On September 28, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of a cap and trade system of pollution credits proposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The cap and trade program is a part of the AB 32 Scoping Plan, which includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas levels to 1990 levels by 2020. Enforcement of cap and trade rules in California will be delayed until January 2013. CARB appealed the judge’s recommendation to consider alternatives to a cap and trade system, such as nontradable emissions limits and a tax on carbon-emitting fuels, such as gasoline. The Board examined and rejected these options in the past. The case provoked controversy among some environmental groups that support cap and trade to reduce emissions, and groups that believe the market approach renders low income communities susceptible to more pollution.

For additional information see: San Francisco Chronicle

At the Major Economies Forum (MEF) held September 16 and 17, the United States reasserted its stance that it will not ratify a treaty on climate change that excludes emerging economies. U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern said the United States will only support a treaty that includes “equal legal force to major developing countries.” Stern has previously conceded that a legally binding agreement to reduce emissions is possible, but all major emitters must be bound to the same legal comitments. The MEF included the 17 nations with the most greenhouse gas emissions, and featured discussions about whether the Kyoto Protocol should be extended or replaced with a new approach to climate change. Recognizing that new plans to mitigate climate change will not be made at the upcoming Durban conference, the members of the MEF discussed methods to build confidence in previous mitigation pledges, the importance of public funding to support climate change mitigation programs, and the possibility of building emissions guidelines over time.

For additional information see: Sustainable Business, Major Economies Forum, EESI

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has been under scrutiny recently, after Wikileaks revealed that most CDM projects in India are actually ineligible because they do not reduce emissions beyond what would be achieved without foreign investments. CDM is a market-based mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol that allows wealthy nations to offset carbon emissions by investing in clean energy projects in developing nations. A diplomatic cable written in July 2008, sent from the U.S. consulate in Mumbai to the U.S. secretary of state, described the UN’s validation and registration process as “arbitrary.” The cable also revealed that most of the carbon offset projects in India do not meet the CDM requirements set by the United Nations, and that authorities seeking to validate new projects often forgo investigative measures, simply accepting the word of the project developers. Critics claim that more stringent oversight and harsher penalties for violations are crucial to the success of the CDM and other carbon trading projects.

For additional information see: Nature

According to a recent study from the Canadian National Round Table on the Environment, climate change could cost Canada $21 to $43 billion annually by 2050 if a plan to mitigate global warming is not implemented. The report predicted that, within the next decade, climate change impacts will cost Canada up to $5 billion per year. The economic risks outlined in the report included storm surge damage to coastal regions such as Vancouver, infrastructure issues due to sea level rise, and a rise in healthcare expenses due to poor air quality. The cost of these issues could eventually reach up to one percent of Canada’s GDP. The report stressed the importance of mitigating future expenses by addressing climate change now, with measures such as enhancing forest fire prevention and planting climate-resilient tree species.

For additional information see: Edmonton Journal, Study

The Global Adaptation Institute recently released a new update to its annual Global Adaptation Index (GAIn) that tracks the potential risks of climate change impact around the world. The goal of the GAIn project is to provide information for governments and private sector investors about climate change adaptation measures and potential around the globe. GAIn consists of a color coded map that assesses both the vulnerability of a region to dramatic climate shifts, and the readiness of different regions to adapt to the changing climate. The readiness component accounts for economic, social and government factors that are considered based on indicators such as financial and investment freedom, political stability and control of corruption, and tertiary education. According to the index, Denmark, Switzerland, and Ireland are among the best equipped to deal with potential threats, while Burundi, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic face some of the greatest challenges.

For additional information see: Washington Post, Global Adaptation Index

According to a new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased 45 percent between 1990 and 2010, reaching 33 billion tons last year. Industrialized nations subject to the Kyoto Protocol, however, are on track to meet their goals. The report stated that a surge of emissions from developing nations such as China and India, whose CO2 output increased 257 and 180 percent, respectively, over the course of the decade, were largely responsible for the global increase. In the United States, CO2 emissions increased by five percent. Nations in the European Union decreased CO2 emissions by seven percent, and Russia saw a decrease of 28 percent. Nations that ratified the Kyoto Protocol and the United States were responsible for about two-thirds of global emissions in 1990, but these countries are now responsible for less than half of global emissions. The report was based on results from the Emissions Database for Atmospheric Research, and recent statistics for energy use.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Environment 360, Report

Climate change could soon cause the ascent of Mount Everest to be ice-free, according to custodians and climbers. Scientists have a long way to go to understand the changing climate and glacial mass of the Himalayas, but anecdotal evidence from local people suggests that the ice on the Southern approach to the mountain is melting rapidly, even in higher altitude areas. John All, an expert on the glaciers of Nepal, claimed that on a recent climb he rarely used crampons because there was so much bare rock. “In the past that would have been suicide because there was so much ice,” explained All. Previous generations of climbers and historic photographs of the legendary mountain show that the ice has become less deep and extensive.

