Climate Change News September 19, 2008

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Climate Change News
Brought to you by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Carol Werner, Executive Director
September 19, 2008
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Arctic Sea Ice Melt Reaches Second-Lowest Level in Generation

On September 16, scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado announced that the Arctic Sea ice had reached its second lowest size since the beginning of the satellite era.  The level of ice was 33 percent less than the overall average since measurements began. "While above the record minimum set on September 16, 2007, this year further reinforces the strong negative trend in summertime ice extent observed over the past 30 years," said the Center’s news release.  With the end of summer fast approaching, the Arctic has finished its melt for the year and will begin its annual cycle of growth with the colder temperatures of autumn.  “It’s hard to see the summer ice coming back in any substantial way,” said Dr. Walter Meier of the Center.  

For additional information see:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/sep/HQ_08234_Artic_Sea_Ice.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/science/earth/17ice.html?ref=world
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/09/17/eaice1...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080917.ARCTIC17/TPSto...


Study Says Greening Will Raise California’s Economy

On September 17, California state regulators released an economic analysis of the state’s global warming plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions down to 1990 levels and concluded that by 2020, there would be an increase in the state’s gross product by $4 billion, 100,000 additional jobs and an increase in per capita income of $200. "Our historic effort here in California to deal with the crisis of global warming will also have a benefit of saving our businesses and residents money," stated Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols. "These are good-news numbers. We are not claiming this is the way to economic salvation. But making our state more energy-efficient and less reliant on imported oil . . . will have a net positive effect."  

Some businesses attacked the plan, saying it would cause companies to leave California to establish themselves in less restrictive states.  "The plan assumes all these investments by businesses, utilities and consumers," said Dorothy Rothrock, vice president of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. "Where will all the upfront capital come from? This analysis is long on wishful thinking but short on economic reality." Nichols acknowledged that electricity rates may rise, but that efficiency measures would offset any net price increase.  As for capital, she said, "Investment money is available for clean and green technology in California. It is in the billions. Investors are out there looking for a place to spend it."

For additional information see:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jYBxKCrlt2QL7iJ-tAjY1yTGknsAD938Q5K81
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-me-climate18-2008sep18,0,5416425.stor...
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1749174620080918
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/18/MNVQ13000N.D...


Chicago Unveils Plan to Curb Greenhouse Gases

On September 18, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced a plan to sharply reduce the city’s carbon dioxide emissions  25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.  “People think in terms of polar ice caps and rising ocean levels, but this takes a look at what would happen to a Midwestern city like Chicago if nothing is done,” said Ron Burke, with the Union of Concerned Scientists, which helped construct the plan. This was the first time a major American city has produced models that show the local effects of climate change. The plan includes implementing renewable energy technologies, energy efficient buildings, improved transportation and reducing industrial pollution. The city is also asking residents and businesses to reduce their own emissions by making 13 changes listed on chicagoclimateaction.org, which include adjusting thermostats and replacing light bulbs.  “We can't solve the world's climate change problem in Chicago, but we can do our part," said Daley. "We have a shared responsibility to protect our planet."

For additional information see:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-chicago-climate-change-18se...
http://www.chicagoclimateaction.org/pages/chicago_climate_action_plan/45...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jseSSvGYaHVKl5SHWei9RMZ_3IwwD939M46G1
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/19chicago.html?ref=science


CO2 Regulation Could Hit One Million US Firms

On September 16, the US Chamber of Commerce warned of bureaucratic gridlock and a slowdown for economic development for over 1 million US businesses if carbon regulation legislation is enacted.  “It's a money problem," said William Kovacs, the Chamber's expert on environment and regulatory affairs. "Each facility has to negotiate with EPA as to the technology that will be put in place. Eventually, there's no longer any economic development because no one can get a permit." The chamber said the regulations would affect any company that releases over 250 tons of CO2 annually, which equates to about 1 million mid-sized-to-large commercial buildings.  

