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Global Warming Wire and Trade Press Update - July 16, 2009
The Global Warming Wire and Trade Press Update, an e-alert with briefs about recent climate change policy, research about global warming and related issues, is published by the Pew Environment Group. The articles listed below are to serve as a summary of current climate-related issues in wire and trade media and do not represent the views or opinions of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
International News
Many geoengineering ideas won't help oceans -- report
Greenwire – July 8, 2009
A Stanford study finds that as the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increases, more gas will dissolve in the ocean, posing a threat to marine life. Many of the proposed methods to aid with climate change will do little to decrease ocean acidification.
Thick ice sheets give way rapidly, accelerating polar warming
Climatewire - July 8, 2009
Arctic ice is rapidly thinning and melting faster in the summer. Less ice coverage reflecting the sun accelerates global warming.
Shipping industry to feel heat over CO2 emissions
Reuters – July 9, 2009
The shipping industries failure to set bold enough benchmarks to address greenhouse gas emissions could oblige the European Union to formulate their own regulations. Both shipping and aviation are not regulated by the Kyoto Protocol.
Obama shows leadership on climate, must do more
Reuters – July 9, 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama showed leadership at the G8 summit, but he will have to push harder to achieve a U.N. agreement on climate change later this year. Obama secured strengthened commitments from developed and developing nations on climate change. However, a long path has yet to be traveled to turn those commitments into an international agreement.
Brazil official – G8 climate goals not credible
Reuters – July 9, 2009
The Group of Eight agreed to cut global carbon emissions 50% by 2050 and 80% in developed countries. Brazilian officials criticized the goals arguing that without intermediate benchmarks long term goals are rendered meaningless.
G8 targets 'unacceptable' for Russia -- Medvedev aide
Climatewire - July 8, 2009
An aide to President Medvedev called the Group of Eight’s target for developing countries to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 “unacceptable,” believing that it will compromise economic growth.
Indian monsoon among risks from rapid climate change
Reuters – July 10, 2009
A report released by the Australian government says that the weakening of the Indian monsoon is among many potentially disastrous effects of climate change.
U.S. to press China on tariffs on clean energy trade
Reuters – July 13, 2009
The U.S. pushed China to include lowering tariffs on clean energy technology as part of broader efforts by both counties to fight global climate change. Close cooperation between these two countries will be necessary if global climate negotiations at Copenhagen are to succeed.
As world cheers climate targets, small island countries despair
ClimateWire – July 13, 2009
Small island nations argued that the commitments set by the G8 to limit temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius is not ambitious enough. The nations contended that without stronger commitments, island nations are doomed to destruction.
EU president Sweden says U.N. climate talks too slow
Reuters – July 13, 2009
Sweden, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said that U.N. climate negotiations were moving too slowly. Sweden’s Environment Minister, Andreas Carlgren, criticized participating nations for demanding actions from others while refusing to make any concessions.
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U.S. News
Senators seek to expand House nuclear incentives to pass climate bill
Carbon Control – July 7, 2009
There is bipartisan support in the Senate to strengthen incentives for nuclear power in the climate bill.
Bipartisan bill would give CFTC complete authority over carbon markets
E&E News PM - July 8, 2009
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Olympia Snowe introduced a carbon trading bill that would place oversight under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and implement an electronic database monitoring system. The House bill gives primary regulating authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Petro-chemical sector eyes Senate to ease climate bill targets
Carbon Control – July 9, 2009
The petro-chemical industry is urging the Senate to ease mid-term emissions targets and increase the amount of free emissions credits in the House climate bill.
Installations quadruple in San Francisco under tax rebate program
Climatewire - July 9, 2009
Amid the recession, San Francisco residents are still eager to install solar panels. The Go SolarSF program, which provides tax rebates for solar panel installation, has received 850 applications since July 2008. In 2007, only 200 households, businesses and nonprofits installed panels.
Utah coal plant scuttled, 100th in U.S. since ‘02
Reuters –July 9, 2009
Plans to build a 900-magawatt coal-fired power plant in Utah were abandoned. 100 coal-fired plants have been blocked from construction since 2002, keeping more than 400 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Dengue fever outbreaks could increase in U.S. -- report
Climatewire - July 10, 2009
A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council finds that climate change will likely cause more frequent outbreaks of dengue fever in the United States.
Senate committee bucks White House on hubs, defense cleanup, hydrogen spending
E&E Daily - July 10, 2009
The Senate Appropriations Committee $27.4 billion spending bill undermines President Obama’s plans for renewable energy development. The bill stalled plans to create eight energy innovation hubs and funding for renewable energy and efficiency programs was less than the White House requested.
California industries cite jobs report in ripping AB 32 economic claims
Carbon Control – July 10, 2009
Several industry groups in California are using a UC-Berkeley report to question official claims that their climate change program will lead to overall job growth.
Survey reveals gap in acceptance of warming
Greenwire – July 10, 2009
A study by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the American Association for the Advancement of Science found that half of Americans believe that global warming is caused by humans, while the majority of scientists believe it to be true. This includes 11% who do not believe in global warming at all.
Further study on water use of new technologies needed -- experts
E&E Daily - July 10, 2009
Developing renewable and low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage need further research to determine the extent of water use required for these technologies.
Clean-coal project gains government support
Reuters – July 11, 2009
A proposed clean-coal project in Illinois will spend nearly $2.6 billion in government loan guarantees. The hybrid gasification plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared with similar coal power plants.
SEC turnaround sparks sudden look at climate disclosure
ClimateWire – July 13, 2009
A commissioner on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that the SEC will review a plan that would require corporations to assess and reveal how climate change affects their financial future.
Obama's healthcare, climate goals hit speed bumps
Reuters – July 13, 2009
Congressional committees have moved to delay action on President Obama’s two top legislative priorities, climate and healthcare, until September.
No turbines on Wyo. sage grouse habitat -- FWS
ClimateWire –July 13, 2009
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to fight wind farms that intrude upon Wyoming’s core sage grouse population areas. These areas cover 23% of the state.
Congress prepares to revise House bill’s carbon market oversight
Carbon Control – July 13, 2009
Numerous changes to the House climate and energy bill are likely to happen as the Senate prepares to address the issue.
Charging uphill – the art of selling the electric car
ClimateWire – July 13, 2009
Twenty-five percent of U.S. carbon emissions come from motor vehicles. Environmentalists and GM executives hope that Volt, a new electric vehicle, will be as appealing to consumers as it is good for the environment.
Boxer courts farmers to seek 'rare opportunity' for cap-and-trade bill
E&E Daily - July 15, 2009
Facing mixed support from farm groups, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer plans to include a major role for agriculture in her climate bill. Boxer believes that excluding agriculture would be detrimental, based on projected impacts of climate change on the environment and crop output.
Obama calls for more efficiency, renewables funding in House bill
E&ENews PM - July 14, 2009
In a statement, President Obama called for an additional $68 million for renewable energy and energy efficiency the Department of Energy’s 2010 budget. He also urged the Appropriations Committee to reconsider its decision to withhold financing for eight energy innovation hubs.
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