Planet TIGER

December 7, 2009

US Conservatives Wary of Climate Change Mandates

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 10:32 am

Wind_power_plants_in_Xinjiang,_China

Planet Tiger

Some Americans feel cost of climate change legislation is greater than benefit

Climate change legislation, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, appears stalled in the Senate.  Many conservatives in America simply don’t want it.  

“No country is more important than the United States in resolving these climate change issues,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said.  

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hosted an important guest some weeks back.  Moon is a strong voice on the need for mandated changes in greenhouse gas emissions. 

But climate change legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives, appears stalled in the Senate, in line behind healthcare and financial services reform.  The bills would require cuts in U.S CO2 emissions.

Democratic Senator John Kerry says passage before Copenhagen won’t happen. “We hope to be headed to Copenhagen with an outline at least of where our legislation is going at least on the floor of the Senate,” he said.

Climate policy analyst Jake Schmidt says passing strong legislation promptly is crucial if the U.S. is to be a leader on the environment. “Well clearly before we are really credible players in international eyes, we have to have domestic legislation that enforces our commitments,” he said.

The White House says the president will propose at Copenhagen a U.S. emissions target of 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. 

David Kreutzer is an economist who tracks climate change for the conservative Heritage Foundation. He says the Senate bill faces hurdles, much like the bill in the House did.

“One of the problems is that the Waxman-Markey bill, the one in the House, passed only by 7 votes after a lot of wheeling and dealing and horse-trading and so on and that was right before the 4th of July break and it turned out it was fairly unpopular when legislators went home,” he said.

Kreutzer and other conservatives insist that legislation curbing C02 emissions will cost the U.S. economy trillions of dollars and do little to bring down global temperature. 

Kreutzer urges President Obama to just say no in Copenhagen to binding  mandates. “The real leadership that we should offer is to say this is a bad deal,” he said. “This cutting carbon imposes a cost on the world economy that far exceeds any benefits.”

Kreutzer is also against proposals for developed countries to help fund the clean up of developing nations.   “The citizens of the United States aren’t at all convinced that we have a global warming problem that is severe enough for a blank check solution,” he stated.

Environmentalists like the Earth Policy Institute’s Janet Larsen say this is dangerous talk. She’s attending the conference in Copenhagen.

“The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at about 387 parts per million.  That’s a level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere the world may not have seen in the last 50 million years, so we are clearly moving into un-charted territory,” she said.

One of the goals of Copenhagen is to lay the groundwork for an international treaty that binds nations in the area of climate change.  The Senate would have to ratify the treaty for it to take effect in the U.S.

(voanews.com)

World Bank Wants Climate Change Issue to Be Connected to Development

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: — admin @ 10:08 am

world-bank-logo

Planet Tiger
Robert Zoellick says rich countries need to appreciate developing needs of poorer countries

The World Bank wants the issue of climate change to be connected to strategies of growth and development. The World Bank also says that strong economic growth in India is helping the world recover from the global financial crisis.

World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick says he expects a series of political commitments at the United Nations conference on climate change starting next week in Copenhagen.

Zoellick, who is in India to meet top leaders, was speaking to reporters in New Delhi Friday.

He says that to bring developing countries into the process of cooperating on climate change, richer countries will have to appreciate their development needs. For example, Zoellick points out that 400 million people in India, and about 10 per cent in several countries of Sub Saharan Africa, still have no access to energy.

The World Bank wants to assist developing countries in adopting low carbon use as they try to generate more electricity and develop new industries.

Zoellick says that in India for example, there is tremendous potential to tap hydro power and solar power. “This has multiple benefits because it is not only solar production. But we think there is opportunities given some of the great technology capabilities in India to develop this as another industry which can also be a source of exports,” he said.

Zoellick says developing nations should also focus on improving energy efficiencies in existing industries and sectors such as transportation to cut down their carbon emissions. “In much of the developing world there are still huge gains to be had, win-win gains by using energy more efficiently,” he said.

The World Bank chief says India is playing an important role in helping the world emerge from the recent economic slowdown. He expects the country to return to the high rates of growth of eight to nine per cent over the next one or two years. “India is now a rising economic power that handled the recent economic crisis very well. It contributed to world economic stability and could become a pole of global economic growth over time,” he said.

