Climate Change News - March 1, 2010

Eight Senate Democrats Challenge EPA on Greenhouse Gas Regulations

On February 19, eight Democratic Senators led by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) authored a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson seeking more information regarding the agency’s endangerment finding for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The other signatories included Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Pat Casey (D-PA), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MO). The endangerment finding came on the heels of the 2007 Supreme Court case Massachusetts v. EPA, which required EPA to investigate the potential threat posed to U.S. citizens from GHG emissions. The ssenators reaffirmed their support for comprehensive climate and energy legislation and a single national standard for GHG emissions regulation while seeking to better understand the specifics of the extent and implementation of EPA’s forthcoming regulations. The letter also noted that the senators, representing states that rely heavily on coal, had concerns that regulations could harm businesses and economic recovery. In particular they asked for information on timetables of expected implementation, effects on domestic industries, the effect of pending lawsuits, and the effect of a recent Senate resolution aimed at stripping EPA of its regulatory authority in this area.

On February 22, Jackson responded in a letter to the Senators’ questions. Jackson explained that no regulation would begin until calendar year 2011, at which time EPA would begin phase in of permit requirements for stationary sources. This would apply only to facilities that already must apply for other non-GHG permits under the Clean Air Act. In the second half of 2011, other large stationary sources that do not already apply for CAA permits would be brought under regulation as well, and smaller sources would not be considered until sometime after 2016. The letter noted that impacts to industries would be largely determined by the best available commercial technology, and could not comment any further on cost. Regarding Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) resolution of disapproval, Jackson noted that if passed it would strip the EPA of its endangerment finding, a critical component to the legal authority to proceed with regulation. Specifically, the action would strip the federal government of the authority to create uniform regulation for standard light duty vehicles. As she said in her letter, “In particular, it would undo an historic agreement among states, automakers, the federal government and other stakeholders. California and at least thirteen other states that have adopted California’s emissions standards likely would enforce those standards within their jurisdictions, leaving the automobile industry without the explicit nationwide uniformity that it has described as important to its business.”

For additional information see: New York Times , Washington Post , AP , Sen. Rockefeller's Press Release , Sen. Rockefeller’s Letter , EPA's Response Letter

EPA, Climate Change Challenged in Senate Hearing

On February 23, Senate Republicans on the Environment and Public Works Committee challenged the evidence for climate change, citing recent hacked emails from a British climate research center and errors in the United Nations Fourth Assessment Report on Climate Change. "We've been told that the science still stands," Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) said. "We've been told that the IPCC's mistakes are trivial. We've been told that Climategate is just gossipy e-mails between a few scientists. But now we know there's no objective basis for these claims," he added. "Furthermore, Climategate shows there's no 'consensus;' the science is far from settled." Inhofe also announced the release of a report by the committee minority that called into question scientific evidence supporting human-caused climate change.

Democrats on the committee maintained that the overwhelming amount of evidence supports the conclusion that humans are adversely warming global temperatures and changing the climate. "This country faces many many problems, not the least of which, we have national leaders rejecting basic science," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said. "I find it incredible, I really do, that in the year 2010 on this committee, there are people who are saying there is a doubt about global warming. There is no doubt about global warming." The remarks came during a review of President Obama’s FY 2011 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson reiterated that she had seen no new evidence to warrant changing the agency's determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to the health and welfare of U.S. citizens, prompting regulatory action by the EPA to reduce such emissions. “These conclusions we have drawn are based on the best science we have,” Jackson said at the hearing. “What we plan to do is use the Clean Air Act in a reasonable and stepwise approach.”

For additional information see: The Hill , Politico , New York Times , Bloomberg

Obama Discusses Cap and Trade with Business Roundtable

On February 24, President Obama spoke to a group of CEOs at a Business Roundtable event in Washington, DC about the steps needed to build a more competitive America, calling specific attention to energy legislation. Obama repeated his argument for addressing heat-trapping carbon emissions, namely that putting a price on carbon now will give businesses the certainty they need to plan and transition over the next few years. “A competitive America is also America that finally has a smart energy policy. We know there's no silver bullet here. We understand that to reduce our dependence on oil and the damage caused by climate change, we're going to need more production in the short term, we're going to need more efficiency, and we need more incentives for clean energy.” To truly transition to a clean energy economy, however, Obama noted that "we need to put a price on carbon pollution. Many businesses have embraced this approach - including some who are represented here today. Still, I am sympathetic to those companies that face significant potential transition costs, and I want to work with this organization and others like this to help with those costs and to get our policies right.” He concluded by asserting that “the only thing America cannot do is stand still. The only certainty of the status quo is that the price and supply of oil will become increasingly volatile; that the use of fossil fuels will wreak havoc on weather patterns and air quality…. This country has to move towards a clean energy economy. That’s where the world is going. And that’s how America will remain competitive and strong in the 21st century.”

