Climate Change News - November 23, 2009

World Leaders Agree to Push Back Climate Treaty to 2010

On November 15, President Obama and other world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit agreed not to conclude an international climate change treaty at the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen beginning December 7. Instead, they said they will try to reach consensus on a political agreement at Copenhagen that settles the major components of a new international treaty, including greenhouse gas emission targets and funding for climate change adaptation, while waiting to finalize a legally-binding treaty in 2010. Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, “Given the time factor and the situation of individual countries we must, in the coming weeks, focus on what is possible and not let ourselves be distracted by what is not. The Copenhagen agreement should finally mandate continued legal negotiations and set a deadline for their conclusion.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said, “There is no cause for alarm. We can still reach a significant agreement in Copenhagen that will provide the foundation for a treaty next year.”

For additional information see: New York Times , AP , The Guardian , Reuters

Senate to Act on Climate in 2010

On November 16, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that Senate Democrats would attempt to pass climate change legislation in “early spring” of 2010. On November 17, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) confirmed Kerry’s timetable, saying he will bring climate legislation to the Senate floor “some time in the spring.” Reid said that the Senate will focus on healthcare reform, financial sector regulatory reform, and job creation bills before turning to climate change. The announcement came following a meeting Reid held with the chairmen of committees with jurisdiction over pieces of the climate bill introduced last month, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733).

For additional information see: Reuters , Wall Street Journal , AFP , UPI

Obama and Hu Make Progress in Tackling Climate Change

On November 17, President Obama concluded his first official visit to China during which climate change was one of the major topics on his agenda. President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao announced they would jointly press for a political agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference set to begin in Copenhagen on December 7, which would provide the foundation for the completion of a legally-binding international climate change treaty in 2010. Obama and Hu promised they would help negotiators to reach a political agreement by proposing national greenhouse gas emission mitigation targets at Copenhagen for the first time. “Our aim there, in support of what Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark is trying to achieve, is not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect,” Obama said. The Presidents also negotiated a series of clean energy partnerships, focusing on technologies such as carbon capture and storage, electric vehicles, high-speed rail and shale gas.

For additional information see: Washington Post , The Guardian , Reuters , AP

Global Temperatures Will Rise 6°C by End of Century, Scientists Say

On November 17, the Global Carbon Project (GCP) published a new study which concluded that the average global temperature is on track to increase by 6°C by 2100. GCP estimated that total CO2 emissions have increased 29 percent since 2000, at a trend growth rate of 3.4 percent annually. The report warned that emissions “continued to track the average of the most carbon-intensive family of scenarios” put forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Fourth Assessment Report. Lead author Corrine Le Quere said, “The global trends we are on with CO2 emissions from fossil fuels suggest that we're heading towards 6°C of global warming.” The GCP also estimated that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will fall by 2.8 percent in 2009 following a 2 percent rise in 2008. Le Quere concluded, “Based on our knowledge of recent trends and the time it takes to change energy infrastructure, I think that the Copenhagen conference next month is our last chance to stabilize at 2°C in a smooth and organized way.”

For additional information see: Science , The Guardian , Reuters , BBC

UN Chief Links Climate Change and Food Security

On November 16, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon discussed the connection between food security and climate change at the UN World Food Summit in Rome. Ban said that climate change could cause the Himalayan glaciers to melt which would deprive Asian nations of the water necessary for agriculture. He also noted that climate change could reduce rainfall in Africa which could reduce crop yields 50 percent by 2020. “Today’s event is critical. So is the climate change conference in Copenhagen next month. There can be no food security without climate security,” Mr. Ban declared. “They must produce results – real results for people in real need, results for the one billion people who are hungry today, real results so millions more will not have to suffer when the next shock hits.” The summit’s declaration also pointed out the connection. It said, “Climate change poses additional severe risk to food security and the agriculture sector.”

For additional information see: Financial Times , Christian Science Monitor , United Nations Press Release

Senators Introduce Energy Bill with Emphasis on Nuclear Power

On November 16, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced the Clean Energy Act of 2009. The bill would spend $20 billion over the next 10 years to provide $100 billion in loan guarantees for “clean energy,” including nuclear power, and $750 million annually for “clean energy” research and development. “If we were going to war, we wouldn’t mothball our nuclear navy and start subsidizing sailboats. If addressing climate change and creating low-cost, reliable energy are national imperatives, we shouldn’t stop building nuclear plants and start subsidizing windmills,” Alexander said. “This legislation will create the business and regulatory environment to double our country’s nuclear power production within 20 years and to launch five Mini-Manhattan projects to make advanced clean energy technologies effective and cost-competitive.” Webb added, “This legislation is measurable, achievable, and targeted. By making a concerted investment in nuclear power and other renewable energy technologies, we can effectively address our nation’s energy requirements and also the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”

For additional information see: Reuters , AFP , Office of Senator Webb Press Release

UN: Poor Women Bear Climate Burden

On November 18, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released a new report which found that women in developing countries will be most vulnerable to climate change because they do a large share of the farming. “Given women's significant engagement in food production in developing countries, the close connection between gender, farming and climate change deserves far more analysis than it currently receives,” the UNFPA said. The report warned that women would be especially susceptible to drought, noting that women would have to “work harder to secure food, water and energy for their homes.” UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaidu concluded, “Poor women in poor countries are among the hardest hit by climate change, even though they contributed the least to it."