He however adds that there is still a long road ahead for India’s poor. He says the challenge for the country is to improve development and infrastructure. India is one of the largest recipients of World Bank aid – it has received more than $5 billion this year to support projects in areas such as power, roads, water and rural development.
(voanews.com)

Copenhagen Climate Change Talks Facing Pressure for a Deal

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 9:31 am

climate change 1 itsafineday

Planet Tiger

The international conference on climate change opens Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark, hosting thousands of participants and observers hoping to reach a deal to combat global warming. Initial expectations have been scaled back, but pressure remains for a substantive political agreement.

The international conference on climate change opens Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark, hosting thousands of participants and observers hoping to reach a deal to combat global warming. Initial expectations have been scaled back, but pressure remains for a substantive political agreement.

For the next two weeks this city plays host to experts, officials, activists and eventually world leaders as they try to clinch a deal.

Speaking to journalists on the eve of the conference, top U.N. climate official Yvo de Boer said it is time to act.

“Time is up,” said Yvo de Boer. “Over the next two weeks, governments have to deliver a strong and long-term response to the challenges of climate change.”

The goal was to reach a legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, blamed for heating up the atmosphere. But big questions remain over who cuts, by how much, who pays and what it will cost.

Initial expectations for Copenhagen have been scaled back to try to reach political agreement on a framework, with a detailed, binding treaty to follow.

More steps will be needed, said Yvo de Boer, but he remained confident.

“Never in the 17 years of climate change negotiations have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together,” he said.

That, said de Boer, makes this conference a turning point already. Certainly many Copenhagen residents hope that is true and they see climate change as a crucial issue.

MAN: “I think the most important thing we can politically is to force the leaders to take seriously the problems we are facing.”

MAN: “The issue is important for my future and my children’s future as well.”

COUPLE: “It is very important. Super important – it involves all of us whether we live here in Denmark or whether we live in Asia or in North America, for that matter.”

MAN: “I think it is very important for the people in the world that we do something about it right now.”

Copenhagen has embraced the conference – with posters and reminders of what is at stake at almost every corner. One exhibit has taken a different tack – with large posters of some of the world’s beauty spots – remaining wilderness and wildlife.

The exhibit is meant as a message to world leaders, when they come here, to make sure such beauty remains for future generations.

(voanews.com)

December 6, 2009

Copenhagen Conference to Tackle Global Warming

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , , — admin @ 5:55 pm

storms summer

Planet Tiger

Two-week conference aims to achieve legally binding agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and has been billed as last best chance to clinch a deal.

UN officials, climate experts, environmental activists, and more than 60 world leaders gather in Copenhagen for a two-week conference on climate change to begin December 7. Their aim is to achieve a legally binding agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But there are questions about how much can be achieved and how any agreement would be implemented.

The Copenhagen conference has been billed as the last best chance to clinch a deal, but doubts have been raised whether it can do that.

Environmental groups will press the case for urgent action, says Charlie Kronick, climate advisor at Greenpeace UK.

“We need to have a legally binding agreement to reduce carbon emission in developed countries as quickly as possible,” he urged.  “And what we need along with that is a significant commitment for funding from the developed countries to the developing countries – to fund technology transfer, to fund forest protection and also to fund adaptation to climate change, that we’re already committed to,” he said.

The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for heating up the atmosphere.  And, since industrialized nations were the greatest polluters for years, they, more than others, are under pressure to cut emissions.  

But, many say developing countries also need to do more. They in turn want financial help to make the transition.

Both need to work together, says Nick Nuttall, spokesman for the UN Environment Program.

“What we’re looking for in Copenhagen is a global partnership between the North and the South, between the developed, industrialized nations and the rapidly developing ones with the other developing nations also a part of that cooperative partnership deal, which is the only way we’re going to deal with this,” he said.

Most scientists say human activity is behind global warming and that it’s up to humans to make changes to stem the tide.

But, politics and economics get in the way, says Charlie Kronick of Greenpeace.

“Governments in general and politicians all over the world are looking at a price tag that’s attached to their term of office,” he said.  “They always forget, and it’s rarely emphasized in public, that it’s better to spend the money now than in the future. The worse the problem gets, the more it costs to adapt.” 

