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Global Warming Wire and Trade Press Update - June 17, 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
Brazil could make 2.2 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2020
Climatewire – June 2, 2009
Brazil could produce more than 8 billion liters of ethanol from sugarcane waste by 2020 and earn $4 billion by exporting it, a recent report from Novozymes reports.
Rising ocean could scatter thousands of families, wreck industrial sites
Climatewire– June 5, 2009
A new study predicts that sea level will rise between 0.69 and 1.5 meters by the century’s end, claiming nearly 100,000 households along the Gulf of Mexico.
French minister says U.S. emissions proposal ‘far off mark,’ warns of border carbon tax
BNA – June 8, 2009
French government officials are skeptical of the base year and level of emissions reductions proposed in the climate change bill currently moving through Congress. Chantal Jouanno, France’s secretary of ecology, has suggested that the EU implement a border-adjustment tax on imports fight “environmental dumping” if the talks in Copenhagen this December should fail to yield major policy changes.
Ecosystems crucial to carbon storage, curbing climate change, UNEP report says
BNA – June 8, 2009
A report issued by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) highlights the major effects that tropical forests, peat lands and agriculture can have on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The report finds that tropical forests worldwide absorb about 1.3 metric tons of carbon per year, about 15% of the total human-caused carbon emissions. UNEP called for increased investments in conservation, rehabilitation, and management of these biological ecosystems, tens of billions of acres of which are being deforested each year.
China and Singapore to build model eco-city
Climatewire – June 8, 2009
China and Singapore are developing “Tianjin Eco City” in northeast China, in hopes of setting the model for eco-cities around the world. Roughly 350,000 people will inhabit the city.
Obama says ‘tough decisions’ needed, remains optimistic about U.S. leadership
BNA – June 8, 2009
In a news conference with German chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama called for resolve in regards to climate change policy, and cited optimism that the U.S. can remain a global leader in this realm. He acknowledged that if countries like China or India are going to take positive steps towards emissions reductions, the U.S. and the EU must first be willing to take decisive action.
Ontario joins international carbon action group
BNA – June 8, 2009
As part of a commitment to cut global greenhouse gas emissions, the Ontario government joined the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), an international cap-and-trade development program. Established in 2007, ICAP provides a medium for members to discuss best practices in the development of cap-and-trade programs. Ontario has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from 1990 levels by 2014, and 15% by 2020.
Indian farmers offered crop insurance for climate change
Climatewire– June 10, 2009
MicroEnsure, a company that works with poor communities, plans to extend crop insurance coverage to 600,000 Indian farmers. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and financed by the Indian government, the new coverage scheme aims to protect against crop failures that will result from expected effects of climate change, such as drought and heavy rain.
Japan sets 2020 climate target, some say weak
Reuters – June 10, 2009
Japan announced its plans to cut GHG emissions over the coming decade. The reductions would lower their emission levels 8% below 1990 levels by 2020. These targets are only slightly more aggressive than Japan’s current U.N. commitments.
UN climate talks advance, poor urge more CO2 cuts
Reuters – June 12, 2009
Climate talks in Bonn, Germany made progress towards a new U.N. treaty regarding climate change, however, many of developing countries are still looking to rich countries to make stronger emissions reductions.
Nations may form global CO2 market without U.N. deal
Reuters – June 12, 2009
Even if U.N. climate talks do not generate an official negotiation, many rich countries plan on creating a carbon market that they hope will attract poor nations as well.
Some progress in Bonn, but delegates take the slow road to Copenhagen
Climatewire – June 15, 2009
After two weeks of negotiations, top U.N. officials said that developed countries are still falling short of their emissions reduction range to meet the challenges of climate change.
U.S. officials expect sharp CO2 reductions from China
Climatewire – June 15, 2009
"We are expecting China to reduce emissions very considerably compared to where they would otherwise be," Todd Stern said at a State Department briefing upon his return from a weeklong trip to China. However, Stern does not expect China to set a national emissions cap.