For additional information see: Guardian

On September 24, representatives of small island states admonished the General Assembly of the United Nations to pay greater attention to the causes and effects of climate change. Proposed mitigation measures included increasing renewable energy, studying the susceptibility of island communities to climate change risks, renewing pledges to assist vulnerable communities, and putting an end to illegal fishing. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines stated that he was “baffled by the intransigence of major emitters and developed nations that refuse to shoulder the burden for arresting climate change that are linked to the excesses of their own wasteful policies.” Representatives also outlined how climate change will render sustainable development impossible for small island states, calling for more comprehensive environmental and economic programs to support climate change mitigation in highly vulnerable regions.

For additional information see: UN News Centre

New research has found that life expectancy of bryozoans—a tiny invertebrate animal living in the shallow seafloor areas of the West Antarctic Peninsula—decreased by half in the past 12 years because shrinking winter sea ice has dramatically increased the frequency of icebergs scraping the bryozoans’ seafloor ecosystem. The frequent scraping of the icebergs on the sea floor causes ecosystem destruction that often inhibits the bryozoans from reaching reproductive age. Seafloor organisms such as bryozoans, once one of the most abundant creatures in the region, are believed to be a carbon sink, and their decline may trigger more severe ecological consequences. The study was conducted by placing cement markers on the seafloor to record iceberg scraping and comparing this to recorded life expectancy. Iceberg scouring is believed to be increasing in regions of the Arctic as well, posing a potential threat to many key ecosystems. The study was published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

For additional information see: Environmental Protection Online, Abstract

A recent study projected an increase in ozone-related deaths in Europe over the next 60 years due to climate change. Researchers used two models of future greenhouse gas emission scenarios to project the impact of climate change on health risks related to ozone levels, revealing that in countries such as Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal, ozone-related deaths could increase 10 to 14 percent in the next half century. Ozone pollution is linked to hospitalization and deaths related to respiratory problems, and rising temperatures cause increased ground-level ozone formation. The study was a part of the Climate-TRAP project, a European program that conducts and presents research about the projected impacts and potential preparation measures for climate change.

For additional information see: Science Daily

Scientists suspect that the amount of carbon dioxide processed by plants is 25 percent greater than previous estimates, a discrepency that would alter projections of how much CO2 forests and crops can absorb. A recent study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography observed that the ratio of oxygen isotopes in CO2—which can be used to measure how fast the gas is processed through plants—suggests that climate change models may need to be revised because the rate of photosynthesis in plants has been underestimated. The amount of carbon inhaled by plants, previously estimated at 120 billion tons per year, is now believed to be between 150 and 175 billion tons per year. The study was published in the journal Nature.

For additional information see: Sydney Morning Herald, Abstract

Other Headlines

H.R. 2401: Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011

Intent: Requires analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions of the Environmental Protection Agency, (including rules promulgated through New Source Performance Standards to address climate change), and for other purposes.

Previous Action: 79/26/2011 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor: Sullivan (R-OK)

For additional information see: THOMAS

EESI, a participating member of the Combined Federal Campaign workplace giving program, will have a table at the Pentagon’s CFC Kick-Off Charity Fair this year on October 5. If you work at the Pentagon, please stop by our table from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM to find out more about EESI’s work to curb climate change on Wednesday, October 5!
All federal employees and members of the military can help advance sustainable energy by designating EESI in the Combined Federal Campaign with CFC #10627.

The Passive House Institute U.S. and the Environmental and Energy Studies Institute invite you to The 6th Annual North American Passive House Conference. Ellen Vaughan, policy director of High Performance Green Buildings at EESI, will present at the conference, addressing the crucial role of the government in forwarding the highest green building standard to grow the Passive House sector in the United States. The North American Passive House Conference gathers building experts – from architects to engineers to contractors – to share the latest technology developments and best practices for building sustainable, comfortable and affordable Passive House buildings and retrofits in the US market.
The panel will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 10:15 am to 12:15, at the Silver Spring Civic Building – One Veterans Place; Silver Spring, MD 20910.

