June - July 2008

July 19, 2008

• I've chosen to put special focus on the G8 meeting in this post because it was President Bush's last chance to achieve a positive legacy with respect to climate change.  Indeed, it may have been civilization's last, best chance to avert catastrophe.  Recall what Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has said: "If there's no action before 2012, that's too late. What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment."  Recall also that Pachauri was handpicked by the Bush administration to replace the "alarmist" Bob Watson.  Personally, I'm inclined to Joe Romm's perspective regarding Bush's legacy - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/09/georgebush.climatechange/print
• At the G8 meeting, the world's richest nations and major developing nations agreed to "consider and adopt" the goal of reducing GHG emissions 50% by 2050.  Will this be enough to avert catastrophe? - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/science/earth/09climate.html?hp .  They agree that they have a "vision" of halving CO2 emissions by 2050. - http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/07/08/10205/print/   Well, they at least said they would "work toward" such a reduction, if all countries participated, but the developing nations did not accept the specifics of the goal - http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL0354034920080709?sp=true.  The head of the UN's Environmental Programme does not consider the meeting a success - http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080709/sc_afp/g8summitclimatewarmingun_080709123955  
  while President Bush called it "significant progress" and China, India, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa are reported to have rejected the proposal that developing economies participate equally in the 50% reduction, stating that it was essential that "developed countries take the lead in achieving ambitious and absolute greenhouse gas emissions reductions."  The NYT has an article titled "Emerging Nations Join G-8 on Climate Goal," which says "the meetings did not produce a long-term emissions goal accepted by all the countries, rich and emerging."  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/science/earth/10climate.html?hp  Hmm, my head is spinning.  The Washington Post had a more coherent story - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070900651_pf.html and the NYT had a spot-on editorial - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10thu1.html.  Andy Revkin weighed in with a nicely balanced piece - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/science/earth/10assess.html .  For a view of the proceedings from England see - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/g8-accused-of-failing-the-world-on-carbon-cuts-862958.html?service=Print
• The White House has, again, been busy telling those pesky scientists what they can and cannot say about the effects of climate change -http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/07/08/10209/print/  Vice President Cheney's office denies any involvement - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25584557/  Sen. Barbara Boxer seems to doubt their claim - http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0830109720080708?sp=true.  The Union of Concerned Scientists has compiled an interactive guide to the Administration's widespread political interference - http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/a-to-z-guide-to-political.html
• In England, voters think that addressing climate change is more important than addressing the economy - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/02/climatechange.ethicalliving
• In Canada, with the Arctic rapidly warming, concern is growing about its Arctic security and sovereignty - http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/455931  And, well that it is - http://e360.yale.edu/content/print.msp?id=2035
• Here's a link to a short article from NASA about how less CO2 is being absorbed by the southern ocean - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=18076
• As the cost of gas rises, so does interest in offshore drilling - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11649.html  See also the USA Today article - http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-07-13-offshore-drilling_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
• On Friday, July 11th, the White House announced that the EPA would take no action towards reducing CO2 emissions. - see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/10/AR2008071003087_pf.html and, a federal appeals court struck down a Bush administration clean air initiative, creating considerable confusion and consternation - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/washington/12enviro.html
• And, oysters on the West coast are being adversely affected by warming ocean waters - http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-oysters13-2008jul13,0,4998184.story
• Meanwhile, community gardens are blossoming all around the country.  Perhaps its time for McClellanville to start one - http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080713/ART16/439104695
• The folks at RealClimate.org post a "Weekend Roundup" from time to time and this week's has an interesting article on the surprising continuing collapse of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica, which is probably due to warm ocean water - http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2008/07/weekend-round-up/
• And last but by no means least, the Post and Courier has come out with a strong editorial backing action on the climate change front that almost sound Gorish.  I do believe we've won them over - http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jul/18/face_up_global_warming47922/?print

