Climate Change News November 14, 2008
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Climate Change News
Brought to you by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Carol Werner, Executive Director
November 14, 2008
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Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions
During the week of November 9, transition advisors to President-elect Barack Obama compiled a list for potential reversal of about 200 administrative actions taken by President George Bush on climate change, drilling, California’s regulation on car emissions and many other issues. Among the regulations being looked at are those imposed by Bush for “overtly political” reasons, said Dan Mendelson, a former associate administrator for health in the Clinton administration's Office of Management and Budget. “An early move by the Obama administration to sign the California waiver would signal the seriousness of intent to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and build a future for the domestic auto market,” said Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
For additional information see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR200811...
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/11/09/regulation.h...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/10/MNLI141O9P.D...
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_10943042
http://wvgazette.com/News/200811080484
Bingaman: Congress Unlikely to Act on Greenhouse Gas Bill Before 2010
On November 12, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, predicted that Congress will not act on a bill concerning greenhouse gases (GHG) before 2010. Despite President-elect Obama’s declaration to move quickly on fighting climate change, the senator said the economic crisis, transition to a new administration, and complexity of implementing a nationwide carbon market must be taken into account. “The reality is, it may take more than the first year to get it all done,” said Bingaman said at a conference held in Washington, D.C. However, he said legislation concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy is likely to occur in 2009. “A global deal can only be meaningful if the United States is part of it,” said the head of the UN Secretary General's climate change team, Janos Pasztor. “The world is looking to the United States to lead in the energy revolution domestically and globally,” Bingaman said. He noted that Congress will not be influenced by international expectations.
For additional information see:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/12/america/Global-Warming.php
Poll Shows 78 Percent Believe Investing in Clean Energy Vital to Boosting US Economy
A Zogby poll taken November 5-6 that found 78 percent of those polled believe investing in clean energy is important to revitalizing the nation’s economy. Support for this investment was particularly strong among youth (87 percent for ages 18-24) and minorities (94 percent among African-Americans and 84 percent among Hispanics). A majority of both parties viewed clean energy as important, although the margin was much higher among Democrats (94 percent) than Republicans (58 percent). In general, numbers among all categories were higher in 2008 than they were the last time the survey was conducted in 2006. “While the economy was the top issue in the 2008 election, clean energy clearly emerged as part of voter expectations for getting the economy back on track,” said John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International. The survey, commissioned by the National Wildlife Foundation, surveyed 3,357 American voters and had a margin of error of 1.7 percent.
For additional information see:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1637
Cost of Global Warming in California Could Reach $3.9 Billion per Year
On November 13, a report by Dr. David Roland-Holst and Dr. Fredrich Kahrl of the University of California-Berkeley announced that global warming could cost California between $300 million and $3.9 billion each year. The report identified the seven sectors to be most adversely affected as water; energy; transportation; tourism and recreation; real estate and insurance; public health; and agriculture, forests, and fisheries. Projected costs include less electricity generation from hydropower, greater demand on the energy supply for cooling, and wildfire and water damage to infrastructure. However, Dr. Roland-Holst said he does not want to scare people into believing these costs are inevitable. “[I]t’s not a Chicken Little. It’s a wake up call,” he said. “The most expensive thing we can do about climate change is nothing.” Among other actions, the report calls for more efficient use of water, greater use of renewable technologies, and a study of climate change and public health. The report was funded by Next 10, a non-profit that studies the intersection of the economy and environment.
For additional information see:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10975508
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-climate14-2008...
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/13/Study_Warming_could_cost_Calif_tr...
Five US Governors to Co-host Global Summit on Climate Change
On November 11, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced plans to host a global summit on climate change in Los Angeles on November 18 and 19. At the summit, Governor Schwarzenegger will be joined by the Governors of Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kansas, in addition to officials from around the world. The representatives will discuss monitoring and reporting of climate change emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and development of a report by government leaders on the global response to climate change and a commitment to future action. “Leaders from around the world are taking action to combat global warming, and this summit reflects our common desire to work together to solve a problem that affects all of us,” said Schwarzenegger. “By bringing together a diverse spectrum of leaders and ideas, this summit is an opportunity to produce real solutions and generate new economic and environmental opportunities in California and across the globe.”