Copenhagen is supposed to come up with a successor to the 1997 Kyoto agreement that mandated cuts in emissions.  It expires in 2012.  Some say Kyoto was doomed from the start because the United States never signed on.

But, President Obama will come to Copenhagen. And the United States has put emission cut proposals on the table.  

The conference is the moment of truth, says Nick Nuttall of the UN.

“This is the point at which governments really have to decide if they’re serious about climate and if so, what they’re going to do about it,” he said.

It now remains to be seen if politicians are listening

(voanews.com)

UN Climate Chief Calls for $30 Billion in Push for New Treaty

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 5:41 pm

storms - nasa

Daily Tiger News

On the eve of an international conference on climate change, a top U.N. official is again calling for $30 billion in fast-track aid to help poor countries ramp up efforts to control carbon emissions linked to global warming. For the full story click this link.

More than 400 EcoPassengers travelled with the Climate Express from Brussels to Copenhagen to visit the Climate Change Conference.

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 4:56 pm

Climate train

Planet Tiger

On 5 December, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of the International Union of Railways (UIC), the initiator of this special train, together with Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and James P. Leape, Director General of WWF hosted more than 400 high level EcoPassengers: climate change negotiators, rail business leaders, environmental activists, journalists and a group of Young Climate Champions on board of the Climate Express taking them to COP 15 in Copenhagen.

The Climate Express is part Train to Copenhagen’ campaign aiming to support and encourage decision-makers to delivering a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the first international effort to cut green house gas emissions. Its purpose is also to send out the message that the next-generation climate agreement and its supporting policies and procedures need to address the transport sector’s growing emissions

Russia’s greenhouse gas emissions: trends and long-term projections

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 4:50 pm

Safonov

Planet Tiger

Dr. George V. Safonov, who is  Director Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, State University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow, has written an illuminating article. Visit the UN Climate Change Conference website here for the full story.

Dr. George V. Safonov, Director Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, State University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow06/12/2009 13:05/12/2009 13:05

UN Panel to Investigate Claims Climate Change Scientists Suppressed Data

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 3:15 pm

climate change 1 itsafineday

(itsafineday)

Planet Tiger

The accusation came after emails leaked from British university were posted on the Internet. Climate change proponents say leak intended to derail talks at next week’s Copenhagen Conference.

The U.N. Panel on Climate Change says it will investigate claims that leading climate change scientists suppressed or manipulated data. The accusation came after emails leaked from a British university were posted on the Internet. Climate change proponents say the leak was intended to derail talks at next week’s Copenhagen Conference. 

The head of the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change says he will look into allegations that scientists at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit in Britain may have tried to manipulate Climate Change data. Dr. Rajendra Pachauri told the BBC that the U.N. will investigate.

“We certainly don’t want to brush anything under the carpet,” he said. “This is a serious issue and we will look into it in detail.”

A series of leaked emails from the British University appeared to refer to scientists trying to keep some research out of U.N. reports.  The head of the  university department says the relatively few emails have been taken out of context, but has stepped down until an internal review can be carried out.

Environmentalist and writer Jonathan Porritt says whatever the truth, it is a serious issue.

“There’s clearly some irresponsibility that’s been going on at the very least, and possibly worse in terms of not being transparent about the data that should be in the public domain,” he said.

Philip Stott, a professor in biogeography at the University of London and a climate change skeptic, says the leaked emails call into question the whole scientific basis of the climate change argument.

“Seeing things happen doesn’t necessarily give us an idea of cause, in other words, you’re going to have climate change whatever happens,” he said.

Stott believes there are still unanswered questions about the direct correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, and questions whether limiting emissions will do anything to help.

“There is an element of human influence on climate,  unquestionably so,” he said. “My worry all along has been a very simple one. In so complex a system, managing one factor at the margins will not produce a predictable outcome.”

Both Stott and Porritt agree, that politicians may have the most at stake if the United Nations Climate data is called into serious question.

“There is no equivalent of this anywhere else in the world,” Porritt said. “Twenty years worth of very high-powered scientists getting together, sharing knowledge,  sharing data, getting things published in peer review journals, blah blah blah, this is a unique process. If we see the integrity of that process damaged, then it makes life much harder for politicians.”