For additional information see: New York Times , Whitehouse Press Release

UN Report Finds Emissions Pledges Too Low to Remain Under 2°C Increase

On February 23, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report stating that the cumulative emissions reductions pledged by countries in response to the Copenhagen Accord will not be enough to prevent temperature rises above 2°C by mid century. The scientists responsible for modeling the study also determined that a reduction of between 42 and 72 percent would be needed between 2020 and 2050, with total absolute emissions peaking somewhere between 2015 and 2021. Such a path gives a 50/50 chance of keeping global temperature increase below 2°C, according to the report. The analysis looks at pledges from 60 countries in both developed and developing economies. "There are multiple reasons for countries to make a transition to a low carbon, resource efficient Green Economy of which climate change is a key one. But energy security, cuts in air pollution and diversifying energy sources are also important drivers," said Achim Steiner, UN Undersecretary General and UNEP Executive Director.

For additional information see: Reuters , AP , UNEP

UN to host extra climate talks in April

On February 23, the United Nations announced additional formal meetings for the purpose of climate change negotiations to be held in Bonn, Germany between April 9-11 and May 31–June 11. The additional negotiation times will serve as preliminary steps to the talks in Cancun, Mexico scheduled for late November and December. The meetings are intended to iron out remaining differences between countries that prevented the adoption of a more comprehensive and binding agreement than the Copenhagen Accord adopted at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks last December. Since those meetings, 100 countries have submitted individual emission cut proposals, indicating to UNFCCC Chief Yvo do Boer a commitment “to move negotiations forward toward success in Cancun.”

For additional information see: Reuters , AP

China Has 'No Intentions' of Capping Emissions for Now

On February 25, China’s top climate negotiator Su Wei announced that China has no intention of creating a firm upper limit on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as Chinese authorities restate commitments to reduce the carbon intensity of the nation’s economic output. He also warned that developing and developed nations will likely be unable to overcome key issues in climate negotiations, centering mainly on whether or not developing countries should be forced to commit to reducing total emissions in the coming decades. Su maintained that China’s CO2 emissions must grow in order that they further eradicate poverty and improve livelihoods. Yu Qingtai, China’s special representative for climate change negotiations, reiterated that China will stick to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” as describe in the 1992 Kyoto Protocol.

For additional information see: AFP , China Daily

Member of India's Climate Team Quits

On February 21, Shyam Saran, India’s Special Envoy to the United Nations for climate change negotiations, announced his resignation from the country’s negotiating team amidst differences in policy with Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. No specific reason was given for Saran's decision to leave. Saran was first appointed as special envoy on the Indo-US nuclear deal and later on climate change. The Prime Minister's office said Saran will officially leave on March 14. Regarding his work with Saran, India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "We tried to work together as far as it was possible."

For additional information see: India Times , Indian Express , Economic Times

UN Weather Meeting Agrees to Refine Climate Data

On February 24, the Met office, Britain’s representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), proposed a program to augment the way in which current temperature data sets are created around the world, producing more valuable information in order to better track climate change and determine appropriate responses. These efforts would make temperature data available daily or on even smaller time intervals and would be assessed using peer reviewed methods which will be made transparent to the public. The office is also calling for a reassessment of 160 years of temperature data sets in order to reaffirm the conclusions reached by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and demonstrate the validity of the data sets used which have recently been criticized. The proposal was approved in principle by the approximately 150 delegates meeting at a WMO summit in Antalya, Turkey. “This effort will ensure that the datasets are completely robust and that all methods are transparent,” the Met Office said. The agency added that “any such analysis does not undermine the existing independent datasets that all reflect a warming trend.”

For additional information see: UPI , New York Times , Times Online , Met Office Press Release

NASA Report Names Road Transportation as Key Driver in Warming

On February 18, the Goddard Institute for Space Science announced the results of a study that analyzed the climate impacts from different sectors in the world economy. Led by Nadine Unger, the report used a climate model to estimate the impacts from 13 sectors from 2000 to 2100. Motor vehicles emerged as the single greatest contributor in both the near and long term. Vehicles released large quantities of greenhouse gases that warm the earth while not releasing many aerosols that cool it. The second largest contributor to climate change was the burning of household fuels, primarily wood and animal dung for heating and cooking. Livestock production came in third, with cattle contributing most from that group. The analysis offered policymakers a better understanding of how and where to focus climate change policies to achieve maximum effect.