For additional information see: BBC , UPI , AP , United Nations Population Fund Press Release

Greenland Ice Disappearing Faster Than Originally Thought

A study published in the November 13 issue of Science found that ice in Greenland disappeared at an accelerated rate between 2006 and 2008. Ice loss occurred at a rate equivalent to 0.75 millimeters of sea level rise between these years, compared to a trend rate loss of 0.46 millimeters between 2000 and 2008. “Mass loss has accelerated," said lead author Michiel van den Broeke of Utrecht University in the Netherlands. “The years 2006-08, with their warm summers, have seen a huge melting.” Co-author Jonathan Bamber added, “The underlying causes suggest this trend is likely to continue in the near future.”

For additional information see: AFP , The Telegraph , BBC , Reuters

Record High Temperatures Far Outpace Record Lows Across United States

On November 3, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) published a study which found that the number of days with record high temperatures was double the number of days with record lows over the past decade. From January 1, 2000 to September 30, 2009, NCAR determined that there were 291,237 record high temperatures set versus 142,420 record lows at over 1,800 weather stations from which they reviewed data. “Climate change is making itself felt in terms of day-to-day weather in the United States," said lead author Gerald Meehl. “The ways these records are being broken show how our climate is already shifting.” Author and statistician Claudia Tebaldi added, “If the climate weren't changing, you would expect the number of temperature records to diminish significantly over time . . . But as the average temperatures continue to rise this century, we will keep setting more record highs.”

For additional information see: Science , AP , The Examiner

UK's Met Office Paints Bleak Picture for Europe Due to Climate Change

On November 6, the UK Met Office released the final report from their 5-year Ensemble Project, which had attempted to forecast the impacts of climate change in Europe. The study found that unabated climate change will cause temperatures to rise in Europe by an average of 4°C, which would have profound effects on agriculture productivity. In the far north, the report projected that the temperature increase could be up to 10°C, which would cause the permafrost to melt. The study predicted massive heat waves, similar to the one in 2003 which killed 2,200 people in London, which would hurt the southern European tourism sector. “This shows that not only do we need to tackle climate change but also that we must deal with the consequences,” said European Union Minister for the Environment Dan Norris.

For additional information see: The Telegraph , Met Office Ensembles Project

Russia, South Korea Each Commit to Tougher Emission Targets

On November 18, European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso said that Russia had committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 25 percent from its 1990 baseline by 2020, an increase of 10 to 15 percent from its prior target. “With the Copenhagen conference starting in just over two weeks, we have made very important progress today and I very much welcome the signal from President Medvedev today of their proposed emissions reduction target of 20 to 25 percent,” said Barroso. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia would meet this tougher target by improving the energy efficiency of its manufacturing sector. The new goal will still allow Russian emissions to increase because its emissions fell sharply following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

On November 17, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak announced that South Korea will reduce its carbon intensity by 30 percent below the “business as usual” trajectory by 2020, equivalent to a 4 percent reduction in emissions below the 2005 baseline. Lee said the target would create “short term burdens” on South Koreans, but would also lead to “broader national gains.” He also noted that the target will allow South Korean manufacturers to avoid carbon tariffs, which are currently being considered in the United States and the European Union. The South Korean government intends to meet this target by spending $100 billion on clean technology over the next five years.

For additional information see: Reuters , AFP , Financial Times , Wall Street Journal

World Energy Leaders Back Climate Change Deal

On November 19, energy industry leaders from around the world pressed for an urgent international deal on climate change in a bid to end the uncertainty currently paralyzing the market. “Long term visibility is absolutely critical, without that, the energy industry is going to face high uncertainty. That adds to cost . . . and ends up on everyone's bill eventually,” World Energy Council (WEC) Secretary General Christoph Frei told a United Nations conference. The WEC, which represents private and public sectors in the oil, gas, power and renewable energy sectors in 93 countries, feels "the climate framework is the top long term issue . . . it’s the most important driver for change.” Maintaining the current mix of coal, oil, gas and renewables coupled with predicted growth in energy demand patterns would lead to concentrations of about 1,000 parts per million of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2100, according to International Energy Agency Senior Economist Trevor Morgan. “We're on a 6°C increase path at the moment,” Morgan warned.

