Posts by Kennedy Graham

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  Coal and Sustainable Energy: An exciting essay topic

  
  
  
  To the CEO of Solid Energy: Dear Sir, I understand that your corporation is sponsoring an essay competition for schoolchildren in Southland, West Coast, Canterbury and Waikato. The essay, up to 1500 words, must address “The Role of Coal in Sustainable Energy Solutions for New Zealand.” read more
  March 13, 2010 10:20 am - 15 Comments
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  Trifling with the Truth

  
  
  
  In politics, it is said – especially by those not in politics – truth is the first casualty.  You do not have to be long in this game to know that ‘truth’, whose ‘true’ meaning philosophers spend aeons in the hereafter debating, is an elastic commodity on the parliamentary market.  But among politicians themselves, there [...] read more
  February 24, 2010 4:45 pm - 13 Comments
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  Copenhagen 10: Goodbye, Therese

  
  
  
  We never really gave up on each other, Therese and I. I doubt I shall see Therese. Not this time. Not at the Copenhagen Climate Conference of 2009. Perhaps, perhaps not. Anyway, as she would say, ha, ha, ha. Bye Therese. Thanks for everything. read more
  December 19, 2009 6:00 pm - 6 Comments
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  Copenhagen 9: Let Us Refuse to Acknowledge ‘Defeat’

  
  
  
  The ‘blame-game’ industry will get a new lease-on-life in the New Year. The Danish leadership has been trenchantly criticised – both for its organizational shortcomings and, far more importantly, for its hapless strategic misjudgements in the negotiations. read more
  December 19, 2009 4:52 am - 12 Comments
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  Copenhagen 8: Peering through the Eye of the Needle

  
  
  
  We are at the moment of truth, here in Copenhagen. For 8 days the conference has ground along in true diplomatic style, officials parsing words and bracketing phrases within the mindless straitjacket of 193 inflexible cabinet decisions thrashed out in advance of what purports to be multilateral negotiations.  Behind the screens, leaders are talking.  But not [...] read more
  December 18, 2009 11:12 am - 5 Comments
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  Copenhagen 7: Living with Therese

  
  
  
  I live with Therese. We are cohabiting in her apartment these past six nights. From Friday to Thursday today, I have left in the dark around 7.00 a.m. and returned in the dark around midnight. It is not a routine guaranteed to meet Therese. I email her. This is from your phantom guest, I say. It is proving difficult to meet up. read more
  December 18, 2009 5:14 am - 6 Comments
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  Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Gases

  
  
  
  The Alliance is an initiative of the NZ Government, largely between Ministers Smith, Groser and Carter. It reflects considerable cross portfolio and cross-departmental effort and has the prospect of making a major contribution to the fight against climate change. The ministers are to be congratulated. read more
  December 17, 2009 5:14 pm - 35 Comments
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  Copenhagen 6: Screaming into the void

  
  
  
  OK so there are 45,000 concerned humans milling around. Only one-third are getting into the Bella Conference Centre. Yesterday I arrived at the gates at 7.45. It is still dark. And very cold. A young woman next to me, not yet accredited, had stood in the queue yesterday in zero degrees for 10 hours. That’s not easy. And she was unsuccessful. She was back this morning at 6.20 a.m. I think... read more
  December 17, 2009 1:14 am - 20 Comments
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  Copenhagen 5: Supping with the World Bank

  
  
  
  Jeanette and I are at the Copenhagen Conference as part of GLOBE – Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment. Today (Tuesday) I was part of a delegation meeting with IBRD President Robert Zoellick. If you are unaware of Mr Zoellick’s career, it might be worth looking it up. read more
  December 16, 2009 11:47 am - 8 Comments
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  Copenhagen 4: I remain, Your Humble and Obedient Servant

  
  
  
  A funny thing happened on the way to the Climate Change Forum. Fate allowed me to serve Her Majesty’s Government, once again. In a phantom role, it is true. But it was a privilege, nonetheless. read more
  December 16, 2009 4:01 am - 10 Comments