July 6, 2008

• A GA judge has blocked construction of a new coal fired electric plant because it failed to limit CO2 emissions -http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/07/01/10017/print/  
• We've previously noted articles that describe how using food crops for fuel is counterproductive.  Now an article in the Guardian (UK) describes how a secret report by the World Bank says that 75% of the recent increase in food prices is due to this practice.  - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels.renewableenergy/print
• Much ado has been made of ice melt and moulins and glacial acceleration at the edges of Greenland's ice sheet.  Now a long-term study suggests that the extent and effects of ice melt there are considerably less than previously thought.  This information is very congruent with previous reports I had seen about a recent slowing of some of Greenland's largest glaciers.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/science/earth/04greenland.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print and DotEarth. 
• How about a nationwide initiative for rooftop solar power units? - http://www.reformer.com/ci_9773128
• The World Wildlife Fund has compiled a scorecard for how the G8 nations have done in addressing climate change - http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/newsprint.cgi?file=/news2008/0703-09.htm.  The report is here - http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFBinaryitem9506.pdf.  The US ranks 8th.  Here's a summary:

  • Country in G8 with the highest absolute emissions.

  • Emission rates are among the highest in the world, strong dependence on coal and oil

  • Kyoto target is out of reach, national targets are significantly less ambitious

  • National strategy (climate technology R&D funds) aimed only at long-term emissions

  • Strong pressure by local and state governments and some businesses to strengthen policies

• When our grandchildren are forced to move away from the coast, where will be a good place for them to go?  Here's an article that considers that question - http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/why-canada-is-the-best-haven-from-climate-change-860001.html
• And, finally, here's an informative article that discusses some of the missed opportunities for progressive change that occurred on the road to our currently disastrous energy policies, which are complicit in crude oil's recent record high of $145 a barrel - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/business/06oil.html?8dpc=&_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

June 28, 2008

• How's the outlook for our weather?  According to the latest synthesis report from the US government's Climate Change Science Program, "droughts, heavy downpours, excessive heat, and intense hurricanes are likely to become more commonplace as humans continue to increase the atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases."  For a short summary go to - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080619_climatereport.html.  For the full report go to - http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-3/final-report/default.htm
• Is global warming just too scary to think about for some people or is it that, somewhat like deer in the headlights, who are simply unable to conceive of high speed automobiles, we are just unable to think constructively about it? - http://www.theday.com/re_print.aspx?re=98b7ed81-8bfc-4462-91f7-24c780885563
• James Hansen suggests that executives of fossil fuel companies be put on trial for crimes against humanity and nature - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/23/fossilfuels.climatechange/print .  See also Andy Revkin's remarks about Hansen's suggestion and a response from Peabody Coal at DotEarth (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/).
• And, Hansen says that there is very little time left for us to save ourselves.  - http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/scitech/2008/06/23/D91G2LF80_sci_warming_scientist/
  print.html.  The Columbia (University) News had an interesting question and answer session with him - http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/08/01/hansen.html  And, I've attached a copy of his talk at Columbia (see attached). Andy Revkin has an article in the NYT, see http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/science/earth/23climate.html?pagewanted=print and considers his warning at DotEarth, including a video interview.  Those of us who live along the SC coast should be praying that he's wrong. 
• The folks at Grist have compiled a complete listing of the articles in "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic," a series by Coby Beck containing responses to the most common skeptical arguments on global warming.  It is well organized and appears to be very thorough. - http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics
• What about the uncertainties in climate models?  Here is a link that discusses the issue - http://e360.yale.edu/content/print.msp?id=2028 - and see also the attached article by Kerry Emanuel (Phaeton's Reins).
• The White House has again strong-armed the EPA regarding regulating CO2 emissions.  That perhaps is not surprising, the craven submission of the EPA to White House pressure seems scandalous. - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/washington/25epa.html?pagewanted=print
• Last year, Congress ordered our intelligence agencies to prepare a report on how climate change would impact national security.  Here's an article about the "confidential" report. - http://www.livescience.com/environment/080625-ap-climate-security.html
• Here's a link to a group focusing on sustainability that you might want to include among your favorites - http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=ataglance.  They've recently prepared a report on the challenges presented by Africa - http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=africa
• Will the North Pole be ice free in the summer of 2008? - http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/exclusive-no-ice-at-the-north-pole-855406.html 
• And, finally, here are links to yet another report indicating that it is technologically and economically feasible to seriously reduce CO2 emissions by 2050. To see an article about the report go to http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USL2552297220080626.  For the report itself go to http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/publications/Carbon_Productivity/index.asp.