For additional information see: AFP , Conference of the Parties 15 Press Release

Companies Ranked on Efforts to Cut Emissions

On November 18, Climate Counts released its annual rankings of efforts by 90 blue-chip American companies to address climate change. Companies were ranked on a scale of 0 to 100 based on what climate change mitigation actions they have taken, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing their energy efficiency. Nike was ranked the highest for a second year in a row with a score of 83. In total, 73 of the 90 companies ranked improved their rankings over 2008. Climate Counts Executive Director Wood Turner said, “We hear so much about how climate action is supposed to be bad for the economy, and I think companies are showing otherwise.”

For additional information see: San Francisco Chronicle , Environmental Leader

Oceans Less Effective at Absorbing Carbon

A study published in the November 19 issue of the journal Nature found that the oceans’ intake rate has dropped since 1980, with a sharp decline of 10 percent from 2000 to 2007. The authors concluded that the oceans have become less efficient at absorbing anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions over time. “The more carbon dioxide the ocean absorbs, the more acidic it becomes and the less carbon dioxide it can absorb,” said lead author Samar Khatiwala, a research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Because of this chemical effect, over time, the ocean is expected to become a less efficient sink of manmade carbon. The surprise is that we may already be seeing evidence for this, perhaps compounded by the oceans' slow circulation in the face of accelerating emissions.”

For additional information see: Science , New York Times , National Geographic

Climate Change Causing 'Corrosive' Water to Affect Arctic Marine Life

A study published in the November 20 issue of the journal Science uncovered the corrosive risks to the marine food chain in Arctic waters altered by climate change. Over the last decade, oceanographers have documented a rapid drop in the levels of carbonate, a compound that protects shells and bones, in the surface waters of the Beaufort Sea and northerly Canada Basin. According to the study, the Arctic ecosystem may be at risk as plankton, shellfish and fish develop trouble building protective shells and skeletons. "In actual fact, they'll dissolve the shells," said Fiona McLaughlin, research scientist and co-author of the study, referring to the ‘corrosive’ waters. As the world's oceans absorb increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, they grow more acidic and the concentrations of carbonate fall. According to McLaughlin, this acidification process is happening much faster in the Arctic because cold water absorbs more CO2 than warm water.

For additional information see: Nanaimo Daily News , Science Magazine

Health Experts Find Kidney Stones, Malaria Among Global-Warming Risks

On November 20, the American Medical Association (AMA) held a briefing in Washington to examine the health impacts of unabated climate change. Speakers at the event said that kidney stones, malaria, Lyme disease, depression, and respiratory illness could all increase as a result of warmer temperatures and increased flooding and wildfires. “We expect an increase in hospital admissions for things like pneumonia, chronic lung disease, asthma and other respiratory diseases,” said AMA President-Elect Cecil Wilson. “Increased heat also increases the risk to people who have other diseases.” The briefing follows a letter AMA sent to President Obama on November 17 urging him to take action on climate change to prevent “significant public health impacts.”

For additional information see: Bloomberg

Forest Service Says Trees Can Slow Climate Change

On November 18, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on managing Federal forests in response to climate change. Tidwell warned that the potential of forests to be used as a carbon sink to combat climate change must be balanced with the risk that climate change impacts will release vast quantities of carbon dioxide. He said that forests currently store the equivalent of 16 percent of America’s fossil fuel emissions, but that their ability to store carbon could decrease in the future due to increased wildfires and insect infestation. “Disturbances such as fire and insects and disease could dramatically change the role of forests, thereby emitting more carbon than currently sequestered,” he said.

For additional information see: AP , OPB News

November 24: On the Road to Copenhagen--Telling Denmark's Story

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Embassy of Denmark invite you to a briefing on how Denmark has transitioned to a low carbon economy and emerged as a global clean energy technology leader. From 1990 to 2007, Denmark reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 13 percent while at the same time growing its economy by more than 45 percent. In addition, Denmark has gone from 99 percent dependence on foreign energy sources in the 1970s to energy independence today. This briefing will explain how Denmark reduced its carbon footprint by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and how this strategy has translated into a thriving economy and a high quality of life for its residents. The briefing will take place on Tuesday, November 24, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in 1334 Longworth House Office Building. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact us at (202) 662-1884 or communications [at] eesi.org.

November 24: Time for Change--Reframing the Conversation on Energy and Climate

You are invited to attend "Time for Change: Reframing the Conservation on Energy and Climate," an event that will illuminate opportunities inherent in the transition away from carbon intensity. This meeting will focus on how technologies already in use can be combined with common-sense policies and 21st century modes of organization to create jobs, advance innovation, and enhance international cooperation. Science Advisor to the President of the United States, John Holdren, will present a keynote address, followed by four forward-looking conversations emphasizing opportunities for business, for the U.S. and for the global community. This event will take place on Tuesday, November 24, from 1:00 - 6:45 p.m. at the National Academy of Sciences at Constitution Avenue and 21st Street NW. For more information please contact Julie Jacobs at (212) 579-9071 or jacobspr@nyc.rr.com.