For additional information see:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/12/content_10343705.htm
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gq4HYMSYGrMuJtAeoa8aM49gISVQ
State Rejects Wisconsin Power and Light’s Proposed Coal Power Plant
On November 11, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) rejected Wisconsin Power and Light’s proposal to build a new 300 megawatt coal-fired electricity generation plant based on concerns of increasing construction costs and the uncertainty of future climate regulations. The plant was slated to generate 20 percent of its electricity by burning wood waste, switchgrass and cornstalks as well, yet this was not seen as enough to offset the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions. “[T]he Nelson Dewey proposal is not cost effective, is inconsistent with Wisconsin’s energy priorities, and does not provide the flexibility we need to deal with our uncertain energy future,” said PSC commissioner Lauren Azar. For the time being, the displaced energy production will be made up from natural gas or existing energy sources.
For additional information see:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=141277
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN1...
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/11/11/ap5678769.html
http://www.jsonline.com/business/34184364.html
Report Calls for Overhaul of Power Grid to Handle Renewable Power
On November 10, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. released a report stating the United States must overhaul its power grid to allow for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy technology or risk impairing the reliability of the current power grid. Based on information from 50 utilities, power generators, and other electric system participants, the report calls for building many new power lines. "Inadequate attention to the transmission grid will undermine all efforts to address climate change while endangering our electric reliability, and thereby our national security," said Michael Heyeck, senior vice president for transmission for American Electric Power.
For additional information see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/10grid.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE4A94R620081110
IEA Issues Dire Warning on Rising Global Emissions
On November 12, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual report, stating that extreme measures must be taken to avoid serious effects of climate change, increasing worries that the problem has been underestimated by many governments around the globe. The report said the world would need to find ways to remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere because it was too late to rely only on gradual curbs in heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions. If the world carried on as normal without taking new steps to fight climate change, temperature would rise in the long-term by up to 6ºC, the report warned. Two scenarios were explored in which emissions were limited: temperature increases of 2ºC or 3ºC, respectively. “Both scenarios imply that net greenhouse gas emissions turn negative – carbon absorption exceeds gross emissions – towards the end of the century,” the report stated. Limiting warming to no more than 2ºC would be especially expensive because it would involve scrapping and replacing dirty power plants at a cost of about $3.6 trillion from 2010-2030, the IEA report said.
For additional information see:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKTRE4AB2L220081112?sp=t...
http://uk.reuters.com/article/usTopNews/idUKTRE4AB2N320081112?pageNumber...
Global Investors Urge Action on Climate Change
On November 11, global investors holding more than $6 trillion in assets called on developed countries to cut their emissions from 50 to 80 percent by 2050 and pushed policymakers to promote clean energy in a binding agreement to follow Kyoto. “As institutional investors, we are concerned with the risks presented by climate change to the global economy and to our diversified portfolios,” said Mike Taylor, chief executive of London Pensions Fund Authority. “We are ... urging world leaders to implement strong and effective policies to support us in allocating capital toward low carbon investments.”
For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE4AA1CM20081111
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Largest-Group-Ever-World-Investors/story.aspx?guid={F30FD9B2-E6B0-48CA-AE5C-E09D58C4A355}
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4677f2ce-af47-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658,_i_email=...
Japan’s Emissions Reach Record High
On November 12, data from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment showed that Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high, making it the fifth largest global emitter and at risk of failing to meet the Kyoto targets. Last year’s 2.3 percent emissions increase was primarily due to the closure of Japan’s largest nuclear power plant after an earthquake. Japan has been reluctant to set a cap or tax on carbon emissions, and analysts say reviewing this year’s voluntary pledges may be too little, too late. “We immediately need a set of effective policies to drive a change towards a more climate-friendly society," said Tetsunari Iida, executive director of Tokyo's Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies.
For additional information see:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/11/12/japan_emission...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4AB04L20081112
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2008/nov/12/1
Farmers Call for Special Deal on Carbon Emissions
On November 11, the International Federation of Agricultural Products (IFAP) called for a “special deal” in climate negotiations that would recognize inherent limits on the farming industry’s ability to cut emissions. Principally, the industry says it would be difficult to curb its emissions from gas and manure produced naturally by sheep and cattle, which in Australia account for 70 percent of agricultural emissions. Ajay Vashee, president of IFAP, said farmers “should not be exempt from any measures to curb emissions.” However, he argued their essential role in growing food should also be recognized. “Carbon markets need to be appropriately designed so that farmers can effectively engage to be part of the solution.”
