http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: " The university is putting “money before climate science” " en Sun, 31 May 2026 21:41:31 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-211267 Sun, 07 Feb 2016 15:07:59 +0000 chdot 211267@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>In May last year, a group of students stirred things up at the University of Edinburgh by occupying its finance building for over a week. The protest grew around a simple demand. Students argued that it was unethical for a public institution to invest in the fossil fuel industry because the sector is one of the main drivers of climate change, and called on the university to divest from companies involved in oil, gas or coal extraction.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14259160.display" rel="nofollow">http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14259160.display</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-199551 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:31:13 +0000 chdot 199551@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On a different issue -</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/education/edinburgh-university-won-t-invest-in-weapons-firms-1-3894410" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/education/edinburgh-university-won-t-invest-in-weapons-firms-1-3894410</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189525 Thu, 28 May 2015 09:00:29 +0000 chdot 189525@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p> Running On Climate (@climatedoc)<br /> 28/05/2015 06:43<br /> FT on Norway's decision to #divest $916bn oil fund from coal (utilities as well as miners). #climate #carbonbubble</p> <p><a href="http://ow.ly/NwRZU" rel="nofollow">http://ow.ly/NwRZU</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189411 Wed, 27 May 2015 11:08:39 +0000 Baldcyclist 189411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Also saw news yesterday that the University has now announced it will divest from 3 fuel companies.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-32891001" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-32891001</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189407 Wed, 27 May 2015 10:53:32 +0000 chdot 189407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/education/student-fossil-fuel-protest-hits-edinburgh-streets-1-3783141" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/education/student-fossil-fuel-protest-hits-edinburgh-streets-1-3783141</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189273 Mon, 25 May 2015 11:08:34 +0000 Baldcyclist 189273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cleaners going round with brushes and buckets of water to clean up the last of the chalk "Divest" graffiti.</p> <p>Seems like a waste of time, it'll be raining on Wednesday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189165 Fri, 22 May 2015 13:23:49 +0000 chdot 189165@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>The SNP will chair two House of Commons select committees at Westminster, it has been announced. </p> <p>Nationalist MPs will take control of the UK Parliament's energy and climate change select committee and Scottish affairs select committee. </p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32843295" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32843295</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189142 Fri, 22 May 2015 11:02:03 +0000 chdot 189142@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>A SECURITY guard has been charged after a protester was allegedly thrown to the ground and choked outside a student-occupied building belonging to Edinburgh University. </p> <p>It is understood a demonstrator, who was among those gathered outside Charles Stewart House in Chambers Street during yesterday’s incident, is also facing charges.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/security-guard-charged-over-student-attack-1-3780530" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/security-guard-charged-over-student-attack-1-3780530</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189138 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:31:23 +0000 chdot 189138@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Gordon Maloney (@gordonmaloney)<br /> 22/05/2015 08:00<br /> 7 MSPs have signed the motion backing #EdinburghUniFossilFree. Will @MarcoBiagiMSP @Neil_FindlayMSP @SarahBoyackMSP? </p> <p><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&amp;ReferenceNumbers=S4M-13235&amp;ResultsPerPage=10" rel="nofollow">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&amp;ReferenceNumbers=S4M-13235&amp;ResultsPerPage=10</a></p> <p>"</p> <p>"</p> <p>Marco Biagi (@MarcoBiagiMSP)<br /> 22/05/2015 08:56<br /> @gordonmaloney As a gov Minister can't sign backbench motions. Have written to uni in capacity as constituency MSP and will forward letter.</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189096 Thu, 21 May 2015 22:40:50 +0000 chdot 189096@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/comment-dismantling-rigs-next-north-sea-challenge-1-3778892" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/comment-dismantling-rigs-next-north-sea-challenge-1-3778892</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189067 Thu, 21 May 2015 15:43:47 +0000 Min 189067@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks SRD </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189024 Thu, 21 May 2015 10:15:37 +0000 SRD 189024@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>link here for staff who want to sign the letter linked to above:</p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XFoKxBfn4pzJ3aBgT37XKnOz-X2U6os709RsH2kFyZY/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XFoKxBfn4pzJ3aBgT37XKnOz-X2U6os709RsH2kFyZY/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189023 Thu, 21 May 2015 10:12:33 +0000 chdot 189023@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Are they still there in the rain?