Climate Change News October 17, 2008

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Climate Change News
Brought to you by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Carol Werner, Executive Director
October 17, 2008
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California Issues Plan to Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions

On October 15, California issued its final draft of an economy wide plan to reduce greenhouse gas levels to 1990 levels by 2012. The new regulations would include energy efficiency measures, strict automobile emissions, a low carbon fuel standard and traffic reductions.  It also emphasizes innovation from small businesses.  “Despite a difficult economy, it is important that we move forward," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, adding that the plan would result in "tens of thousands more jobs and a boost to California's gross domestic production."  Critics of the plan noted a lack of structure for their pollution credit market and also raised concerns about a heavy reliance on emission cuts from sources other than power plants, fuel refiners and other manufacturers, which are the greatest contributors.  Others felt the plan would be too costly.  "The plan is a huge step forward," said Erin Rogers, climate strategy manager in the Union of Concerned Scientists' California office. "But the plan still stumbles when it comes to establishing a viable cap-and-trade system, which is a key component of any responsible strategy."   

For additional information see:
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-climate16-2008oct1...
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10730174
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/16/MN3L13HNUJ.D...


Florida Governor Issues Recommendations for State Emission Reductions

On October 16, the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change in Florida issued a report that recommends 50 ways for the state to exceed greenhouse gas reduction targets.  “Conservation and efficiency can provide tremendous benefit that seems minuscule on an individual basis, but which result in huge energy savings," said team member Debbie Harrison, director of the Florida Program of the World Wildlife Federation. Governor Charlie Crist originally had goals to reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2017 and 1990 levels by 2025.  With the recommendations of the Action Team, Florida could beat those targets by 11 percent and 35 percent respectively, and residents could save $28 billion by 2025.  "There are economic benefits for acting now," said Armando Olivera, president of Florida Power & Light Co.  "From a business perspective, we're setting the stage for Florida to take a leadership role," he said. "The recommendations of the team are good for businesses in Florida."

For additional information see:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/article858351.ece
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/10/16/ap5565773.html
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/101708/met_345153216.shtml


Bush Administration Tells Wildlife Officials to Ignore Global Warming Impact

On October 14, legal memos from the Bush administration leaked, revealing proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that say it cannot be used to protect animals from climate change by regulating greenhouse gases.  In August, the Administration also proposed ending a mandatory review by independent federal scientists and gave government agencies the authority to ‘self-consult’ when seeking approval for projects that could harm threatened species. "In its waning days in office, the Bush administration is trying to fast track oil drilling, mining, logging and development by stripping away protections for our public lands and wildlife heritage," said Matthew Kirby with Sierra Club. "The Bush administration has attempted to unravel the Endangered Species Act quietly and without notice. It isn't working. Tens of thousands of Americans have already demanded protection for this cornerstone environmental law."  October 14 marked the last day for public comment on the proposed changes, with the response including over 100,000 citizens expressing opposition.    

For additional information see:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/726100.html
http://media-newswire.com/release_1076060.html
http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/2008/more-than-100-000-americans-...


EU Reaches Climate Change Agreement

On October 15-16, European leaders met for a two day summit in Brussels and agreed to maintain their targets and timetables for combating climate change, while making concessions to heavy industries and former communist countries. Europeans hope to enact their cap-and-trade program in 2009 and eventually draw other countries, including the United States, into a broader agreement. “The climate package is so important that we cannot simply drop it, under the pretext of a financial crisis," said EU President Nicolas Sarkozy of France. "On the climate package, we have obtained unanimity . . . . It is now for President Barroso [European Commission Chief] and myself to find solutions for those countries which have expressed concerns."  Representatives also discussed the possibility of a November meeting of the world’s major economic powers including China, Russia and India in New York. Talking points for November included supervision and regulation of markets, bank transparency, early warning systems for detecting impending crises, and a framework for a rapid, coordinated international response to a crisis.