The regulations have not yet been put in place, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to analyze data and accept public comment until late November.  Some environmentalists have faulted the Chamber for not seriously acknowledging the problems associated with climate change. "This is a purely political campaign to prevent EPA and the country from even having a reasoned conversation about the very serious problem of global warming," said John Walke, a former EPA attorney, now at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSN1529571120080916


Ice Core Studies Confirm Accuracy of Climate Models

In the September 11 online edition of Science, a study revealed a remarkable correlation between CO2 levels and sudden changes in climate.  The study was performed by analyzing the levels of CO2 and other gases trapped in ancient Antarctic ice cores.  "We've identified a consistent and coherent pattern of carbon dioxide fluctuations from the past and are able to observe the correlation of this to temperature in the northern and southern hemispheres," said Ed Brook, an associate professor of geosciences at Oregon State University. "This is a global, interconnected system of ocean and atmosphere, and data like these help us better understand how it works."  The data confirms predictions made by computer models that projected a warming climate with increased levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.  "In every historic sequence we observed, the abrupt warming of Greenland occurred about when carbon dioxide was at maximum levels," Brook said. "And that was during an Ice Age, and at levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide that are far lower than those we have today."

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080911150048.htm


Small Glaciers Account for Much of Greenland’s Ice Loss
 
In the September 18 issue of Geophysical Research Letters, researchers from Ohio State University reported that about 75 percent of Greenland ice loss can be attributed to small coastal glaciers. “We were able to see for the first time that there is widespread thinning at the margin of the Greenland ice sheet throughout this region,” said Ian Howat, an assistant professor of earth sciences and a researcher with Ohio State's Byrd Polar Research Center. "We're talking about the region that is within 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the ice edge. That whole area is thinning rapidly."  The data came from two ground-observing satellites, one which measured ice over flat regions and the other which measured changes in steeper parts of the ice sheet.  "We simply merged those data sets to give us for the first time a picture of ice elevation change – the rate at which the ice is either going up or down – at a very high (656-foot or 200-meter) resolution,” said Howat.  “Our work shows that by combining satellite data in the right way, we can get a much better picture of what's going on.”  

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915121319.htm


Hot Year Damages Carbon Uptake by Plants

In the September 17 issue of Nature, a team of scientists suggested that an abnormally hot year stifles the amount of carbon plants and soil can absorb for up to two years.  "This is the first study to quantitatively track the response in carbon dioxide uptake and loss in entire ecosystems during anomalously warm years," said lead author Jay Arnone, a research professor at the Desert Research Institute.  The data has made scientists rethink the ability of grasses to act as carbon sinks.  The experiment involved carving out plots of grassland from Oklahoma to create miniature ecosystems that were exposed to various degrees of temperature changes and measuring how long the damaging effects lasted.  “This is a nicely controlled experiment that documents the legacy effects of an extended heat wave,” says Alan K. Knapp, a grassland ecologist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. “It’s a nice demonstration of what many of us had already suspected.”

For additional information see:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmbPbOdA05khehMcAX-aehvP2ODg
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/09/17/grass-carbon-sink.html
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/36532/title/Heat_waves_stunt_...
http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/09/17/circular-global-warm...


Curbing Coal Emissions Alone Might Avert Climate Danger, Say Researchers

In the August 5 issue of Global Biogeochemical Cycles, climatologists Pushker Kharecha and James Hansen of NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies published a study that points to burning coal as the primary culprit behind greenhouse gas emissions. "This is the first paper that explicitly melds the two vital issues of global peak oil production and human-induced climate change," said Kharecha. "We found that because coal is much more plentiful than oil or gas, reducing coal emissions is absolutely essential to avoid dangerous climate change."  Hansen’s previous research suggests that disintegration of the West Antarctic ice sheet and Arctic sea ice could reach tipping points if CO2 exceeds a concentration of about 450 parts per million, which is only 17 percent more than the current level.  Feedback mechanisms could also be triggered that could lead to an even faster rate of melting.

To understand the trajectory of CO2, Kharecha and Hansen studied five emissions scenarios from 1850 to 2100, each of which assumes a different estimate for the global peak production of fossil fuels.  The results led the researchers to conclude emissions from coal must be reduced.  "We're illustrating the types of action needed to get to target carbon dioxide levels," Kharecha said. "The most important mitigation strategy we recommend—a phase-out of carbon dioxide emissions from coal within the next few decades—is feasible using current or near-term technologies."