For additional information contact: Laura Parsons at lparsons@eesi.org

To register for the conference please go to: Passive House

Writers: Kate Glass, Joey Gosselar, and Matthew Johnson

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EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support!

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on September 15 revealed that 83 percent of Americans believe in climate change, compared to 75 percent last year. According to the poll, about 72 percent of Republicans achnowledge global warming and 92 percent of Democrats do. Of the participants who believed in global warming, 71 percent are convinced that it is at least partially caused by humans. About 15 percent of voters see global warming as a primary concern. The poll also indicated that, although more Americans recognize climate change, those who are skeptical are increasingly sure of their convictions. Jon Krosnick, a political science professor at Stanford University, has suggested that the tendency of Republican presidential candidates to deny or criticize evidence of climate change has prompted people to reflect on their own views about global warming.

For additional information see: Reuters, Scientific American, International Business Times

On September 16, the utility AES emerged as the winner of a decision over whether its insurer, Steadfast, was obligated to defend it in a lawsuit over climate change. AES is a defendent in the court case Kivalina v. Exxon Mobil Corp. et. al., in which the village of Kivalina, Alaska, accused AES and others of negligence because they knowingly emitted greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, and subsequent rising sea levels. While the larger Kivalina case is in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, AES sought a decision in Virginia courts on its insurer’s obligation. The decision not to obligate Steadfast hinged on the particular wording of the policy, according to Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bernard Goodwyn. “The relevant policies only require Steadfast to defend AES against claims for damages of bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence or accident,” he wrote. Climate change did not meet the “accident” or “occurrence” definition in this instance, according to the ruling.

For additional information see: New York Times, Insurance Journal

“24 Hours of Reality”, a new project led by former vice president Al Gore, illustrated the effects of climate change in 24 locations around the world through live online videos broadcast in 24 different time zones. The website’s counter indicated the program, which was available in 13 different languages, attracted 8.5 million viewers. The purpose of the videos was to raise awareness about the cause and effects of climate change, directly addressing climate change skeptics and deniers. The videos included an investigation into how climate change skeptics are funded and 200 new slides that outline the connection between climate change and increasingly intense natural disasters.

For additional information see: Reuters, NPR, Presentation, New York Times

Over 30 million people were displaced last year by environmental and weather disasters in Asia, according to a recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) report. This number is expected to rise as disasters intensify due to impacts caused by climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, droughts, and food shortages. Problems associated with the influx of migration are estimated to cost around $60 billion. Areas that face the greatest challenges are low-lying regions such as the Maldives, where populations of entire islands have already been forced to move. The report states that rather than creating a new category of migrant people, climate change will likely influence existing migration factors and patterns, such as reinforcing the strong urbanization trend in the region. The ADB is currently working on a report that will outline potential policies that governments could consider to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

For additional information see: The Guardian, Report

A new international agreement resulting in the renewal of the Kyoto Protocol seems unlikely, as the United States continues to refuse to take part in discussions, and Norway and Australia call for a delay in a new treaty. Todd Stern, the most prominent U.S. negotiator in international climate change talks, stated that most industrialized nations such as Russia, Japan, and Canada, oppose a second commitment period, and the United States will continue to refuse to participate in a new international treaty unless emerging economies will be obligated to reduce emissions. The Kyoto Protocol is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012, leaving no binding international agreement in its place, and no legal foundation for carbon trading schemes in its place. Developing countries have expressed discontent at the likely abandonment of the Protocol, which they believe to be the foundation of future negotiations on climate change.

For additional information see: Business Green, The Guardian

Wealthy countries should eliminate $50 billion a year in fossil fuel subsidies, a leaked World Bank report said. The report, which was intended to be presented to the G20 finance ministers in November, also said that countries should spend their pledged climate change funds on financing carbon markets. It is unlikely that the funds which rich countries have pledged—$30 billion for 2010-2012 and $100 billion per year by 2020—will actually be provided. Removing fossil fuel subsidies could be a starting point though, according to the study.
The report further supports a carbon tax on the aviation and maritime industries. “A globally implemented carbon charge of $25/ton CO2 on fuel used could raise around $13 billion from international aviation and around $26 billion from international maritime transport in 2020, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions from each industry by around 5 to 10 percent.” Developing countries have become increasingly frustrated by rich nations failing to fulfill their climate finance pledges. “Rich nations cannot try and pass the buck to private companies who will be more interested in delivering high returns than meeting the needs of some of the world’s poorest people,” said Murray Worthy, a policy officer with the World Development Movement.