For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE49F39L20081016
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_fkxnBI3-FZ5aibVXlv01Dc9DPwD93RQ5UG0
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7673684.stm


Ministers in Warsaw to Address Climate Change

During the week of October 12, environmental ministers from over 30 countries met in Warsaw, Poland, to hold informal talks in preparation for the December United Nations (UN) climate talks Poznan, Poland, which in are seeking to create an agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol “It'll [the Warsaw talks] be a good moment to really take the temperature of the process and for the Polish presidency to get a better understanding of where ministers are willing to go subsequently in Poznan," said UN Climate Chief Yvo de Boer.  Three rounds of lower level talks have taken place this year, most recently in Accra, Ghana, in August. Representatives discussed what industrialized and developing nations will do to reduce emissions as well as how to finance these changes.  Prior to the summit, De Boer warned representatives not to allow the present financial crisis to impede progress towards a comprehensive agreement.  “We can't afford to let the process slip," de Boer said. "The ministers were very clear that the financial crisis should not be an excuse to slow down action on climate change and we should continue to implement what was agreed in the Bali action plan." (December 2007).

For additional information see:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/12/europe/EU-Poland-Climate-Chang...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/15/content_10195119.htm
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9Aig8MMpIIx_cMN070lhZQRuMlQD93N53GG0
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipd9Fpx4g-IqIHtqTlN9vcmD8qfw


Climate Groups' Revenue Hits $300 Billion

On October 8, new research revealed that companies providing goods and services that combat climate change have grown into a larger sector than global software and biotechnology combined.  There are now 390 companies that fall into the climate change sector, compared to 166 in early 2004. Revenue from these industries has surpassed $300 billion for the first time. "During the last year we've seen a massive growth in the number of companies providing goods and services designed to address climate change," said Joaquim de Lima, global head of quant research for equities at HSBC. "This demonstrates that companies are taking the issue seriously and are willing to adapt their businesses to the challenges."

For additional information see:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/485566f0-94d3-11dd-953e-000077b07658.html


Europe Backs Carbon Capture with $13.6 Billion

On October 7, European lawmakers pledged about $13.6 billion to build up to 12 power stations equipped with carbon capture and storage technology and to test the technology. The environmental committee also endorsed the European Union’s target to reduce CO2 emissions 20 percent by 2020, or 30 percent if a broader international agreement is met.  There was also support to force power companies to pay for their emissions starting 2013.  Currently most can pollute for free.   Avril Doyle, the member of the European Parliament who drafted one of the bills, acknowledged the financial crisis, but said that legislators could not ignore long-term goals because of a short-term crisis. The committee did offer some concessions, allowing energy-intensive industries a phase-in period for the new trading scheme.
 
For additional information see:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3d2dfd54-9498-11dd-953e-000077b07658.html


Report: Paying Nations Not to Cut Down Forests 'Will Fuel Corruption'

On October 14, Swedish businessman Johan Eliasch released a review proposing rich countries pay poor countries to preserve their forests through a carbon trading scheme and has received criticism for its potential to fuel corruption.  "Deforestation will continue as long as cutting down and burning trees is more economic than preserving them. Access to finance from carbon markets and other funding initiatives will be essential for supporting forest nations to meet this challenge," said Eliasch.  The proposal could cost $19 billion each year with most money directed towards developing nations.  Concerns arose about the potential of money going into the hands of corrupt leaders and loggers.  Others worried purchasing forest preservation carbon credits would give developing nations an excuse to continue polluting. Simon Counsell of the Rainforest Foundation said, "We welcome a lot of the ideas in the review - but there is a nightmare scenario here in which we actually make things worse whilst patting ourselves on the back thinking we are making them better. We should not underestimate the scale of the challenge faced in some forest nations where governance is virtually non-existent."

For additional information see:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/14/eabrow...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7669215.stm


World Food Scarcity and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy

At the October 16 World Food Day celebration in Rome, representatives from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) raised concerns about the global food supply and the detrimental effects of global warming.  Climate change and bioenergy were the focus of the event. “Global warming is already underway and adaptation strategies are now a matter of urgency, especially for the most vulnerable poor countries. Hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers, fishers and forest-dependent people will be worst hit by climate change,” said Alexander Mueller, FAO Assistant Director-General for Natural Resources Management and Environment Department. “Adaptation strategies need to be urgently developed, reviewing land use plans, food security programs, fisheries and forestry policies to protect the poor from climate change.” Other major World Food Day events will take place in New York, Albania, Egypt, Morocco, South Korea and some Asian and Latin American countries during October.