It is the politicians who will have to try to come to an agreement at the Copenhagen conference next week, including U.S. President Barack Obama, who will be among world leaders attending.

(voanews.com)

Australian Research Shows Warmer Water Raises Aggression In Fish

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — admin @ 2:39 pm

Australia-climate-map_MJC01_sv

Planet Tiger

New research in Australia has shown that coral reef fish can undergo radical personality changes in warmer water, work that suggests climate change may make some marine species more aggressive. Experiments have been conducted on two species of young damselfish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which have shown that water temperatures can alter a fish’s behavior.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney have said that a slight increase in water temperature of just one or two degrees Celsius may cause some fish to become up to 30 times more active and aggressive.

Scientists believe that as the water becomes warmer, the animals’ metabolism rapidly speeds up.  Fish are ectotherms and their body temperature is the same as the environment around them.

There are concerns that as the world’s oceans heat up under the effects of climate change, then bolder, more active fish may increasingly become targets for predators.

Dr. Peter Biro, from the University of New South Wales School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, explains this theory.

“If you are an individual fish swimming around the environment and you are active all the time, you are going to be visible and encounter predators more than an individual that is inactive, right, and so these activity level differences and boldness level differences in relation to temperature are going to have effects on risk to predation,” he said.  “And as a result of the warmer water temperatures animals were more active and they were more bold in the face of predators and that essentially got them killed.”      

Biro said the idea that fish have personalities may seem surprising but that such knowledge is important to help scientists understanding how animals respond to ecological challenges.

It is unknown what the long-effects of climate change may have on fish populations, although the team at the University of New South Wales believes that certain species could well adapt to warmer conditions.

Problems, however, could occur if the warming of the oceans fluctuates erratically, which would make it more difficult for marine animals to acclimatise.

The research was conducted on damsel fish, which are small, brightly coloured specimens that inhabit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.


Scientists have insisted the future of the world’s largest coral system is threatened by pollution, global warming and rising levels of acidity in the ocean. 

The reef stretches for more than 2,000 kilometers along the Australian continent’s northeast coast and is home to a sparkling array of mollusks, fish, sea snakes and birds.  The World Heritage Area attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.

(voanews.com)

World Bank Wants Climate Change Issue to Be Connected to Development

Filed under: CLIMATE CHANGE — Tags: , — admin @ 2:27 pm

climate change 1 itsafineday

(itsafineday)

Planet Tiger

Robert Zoellick says rich countries need to appreciate developing needs of poorer countries

The World Bank wants the issue of climate change to be connected to strategies of growth and development. The World Bank also says that strong economic growth in India is helping the world recover from the global financial crisis.

World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick says he expects a series of political commitments at the United Nations conference on climate change starting next week in Copenhagen.

Zoellick, who is in India to meet top leaders, was speaking to reporters in New Delhi Friday.

He says that to bring developing countries into the process of cooperating on climate change, richer countries will have to appreciate their development needs. For example, Zoellick points out that 400 million people in India, and about 10 per cent in several countries of Sub Saharan Africa, still have no access to energy. 

The World Bank wants to assist developing countries in adopting low carbon use as they try to generate more electricity and develop new industries.    

Zoellick says that in India for example, there is tremendous potential to tap hydro power and solar power.  “This has multiple benefits because it is not only solar production. But we think there is opportunities given some of the great technology capabilities in India to develop this as another industry which can also be a source of exports,” he said.

Zoellick says developing nations should also focus on improving energy efficiencies in existing industries and sectors such as transportation to cut down their carbon emissions. “In much of the developing world there are still huge gains to be had, win-win gains by using energy more efficiently,” he said.

The World Bank chief says India is playing an important role in helping the world emerge from the recent economic slowdown. He expects the country to return to the high rates of growth of eight to nine per cent over the next one or two years. “India is now a rising economic power that handled the recent economic crisis very well. It contributed to world economic stability and could become a pole of global economic growth over time,” he said.

He however adds that there is still a long road ahead for India’s poor. He says the challenge for the country is to improve development and infrastructure. India is one of the largest recipients of World Bank aid – it has received more than $5 billion this year to support projects in areas such as power, roads, water and rural development.

(voanews.com)

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