There were deaths, pollution and substandard goods, but last year’s slew of negative
publicity may have encouraged China to face up to its responsibilities, says Isabel Hilton
More than one third of the world’s population, if the organisers’ hopes are realized, will tune in on Saturday to the Live Earth concerts – ten concerts – or nine if the Brazilian judge’s ban on the Rio event holds up -- on all seven continents, are aimed at raising awareness of climate change and persuading young music fans around the world to sign up to a climate pledge.
The publication of the government's draft Climate Change Bill this week signalled the latest round of the escalating competition between David Cameron and Tony Blair to take the title of climate change champion of the world. Following hard on the EU measures, the government's bill set out more radical targets than before and promises to deliver them – a promise that will be reinforced by a new committee of independent auditors.
Isabel Hilton, writer, broadcaster and editor of Open Democracy magazine, tells the Ecologist what the results of the mid-term elections mean for America and the world…