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080910160757.htm


Remove All Man-Made Carbon Emissions from Atmosphere, Expert Warns

On September 15, Professor John Schellnhuber, director of the German Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, warned that all countries need to return to pre-industrial levels of CO2 to ensure the planet has a safe future.  In an interview with The Guardian, Prof. Schellnhuber said, "We have to start pondering that it might not be enough to stabilize carbon levels. We should not rule out that it might be necessary to bring them down again."   

His plan calls for the removal of all man-made atmospheric CO2.  He says that small temperature increases could result in tipping points like the release of methane from permafrost and rising sea levels. "It is a very sweeping argument, but nobody can say for sure that 330ppm is safe," he said. "Perhaps it will not matter whether we have 270ppm or 320ppm, but operating well outside the [historic] realm of carbon dioxide concentrations is risky as long as we have not fully understood the relevant feedback mechanisms."

For additional information see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/15/climatechange.carbonem...


Investors Press for Disclosure of Tar Sands' Climate Risk

On September 15, F & C Management, Britain’s oldest investment trust, has come together with a group of US and Canadian fund managers to stop Wall Street financial regulators from softening the rules on tar sands, arguing that new rules should account for the carbon impact of reserves disclosed by oil and gas companies.  "Understanding climate risk will assist investors in understanding and evaluating reserves," said Elizabeth McGeveran, senior vice-president in F&C's governance and sustainable investment team.  "SEC [US Securities and Exchange Commission] regulations already require the disclosure of known trends that companies can reasonably expect will have a material impact on net sales, revenues or income from continuing operations, and we believe that the disclosure of any estimated additional risks posed by the extraction and development of additional reserves will be important."  The move stems from recent investor concerns about the environmental impacts of commercial industries.

For additional information see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/sep/15/fcassetmanagement.oilandg...


Lehman Brothers Shuts Carbon Trading Desk

On September 15, Lehman Brothers shut down its carbon trading desk after filing for bankruptcy protection, causing European carbon futures to drop four percent.  Lehman’s membership on the IntercontinentalExchange, which includes the European Climate Exchange, the world's largest emissions trading exchange, was suspended.  Lehman has stakes in 10 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, mostly located in China. "If Lehmans have entered into direct contracts with counterparties in the developing world, chances are these contracts are probably not that complex," said one London-based broker.  "Provisions in the case of bankruptcy probably won't have been included unless Lehmans introduced them unilaterally ... to protect themselves in case of the small (project owner) declaring bankruptcy."

For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSLF7510320080915
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/09/15/afx5423559.htm...


Britain's Worst Polluters Set for Windfall Profits from Carbon Trading

On September 12, an investigation by The Guardian revealed that the over-allocation of carbon permits under the European emissions trading scheme will result in windfall profits to some of Britain’s worst polluters. "The way this is set up the environment takes all the risk and business doesn't take any. Hundreds of companies have been given a free ride while those that do have to buy permits can simply pass on the costs,” said Bryony Worthington, founder of Sandbag, part of the Guardian Environment Network.  "That means electricity customers are effectively subsidizing heavy industry's right to pollute, while being urged to make environmental sacrifices in their own lives."

Seventy Labor party members of parliament have petitioned Prime Minister Gordon Brown to enact a windfall tax on energy companies’ profits.  Britain faces an economic downturn that includes problems like home repossessions and unemployment.  “Ministers need to focus their efforts on protecting those at greatest risk. That means greater support for people living under the threat of having their homes repossessed and helping the large number of vulnerable people who will be hit with huge energy bills this winter,” said Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman.

For additional information see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/12/emissionstrading
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4608196.ece


Canadian Board of Trade Asks to Freeze the Carbon Tax

On September 16, the Vancouver Board of Trade requested that British Columbia halt raising its carbon tax until more is known of its effects. "We recommend the government postpone implementation of further carbon-tax increases pending evaluation of any changes in [consumer] behavior and usage of carbon-based products to determine if some permanent shifts and travel patterns have occurred," said board member Bernard Magnan.  “The government must also measure the impact of these measures, making sure the carbon emissions reductions are achieved.”

