As the US continues to stall on global warming, for 36 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol – including the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand – the new year brings with it the implementation of legally binding targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
CA Sues EPA over Greenhouse Gases
The state of California is susing the US EPA for denying the state’s attempt to regulate automobile emissions of greenhouse gases. Other states are expected to join the lawsuit challenging the Bush administration’s stance on the issue.
Taking On the E-waste Problem
A global public/private sector cooperative – Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) – aims to curb the environmental and health problems associated with the disposal and recycling of electronics.
Global Warming Isn't Heating Up Campaign Trail
Ellen Goodman of The Seattle Times, points out that global warming has made little more than a cameo appearance in the 2008 US presidential races, ranking at #12 for Democrats and #15 for Republicans amongst the most talked about topics.
IPCC Summaries Called Too Conservative
Some critics say that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – the UN body on global warming – underplays the dangers of global warming.
Canberra to Monitor Japan Whalers
Australia’s new government will send a patrol ship and aircraft to monitor controversial Japanese whaling off the coast of Antarctica. The surveillance will be used to assess whether the slaughter of whales is grounds for legal action in international courts.
EPA Says 17 States Can't Set Emission Rules
The EPA has told 17 states they are not allowed to set their own standards concerning carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles, saying the proposed rules are pre-empted by federal authority. CA Governor Schwarzenegger says the state will sue to overturn the decision.
As They Recognize 50 Years of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Records, Experts Say Potential Solutions Are Within Reach
As humanity passes the 50 year anniversary of accurate global carbon dioxide measurements and with the scientific community concluding that climate change is “very likely” to be caused by anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions, experts in science, busines and politics are confident that humanity can succesfully combat climate change. Although it must lead the charge, Clint Talbott argues that the US government … Read More
ESA and EC take major step forward in GMES
ESA and the European Commission have signed a €48 million grant that will allow the space agency to ensure the coordinated and timely supply of satellite-based Earth Observation data for the preoperational phase of GMES from 2008 to 2010. The signing of the grant marks the first real cooperation between the two in the GMES framework.
Russia Delivers First Nuclear Fuel to Iran
The first batch of Russian uranium 235 nuclear fuel was delivered to the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr on Decemeber 16. Russia, who built the Bushehr plant under contract, delayed the first delivery of nuclear fuel due to international pressure concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions. With delivery expected to be completed in the next two months the plant could be … Read More