For additional information see: Guardian, World Bank Draft Report (Via Guardian)

Australia and Norway have submitted a proposal to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat to finalize a new international climate framework by 2015, acknowledging that it likely will not happen in Durban this year. The proposal creates a timetable which begins with the negotiations in Durban and finishes with a legally-binding framework in 2015. Participants have praised the proposal as realistic. “There are a number of parties that would like to have a legally-binding agreement right away,” Jennifer Morgan of the World Resources Institute said. “But it’s good to have a vision on the table.” Russel Mills, global director of energy and climate change for Dow Chemical in Switzerland, and Martijn Wilder, a Sydney-based partner with law firm Baker & McKenzie, have noted that countries such as Australia, China and Korea should have their own emissions trading schemes in place by 2015, which will make international talks easier. “At the end of the day, it’s very important to have a timetable, but you have to have the political will to meet it,” Mr. Wilder said.

For additional information see: Environmental Finance, The Proposal

For the seventh time in eight years, Entergy Corporation has been named to the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). Compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the CDLI is comprised of 55 companies from the S&P 500 who have been lauded for their disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions, commitments to emissions reductions, and their understanding of the role they play in climate change issues. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) maintains a database of over 3,000 organizations’ voluntarily disclosed greenhouse gas emissions and water-use information. According to Entergy, “It’s as simple as, despite the best intentions, what’s not measured doesn’t get done. The Carbon Disclosure Project serves a great need to raise our awareness of how much can be, and needs to be, done.”According to Paul Simpson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, “Companies that make the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index have demonstrated good internal data management practices for understanding greenhouse gas emissions. They have shown a strong awareness of the business issues related to climate change, including climate-related risks and opportunities. Those organizations that give clear consideration to measuring and reporting on climate change issues will be best placed to capitalize on the opportunities from managing them.” Entergy, an integrated electric power company servicing Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, was also named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index earlier this month.

For additional information see: Sacramento Bee

According to a new study, global warming is changing fish populations in British waters. Cold water fish such as cod and haddock, that are common in British cuisine are growing scarcer as sea temperatures rise. Fish that tend to breed in warmer temperatures, such as hake, dab, and red mullet, are thriving. Analysis of 28 years of data that tracked 50 common species of fish revealed that 30 different species are affected by climate change. If this trend continues, the UK could see a greater diversity of options in fish, as warm water species tend to be more resilient to overfishing because they reproduce and grow faster than cold water species. However, the study also mentioned that the impact of ocean acidification is still unknown, and might negatively impact the availability of fish. The research was funded by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Research Council, and was published in Current Biology.

For additional information see: BBC, Guardian, Science Daily, Study

A recent study revealed that ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet can absorb heat for up to a decade. This discovery provided insight into why global temperature does not rise consistently. The study was prompted by the realization that even though carbon emissions have climbed steadily in the past decade, the highest global temperatures on record in 1998 were not exceeded until 2010. By using a software tool known as Community Climate System Model to illustrate complex relationships between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and ice, scientists were able to create five simulations of global temperatures. The simulations projected that there would be periods of relatively stable temperatures that could last about a decade, during which heat energy is buried in deep oceanic layers.The study was published in Nature Climate Change.

For additional information see: Science Daily, International Business Times, Abstract

Scientists have developed a new model for the allocation of conservation funding that could help save more species from climate change. The model uses both ecological and economic information to guide conservation investment, and can be applied to the conservation of a wide range of environments. The goal of the project was to address the loss of biodiversity due to climate change by making sure that the costs of conservation efforts are explicit, and money is not wasted on politicized decisions. The model considers many threats to biodiversity that are caused by climate change, such as wild fires and invasive species, to efficiently manage funds. The model was published in Nature Climate Change.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract

New research suggests that funding for new technology is one of the most cost effective ways to address climate change. Funding for new energy technologies with a high potential for cost reduction is more financially beneficial than investing in more familiar technologies. The research was conducted at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research using a computer simulation that processed data from the past 100 years. The analysis shows that companies are uncertain about long term profits from new technologies, and consumers have little incentive to pay more for electricity that was produced with new technology, so inferior and ultimately more expensive technology tends to dominate the market. Funding targeted at new technologie, such as solar energy, offshore wind power, and biomass energy, over a 30 year period, have a more positive cost-benefit ratio, compared to financial support for well-established technologies such as nuclear energy and hydroelectric power. The study was published in the journal Resource and Energy Economics.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Guardian, Study