The carbon tax began on July 1 and added nearly 2.5 cents to the cost of a liter of fuel. The tax will be phased in over 5 years resulting in fuel at an extra 7.24 cents per liter by 2012.  Magnan claimed that some inequalities have surfaced as a result of the tax and would like to see those studied as well.  "Inequalities are inevitable, especially in business. The government must be prepared to move swiftly to deal with these inequalities," he said.

For additional information see:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6960c544-2d36-4eb1...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080916.wbcbudget16/...
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/09/15/bc-vancouver-...


Norway Donates Up to One Billion Dollars to Prevent Brazilian Deforestation

On September 17, Norway pledged $1 billion to Brazil to preserve the Amazon rain forest and aid its attempts to prevent deforestation.  "Efforts against deforestation may give us the largest, quickest and cheapest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. "Brazilian efforts against deforestation are therefore of vital importance if we shall succeed in our campaign against global warming." Eighty percent of Brazil’s greenhouse gases come from deforestation and the burning of trees.  Norway plans to give Brazil $21 million this year and $210 million next year, but plans to donate the full $1 billion only after clear documentation shows that deforestation is being reduced. "The day that every developed country has the same attitude as Norway, we'll certainly begin to trust that global warming can be diminished," said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

For additional information see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7621179.stm
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN1649421720080916
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jEs9956qrGDAfDIQKOdaqzw6NDJA
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gPLBXbMWFoI6rs4dfjeEmYay3nuAD9386TE80


Korea Launches First Carbon Trading Company

On September 17, South Korea announced its plans to start its first carbon trading firm, Korean Carbon Finance (KCF), this month with start-up capital of $4.4 million.  The firm would fund clean energy projects and encourage investment in emissions trading. "KCF will help invigorate the market for greenhouse gas reductions in Northeast Asia," the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said in a statement.  "The company will trade carbon offset credits (CERs) produced by domestic companies and secure investments from private equity funds to invest in carbon derivatives and greenhouse gas reduction projects." South Korea's Clean Development Mechanism market is the world's fourth largest after China, India and Brazil.

For additional information see: http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKSEO37065020080917
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16774
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jIMyIj-iCZCL2caeBGB3YGmLyq2A
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/09/123_31165.html


International Conference on Climate Change Held in Kenya
 
On September 18, Kenya hosted an international conference of experts on climate change, including representatives from the private sector, academia, government and civil society, as well as youth organizations, to discuss the impacts of climate change on Africa.  “Kenyans are in the middle of an intense debate on the place of environment and climate on the economic process. Our government is addressing climate change at the highest levels,” said Prime Minister Raila Odinga.  Kenya has plans to mitigate the effects of climate change through general growth of the economy in order to achieve its economic goal of full industrialization as detailed in Vision 2030, the 22-year-long growth plan.  “We are identifying potential projects in cogeneration, renewable energy including geothermal and wind power, and this conference is an essential starting point for the networks we need,” said Odinga.

For additional information see:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/16/content_10037737.htm
http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=52592
http://www.afriquenligne.fr/kenya-shifts-focus-to-renewable-energy-to-co...


Events

September 24-25, 2008     US Carbon Finance Forum

The potential for the US carbon trading market has recently been estimated to be three times the size of the European market. With estimated demand surpassing $1billion a year, the progression towards a federal cap-and-trade system has been eagerly followed by investors, traders and industrial companies. The US Carbon Finance Forum will unite investors with representatives from finance, industry and government bodies, to examine how carbon legislation will affect stakeholders in the United States, and to identify existing opportunities in carbon markets worldwide. The forum will take place at The Metropolitan Club in New York City, New York, September 24-25, 2008. For more information please see http://www.uscarbonfinance.com/?LS=EMS202578.

Various Green Building Events    September 22-27

The U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. is hosting several events relating to energy-efficient building practices during the week of September 22-27.  For details on these events, please visit www.usbg.gov/education/events/index.cfm.  A strawbale house built by Builders Without Borders is also on display at the Botanic Garden.  EESI featured strawbale construction in a recent briefing on Capitol Hill, and more information about this affordable, durable, and energy efficient building strategy can be found at http://www.eesi.org/briefings/2008/062008_strawbale/062008_strawbale_not....


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