</p> <p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/t1boRJ"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7703/17723660748_3bdb896b31.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189017 Thu, 21 May 2015 09:16:34 +0000 SRD 189017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's an open letter from staff available for signing. PM me if you want details (or just email me if you already have my work address)</p> <p>letter here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/12b-R3Sw8IzfVyZUVexsphjzDUPO0xAy985SBbXZWNXA" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/document/d/12b-R3Sw8IzfVyZUVexsphjzDUPO0xAy985SBbXZWNXA</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189016 Thu, 21 May 2015 09:08:53 +0000 steveo 189016@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On a tangentially related note: </p> <p>Folding server built into a radiator, genius! Mine was very useful at warming the airing cupboard and helping dry clothes and keep the chill out.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32816775" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32816775</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189015 Thu, 21 May 2015 09:02:09 +0000 steveo 189015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>A capitalist analysis of the energy market might want to allocate a value to the thing we breathe and which hosts our weather. </em></p> <p>Perhaps, but I can't help feel that the people who would end up worse off by the taxation this train leads to would be those who can least afford to pay. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189011 Thu, 21 May 2015 07:16:16 +0000 I were right about that saddle 189011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@steveo</p> <p>I wasn't blaming oil companies, or indeed anyone else. I was pointing out that use of the atmosphere as a waste dump is free. A capitalist analysis of the energy market might want to allocate a value to the thing we breathe and which hosts our weather. Imagine what would happen if a company came up with a proposal to alter the atmosphere for profit. Would we allow them to do this for free? (Assuming they asked and we had a choice in the matter.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189010 Thu, 21 May 2015 00:54:02 +0000 chdot 189010@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pretty depressing reading really, but no surprises.</p> <p>"</p> <p>Browne – who enjoyed close ties to both New Labour’s business-friendly elite and later David Cameron’s coalition – attempted to position BP as environmentally-minded, flirting with renewables and launching the “Beyond Petroleum” PR campaign.</p> <p>Today, assessments of Browne’s record at BP are less gushing. Browne later admitted BP should have done more to prevent two major disasters that occurred on his watch and a long-term culture of ruthless cost cutting and risk taking, which began under Browne, has also been blamed for leading to the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-189006 Wed, 20 May 2015 23:39:37 +0000 Snowy 189006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A timely article today... <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/20/revealed-bps-close-ties-with-the-uk-government">Revealed: BP's close ties with the UK government</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188955 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:15:14 +0000 steveo 188955@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>why altering the composition of our shared atmosphere is free.</em></p> <p>Not sure you can blame the energy companies for that, if there was no market for warm homes or easy distance travel there would be no companies piping gas to cities or producing petrol for cars or diesel for trains. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188953 Wed, 20 May 2015 12:48:35 +0000 Stickman 188953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>acsimpson:</p> <p>"I assume that article is written by someone with an interest in the fossil fuel industry. "</p> <p>Not a financial interest, no. He is involved in the rare earth industry. </p> <p>He writes mainly on economics, so I don't think (from reading his previous work) that he would assume that subsidies always come in cash. </p> <p>And he does make the point that subsidies to consumers are effectively subsidies to suppliers, albeit difficult to disentangle their true effects on producers due to second order effects. </p> <p>I took his main thrust to be that the IMF paper is interesting, but is being misunderstood by those reporting on it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188950 Wed, 20 May 2015 12:21:28 +0000 chdot 188950@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Slightly related -</p> <p>"</p> <p>This diverse cross-sector sub-group aims to disseminate the latest research on behaviour change to 2020 Group members to inform their work and programmes. Work completed to date has included supporting the Scottish Government led programme into workplace behaviours and hosting a major event on exploring whether speed limits affect low carbon behaviours on the roads.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.2020climategroup.org.uk/about-us/sub-groups/behaviour-change-research/" rel="nofollow">http://www.2020climategroup.org.uk/about-us/sub-groups/behaviour-change-research/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188945 Wed, 20 May 2015 11:44:06 +0000 acsimpson 188945@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Stickman,</p> <p>I assume that article is written by someone with an interest in the fossil fuel industry. He seems to think that a subsidy will always be in the form of a cash handout which clearly isn't what the report is saying. I would also disagree that there is a difference between subsidising consumers and the companies which supply them.</p> <p>He does make the point that in the UK and a lot of western Europe there is less of a subsidy than in many other countries. Indeed in some countries fossil fuels are part paid for by the government.