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November 16, 2015
On November 12, University of California-Irvine scientists published new findings in the journal Science that a major glacier in northeast Greenland called Zachariae began to melt at an accelerated rate in fall 2012, after eight years of slower melt. Zachariae, which if completely melted would raise global average sea levels by a foot and a half, has lost 95 percent of the ice shelf that kept it stable. Image courtesy of NASA/USGS.
On November 10, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia submitted its plan for domestically tackling climate change, called an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in advance of climate negotiations this December in Paris. The Saudi INDC concentrates specifically on how it can diversify its economy through investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and natural gas. Saudi Arabia currently relies on petroleum revenues for 80 percent of its budget revenue. Saudi Arabia also says it is beginning a project to "build the world’s largest carbon capture and use plant." Jennifer Morgan at the World Resources Institute (WRI) commented that Saudi Arabia's INDC "represents the first time that the country has committed itself to act to address climate change."
For more information see:
The Guardian, Mashable, US News & World Report, UNFCCC (1, 2)
On November 11, Secretary of State John Kerry stated that the upcoming 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris will "definitely not" yield an international treaty with legally binding cuts to carbon emissions. Kerry said the agreement would push for "significant" low-carbon investments, but would not have "legally binding reduction targets like Kyoto," an unsuccessful 1997 agreement. The following day, French President Francois Hollande said, "If the agreement is not legally binding, there is no agreement." French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius agreed, saying any agreement coming out of Paris would have legally binding elements. A spokesperson for European Union Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete seconded the French statements. State Department officials clarified that Kerry does not support a "completely nonbinding approach."
Financial Times, The Guardian, The New York Times, Reuters, The New York Times
On November 13, the Sierra Club released new polling results that show "significant" support for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan regulations on carbon emissions from existing power plants among registered voters in Missouri, Maine, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia and Iowa. The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling, also showed that voters in those states said they trusted EPA scientists over members of Congress when it comes to decisions about environmental regulations. "Majorities in these states support the EPA's Clean Power Plan," said Grace McRae, Sierra Club's Polling and Research Director. A majority of poll respondents in every state also said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for the U.S. Senate that supported the Clean Power Plan.
The Sierra Club, Missouri, Maine, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa
On November 8, the world's largest private coal company, Peabody Energy, agreed to file a revised, more robust shareholder disclosure on the financial risks of future policies and regulations on climate change to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Peabody made the agreement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, after Schneiderman’s office conducted a two-year investigation which concluded Peabody had misled investors about the financial risks posed by future climate change regulation. Peabody admitted to no wrongdoing, and does not have any financial penalties. "I believe that full and fair disclosures by Peabody and other fossil fuel companies will lead investors to think long and hard about the damage these companies are doing to our planet,” said Schneiderman.
The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, NPR, New York Attorney General
On November 12, the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) released report findings that global investment portfolios could face losses of up to 45 percent in the short term, due to investors reacting to climate change information. The report found that half of the possible loss can be avoided by reallocating investments, but that the other half is "unhedgeable," and cannot be protected against. "No investor is immune from the risks posed by climate change, even in the short term . . . Major events, such as the outcome of the upcoming United Nations climate talks in Paris in December, can send signals which drive market sentiment," commented Dr. Jake Reynolds, director of sustainable economy at CISL.
Cambridge University
On November 9, a report by the United Kingdom's Met Office, showed global average temperature from January to September 2015 was 1.02 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels (set as the global average from 1850-1900), making it likely 2015 will be the first year to have warming of one degree C. This would mean the world is halfway to reaching the two degrees C threshold established by experts to avert disastrous consequences from climate change. However, due to natural variability, not all future years will be one degree C above preindustrial levels. "It's clear that it is human influence driving our modern climate into uncharted territory," said Stephen Belcher, Director of the Met Office Hadley Centre. Met Office also found that countries by 2014 had emitted about two-thirds of the 2,900 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide budget that can be released without passing the two degrees C threshold.
National Journal, UK Met Office
On November 9, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s Global Atmospheric Watch program released its annual report compiling all monitoring data of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. WMO reported that the global average of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations in early 2015 exceeded 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in recorded history. While atmospheric CO2 levels first passed 400 ppm in the Northern hemisphere in 2014, this is the first time they have passed 400 ppm globally. "We will soon be living with globally averaged CO2 levels above 400 parts per million as a permanent reality," said WMO Secretary-General Michael Jarraud. "We need to act NOW to slash greenhouse gas emissions if we are to have a chance to keep the increase in temperatures to a manageable levels."
The Washington Post, Press Release
On November 12, University of California-Irvine scientists published new findings in the journal Science that a major glacier in northeast Greenland called Zachariae began to melt at an accelerated rate in fall 2012, after eight years of slower melt. Zachariae, which if completely melted would raise global average sea levels by a foot and a half, has lost 95 percent of the ice shelf that kept it stable. This finding comes after studies in 2015 and 2014 reported that another Greenland glacier, the Jakobshavn, is the fastest melting glacier in the world, with the largest recorded calving event (see CCN 8/31/15 for more information). Study co-author Eric Rignot commented, "This is sort of the second major floodgate from Greenland that has opened up."
The Washington Post, Study
On November 13, the journal Science published a special edition of its magazine that focused on climate change impacts on the oceans. The nine articles published explored issues ranging from historical sea level rise, the benefits of natural coastal defenses, to how warming oceans are affecting fish populations. One of the studies highlighted the importance of including ocean adaptation and climate mitigation efforts in United Nations climate negotiations taking place in Paris this December. Stewart Patrick at the Council on Foreign Relations, who was not published in the special edition, commented that "going into COP21, the oceans have really been an afterthought. Given how catastrophic [ocean climate changes] could be, it should light a fire under the leaders assembled" to take action.
Climate Change News, Journal
On November 12, the University of California-Davis and the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy released a study showing that if people began to bike globally at a higher rate, society could save $24 trillion from 2015 to 2050, and cut 11 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from urban passenger transportation in 2050. Currently, six percent of global trips are made on bikes and e-bikes. A combination of policies and incentives would raise that number to 11 percent by 2030, and 14 percent in 2050, to realize the full projected savings. More biking would also reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, and increase rates of physical activity.
Climate Central, Study
“Airpocalypse” in China
Study Finds California 6th Grade Science Textbooks Say Climate Science is Unsettled
Will Paris Climate Agreement Leave Forests Vulnerable?
Authors: Michael Martina, Gabriela Zayas, James Richmond
Editor: Laura Small
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