Limiting global warming to 1.5C looks highly unlikely, so what next?
A UN report says global warming will rise to 2.1C - 2.9C based on the world’s current climate pledges. As COP27 kicks off on Sunday, the focus is shifting to adaptation
Mōrena and welcome to The Bulletin for Friday, November 4, by Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Presented in partnership with Z Energy.
In today’s edition: a preview of this weekend’s Labour party conference; calls for private use of fireworks to be banned; former deputy mayor on the tension between local and central and local government; but first, focus shifts towards climate change adaptation ahead of COP27
Climate change minister James Shaw will head to COP27 next Friday (Image: RNZ/Angus Dreaver)
No new pledges from New Zealand for COP27
A UN report published ahead of the 2022 UN climate change conference (COP27) found there is "no credible pathway" to keep the rise in global temperatures below the key threshold of 1.5C. As Stuff’s Olivia Wannan reports, climate change minister James Shaw heads to COP27 in Egypt this year with no new pledges which he says is because of the long-awaited verdict of a climate court case. The case in question involves a group of climate-concerned lawyers arguing that the carbon-cutting budgets proposed by the Climate Change Commission were inconsistent with New Zealand climate law. The High Court has not yet returned a judgement.
War and geopolitical tension loom over conference
This year’s conference exists in the shadows of geopolitical tension. Speaking to the Herald’s Thomas Coughlan (paywalled), Shaw said the breakdown in the US-China relationship would make things difficult. Previous cooperation on climate change between the two countries came to a halt after China stopped climate talks with the US in retaliation against Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August. The Age’s Nick O’Malley writes that despite that, both countries have made progress. China is deploying renewable energy at an “eye-watering pace” and the US has committed to a $400b investment in clean energy initiatives and transition from fossil fuels.
What’s on the agenda for COP27
Reuters has a good overview of the main issues on the agenda for the conference this year. This year’s conference is being billed as the “African COP”, with developing nations asking that developed nations step up to meet the finance pledge they made in 2009. Developed countries have yet to meet their pledge to deliver $100b a year in climate finance. About a quarter of that financing has gone to projects for adapting communities for a warmer world. Low-income and climate-vulnerable countries want to ensure that the share spent on adaptation is doubled by 2025.
In confronting reality, there is cause for hope through adaptation
Finally, I’ll leave you with this extraordinary piece of work from David Wallace-Wells of the New York Times written to coincide with COP27. Beautifully crafted, it’s a thorough examination of where we are right now, laced with acceptance, and through that, some hope. Wallace-Wells writes that “For decades, visions of possible climate futures have been anchored by, on the one hand, Pollyanna-like faith that normality would endure, and on the other, millenarian intuitions of an ecological end of days…Neither of those futures looks all that likely now, with the most terrifying predictions made improbable by decarbonization and the most hopeful ones practically foreclosed by tragic delay.”
Get ready to meet Mister Organ
An incredible true story of psychological warfare, MISTER ORGAN is the latest documentary from David Farrier (Tickled, Dark Tourist) that journeys into the mind of a master manipulator. Born from the Bashford Antiques car clamping saga, Mister Organ is one for fans of the bizzare – a story that’s as shocking as it is hilarious.Watch Mister Organ in cinemas from November 10 (sponsored)
Project Dawn: a preview of Labour’s conference this weekend
The 50th anniversary of the Labour party’s 1972 election victory rolls around at the end of the month. Norman Kirk and the Labour party broke a 12 year streak of National-led government running the campaign line “It’s time”. In an elucidating preview of this weekend’s Labour party conference, Toby Manhire outlines that the party will be aiming to invoke a very specific time of day this year: dawn. Kirk will feature at the conference, in a session about him (to be clear). Newsroom’s Jo Moir reports that a decision not to allow media at a speech delivered by Labour’s deputy leader Kelvin Davis has been swiftly reversed. Bonus content - Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas discuss the upcoming conference in a new episode of Gone by Lunchtime.
Renewed calls to ban private use of fireworks
Police have identified a teenager they allege set off fireworks causing a bushfire in North Canterbury that forced 130 people to leave their homes. The incident has prompted renewed calls to ban the private sales of fireworks. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) incident controller Dave Berry said firefighters felt fireworks should be reserved for controlled, public events, rather than used at home. FENZ figures show 822 fires were caused by fireworks in the five years to 2021, with more than half happening during the month of November. Private use of fireworks has been banned in the Northland this Guy Fawkes due to the risk of wildfires.
A message from The Spinoff’s founder and publisher, Duncan Greive
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Another broken relationship with the Crown
As central and local government battle for asset control, the lack of investment in infrastructure becomes an ever-growing issue. Bernard talks to former Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse in the latest episode of When the Facts Change about the tension between these forms of government and how it can be mended - what has ruptured in these relationships and why does it matter?
Click and collect
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Bank of England warns of prolonged recession in the UK, hikes interest rates
Joe Biden delivers prime-time televison address on the threat to democracy ahead of next week’s midterms
Got some feedback about The Bulletin, or anything in the news? Get in touch with me at thebulletin@thespinoff.co.nz.
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People have been doing "good tweets" every day for the last 15 years, but can you even remember a single one? Madeleine Chapman tried, and came up with this list of the 10 greatest New Zealand tweets of all time. Toby Manhire wraps up the swirl of new reports, initiatives and viewpoints at the second counterterrorism hui held this week. Sam Brooks sifts through Creative New Zealand’s feedback to the Shakespeare Globe Centre’s funding application. Sela Jane Hopgood talks to the founders of a new Pasifika writers festival.
Super sports Friday
The Black Ferns take on France in the Rugby World Cup semi-final this Saturday at Auckland’s Eden Park. The Ferns have lost their last four matches against Les Bleues. Honey Hireme-Smiler outlines how the team could end that streak and win. Wayne Smith has busted out his Rolodex and drafted former Black Ferns and All Blacks to provide advice and assist in training the Ferns.
After losing to England, the Black Caps get their shot at a semi-final berth for the T20 World Cup when they play Ireland tonight. Lose to Ireland, and they'll need Australia to lose against Afghanistan. Stuff’s Andrew Voerman writes that it’s “a banana-skin of a game” but a loss to Ireland would be historic.
The men’s rugby teams from Wales and New Zealand first faced each other in 1905. It’s noted as one of the first times national anthems were sung at an international sporting event after Welsh crowds sang Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in response to the haka. Former Wales captain, Clive Rowlands once said: “The greatest thing a Welsh rugby man can do is play against the All Blacks.” Mark Orders from Wales Online details some of the most memorable moments of previous clashes between the two teams. Ian Foster named his side for the current day game overnight, making 11 changes to the team that will take on Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning.
It’s Friday so…
I am personally of the view that it’s time to begin defrosting Mariah Carey and prepare for the festive season. If you disagree, you may enjoy this video of two very large Christmas baubles making a break for freedom in London this week. Truly cinematic. The two baubles rolled down Tottenham Court Road, slammed into a lamp post and were last seen heading to the border.