For additional information see:
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000934/index.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810160972.html


Climate Change Will Affect Public Health
 
In the October 7 special issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers discussed the effects of climate change on human health.  “Public health and preventive medicine, as applied disciplines, share a common mission: to prevent illness, injury and premature mortality, and to promote health and well-being. This mission therefore carries a mandate to address climate change,” said Dr. Howard Frumkin of the National Center for Environmental Health.  “Climate change, an environmental health hazard of unprecedented scale and complexity, necessitates health professionals developing new ways of thinking, communicating, and acting.” The report emphasizes the challenges climate change poses to customary ways of thinking, communicating, and acting to protect health, and it suggests future public health activity to focus on adaptation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
 
For additional information see:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/ehs-ccw100708.php


Arctic Temperatures Hit Record High

On October 16, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an annual review revealing record autumn temperatures in the Arctic, a warming and less salty Arctic ocean, and a declining population of reindeer.  Air temperatures are 9ºF higher than average due to more solar warming of the ocean from major ice loss. The increasing temperatures then alter both the land and marine life, and there are concerns about the populations of polar bears, walruses, geese and whales. "Changes in the Arctic show a domino effect from multiple causes more clearly than in other regions," said James Overland, an oceanographer at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. "It's a sensitive system and often reflects changes in relatively fast and dramatic ways."

For additional information see:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/729187.html
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20081016_arcticreport.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzJJOEuw2YD_XOO3w2wckTQGK2UwD93RNNVG2
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE49F9OE20081016


Climate Change Study Predicts Refugees Fleeing into Antarctica

On October 13, Forum for the Future, a British-based think tank dedicated to sustainable development, released a report suggesting exotic scenarios for climate change. Peter Madden, head of the Forum, said that most reports about climate change do not take psychological and social responses into consideration.  Some possible consequences listed in the report include war, desertification of areas of Australia and the United States, a cyberspace Olympics and migration of refugees to Antarctica. "We still have the chance to alter the future. This is what the world could be like and some of these options are not very pleasant," said Madden. “Historians of the future may look back on these as the 'climate change years.' They will either look back on our generation as heroes or view us with incomprehension and disgust - as now we look back on those who allowed slavery."

For additional information see:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/13/eaclim...
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE49B3V120081012
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-1bT--4E3woiTik5Y9iscDX708A


New Study Launched to Explore Future Risk of Hurricanes and the Role of Climate Change

On October12, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, several federal agencies, and the insurance and energy industries launched a study to research how global warming will affect hurricanes in the next few decades. "It's clear from the impacts of recent hurricane activity that we urgently need to learn more about how hurricane intensity and behavior may respond to a warming climate," said NCAR lead scientist Greg Holland. "The increasingly dense development along our coastlines and our dependence on oil from the Gulf of Mexico leaves our society dangerously vulnerable to hurricanes."  

In the last 13 years, scientists have observed an increase in hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico, with an unprecedented number of both high-frequency and high-intensity hurricanes. One of the most difficult technical challenges is to create an appropriate model that combines global climate and regional weather.  An understanding about climate change and hurricanes is very high priority for government and energy industries and will allow them to make informed decisions and assess future risk.

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008150459.htm
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=100861
http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2008/hurricanemodel.jsp


Scientists Explore Climate Change Effects on the Water Cycle

On October 13, scientists exchanged views on the effects of climate change on the water cycle and how best to mitigate the impacts.  The traditional approach used to address events like floods and droughts need to be complemented with an ecosystem approach that includes land and water management.
“Climate change . . . needs to be seen in the context of the many other global challenges affecting water resources such as population growth, urbanization and land use change. Adaptation is vital – but we need to adapt to the full range of factors that are stressing water resources, and not focus on human-forced climate change to the exclusion of everything else,” said Oliver Brown from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).  Other scientists suggested also investing in watersheds and the environment, as they will make people less vulnerable to climate change.  