A new paper, published in The Philospohical Transactions of the Royal Society, finds that more reliable and precise climate models can be formed using Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial and Helio Studies (TRUTHS). Currently, the most reliable models depend on many complicated measurements, analysis, and projections. The data required to maintain these models must be taken from space, often over a long period of time. The costs and variability in such data collection methods result in varying climate models. The TRUTHS project would involve a single satellite capable of highly accurate measurements of incoming solar radiation that could track albedo, cloud cover, and solar radiation levels. TRUTHS would be the first satellite with the ability to accurately record and report data about climate while orbiting, and would be capable of measurements ten times more accurate than current satellites. So far, both the European Space Agency and NASA have expressed interest in the project.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract

A study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) revealed that over one million pounds of black carbon (soot) was released into the atmosphere when the surface oil slicks from the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill were burned. Over nine weeks, the burned oil emitted more black carbon into the atmosphere than the combined emissions of all ships normally traveling through the region during that time. Black carbon is harmful because it not only warms the atmosphere—it is the most light absorbing airborne particle—but also degrades air quality and is harmful to human health. Black carbon has also been associated with accelerated melting of Arctic ice. “Scientists have wanted to know more about how much black carbon pollution comes from controlled burning and the physical and chemical properties of that pollution. Now we know a lot more,” said the study’s lead author Anne Perring. The researchers found that the soot emitted was larger than normal ship emissions, which usually indicates that it will remain in the atmosphere for less time. However, it also reached higher altitudes which could affect where it eventually settles.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract

Cutting carbon emissions may no longer be sufficient to stay within the 2 degree temperature limit on global warming, a series of studies have predicted in the November issue of the journal Climate Change. According to one study, the atmosphere may be saturated with enough carbon to reach the 2 degree increase within 20 years, after which carbon must be removed to compensate for increased emissions. Such an approach, known as “negative emissions”, is getting more attention as emissions continue to grow and global temperatures rise. The atmosphere has already warmed by .8 degrees since before industrial times.
“If we want to stay below 2 degrees Celsius and possibly achieve 1.5 in the 22nd century then we’re not going to get around these negative emissions,” said Malte Meinshausen, lead author of one study. According to Meinshausen’s study, in order to achieve this, we must halt increases in carbon emissions within 5 years, and 3.5 billion tons have to be removed from the atmosphere annually by 2070. If emissions continue to rise after 2020, excess carbon must be removed from the atmosphere at a rate of 18 billion tons annually for about 100 years.

For additional information see: Reuters

Other Headlines

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon is on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. through October 2, 2011. The award-winning program challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. Open to the public free of charge, visitors can tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today.

For additional information see: www.solardecathlon.gov

Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support!

On March 3, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) introduced legislation intended to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) from power plants, factories, and refineries. Named the “Energy Tax Prevention Act”, the companion bills, H.R. 910 and S. 482, have 9 co-sponsors in the House, including Democrats Nick Rahall (D-WV), Dan Boren (D-OK), and Collin Peterson (D-MN), and, in the Senate, 42 Republican co-sponsors as well as Joe Manchin (D-WV). The bill would allow many of the Clean Air Act programs to continue, but prevent the EPA from using its authority regulate carbon dioxide. A deal brokered with the automobile industry to limit GHGs from cars and light trucks would be allowed to continue until 2016, but not further. State-adopted GHG regulations would be allowed to continue. Rep. Upton is Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Sen. Inhofe is the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

For additional information see: New York Times , Politico, AP, Bill Information

On March 1, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations and their potential effects on American jobs. Business leaders, along with the Ohio Coal Association and the Industrial Energy Association of America, spoke on the first panel. They told the lawmakers that regulations have been onerous, and that they have stunted economic growth. All of the panelists, with the exception of Professor Dan Reicher from Stanford University, testified that the EPA’s efforts to regulate GHGs will accelerate the closing of coal-fired power plants, impose unnecessary and burdensome regulations on businesses of all sizes, and cost companies enormous sums of money. Reicher stated that controlling carbon emissions was critical to U.S. national security, economy, health, and environmental quality, and that well-designed environmental and energy regulation can enhance U.S. competitiveness, innovation, and cut costs. During the hearing, Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) said he would schedule a hearing for March 8 on two new scientific studies linking climate change to severe weather, at the request of Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL).

