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EPA Finds Greenhouse Gases Pose Danger to Public On April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pose a danger to the public's health and welfare. The EPA said it found that “greenhouse gases in the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations” and human activities spur global warming. “These high atmospheric levels are the unambiguous result of human emissions, and are very likely the cause of the observed increase in average temperatures and other climatic changes,” the agency said in its finding. Earlier this week, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) gave its approval to the EPA proposal, which followed the April 2007 Supreme Court decision requiring the EPA to rule on whether or not GHG emissions pose a danger to the public. “This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President Obama’s call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation,” EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. “This pollution problem has a solution – one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country’s dependence on foreign oil.” It was noted in the press release by the EPA that both President Obama and Jackson have indicated a preference for comprehensive legislation to address this issue versus regulations under the Clean Air Act. For additional information see:
U.S. Greenhouse Emissions Rose 1.4 Percent in 2007 On April 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report showing overall emissions in 2007 rose 1.4 percent over emissions in the previous year. The annual report Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2007 indicated that total emissions for the top six greenhouse gases (GHG) were equivalent to 7,150 million metric tons of CO2 and that emissions for the country have increased 17.2 percent from 1990 to 2007. The Inventory was submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The increase in emissions is attributed primarily to higher consumption levels for heating fuels and electricity as a consequence of a cooler winter and a warmer summer, as well as more fossil fuel generated electricity due to a decrease in hydropower generation. For additional information see:
U.S. Coal Emissions to Drop 2.6 Percent This Year For additional information see:
Study Finds Emissions Cuts Could Suppress Major Effects of Climate Change For additional information see:
World Will Not Meet 2°C Warming Target, Climate Change Experts Agree On April 14, The Guardian released results from a poll which found that over 85 percent of climate scientists polled believe political efforts will not be great enough to restrict global warming increases to 2°C by the end of the century. The Guardian received 261 responses after contacting all 1,756 people who registered for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen in December. Nearly half of 182 specialists that responded thought temperatures were more likely to reach 3-4°C by the end of the century, as opposed to staying at or below the 2°C threshold target set by the European Union and used by most politicians. Though 60 percent felt that the 2°C target was “still technically and economically possible,” only 1 percent of the specialists thought it actually would stay at or under 2°C, and some of those respondents admitted that their answer was based more on “hope” than on “scientific facts.” The experts stressed that this reality means greater emphasis should be placed on damage limitation. For additional information see:
Browner: United States Needs to be World Energy Leader Again On April 13, Carol Browner told a forum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that President Obama intends to reassert the United States as an international leader on climate change and that domestic action is “absolutely essential” for discussions on what can be achieved at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen at the end of the year. Browner, the chief White House advisor on energy and climate change, said, “It is the strong preference of the administration that we secure legislation. . . . Copenhagen and the position we can take will be driven by what we are prepared to do domestically.” The forum was hosted by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)), co-author of a recent draft global warming bill and chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Markey said that although his proposed bill would allocate free carbon credits for some energy intensive industries, a failure by Congress to act could result in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that offer “less flexibility.” Browner noted support from leaders in the House and Senate and said, “I am very confident Congress is going to act. . . . We talk to the staffs virtually every day on our efforts with Congress.” For additional information see:
EPA Evaluates Ocean Acidification as a Threat Under Clean Water Act On April 14, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “notice of data availability” calling for information and data on ocean acidification which can be used by the agency to evaluate water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act. The notice is a response to a 2007 formal petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) to utilize recent scientific knowledge in updating the pH criteria for ocean water quality. The EPA has not altered the language surrounding the pH standard since 1976. Studies have shown that the CO2 absorption by the ocean has intensified due to increased atmospheric CO2 levels. The result has been higher levels of acidity in the oceans and potentially negative effects on marine animals and coral reefs. Miyoko Sakashita, an attorney with CBD, said, “The federal government has finally acknowledged that ocean acidification is a threat. . . . Now it must take the next step and fully implement the Clean Water Act to protect our nation's waters from 'the other CO2 problem.’” The EPA has offered a 60 day period for stakeholders to supply ocean acidification data and information upon which a decision will be made on whether to establish a new waterquality standard. For additional information see:
Kansas Governor Vetoes Coal Plant Bill On April 13, Kansas Governor Sebelius vetoed a bill approved by the State’s Senate and House that would allow two coal-fired plants to be built in western Kansas. This is the fourth coal plant bill rejected in the past two years by the governor, who said, “The bill before me now attempts to take us down that failed path once again. What was a bad idea last year is an even worse idea today.” Gov. Sebelius said the plants proposed by Sunflower Electric Power Corp would be a backward step for the state, as they produce too much CO2, which President Obama is moving to regulate. She added that about 85 percent of the 1400 megawatts of energy produced by the plants would be exported to other states, and that Sunflower’s own reports say their customers will not need additional power until 2018. The Governor also criticized parts of the legislation, intended to support conservation and renewable energy, as weak. Supporters of the coal plants argue that the projects will spawn job creation and private investment in the state, in addition to meeting current and future energy demands. “Our board knows that this project will allow our member cooperatives to provide Kansans with job opportunities and reliable power at the lowest possible cost, which are essential for the way of life that we value,” said Sunflower spokeswoman Cindy Hertel. She also said they are confident that the state legislature, currently on break until April 29, could override the veto. For additional information see:
Climate Change Could Doom Many California Crops In the April-June issue of California Agriculture, peer-reviewed articles by researchers at the University of California were compiled into a comprehensive guide to the projected consequences of climate change on food production and the environment. “We need to begin preparing now for the challenges of our changing environment,” one of the authors wrote. Some of the forecasted issues associated with climate change as depicted by the various articles include higher sea levels, flooding and reduced water availability, and worse air pollution. In a 30 year projection, table grapes, almonds, walnuts and avocados are expected to suffer declining yields due to reasons ranging from fewer chilling hours to poor management of nitrogen levels. One study found that about 15 percent of both energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States are related to food production. Gail Feenstra of the UC Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis said, “We are developing information so that major food suppliers, food service professionals and retailers, as well as consumers, can figure out where to focus to make the biggest impact on climate change.” For additional information see:
India Rejects Calls for Emission Cuts, Demands Cash Pledge On April 13, following the recent United Nations-sponsored climate talks in Bonn, Germany, Indian officials stated they were unlikely to commit to targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “If the question is whether India will take on binding emission reduction commitments, the answer is no. It is morally wrong for us to agree to reduce when 40 percent of Indians do not have access to electricity,” said a member of the Indian delegation. India, which is powered by 60 percent coal, has called on wealthy countries to make significant emission reductions, in addition to aiding developing nations with funds and technology for sustainable development. The issue of developed countries financially and technologically supporting developing countries in creating low carbon economies evolved into a prominent issue at UN talks this year. Shyam Saran, special envoy to the Indian prime minister, said, “The question [of developing country curbs] should not be divorced from what financial support is available. Rather than ask, are you prepared to deviate from business as usual, the question is what kind of efforts are possible if adequate financial resources and technical resources are made available.” For additional information see:
New Warning Over 'Catastrophic' Sea Level Rise For additional information see:
Eurasia Uniquely Susceptible to Warming from Black Carbon On April 7, the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics published a study that found emissions from black carbon and organic matter drive springtime melting in Eurasia nearly as much as anthropogenic CO2. “Our study finds that black carbon is especially effective at warming climate during springtime, when the Northern Hemisphere is highly reflective and transitioning into snow-free summer,” said Marc Flanner of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO and lead author of the study. “By inducing early retreat of snow cover, black carbon causes (Eurasian) land areas to absorb more sunlight and warm disproportionately.” Eurasia includes the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau, which are the headwaters for most of the major rivers in Asia. It reported that 21 out of 22 climate models contributing to the fourth Assessment Report for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underestimated the observed warming of 0.64˚C since 1979. Professor V. Ramanathan from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, a co-author of the paper, stated, “Fortunately, we know how to reduce emissions of black carbon from combustion of fossil fuels and biomass fuels.” The short atmospheric lifetime of black carbon offers the opportunity for fast mitigation, Flanner explained. “Our model studies suggest that eliminating black carbon emissions from fossil and biofuel sources would cause Eurasian springtime snow cover to recover at least a quarter of its estimated loss from pre-industrial times to the present,” he said. For additional information see:
Dairy Industry Looks to Reduce Emissions from Cows On April 14, members of the U.S. dairy industry pledged to reduce the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the production of fluid milk 25 percent by 2020. “The cow is responsible for the majority of the greenhouse gas on the farm itself. We know there are ways that we can find to cut or reduce that production,” says leader of the initiative Rick Naczi. A 25 percent reduction in emissions from the dairy industry, which accounts for less than 2 percent of U.S. GHG emissions, would be equivalent to removing 1.25 million cars from the road. The U.S. Dairy and Dairy Management Inc.'s Innovation Center has identified 12 projects that could cut emissions by at least 12 percent, with a strong emphasis on methane produced by the cow’s digestive system and the largest component of the dairy industry’s carbon footprint. Dairy Management Inc. represents almost 70 percent of the dairy supply chain and collects 15 cents per hundredweight of raw milk produced by farmers to fund research and promotion of dairy products. Researchers are exploring areas such as the cows' feed as well as targeting the microbes in the cow's gut to reduce the amount of methane produced. For additional information see:
Climate Change Makes Migrations Longer for Birds On April 15, a study published in Journal of Biogeography is projecting significant impacts from warming temperatures on migrating birds by the end of the century. The scientists from Durham University used simulation models to show that the breeding ranges in Europe for Sylvia warblers will shift further northward, while wintering ranges will remain constant for most species. The research focused on this one specific type of bird species, though team leader Dr. Stephen Willis of Durham University said, “This is indicative of what’s likely to happen across the whole range of migratory species.” The study projects that species which already fly long distances would likely be forced to fly significantly further, up to 250 miles, while shorter distance fliers may increase their travel distance by up to 125 miles. The researchers point out that the birds already experience many risks during the energy intensive migrations, making them all the more susceptible to changing conditions. “These tiny birds make amazing journeys, pushing themselves to the limits of endurance. Anything that makes those journeys longer . . . could mean the difference between life and death,” said co-author Rhys Green of Cambridge University. For additional information see:
Global Warming Could Kill Drought-Stressed Trees Fast On April 13, the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a study which found that droughts during warmer weather kill the piñon pine, a tree found in southwestern United States, 28 percent faster than it killed the trees at cooler temperatures. In addition to a controlled test, the researchers from the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 used a 100-year historical drought record to suggest that future widespread die-off of piñon pine during droughts will occur at least five times faster if the climate warms by 4ºC over the century. Lead author Dr. Henry Adams said, “It’s the kind of data that you don't have to do statistics on, because the numbers don't overlap. The results say that if the climate is warmer, then it takes a shorter drought to kill the trees. And there are many more shorter droughts than longer droughts in the historical record.” The study was the first to isolate the impact of just temperature on the survival of trees during drought. The lack of including other potential climate change effects such as worsening drought and insect attack, make this study’s projections fairly conservative. “We don't want to be overly alarmist, but we don't want to underplay the results. . . . This is only one tree species, but it's the first we've documented. It could be the piñon pine is the canary in the coal mine,” said co-author Dr. David D. Breshears. For additional information see:
Other Headlines RGGI Market to Sell 33.1 Million CO2 Permits in June Climate Change May Wake Up 'Sleeper' Weeds
Events April 21, 2009 The Role of District Energy/Combined Heat and Power in Energy and Climate Policy Solutions The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing to discuss how district energy systems are able to utilize combined heat and power (CHP) as well as renewable and surplus heat resources and the enormous potential for such projects across the country. This briefing will explore how urban systems and university campuses are currently operating highly efficient district energy/CHP systems to control operating costs, enhance reliability and reduce community greenhouse gas emissions. It will take place on Tuesday, April 21, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in 2318 Rayburn House Office Building. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Laura Parsons at (202) 662-1884 or lparsons [at] eesi.org. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing to learn how funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) may be used to improve the learning environment for students and teachers, save energy, reduce operating expenses, protect the environment, and strengthen communities. The briefing will describe what makes a school “high performance” and green––from superior indoor air quality to water efficiency––and how setting priorities early can allow school districts to reap the most benefits within their standard construction budget. It will take place Thursday, April 30, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in 253 Russell Senate Office Building. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Ellen Vaughan at (202) 662-1893 or evaughan [at] eesi.org. Please join the Sustainable Energy Coalition—in cooperation with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucuses—for the 12th annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum. This year’s EXPO will bring together nearly fifty businesses, sustainable energy industry trade associations, government agencies, and energy policy research organizations to showcase the status and near-term potential of the cross-section of renewable energy (biofuels/biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) and energy efficiency technologies. A morning news conference will feature Members of the U.S. Congress while afternoon speakers will discuss the role sustainable energy technologies can play in meeting America’s energy needs. For more information, please contact Ken Bossong at the Sustainable Energy Coalition by phone at 301-270-6477 ext. 23 or email at kbossong614@yahoo.com.
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Amy Sauer This EESI publication is a free, weekly electronic newsletter intended to inform interested parties, particularly the policymaker community, of the latest climate change-related news. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that EESI is properly acknowledged as the source. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path. |
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