Change of heart from climate sceptics.
Sydney ABC News 02 Sep
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Energy
Other NewsDoing green jobs right.Nation 01 Sep EditorialsFace facts: Climate change is unfolding as predicted.The wildfires in Russia, the floods in Pakistan and the record heat this summer in New Jersey have one thing in common: They are exactly the kind of symptoms scientists predicted we’d experience as global warming occurs. Newark Star-Ledger 03 Sep The EPA's new gas-mileage labels are good but not perfect.The EPA is asking for comments on its proposed new gas mileage stickers for automobiles -- so here's ours. On the whole, both of the agency's two suggested alternative stickers represent much-needed improvement over current fuel-economy labeling. Washington Post 03 Sep Call to protect estuary timely.Despite concerns about the environmental impact caused by encroaching industry, public interest in the future of the Nanaimo Estuary has been negligible. But introduce the world-wide topics of climate change and carbon reduction, and people just might sit up and take notice. Nanaimo News Bulletin 02 Sep Cleaner cars, A to D.Proposed stickers for vehicles would make it easier to see whether you're buying a fuel-efficient one or a guzzler. The stickers are a symbol of how far this country has come in providing a wider range of environmentally responsible choices to help ensure cleaner air and a healthier planet. New York Times 01 Sep Climate change: The facts of life.Reminders of the reality of climate change are now reported almost every week. Political action – real, determined and concerted action – seems again improbable. But it also remains more urgent than ever. London Guardian 31 Aug The urgent islands.If a country sinks beneath the sea, is it still a country? That is a question about which the Republic of the Marshall Islands - a Micronesian nation of 29 low-lying coral atolls - is now seeking expert legal advice. New York Times 30 Aug Behind the energy failure in Congress.In the Senate, the bill ran into two industries that see alternative energy as a threat - and the senators whose first loyalty is to those industries. Markey cited two states in particular: Kentucky, where coal is king, and Oklahoma, an oil state with two GOP senators wedded to Big Oil's agenda. Framingham MetroWest Daily News 29 Aug Liability for climate change.When extreme weather strikes, such as the floods in Pakistan, the null hypothesis is to assume that humans have not played a role, then figure out if they did. But that's the opposite of what should be done. New Scientist 26 Aug OpinionUS falling behind China in creating green economy.China’s policymakers understand that serious pollution remediation and energy efficiency policies will create jobs, new businesses and increase business profits and GDP growth. People's Daily 03 Sep China sustains blunt ‘You first’ message on CO2.Yu Qingtai, China’s lead negotiator in climate talks from 2007 through the conference in Copenhagen last December, said that China’s national interests will always come first; and in any move toward binding steps for reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases, rich countries must go first. New York Times 03 Sep Senate should move on climate change legislation.These days, good-paying industrial jobs need not exact untimely deaths from pollution. In fact, development of clean renewable energy generators – wind turbines, solar cells, biomass – would create and support good industrial jobs in America. Washington Hill 03 Sep The dirty topic of peak oil: Get ready to reduce your reliance.Wouldn’t it be funny if we spent so long arguing about what to do about climate change that we ran out of cheap oil first? No, it wouldn’t really; it would be catastrophic. Melbourne Crikey 02 Sep 75 months and counting ....Twenty five months ago I decided to find out how long it would take before, on the best data available, we would begin to cross red lines where climatic instability and extremes were concerned. A quarter of that time has now passed. London Guardian 02 Sep Bill Gates on R&D, a carbon tax and China’s climate role.Bill Gates, the software innovator and development philanthropist who has recently championed a big research push to advance non-polluting energy choices, weighs in with some new thoughts after reading a critique of his thesis by Richard Rosen of the Tellus Institute. New York Times 02 Sep West Virginia can seize energy opportunity.West Virginia is at a defining moment for determining what its energy future will be. Charleston State Journal 02 Sep Greens and rural independents could be new 'odd couple.'Up until now, rural independents and urban Greens may have seen each other as adversaries, rather than allies. But the hopes of either group cannot be achieved without the support of the other. Sydney ABC News 02 Sep |
Green revolution comes to urban neighborhoods.Some 200 local residents are taking part in an innovative program designed to help bridge a green divide in L.A. Many residents of low-income neighborhoods say they've been left out of the environmental movement and that clean-tech businesses are avoiding urban neighborhoods. Los Angeles Times 03 Sep The greening of China.The core of China's environmental paradox is that the vast country must do two things at once: Continue to industrialize while simultaneously sharply limiting carbon emissions. There are signs Beijing is starting to take the environmental challenges seriously. Nation 03 Sep Chair of IPCC review panel backs assessment process despite flaws.In a Q&A session, Princeton's Harold Shapiro, who headed the U.N. investigation into the IPCC, discusses press coverage, management structure and the future of the world's foremost climate science panel. Climate Central 03 Sep Germany's energy policy: Nuclear power? Um, maybe.Aiming to draw attention to Germany’s dilemmas in deciding how much and what sort of power to produce and consume in the coming decades, Angela Merkel will bundle her answers into a comprehensive "energy concept," to be unveiled at the end of September. Economist 03 Sep Lisa Jackson's high-wire act on carbon controls.Early in his Presidency, Barack Obama made it clear that if Congress failed to limit carbon emissions, he would use his authority under the Clean Air Act to control greenhouse gases. Now that Congress has pulled the plug on legislation, that task has fallen to Lisa Jackson, Obama's EPA chief. Bloomberg News 03 Sep EPA to issue more rules in climate fight.