An exploration of the problems of Carbon Trading (or 'cap and trade') as a solution to climate change. Includes an interview with an Indian activist about the problems with CDM projects on local communities.
Produced by Phil England for Climate Radio http://www.climateradio.co.uk Please drop me an email if you rebroadcast this programme: phil [at] switch-online.co.uk
Even though the United States administration decided not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the US left the treaty with a legacy of market-based "flexible mechanisms". In 2001 Mark Lynas wrote in The Guardian that the "flexible mechanisms" of the Kyoto Protocol would lead to a net increase in emissions from industrialised countries rather than a reduction of 5.2%. As a new book is published that represents the most authoritative critique of carbon trading to date (see link above), what is the record so far of the projects that are being funded under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism? We speak to Soumitra Ghosh in West Bengal who has been documenting the impact of CDM projects in India. He found that projects are dispossessing people from their land, lowering water tables, and polluting water and air resulting in lower crop yields. We also speak to Kevin Smith of Carbon Trade Watch and ask whether the CDM is beyond reform and, if so, what should be done instead. http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk http://www.carbontradewatch.org http://www.nespon.org