For additional information see: GISS Press Release

Top Scientists Affirm Consensus on Climate Change, Cite Need for More Transparency

On February 20, top U.S. and European scientists met in San Diego, California to hold a press conference reassuring the public that despite recent messages in the media, there remains widespread scientific consensus that the Earth’s climate is warming due to human activities. “There has been no change in the scientific community, no change whatsoever in the consensus that global average temperatures have been steadily climbing since the mid-20th century," said Jerry North, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University. The panel of scientists did lament the slow response to hacked research emails and news of errors in studies cited by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. The President of the National Academies of Science, Ralph Cicerone, said "the appearance, if not the reality," of a rift within the research community has "corroded" the climate debate in a way that "may spread over to other kinds of science."

For additional information see: AFP , Environmental News Service , BBC , Scientific American

Climate Scientists Retract Estimates of Rising Sea Levels

On February 21, authors of a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience announced they would retract their findings which projected a rise in sea level due to global warming between 7 and 82 centimeters (cm) by the end of the century. The retraction was due to two separate technical mistakes pointed out by other scientists after the paper was published, and as such required removal of the paper from the journal. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said in its Fourth Assessment Report that sea levels would likely rise by 18 – 59 cm by 2100, though many other scientists and studies published since then have labeled those estimates too conservative. The retracted study was written after the 2007 IPCC report and thus not included in the UN organization's findings. In response to the retraction, author Mark Siddall from the Earth Sciences Department of the University of Bristol said, “Retraction is a regular part of the publication process. Science is a complicated game and there are set procedures in place that act as checks and balances."

For additional information see: Guardian

Tropical Storms to Be More Intense but Less Frequent

In the February 21 issue of the journal Nature Geoscience, a study by the members of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization concluded that tropical cyclones may be less frequent this century but pack a stronger punch as a result of climate change. The strength of a hurricane is directly derived from the presence of warm ocean waters. Seas are predicted to warm substantially in the coming century. The publication suggested that storms will have between 2 and 11 percent more powerful winds, and drop 20 percent more rain within 100 kilometers of a storm’s center. The conclusions agree with those put forth by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its 2007 Fourth Assessment Report.

For additional information see: AP , AFP , Nature

Ice Shelves Disappearing on Antarctic Peninsula

On February 22, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released information stating that the ice shelves in the southern section of the Antarctic Peninsula are retreating due to climate change. This research is the first to document a retreat in every ice front in the region from 1947 through 2009. Ice shelves extending from land into the sea act as dams for the land glaciers behind them. As the ice shelves break off, inland glaciers move more quickly towards the sea, causing a rise in sea level once they break off into oceans. The USGS scientists estimated that if all the ice melted from the Antarctic Peninsula, seas would rise 20 feet.

For additional information see: USGS Press Release , Reuters , ScienceDaily

Group Petitions EPA to Reduce Black Soot

On February 22, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take actions to reduce black carbon (soot) pollution under the Clean Water Act. This would potentially mark the first ever application of the law to water in its solid form, as the petition calls for regulating the amount of black carbon pollution on glacial ice. "Black carbon, or soot, is not only dangerous to breathe but also a potent global warming pollutant that is greatly accelerating the melt of Arctic sea ice and glaciers around the world," attorney Matt Vespa said. Black carbon most commonly comes from sources like diesel engines and cook stove ovens. When present on glaciers, black carbon accelerates melt by absorbing more heat from sunlight due to its color.

For additional information see: AP , CBD Press Release

Global Warming Impact on Poverty Could Be Mixed

On February 20, Stanford University released a report which concluded that global warming could have a large impact on increasing food prices and hunger in the next 20 years for many of the global poor surviving on less than one dollar per day, while certain groups like those who own land and grow food would benefit. The study tracked 15 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Under a scenario where temperatures rose by 2.7°F, the study’s model predicted global food production decreasing by 10 to 20 percent, resulting in 10 to 60 percent increases in the price of staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize. Overall, poverty rates in the 15 countries increased by three percent. A closer look at individual countries, however, revealed that the poverty rate for self employed farmers was expected to drop by 30 percent compared to the rise in poverty of five percent for non-agricultural sector workers.

"Poverty impacts depend not only on food prices but also on the earnings of the poor," said David Lobell, a center fellow at Stanford's Program on Food Security and the Environment (FSE). "Most projections assume that if prices go up, the amount of poverty in the world also will go up, because poor people spend a lot of their money on food. But poor people are pretty diverse. There are those who farm their own land and would actually benefit from higher crop prices, and there are rural wage laborers and people that live in cities who definitely will be hurt.”

For additional information see: The Hindu , Stanford Press Release