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With the opening of the UN-sponsored COP26 climate summit less than two weeks away, a trove of leaked documents obtained by Greenpeace is revealing efforts by of a group of nations furiously lobbying to gut language critical of their carbon-spewing economic interests from a report to be released during the Glasgow conference.

The leaked documents were detailed in a post by Greenpeace’s Unearthed blog, as well as the BBC. Below follows a few examples of how that blizzard of national interests and industrial ruthlessness converged in a common effort to undermine the international push to slow catastrophic global warming. However, readers are emphatically urged to read the linked accounts for themselves – if nothing else, for the intestine-freezing Unearthed photo of Brazilian super-reactionary Jair Bolsonaro and Saudi autocrat and accused accessory to murder Mohammed bin Salman sharing a warm moment of sociopathic embrace.

Not surprisingly, fossil fuel producers including Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were described in the thousands of leaked documents as particularly active in working to get the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to soften language – or remove troublesome references entirely – in its Working Group III assessment of ongoing climate change, its effects on humanity, and options remaining to feasibly halt it in time.

The general thrust of their disinformation waterboarding of IPCC experts sought to impose the predominant theme that current pollution was no real problem so long as it’s matched with – you know – a tad of eco-friendly taxation here, and a splash of carbon-neutral offsetting creativity there. Yeah, that’ll fix it.

But the oily addicts weren’t the only ones putting the screws to IPCC officials.

Big nations hate global warming. Big nations hate sacrifices to stop global warming

Brazil and Argentina were also described as energetic in their attempts to have citations of their beef production as a contributor to carbon emissions excised. They similarly argued for references to, and promotion of plant-based diets to get the highlight-delete treatment. 

Japan harangued experts about its voracious consumption of oil being cast in a negative light in the draft IPCC report. An Australian government official flatly refuted the notion that phasing out coal-burning plants was a requisite to cutting greenhouse gas production – a scientifically proven and widely accepted no-brainer elsewhere (unless you have the considerable misfortune of sharing Joe Machin’s mind).

Meanwhile, even supposed backers of rigorous action to battle climate change like Canada, the UK, and – you knew this was coming – the US pushed back against warnings by IPCC experts that reliance on increased forestry to offset carbon production may amount to no more than “cheap greenwash.” That alert is based on findings that the various mix of carbon offsetting methods is not as effective as usually billed.

Elsewhere, various richer nations are seen whining about having to provide so much funding to poorer nations shouldering the worst consequences of developed world carbon emissions.

Electrek‘s take

Since national governments and mega-industries are behind the swarm-lobbying, no one will be much surprised that – their concerned and committed statements about aiding the battle against climate change notwithstanding – officials continue to feverishly twist any arms necessary to keep their favorite and most lucrative activities protected from criticism or decarbonization action.

What the Greenpeace get does reveal is just how focused, driven, and determined those actors are in protecting their selfish interests at all costs, at the expense of the entire world, and, indeed, humanity – a group they mistakenly like to think themselves a part of.

“This is an insight into how a small group of coal, oil and meat producing countries continue to put the profits of a few polluting industries before science and our planet’s future,” says Greenpeace International executive director Jennifer Morgan. “Rather than phasing out fossil fuels and unsustainable meat production, they are using every opportunity to protect their corporate interests and continue with business as usual while the planet burns… As the global spotlight moves to Glasgow, other world leaders should be aware of how far these governments will go to sabotage our chances of keeping 1.5 degrees in sight. The key test for world leaders is whether or not they agree to rapidly phase out fossil fuels, as the science warrants. History will not be kind to them if they fail – and we will be watching.”

Again, the tremendous Unearthed article is here. Do yourself, and the entire world, a favor and read for a detailed look at what we’re up against.


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Creatives having to be even more creative as National Theatre overhauls how it stages productions

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Creatives having to be even more creative as National Theatre overhauls how it stages productions

The National Theatre is overhauling how it stages productions – as its ambitious climate targets mean creatives are having to be even more creative.

After setting itself the goal of achieving net zero as an organisation by 2030, off-stage quietly radical changes are under way.

Pic: Reed Watts
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Pic: Reed Watts

Sky News was invited to see how the theatre, based in Southbank, central London, has gone about overhauling its approach to staging productions, meeting with some of those who’ve worked on its adaptation of the much-loved children’s classic Ballet Shoes.

While critics have been full of praise for the visual spectacle on-stage, how the whole look was created required a fundamental shift in approach.

“All of the team have had to be on board with reinventing, recutting and reimagining items rather than just making them from scratch,” costume designer Samuel Wyer said.

A new resource they had to work with was the National Theatre Green Store in Bermondsey, southeast London.