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013143031.htm


Global Warming Threatens Australia's Iconic Kangaroos

A new study published in the December issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology reveals that a 2ºC increase in temperature could have a detrimental effect on kangaroos.  "Our study provides evidence that climate change has the capacity to cause large-scale range contractions, and the possible extinction of one macropodid (kangaroo) species in northern Australia," wrote authors Euan G. Ritchie and Elizabeth E. Bolitho of James Cook University in Australia. Using computer modeling and three years of field research, scientists concluded that the kangaroo habitat could decrease by 48 percent with a 2ºC temperature increase. A 6ºC temperature change could cut habitat by 96 percent. "If dry seasons are to become hotter and rainfall events more unpredictable, habitats may become depleted of available pasture for grazing and waterholes may dry up," the authors wrote. "This may result in starvation and failed reproduction . . . or possible death due to dehydration for those species that are less mobile."

For additional information see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015120734.htm


Ozone Pollution Could Worsen Under Climate Change  

On October 13, new research by the UK Royal Society revealed that surface level ozone pollution could worsen as a result of climate change.  Assessing the global effects of ozone can be difficult because its concentration correlates with regional pollution and the report argues that although some nations have taken steps to combat ozone pollution, global warming will reverse these efforts.  As temperatures rise, the precursor gases that form ozone increase in concentration but humidity does as well, which tends to suppress ozone.  Increasing events of wildfire also contribute to rising ozone.  “It's the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane," David Fowler of the National Environmental Research Council in the United Kingdom said. "But it's not the biggest one, and it's not the biggest threat to human health – particulates in the atmosphere are worse. So it's a sort of Cinderella gas that has been mostly ignored."

For additional information see:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/13/ozone-pollution-warming.html


American Natural History Museum Opens Climate Change Exhibit

On October 18, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City will open its new exhibit, “Climate Change: The Threat to Life and a New Energy Future.”  The curator Edmond Mathez said of the exhibit, “I'm sure there are some people that will condemn it out of hand. What's important to me as a scientist is my colleagues will walk through here and say we did it correctly, that we present the issue objectively."  The exhibit includes a 60-foot timeline of CO2 emissions, interactive stations and videos, dioramas that depict the relevant research, proposals of what the future entails, and suggested changes in human behavior.  The exhibition will run through August 16, 2009, and is then set to travel to Spain, Denmark, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/artsNews/idUSTRE49D95Q20081015
http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/united-states/climate-change-new-exhibit-at-...


Events

October 21, 2008   High-Performance Green Schools: How to Get Them in Your District

The High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) invites you to a briefing to learn how school districts are building facilities that save thousands of dollars a year on energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, and are healthier and safer than conventional schools. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as lead sponsors of this briefing and members of the HPBCCC. The briefing will be held in 2168 Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, October 21, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, please contact Ellen Vaughan at evaughan [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1893.

October 21, 2008     Book Discussion: A Declaration of Energy Independence

Jay Hakes will be discussing his new book, A Declaration of Energy Independence, at William G. McGowan Theater at the National Archives on Tuesday, October 21, at 7:00 p.m. As the former head of the Energy Information Administration, Jay Hakes had an inside look at America’s energy problems. Between rising oil prices, global instability, and environmental degradation, most Americans acknowledge the need for energy independence. Combining science with historical and political context, Hakes offers his insight and presents viable solutions for a more stable political, economic, and military future for America. A book signing will follow the program. For more information, please visit http://archives.gov/dc-metro/events/#energy.

October 22, 2008   Green Jobs: Re-energizing the American Economy

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) invite you to a briefing held in conjunction with the House Climate Change Caucus to discuss the potential for green jobs in the United States and the policies needed to support them. This briefing provides an overview of three key reports recently issued on green jobs, as well as an industry representative to provide first-hand experience in the deployment of green jobs. The briefing will be held in 2325 Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday, October 22, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, please contact Amy Sauer at asauer [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1892.


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Amy Sauer
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e-mail: asauer[at]eesi.org
web:    www.eesi.org
phone: 202-662-1892
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