahlquist	Calla Wahlquist
Lightning struck bushland east of the coastal Victorian town of Wye River on 19 December, 2015. On 25 December the fire burned the town, destroying 116 homes.	Lightning struck bushland east of the coastal Victorian town of Wye River on 19 December, 2015. On 25 December the fire burned the town, destroying 116 homes.
Most of the residents had already been evacuated on the order of fire authorities, who mapped the fire behaviour, with astonishing accuracy, five days earlier.	Most of the residents had already been evacuated on the order of fire authorities, who mapped the fire behaviour, with astonishing accuracy, five days earlier.
The mapping system, called Phoenix, allows fire behaviour analysts to input data about the terrain, dryness of the fuel, predicted temperatures, and predicted wind patterns, and come up with a predicted image of fire behaviour.	The mapping system, called Phoenix, allows fire behaviour analysts to input data about the terrain, dryness of the fuel, predicted temperatures, and predicted wind patterns, and come up with a predicted image of fire behaviour.
Until 2010, this was done with considerably less accuracy using a pocket calculator and a slide-rule, crosshatching on paper maps. As fire behaviour analyst Andy Ackland explained in the video below, the mapping system also predicts the occurrence of convection currents, where a blast of hot air pushes through the inversion layer of the atmosphere. That’s one of the key conditions of a firestorm.	Until 2010, this was done with considerably less accuracy using a pocket calculator and a slide-rule, crosshatching on paper maps. As fire behaviour analyst Andy Ackland explained in the video below, the mapping system also predicts the occurrence of convection currents, where a blast of hot air pushes through the inversion layer of the atmosphere. That’s one of the key conditions of a firestorm.
The system is used to inform public warnings and help firefighters prioritise when there are multiple fires on the same day (bushfires tend to come in crops of 12, Emergency Management commissioner Craig Lapsley said). It is also used in a strategic sense to figure out which power lines are most likely to cause devastating bushfires.Ackland said it is increasingly used to map potential changes in bushfire risk caused by long-term climate change, which is drying out the mountain ash forests around Victoria and leaving them more prone to a severe bushfire.	The system is used to inform public warnings and help firefighters prioritise when there are multiple fires on the same day (bushfires tend to come in crops of 12, Emergency Management commissioner Craig Lapsley said). It is also used in a strategic sense to figure out which power lines are most likely to cause devastating bushfires.Ackland said it is increasingly used to map potential changes in bushfire risk caused by long-term climate change, which is drying out the mountain ash forests around Victoria and leaving them more prone to a severe bushfire.
“Some of the most extreme fuel loads that you would see anywhere in the state are that type of mountain ash fuel,” Darrin McKenzie, deputy chief fire officer of Forest Fire Management said.	“Some of the most extreme fuel loads that you would see anywhere in the state are that type of mountain ash fuel,” Darrin McKenzie, deputy chief fire officer of Forest Fire Management said.
Like many Australian trees, mountain ash has evolved to use fire to regenerate, shedding long ribbons of bark to create fuel. That strategy backfires in a catastrophic fire Black Saturday in February 2009, which burned hot enough to kill the mountain ash seeds and, with that, jeopardise the whole alpine ecosystem.	Like many Australian trees, mountain ash has evolved to use fire to regenerate, shedding long ribbons of bark to create fuel. That strategy backfires in a catastrophic fire Black Saturday in February 2009, which burned hot enough to kill the mountain ash seeds and, with that, jeopardise the whole alpine ecosystem.
Updated	Updated
at 2.52am GMT	at 2.52am GMT
2.41am GMT	2.41am GMT
02:41	02:41
An interesting comment below the line.	An interesting comment below the line.
What one comes away with from this and many of the comments here, is that it will be the China, unbelievable only a few years ago, that will be the global power leading sustainability. I never thought that in my life time I would see the inevitable decline of the USA and the rise of another superpower; and less so that that would be China. Trump and the altright have done an extraordinary thing in such a short time.	What one comes away with from this and many of the comments here, is that it will be the China, unbelievable only a few years ago, that will be the global power leading sustainability. I never thought that in my life time I would see the inevitable decline of the USA and the rise of another superpower; and less so that that would be China. Trump and the altright have done an extraordinary thing in such a short time.
2.41am GMT	2.41am GMT
02:41	02:41
Earlier today I posted an opinion piece I wrote today about panic and despair, and other emotions a lot of people feel when writing about climate change.	Earlier today I posted an opinion piece I wrote today about panic and despair, and other emotions a lot of people feel when writing about climate change.
In that piece I mention a moment I felt almost panicked, while I was half-way through James Bradley’s brilliant novel Clade, which is set a few decades in the future. Here’s something James has written for the blog today about the process of writing a book about the future of climate change, as that change was happening:	In that piece I mention a moment I felt almost panicked, while I was half-way through James Bradley’s brilliant novel Clade, which is set a few decades in the future. Here’s something James has written for the blog today about the process of writing a book about the future of climate change, as that change was happening:
Back in 2012, when I began writing the book that would become Clade a lot of what I was writing was science fiction. Although there was no question climate change was an urgent problem, or that its effects were already being felt, most of the direr predictions still lay somewhere over the horizon.	Back in 2012, when I began writing the book that would become Clade a lot of what I was writing was science fiction. Although there was no question climate change was an urgent problem, or that its effects were already being felt, most of the direr predictions still lay somewhere over the horizon.
Yet as I wrote a peculiar and discomfiting thing began to occur. Events I was weaving into the fabric of the novel – the release of methane from the seafloor and the permafrost, mass die-offs of wildlife, the breakup of the Antarctic ice sheets, even changes in the Earth’s rotation due to the shifting weight of melting ice – started to move out of the pages of the book and into reality.	Yet as I wrote a peculiar and discomfiting thing began to occur. Events I was weaving into the fabric of the novel – the release of methane from the seafloor and the permafrost, mass die-offs of wildlife, the breakup of the Antarctic ice sheets, even changes in the Earth’s rotation due to the shifting weight of melting ice – started to move out of the pages of the book and into reality.
The sense of hastening intensifies with every passing day. A decade ago it was possible to say the window for stopping dangerous climate change was closing, but that’s no longer true. If you live in the Pacific, or Africa, or many other parts of the world dangerous climate change is already here. The question is no longer whether we can avert dangerous climate change but whether we can avert a runaway climate catastrophe.	The sense of hastening intensifies with every passing day. A decade ago it was possible to say the window for stopping dangerous climate change was closing, but that’s no longer true. If you live in the Pacific, or Africa, or many other parts of the world dangerous climate change is already here. The question is no longer whether we can avert dangerous climate change but whether we can avert a runaway climate catastrophe.
There are days when I wonder whether continuing to believe that might be possible isn’t simply denial, a refusal to confront the truth. Speak to any scientist working in a field connected to climate change and you will quickly encounter a deep seam of despair. What is happening is occurring so quickly, so irrevocably it often seems overwhelming.	There are days when I wonder whether continuing to believe that might be possible isn’t simply denial, a refusal to confront the truth. Speak to any scientist working in a field connected to climate change and you will quickly encounter a deep seam of despair. What is happening is occurring so quickly, so irrevocably it often seems overwhelming.
Yet another part of me knows this sort of despair is self-fulfilling. Change doesn’t come from giving up, it comes from practical action and engagement. But it also requires hope, and hope requires we believe change is possible.	Yet another part of me knows this sort of despair is self-fulfilling. Change doesn’t come from giving up, it comes from practical action and engagement. But it also requires hope, and hope requires we believe change is possible.

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