There's a strange Harrabin story (link) on the BBC website. It seems that Globe International (a group of international parliamentarians - led by none other than John Gummer, aka Lord Deben) thinks that, across the world, new and proposed climate-related laws are giving cause for optimism. Gummer says, "The tide is beginning to turn decisively on tackling climate change, the defining material challenge of this century. This is a game-changing development …taking place across each and every continent." It seems (according to Harrabin) that, "Environmentalists dismayed at the gridlock in the UN's climate process will be heartened by progress at a national level".

But he rather spoils this rosy picture by pointing out - at the end of his article - that a recent World Resources Institute report may be a "reality check". One finding:

According to WRI’s estimates, 1,199 new coal-fired plants, with a total installed capacity of 1,401,278 megawatts (MW), are being proposed globally. These projects are spread across 59 countries. China and India together account for 76 percent of the proposed new coal power capacities.

Hmm ... not quite the "game changing development" Gummer had in mind.

Oh dear, the "New Left Project [see below] is currently down for maintenance". I trust (Alex, Barry, Geoff, etc.) that it's not our fault.