The warehouse has more than 131,000 items of costume and almost 22,000 props now housed under one roof so that designers can repurpose items from previous productions to try to cut their carbon footprint.

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It’s a surprisingly satisfying challenge.

Mr Wyer said they were able to “dip and cut clothes… which meant I was finding things even outside my imagination that were more perfect than I could have drawn on a piece of paper”.

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Trying to lead by example, the theatre hopes to demonstrate how the industry needn’t take a fast fashion approach to making sets, props and costumes from scratch.

“I think if it’s demonstrated that we can do things in this way that helps all of us imagine a world where we can use what we’ve got rather than new, new, new, because we need that balance,” Mr Wyer said.

“Theatre is where we come to imagine who we could be.”

Pic: Reed Watts
Image:
Pic: Reed Watts

‘Every piece has its own little quirks’

Last year, the National set itself targets of 50% of the materials used in its productions having had a previous life, and 65% being repurposed at the end of each production.

For set designer Frankie Bradshaw, hitting those targets has meant working with a lot more repurposed furniture.

“Lots of second-hand cabinets, bookshelves,” she said. “Ordinarily [carpenters] would have been used to building from scratch following a drawing and this has been quite different.

“Every piece has its own little quirks, and they’ve had to adapt their processes to fit that way of working.”

While it’s by no means straightforward, the process is proving rewarding.

“It requires everyone to be a little bit more flexible, a little more patient, but it does mean you can end up with a product you’re a lot more proud of,” Ms Bradshaw added.

Ballet Shoes runs at the National Theatre until Saturday 22 February.

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Neil Young confirmed as Glastonbury headliner – days after saying he was pulling out

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Neil Young confirmed as Glastonbury headliner - days after saying he was pulling out

Neil Young has been confirmed as a headliner at this year’s Glastonbury – despite saying he was dropping out due to the BBC’s involvement in the festival.

The 79-year-old Canadian musician wrote on his website earlier this week that both he and his band, The Chrome Hearts, were pulling out because the BBC’s involvement was a “corporate turn-off”.

He has now said in a statement that this decision was down to “an error in the information I received”.

Emily Eavis, the organiser of the Glastonbury Festival, posted on Instagram on Friday: “Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury.

“He does things his own way and that’s why we love him.

“We can’t wait to welcome him back here to headline the Pyramid in June.”

Glastonbury, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset in the summer, has worked closely with the BBC – its exclusive broadcast partner – since 1997.

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Posting on Neil Young Archives, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer wrote in his initial statement: “The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all-time favourite outdoor gigs.

“We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in.

“It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.”

Young performing at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: AP
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Young performing at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: AP

Young, who headlined the festival’s Pyramid stage in 2009, added: “We will not be playing Glastonbury on this tour because it is a corporate turn-off, and not for me like it used to be.

“Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.”

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In an updated statement, he wrote: “Due to an error in the information received, I had decided to not play the Glastonbury festival, which I always have loved.

“Happily, the festival is now back on our itinerary and we look forward to playing! Hope to see you there!”

Young, who is married to US actress Daryl Hannah, was booked to play Glastonbury in 1997 but pulled out after cutting his left index finger while making a ham sandwich.

Glastonbury, one of the UK’s largest music festivals, is set to take place between 25 and 29 June, with Sir Rod Stewart booked for the Sunday teatime legend slot.

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, has died aged 73.

The singer, who rose to fame alongside his siblings including Donny, Jimmy and Marie Osmond, died on New Year’s Day with his wife and five children by his side after suffering a stroke, family members said in posts on social media.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world,” a family statement said.

“He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”

Donny Osmond, 67, paid tribute to his “dear brother” and said he was grateful to have seen him in hospital before his death.

“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he said. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

American band 'The Osmonds' from left Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne pose for photographers at a media event in London, Thursday, May 29, 2008. The Osmonds are currently on a tour of the UK. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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The Osmonds in 2008 (L-R): Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne. Pic: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth


Born in Ogden, Utah, Wayne Osmond was the fourth of nine siblings. The two oldest Osmond brothers, Virl and Tom, were both born with hearing problems.

The family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wayne’s musical career started when he was just a boy, when he formed a barbershop quartet with three of his brothers, Alan, Merrill and Jay. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy and became household names in the 1970s, with hits including One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses, and Love Me For A Reason.

Sister Marie also rose to fame as a singer.

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Merrill and Jay Osmond were among the family members sharing tributes, with Merrill, 71, also saying he visited Wayne before his death.

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility,” Merrill said. “A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met…

“My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”

Jay, 69, said he had always “felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings” and that a “true legend” had left the world.

Wayne Osmond is survived by all of his siblings, as well as his wife Kathlyn and their children.

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