John Podesta['s wishful thinking] « The Politics of Climate Change [Fraud]

Taking the podium, John Podesta, President of the Center for American Progress and Co-Chair of the Obama Transition team, opens with the observation that there has been a sea change in attitude in America with regard to climate change and environmental policy. Clean energy, he asserts, is at the heart of the economic recovery plan and clean energy finance and clean energy development are leading drivers in this sea change.

Terry Leahy « The Politics of Climate Change

Leahy concludes with a new announcement that, Tesco has put in place plans to build the world’s first zero carbon store near Manchester, adding that collaboration is vital and consumers are a force for good.

Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco « The Politics of Climate Change

Terry Leahy, the CEO of Tesco speaks about incentivizing the consumer to live a low carbon way of life at Policy Network’s ‘Politics of Climate Change’ conference on 5th June 2009 at the LSE. Leahy argues a green way of life begins and ends with the consumer and they must be motivated not just through tax and regulation to change their lifestyle.

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, CEO of easyGroup « The Politics of Climate Change

Stelios also argues that government’s tax the aircraft for take-off because it is the engine, not the passenger, that causes the pollution, encouraging airlines to scrap older aircraft.

Anthony Giddens « The Politics of Climate Change

Anthony Giddens has opened the conference with some introductory remarks, calling for a revolution in our thinking about climate change, led by a positive message of hope and opportunity. Giddens also asserts that business must be on board. Environmental progressivism must be aloud to succeed in business, and must be incentivised. Political polarisation needs to be avoided, especially with regard to the assertions that “green is the new red” – this polarises and dissuades other political parties from engaging with cimate change.