Chinese officials call for continuation of Clean Development Mechanism after 2012
BNA – June 15, 2009
Chinese climate change officials defended the continuation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) after the compliance period for the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. The CDM is the process by which developed nations subject to the Kyoto Protocol emissions reductions requirements are allowed to meet their obligations by funding reduction projects in developing countries. China is the global leader in CDM projects and is a major beneficiary from the program.
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U.S. News
Midwestern governors release cap-and-trade recommendations
Climatewire – June 9, 2009
A group of Midwestern governors from the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord released recommendations for a regional cap-and-trade plan. The recommendations demonstrate resolve to reduce emissions even if the climate change and energy bill moving through Congress fails. The plans include a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2080. Formed in 2007, members of the Accord are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the province of Manitoba.
U.S. carbon market seen rocketing to $2T
E&E News PM – June 11, 2009
Commissioner Bart Chilton of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission says that the carbon futures market might be worth $2 trillion in five years, becoming the world’s largest commodity market if Congress passes climate change legislation.
2009 Mayors' climate protection award winners announced
The Energy Daily –June 12, 2009
Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver, Colorado and Mayor Thomas Leighton of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania received the 2009 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Mayor Hickenlooper won the award in the large city category for his work on FastTracks, one of the most ambitious public transportation initiatives in U.S. history. An efficient energy service program in Wilkes-Barre is saving the city $170,000 annually.
Florida Crystals joins faces of climate change campaign
The Energy Daily – June 12, 2009
The Florida Crystals Corporation joined the growing list of corporations that support federal legislation to create a cap-and-trade system for regulating greenhouse-gas emissions. Florida Crystals, a leading producer of organic sugar, uses biomass from sugarcane waste to power their refineries and purchases carbon credits from CarbonFund.org making them the only producers in the U.S. to offer carbon neutral sugar products.
FutureGen carbon sequestration project cancelled last year, will restart, Chu says
BNA – June 15, 2009
Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced the revival of a coal-gasification plant in Mattoon, IL, cancelled in January 2008, indicating the commitment by the Obama Administration to developing carbon capture and storage. The coal-fired power plant will capture carbon dioxide emissions and inject them underground. Chu said that this move will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gases.
Western governors sign U.S. agreement on renewables, habitat
E&E News PM – June 15, 2009
The Western Governor’s Association completed the first phase of the Western Renewable Energy Zones report which identifies lands suitable for low-impact development of renewables and analyzes transmission costs. The Association is collaborating with the U.S. secretaries of Energy, Agriculture and Interior to establish a database on wildlife habitat and corridors that will aid in renewable energy planning efforts.
Senate energy amendments seen as softening federal climate measures
Carbon Control – June 15, 2009
Several amendments to the Senate climate bill were adopted that many feel dull the impact of federal climate legislation. In particular, environmentalists are concerned about an amendment that weakens a provision in the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007 prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing fuels with more life-cycle carbon emissions than petroleum-based fuels.
Can reflective roofs help solve warming?
Greenwire – June 15, 2009
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said painting rooftops white could help slow global warming by reflecting more sunlight and heat. White roofs reflect 75% of global energy which helps to heat and cool buildings more efficiently.
Wind, solar poised to make big contributions by 2020 – report
E&E News PM – June 15, 2009
Renewable energy sources could supply 20% of U.S. electricity by 2035 and provide significant job opportunities if policies creating market incentives are in place.
EPA announces $10M for 'showcase' projects
E&E News PM – June 15, 2009
The U.S. EPA is granting $10 million to help local and tribal governments develop and implement climate change projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
Kerry urges expanded U.S. efforts on emissions
E&E News PM – June 15, 2009
Sen. Kerry urged immediate action domestically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and U.S. leadership in international climate change negotiations, citing growing warnings about climate change effects that threaten national security and put populations at risk. Recent projections indicate displacement from global warming-related disasters will be in the millions, outnumbering refugees from warfare.
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