For additional information see:
http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnJOE4AA07Y.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/11/famers_carbon_deal/
China Develops Markets for Emissions Trading
On November 11, the Wall Street Journal reported that three Chinese cities – Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin – developed an emissions exchange program to control pollution modeled after the US system to reduce emissions that caused acid rain. This cap-and-trade system limits the amount of emissions allowed, distributes permits and allows industries to trade the permits amongst each other. “China is at least a decade away from accepting carbon caps, many observers believe, though there is a chance that sulfur caps could be rolled out much sooner,” the article stated. “And while the country has broad targets for reducing major pollutants by 10 percent under its five-year plan ending 2010, and has an efficiency target, it doesn't yet have any of the legal framework for actual emissions trading.”
For additional information see:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122636062518315545.html
Giant Asian Smog Cloud Masks Warming Impact
On November 13, the United Nations released a report revealing that atmospheric brown clouds (ABC) that hang over Asian cities and damage crops may also be masking the effects of global warming by reflecting sunlight, thereby cooling the earth’s surface. The report also warns that ABCs can speed up warming in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas and worsen the most devastating impacts of rising temperatures. The soot in the clouds contaminates glaciers as well, which act as water sources for many Asian cities. ABCs could also damage plants, which may drive up food prices. “We used to think of the brown cloud as a regional-scale urban problem, now we know because of fast transport it travels vertically for three to four kilometers and spreads,” said Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan, head of the UN scientific panel, which is carrying out the research. “The new research, by identifying some of the causal factors, offers hope for taking actions to slow down this disturbing phenomenon; it should be cautioned that significant uncertainty remains in our understanding of the complexity of the regional effects of ABCs and more surprises may await us.”
For additional information see:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKTRE4AC3FG20081113
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/13/asia/cloud.php
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=550&Ar...
2008 Likely to Be Tenth Warmest Year on Record
On November 11, Dr. Phil Jones of the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia announced that 2008 is likely to be the tenth warmest year on record. Skeptic of global warming point out that each of the ten previous years were still warmer than this year, with 1998 being the warmest year on record. However, Dr. Jones said a closer look at the reasons behind the higher temperatures in 1998 and the relatively cooler temperatures this year paints a different picture. “1998 was an anomalous year,” said Jones. “If you take out the El Nino and La Nina effects we are still warming.” La Nina, the natural cooling of the Pacific Ocean, had a longer-lasting effect this year than originally predicted.
For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE4AA6MV20081111
Current Warming Sharpest Climate Change in 5,000 Years
In the November 7 issue of Ecology, a study revealed that recent decades have seen the sharpest climate changes since the beginning of human civilized societies 5,000 years ago. Scientists from Cornell University studied the increased introduction of fresh water from glacial melt, oceanic circulation, and the migration pattern changes of oceanic plant and animal species. “As climate changes, there are going to be winners and losers, both in terms of biological species and different groups of people,” said Dr. Charles Greene, the oceanographer who led the study. “Such climate-driven changes can alter the structure of shelf ecosystems from the bottom of the food chain upwards.” He added, “As climate changes, there are going to be winners and losers, both in terms of biological species and different groups of people.”
For additional information see:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHeIQXFs5IrQxlhEFpsF0R68GMaQ
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/89d96798a39564bd/id/4272...
http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112592&org=NSF&from=news
Climate Change May Halt Next Ice Age
On November 13, researchers at the University of Edinburgh and University of Toronto announced that global warming due to human activities may offset the next ice age, predicted to occur within the next 10,000 to 100,000 years. However, lead researcher Dr. Thomas Crowley said he does not want people to take these results as condoning an increasing rate of CO2 emissions. “There's no excuse for saying 'we've got to keep pumping carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere,’” said Crowley. Dr. Crowley is still concerned human emissions are leading to an over-warming of which the consequences are not all known. “This time round, we are raising the temperature at such a rate that we may create a different world.”
For additional information see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7722300.stm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081112-ice-age-global-wa...