</p> <p>His best point, assuming it's true, is that lower VAT on heating bills isn't a form of subsidy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188902 Wed, 20 May 2015 06:57:40 +0000 I were right about that saddle 188902@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This puts me in mind of @gembo's reminder of power structures. Politics is the froth on top of the framework of brute power, represented by the Saudi royal family, the oil companies, the big banks and so on.</p> <p>There's no doubt where my <em>alma mater</em> places itself in this arrangement. I have been one of the many Edinburgh University staff and students to have worked on renewable energy, and I think even they would now openly admit to being politically partisan in quite a conservative way. </p> <p>Anybody who thinks fossil fuels aren't subsidised needs to explain why why <a href="http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/#mlo_full">altering the composition of our shared atmosphere</a> is free. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799&page=2#post-188893 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:48:41 +0000 Stickman 188893@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson:</p> <p>Worth reading <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/05/19/imf-report-on-5-3-trillion-in-energy-subsidies-careful-its-not-quite-what-you-think/">this</a> piece on that IMF report. </p> <p>Summary: fuel companies aren't getting 10m a minute in subsidies. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799#post-188892 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:45:50 +0000 Snowy 188892@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Governments prefer their energy industries to be easily taxable. Also, taxes raised from the oil companies are dwarfed by the taxes raised from the sale of fuel and other oil-based products to the public.</p> <p>Renewables thus have the 'disadvantage' (from a gov viewpoint) that 'people' can to a greater or lesser extent (micro-generation) reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and thus escape the cycle.</p> <p>It's a global four-way lock-in of oil producers, oil-burning vehicles, complicit consumers, and governments who are seriously concerned about what's going to replace this lovely trough of revenue.</p> <p>Personal view; YMMV. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799#post-188890 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:39:52 +0000 acsimpson 188890@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Surely a industry with this level of subsidy isn't at imminent risk of collapse:</p> <p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/18/fossil-fuel-companies-getting-10m-a-minute-in-subsidies-says-imf">http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/18/fossil-fuel-companies-getting-10m-a-minute-in-subsidies-says-imf</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799#post-188842 Tue, 19 May 2015 13:41:44 +0000 neddie 188842@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>The rest of it goes into making plastics, clothes, toothpaste, tyres...</em></p> <p>and fertiliser.</p> <p>Many people do not realise how dependent modern farming is on oil based fertilisers. When the oil runs out / becomes scarce, food production will decline massively (and I don't believe that organic fertilisers will allow anywhere near the same kind of yields).</p> <p><em>Why should we look to the fossil fuel industry to develop renewables?</em></p> <p>Because the tech to put an oil rig in the North Sea and supply it with power is the same as the tech to put a windmill/tidal generator in the North Sea and extracting power from it (assuming that the windmills are bought off the shelf). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799#post-188841 Tue, 19 May 2015 13:39:38 +0000 Baldcyclist 188841@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm, we seem to be the only people talking about this now. Not in the news any more, make up some stories about the bad security guards to stoke up some interest again.</p> <p>They'll get bored soon enough and people will be be to get back to work in the building, rather than having to work from home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14799#post-188836 Tue, 19 May 2015 13:07:45 +0000 jdanielp 188836@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A worrying update about security provision was posted to People &amp; Planet Edinburgh's Facebook timeline today:</p> <p>"This occupation has been incredible. The support we’ve had from staff and members of the public, the hundreds and hundreds who have showed up to give us food and supplies, who’ve taken part in our demos, die-ins, pickets and even our music festival (!); all of this has shown the strength of feeling behind the campaign. The atmosphere has been one of enthusiastic solidarity and incredible friendliness and warmth, and it’s only been growing since we came in, and it’s only going to keep growing!</p> <p>That’s why we’re really disappointed to have to post this. Last night, the University brought in a new security company to further block access to the building. We were warned in advance that these new ones “weren’t like the others” and wouldn’t hesitate to “batter” us. When they came, their presence was marred by a string of horrific events – joking about raping a member of the occupation, saying “sleep with one eye open, and I've got no lube so I'm coming in dry”, making sexist jokes about tampons and “screwing people”, as well as stopping and harassing women walking past late at night.</p> <p>We have been surprised by the heavy-handedness with which the University has treated the occupation from the start, but these are new lengths altogether. This kind of behaviour can have no excuse whatsoever, and we have written to the University demanding that immediate action is taken by blacklisting that specific security firm. The obvious solution is to just allow open access to the occupation, instead of wasting thousands on bullies and thugs. Even better, they could just do the right thing and divest from fossil fuels." </p>