June 19, 2008

• With regard to capturing and storing CO2 from coal fired power plant emissions, this article reports a relatively low cost method of capturing the gas - (See attachment and see also http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/weekinreview/08wald.html?ref=environment)
• China is reported to be looking at cap-and-trade programs to reduce GHG emissions - http://www.grist.org/news/2008/06/09/china/index.html
• Here's an interesting short video featuring Rev. Richard Cizik, head of the National Association of Evangelicals - http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/5/95152/96675
• Andy Revkin's DotEarth (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/most-experts-foresee-a-repeat-at-least-of-2007-arctic-ice-loss/index.html?ref=science) and the National Snow and Ice Data Center have interesting articles about the possibility of extensive Arctic sea ice melt this summer (see http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/).  I've attached a plot of the minimum (Summer) Arctic sea ice extents since satellite measurements began through 2007.
• The problem with rapid melting of Arctic sea ice is not that it directly causes an increase in sea level.  This ice is already floating in the ocean and will not add water as it melts.  The problem is that loss of the sea ice lessens the extent to which the sun's rays are reflected back to space and hence the water and air warm significantly more than they otherwise would.  This article discusses one of the very serious problems that this could cause - http://www.livescience.com/environment/080610-icemelt-permafrost.html 
• The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has released a thorough report about North Carolina's energy needs that shows how NC can reduce GHG emissions by 60% by 2030 mostly using existing science and technology.  I've attached a copy of their press release.  For the full report go to http://www.cleanenergy.org/documents/CornerstonesReportFinal.pdf
• China is reported to have passed the US as the world's leading emitter of CO2.  Its CO2 emissions were about 5 billion tons/yr (2006) and increased 8% last year. (Note: When you know the annual percentage rate of increase of a variable, you can calculate the doubling time for that variable by dividing 70 by the annual rate of increase.  For China, the doubling time for CO2 emissions is 70/8 = 8.75 years. Ooh, ooh!)  See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/14/world/asia/14china.html?pagewanted=print and http://www.mnp.nl/en/publications/2008/GlobalCO2emissionsthrough2007.html
• Producing oil from "oil sands" is CO2 expensive.  Nevertheless, importing such oil from Canada, ostensibly prohibited by law, will not, according to Sen. Jeff Bingamen (MN), be prohibited - http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/12/9584/print/ 
• Sandy and Harry Scott have sent a link to a fine show about the disutility of plastic bags.  Hopefully none of us still routinely use them!? - http://www.charlestoncity.info/shared/docs/0/the%20dangers%20of_plastic%20bags.pps
• Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet, suggests that we're not going to be able to avoid exceeding the 2 degree C increase in warming this century and wonders whether or not we will be able to "summon up the courage and foresight" to save ourselves - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/12/climatechange.scienceofclimate
  change/print  He has a website at http://www.marklynas.org/.
• "Green noise" refers to the heavy load of ostensibly green information that bombards us daily.  The NYT has some informative articles about it.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/fashion/15green.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print and http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/green-noise-and-destructive-interference/.  The Natural Resources Defense Council has a website that is reported to help with distinguishing green noise from green fact - http://simplesteps.org/ 
• In Alaska, 86% of 213 Alaska Native villages are affected by erosion or flooding associated with global warming - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25141144/
• There is some support for dropping 1990 emissions levels at the standard against which to measure emission reductions and replace it with 2005.  Such a move would be aimed at enticing the US to sign onto the new UN treaty - http://www.reutersinteractive.com/Carbon/pages/print/posts/?bid=118a212b-5add-4e36-bec1-65a1c3792fdc&mode=Full
• As are surely aware, the high fuel costs are hitting the fishing/shrimping/charter boat industry very hard - (see attached)
• Here's a Scientific American article that claims we can save our butts with solar power.  - http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan&print=true 
• Just how bad, one wonders, will the food crisis get? - http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/18/9719/print/
• One of the predicted responses to the effects of global warming are wars over resources such as food, fuel, water, and arable land.  Can there be any doubt that the Iraq War is, at least in part, a resource war?  BP, Exxon-Mobile, Shell, and Chervon must be rubbing their hands with glee! - See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/world/middleeast/19iraq.html?ref=world and
•  Yes, it's about time the biofuels issue is revisited, especially the use of food crops to produce ethanol.  Perhaps new policies can help bring down food prices? - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/19/climatechange.biofuels/print 

June 14, 2008