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will roll out more regulations on greenhouse gases and other pollution to help fight climate change, but they will not be as strong as action by Congress, a senior administration official said. Reuters 03 Sep Billionaire Koch brothers back suspension of California climate law.A company owned by oil billionaires Charles and David Koch has contributed $1 million to Proposition 23, a November ballot initiative to suspend California’s groundbreaking 2006 global-warming law. Los Angeles Times 03 Sep Double play for global warming.There's a fight brewing on an issue that seemed settled in 2006. That was when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, flexing his environmental credentials, signed into law a measure that requires a statewide cut in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. PBS NewsHour 03 Sep Energy secretary Chris Huhne warned not to cut subsidies for green electricity.A coalition of green, countryside and housing groups has warned energy secretary Chris Huhne not to cut subsidies for green electricity and heating as part of the government's spending review. London Guardian 03 Sep Nations meet on climate cash.About 45 nations met on Thursday to seek ways to raise billions of dollars in aid to help the poor combat climate change as the UN warned them of a long haul to slow global warming. Reuters 03 Sep Australian energy retailers want renewables on political agenda.The peak body for Australia's clean-energy sector has rallied behind independent MPs' push to put renewables on the agenda of the next federal government. Australian Associated Press 03 Sep Panel faults IPCC leadership but praises its conclusions.The world's most authoritative climate science body has performed well enough so far, says a new independent review of the IPCC. But the report says the increased public scrutiny IPCC is facing and the growing importance of its work means that it must do better than that. Science 03 Sep Pelosi heads north to talk oilsands.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected in the Canadian capital Wednesday and Thursday for a summit of G8 Speakers. But the journey now will include several high-level meetings focusing on Alberta’s energy-intensive oilsands, sources on both sides of the border confirm. Toronto Star 03 Sep Disasters show 'screaming' need for action - climate chief.UN climate chief Christiana Figueres on Thursday warned that a string of weather calamities showed the deepening urgency to forge a breakthrough deal on global warming this year. Agence France-Presse 03 Sep Nations meet on climate cash, U.N. sees long haul.About 45 nations met on Thursday to seek ways to raise billions of dollars in aid to help the poor combat climate change as the United Nations warned them of a long haul to slow global warming. Reuters 03 Sep Japan, Caribbean nations discuss climate change, assistance for Haiti.Japan and 13 Caribbean nations agreed in Tokyo on Thursday to cooperate in curbing global warming and offering support to quake-hit Haiti among other issues at their first meeting in a decade, a Japanese official said. Japan Times 03 Sep Judge says drilling lease lawsuit too late.A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a lawsuit brought by energy producers challenging the cancellation of 77 oil and gas drilling leases was filed too late. Associated Press 03 Sep Virginia AG speaks out against cap and trade.Speaking to a town hall-style meeting at a community college Thursday, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said cap and trade, if passed by Congress, would send power rates through the roof. Bristol Herald Courier 03 Sep SCAG rejects air pollution reduction targets.The Southern California Association of Governments on Thursday rejected stronger greenhouse gas emission reduction targets recommended by the state's clean air agency. Contra Costa Times 03 Sep SoCal board endorses lowered emission goals.Members of Southern California's regional planning body voted Thursday to endorse lower greenhouse gas reduction targets than state regulators had proposed to comply with legislation that seeks to ease emissions by fighting sprawl and boosting public transit. Associated Press 03 Sep Residents voice opposition to New Mexico emissions regulations.Emissions regulations proposed by the state environmental department brought out strong opposition from area residents and leaders during a Thursday hearing in Clovis. Much of the criticism came from people tied to farming and agriculture, who said their livelihood was at risk. Portales News-Tribune 03 Sep UK urged to be more open about greenhouse gas emissions.The UK's greenhouse gas emissions have risen in the past two decades because of carbon embedded in imported goods, the government's chief environment scientist said. London Guardian 03 Sep Openness urged on UK's emissions.The UK government's chief environment scientist has called for more openness in admitting Britain's apparent cuts in greenhouse gases are an illusion. BBC 03 Sep 'Go home, Texas oil companies!' LA mayor rebukes.Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday rebuked Valero Energy Corp. and Tesoro Corp., which operate refineries in Wilmington, for bankrolling a measure that would effectively scuttle the state's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Los Angeles Times 02 Sep Overhaul of UN climate change body 'could lead to more mistakes.'A major overhaul of how the UN advises the world on climate change could lead to more mistakes on the impacts of global warming, an Oxford academic has warned. London Daily Telegraph 02 Sep You're getting warmer.It’s pretty overwhelming to think about reducing humanity’s carbon footprint when all most of us really want is to get to work on time and make it home with a few groceries for dinner. Sacramento News and Review 02 Sep Will Texas oil firms succeed in undoing California greenhouse gas law?Texas oil firms are backing a ballot initiative that would repeal the state's landmark 2006 greenhouse-gas reduction law. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is rallying Hispanic groups against the initiative. Christian Science Monitor 02 Sep Financing said vital for world climate change deal.A global fund to help poorer countries switch to green industrial technology is vital in any new international pact to battle global warming, Switzerland's top climate change negotiator said on Wednesday. Reuters 02 Sep |