Climate Change News - September 20, 2010

Senate May Take Up Bill to Delay EPA Regulation of GHG Emissions

On September 16, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said he would support an amendment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spending bill that would block the agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Earlier this year, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) offered forward a sweeping amendment to block EPA’s ability to regulate GHG emissions; that measure fell four votes short of passing. Earlier this week, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) again promised a vote on Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s (D-WV) proposal that would delay EPA GHG regulations for two years. Rockefeller’s proposed measure has gained significant support according to several reports.

For additional information see: New York Times , The Hill , Huffington Post

80 Percent of States on Track to Issue GHG Permits by 2011

On September 15, the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) released a report showing that states are moving swiftly towards issuing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission permits by January 2, 2011 – the start date for GHG permitting under the Clean Air Act and rules developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an effort not to overwhelm states, EPA issued a “tailoring rule” in May, which required states to initially issue GHG permits to only the largest polluters. EPA also required that states submit letters describing their progress to the agency by August 2. According to the NACAA study, these letters indicate roughly 80 percent of states are on track to meet the January 2, 2011 deadline.

For additional information see: NACAA Report

Republican Candidates Reject Global Warming, Survey Says

On September 14, a survey released by Think Progress showed that all of the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate in 2010 dispute the scientific consensus that the United States must act urgently to mitigate global warming. According to the survey, all 37 of the candidates reject legislative efforts to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Furthermore, many of the Republican Senate candidates signed the Koch Industries’ Americans for Prosperity No Climate Tax pledge and the FreedomWorks Contract from America which formally rejects any cap and trade policy.

For additional information see: The Guardian , Think Progress

EPA Ending Bush-Era Voluntary Climate Program

On September 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will begin winding down its voluntary Climate Leaders Program. The program was created in 2002 to help large companies measure and curb greenhouse gas emissions on a voluntary basis. In a press release, the agency maintained that it would help participating partners transition into similar non-federal programs and that EPA still hopes they will “go above and beyond mandatory reporting requirements to meet their goals.”

For additional information see: EPA Press Release , Reuters , The Hill

UK To Focus on Climate Change Adaptation

On September 16, the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published the first national assessment of the UK’s preparedness for climate change impacts. The report concludes that while mitigation efforts are still important, a greater focus needs to be placed on adaptation policies. The report details changes in the UK taking place today. For example, since the 1970s, average annual temperatures have risen by 1°C, and Spring arrives 11 days earlier. In response to the report, UK Environmental Secretary Caroline Spelman delivered her first speech since taking office on the need for Britain to adapt to rising temperatures. Spelman stressed that the UK is “already stuck with some unavoidable climate change. Because of this, we need to prepare for the best and worst cases which a changing climate will entail for our country.”

For additional information see: CCC Press Release , CCC Report , Telegraph

Deutsche Bank Report Affirms Science on Climate Change

On September 13, Deutsche Bank published Climate Change: Addressing the Major Skeptic Arguments to refute 12 common arguments against global warming. The paper, written by professors from Columbia University’s Earth Institute, stressed that rising world temperatures are unequivocal. Deutsche Bank’s publication of the study emphasized the bank’s commitment as one of the world’s leading institutions in climate change finance. Deutsche Bank currently holds $5 billion in investments that span various climate mitigation and adaptation ventures.

For additional information see: Reuters , Study , Investment Advisor

HSBC Predicts Low Carbon Market to Triple by 2020

On September 7, banking giant HSBC published a report called Sizing the Climate Economy, in which the bank’s climate experts project a bright future for low carbon markets. The report predicted strong growth for industries involved with renewable energy and energy efficiency. Specifically, the study estimates that by 2020, the electric vehicle market will grow 20-fold and the low carbon energy market will reach $2.2 trillion. The report also concluded that Europe will remain the largest market for clean energy businesses in 2020, even amidst large Chinese gains in market share. The shift to a low carbon economy will require higher upfront capital costs but will be matched by lower operating costs, according to lead author Nick Robins.

For additional information see: Reuters , "Sizing the Climate Economy" Extract

NASA: 2010 to Be the Hottest Year on Record

On September 10, NASA reported record-high temperatures between January and August, anticipating that 2010 will likely be the warmest year on record. According to the study, the warming rate of 0.15-0.20°C/decade is consistent with the previous two decades.

For additional information see: NASA News Release , NASA Data Set , Paper , Reuters , NOAA Data Set

Oregon’s Largest Glacier is Shrinking

On September 3, Oregon State University issued a press release detailing the decline of Oregon’s largest glacier. In a study lead by geosciences professor Peter Clark, it was determined that the Collier Glacier declined by 20 percent since the late 1980s. As a result, new areas of rock are now exposed to sunlight for the first time in 1000 years. Professor Clark emphasized the significance of these findings, explaining that “glaciers can tell us a lot about climate change, because they respond to both changes in temperature and precipitation.”

For additional information see: Oregon State University Press Release

Arctic Wildlife in Danger of Extinction

On September 13, the Center for Biological Diversity released a report that detailed the growing extinction risks of arctic wildlife due to warming temperatures. Sixteen species join the well-documented polar bear as species at risk of extinction according to the report. These animals include the arctic fox, caribou, musk ox, pacific walrus, and four species of whale. The report attributes population decline to loss of habitat and rising sea water carbon dioxide levels, which adversely impacts food supply.

For additional information see: The Telegraph , Center For Biological Diversity Press Release , Study

Melting Sea Ice Forces 10,000 Walruses Ashore Along Alaska’s Coast

On September 14, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that for the third time in four years, melting sea ice has forced walruses to come ashore in Alaska. Normally, these walruses spend their summers lounging on sea ice, and periodically diving to the ocean floor to forage for food. However, this year, as well as in 2007 and 2009, a lack of ice in the eastern Chukchi Sea has forced thousands of walruses to congregate on dry land instead. USGS and USFWS officials estimate that approximately 10,000 animals have congregated in a dense clump at Point Lay, Alaska. At this time, scientists are unsure how long these animals will remain at Point Lay. What’s even more uncertain is how these animals will fare in the long run, since many climate models are predicting ice-free summers in the arctic by 2040. Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center explained, "We'll likely see more summers like this. There is no sign of Arctic recovery."

For additional information see: Associated Press , New York Times

Drop in Arctic Hurricanes Expected Due to Global Warming

On September 16, meteorologist Dr. Matthias Zahn published a study in Nature, which analyzed the effects of climate change on arctic hurricanes. Zahn and his colleague Hans von Storch, of the Meteorological Institute at Hamburg University, used a global climate model to predict that arctic hurricanes will decrease by 50 percent in 2100. Zahn and Storch’s conclusion is a rare example where climate change will drive a decline in extreme weather rather than an increase. As the prevalence of arctic storms wanes, researchers speculate that it will be safer and more attractive for companies to come and exploit the region’s rich oil reserves.

For additional information see: The Guardian , Study Abstract

September 24: Water Quality in Our Nation's Streams and Groundwater

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Office of Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) invite you to a briefing on nutrient conditions in the nation's waters, their significance to human and aquatic health, and trends in conditions over time. The briefing will release new information from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). Speakers will explain where, how, and when nutrients enter streams and ground water, how these factors and their impacts vary by region, and how much progress the nation has made in reducing excessive nutrient levels after decades of work by federal, state, and local governments. This briefing will be held on Friday, September 24, 2010 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.in the SVC 201/200 Capitol Visitor Center. This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required for Congressional staff. Non-Congressional staff should RSVP to EESI at communications [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1884.