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE4AB6YG20081112
Scientists Say Peridotite Rock Can Soak Up CO2
In the November 11 edition of the Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences, researchers from Columbia University released a study that revealed peridotite, a rock primarily found in Oman as well as in the Earth’s mantle, has the ability to absorb CO2 and convert it into minerals like calcite at a rate that could help slow global warming. Mining and transporting the rocks to sources that emit large amounts of the greenhouse gas would be very expensive. Scientists have developed a process involving injecting heated water with pressurized CO2 that can supercharge the rocks to collect 2 billion tons of CO2 each year, but more research must be done before the technology can be produced commercially.
For additional information see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE4A59IB20081110?fee...
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2230139/researchers-cla...
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2008/November/07110802.asp
Maldives Plans to Buy 'New Homeland'
On November 10, President-elect of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, announced plans to buy new land due to rising sea levels that could potentially displace his people. The Maldives are made up of more than 1,000 islands and coral atolls west of India in the Indian Ocean. It is the lowest nation in the world, with its highest land only two meters above sea level. “We can do nothing to stop climate change on our own and so we have to buy land elsewhere. It's an insurance policy for the worst possible outcome," said Nasheed. "We do not want to leave the Maldives, but we also do not want to be climate refugees living in tents for decades."
For additional information see:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gTy5esT3vVdAoq6dDcpT6c9PnSmg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7719501.stm
Other Headlines
Emerging Carbon Finance Market Will Play Critical Role in Addressing Climate Change
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107143622.htm
Thailand Now Ready to Certify Conservation Projects
http://www.bangkokpost.com/091108_News/09Nov2008_news09.php
Ocean Acidification due to Climate Change Showing Significant Effects
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10956914.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/terminal-diagnosis-for-ocean-crea...
Global Warming Predicted To Hasten Carbon Release from Peat Bogs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081106122249.htm
Climate Change Link to Amphibian Declines in Doubt
http://live.psu.edu/story/35957
Western States Struggle to Capture Methane Emissions from Coal Mines
http://www.hcn.org/issues/40.20/passing-gas
Australian Premiers Revolt over Prime Minister's Carbon Plan
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24648977-601,00.html
Events
November 18, 2008 Plug-In Cars, Energy Security and Climate: American and European Perspectives
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), 2020 Vision Education Fund and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, in association with the offices of Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), invite you to attend a policy briefing on plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) – both hybrids and full electrics – and their potential to reduce oil consumption and mitigate climate change. This briefing will take place on Tuesday, November 18, from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in 385 Russell Senate Office Building. Speakers for this event include Arne Jungjohann, Environment Program Director for Heinrich Boell Foundation; Keith Cole, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for General Motors; Tom Stricker, Corporate Manager for Toyota Motor (invited); Joerg Mayer, Managing Director for Agency for Renewable Energies in Germany; and Reinhard Buetikofer, Chairman for Alliance 90/The Greens in Germany. This briefing is open to Congressional staff only. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP at www.2020vision.org.
December 2-4, 2008 Electric Drive Transportation Association Conference and Exposition
Join EDTA, its members, sponsors and supporting organizations in the premier industry event that facilitates an open forum for research and development of electric drive including: battery, plug-in, hybrid, and fuel cell. With over 40 exhibitors, a Ride & Drive, and a diverse speaker list, the EDTA Conference & Exposition is shaping the future of secure, clean, and efficient electric drive transportation. Sessions will include Breakthroughs in Energy Storage; Renewables on the Road: Greening the Grid and the Highway with Plug-in Electric Drive; Action on Energy in the 111th Congress – Views from the Hill; When Can I Buy One? Automotive Manufacturers Answer the Pressing Plug-in Electric Drive Question; Next Generation Hybrids: Raising the Bar; Beyond Cars: Electric Drive at Work Today; Advanced Components: Batteries and Beyond; Advanced Components: The Keys to a New Transportation Sector; Fuel Cell Electric Drive: Pushing toward the Zero-Emission Solution; and Fuel Cell Electric Drive: Dynamic Infrastructure Solutions.
This event will be held at the convention center in Washington, DC and is sponsored by Coulomb Technologies, Dow Corning Automotive Solutions, Duke Energy, Edison Electric Institute, EnerDel, General Motors, Global Electric Motorcars, Miles Electric Vehicles, New York Power Authority, Southern California Edison, and Toyota. Visit www.edtaconference.com to register or see the full agenda and exhibitor list. If you have any questions, email info@electricdrive.org.
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