The second panel consisted of Gina McCarthy, Assistant EPA Administrator. McCarthy testified that even though individuals and businesses have said expanding regulations pose a threat to jobs, history has repeatedly shown that the United States can clean up pollution, create jobs, and grow its economy at the same time. McCarthy said the EPA has been identifying cost-effective ways for new companies to obtain emissions permits. In a report released before McCarthy testified, the EPA found that the Clean Air Act will have saved $2 trillion by 2020 and prevented at least 230,000 deaths annually.

For additional information see: Energy and Power Subcommittee Press Release, The Hill, Bloomberg, Hearing Video, EPA Report

On February 28, member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction program, announced in a report that they have invested more than half their carbon permit auction proceeds, roughly $404 million, into energy efficiency. To meet its goal of a 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2018, the RGGI holds quarterly auctions of CO2 permits, which have raised nearly $780 million since 2008 despite a recent dip in auction prices to $2 a short ton. About 80 percent of the proceeds have gone to programs that cut energy demand, foster the growth of alternative energy, and help the poor pay energy bills, while 52 percent of the proceeds have gone specifically to programs to improve energy efficiency, such as replacing boilers and caulking windows in businesses and homes. The RGGI called the energy efficiency programs the most cost-effective tool for reducing GHG emissions.

For additional information see: Reuters, RGGI Report Press Release

On March 1, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it was extending the deadline requiring thousands of businesses to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from March 31 to later this summer, after it establishes an online platform for companies to report their emissions. Once data are uploaded, the agency expects to publish them later this year. The EPA’s emissions reporting program was launched in 2009 to collect information on GHG pollution to inform future policy decisions, and it is one aspect of the EPA’s plan to roll out more regulations on GHG emissions. The EPA’s decision will result in a more accurate GHG database, said the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, which welcomed the delay, along with the American Chemistry Council.

For additional information see: Reuters, EPA Press Release

On February 24, an independent review of 1,073 leaked emails from climate scientists around the world, known as the 2009 “Climategate” controversy, found that scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) did not manipulate climate change data or fail to adhere to appropriate peer review procedures. The report was conducted at the request of Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) by Todd Zinser, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce, under which NOAA operates. It is the latest in a series of investigations, all of which have exonerated the climate scientists. Previous investigations were conducted by the UK’s House of Commons, the National Research Council, and Pennsylvania State University. Climate change skeptics have cited the emails leaked from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in the UK, and contend that the correspondence showed that scientists were manipulating or withholding information about global warming and the role of human activity. “None of the investigations have found any evidence to question the ethics of our scientists or raise doubts about NOAA’s understanding of climate change science,” said Mary Glackin, NOAA’s deputy undersecretary for operations. Although the report found no evidence of scientific misconduct, it did criticize NOAA over its handling of some Freedom of Information Act requests in 2007.

For additional information see: The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Office of the Inspector General

On March 1, research presented at the Canadian Water Network’s conference found that within 20 years, water demand will exceed supply by 40 percent. In flood-prone places, “once-in-a-century” catastrophic events can be expected every 20 years instead, due to the combined threats of climate change and population growth. Three hundred international scientists, policymakers, and economists attended the meetings and acknowledged the need to create technologies and services to find, manage, filter, disinfect and desalinate water; improve infrastructure and distribution; and reduce household, industry, and agricultural water consumption. Filling the gap between water demand and supply with supply-side measures only would require an estimated $200 billion per year, while an approach that both raises supply and lowers demand would require $50 to $60 billion per year, according to Margaret Catley-Carlson, a global authority on water issues. Nicholas Parker, Chairman of Cleantech Group, noted that institutional investors are increasingly looking ahead to the bottom-line impacts of a water-constrained world, asking businesses for data on their vulnerability to potential water supply difficulties. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researcher Nicholas Ashbolt pointed out that conservation measures could reduce household demand in developed countries by 70 percent through water-saving innovations discussed at the meeting.

In related news, an increase in extreme rainstorms brought on by climate change could result in the return of cholera to North America, said an expert who spoke at the Canadian Water Network’s annual conference. Microbiologist Rita Colwell and fellow expert Steve Hrudey noted that a breakdown in sewage treatment plants from severe weather patterns could raise the risk of cholera. Hrudey cited the need to better train and better pay individuals who manage Canadian municipal water systems. In Canada, the main problem lies in its patchwork of water management rules and regulations nationwide, while matching up natural units of water, such as watersheds, with political units poses additional concerns, noted Rob de Loe, a water expert from the University of Waterloo.

For additional information see: Canadian Water Network, CBC News

On March 1, a survey, conducted by Point Carbon, of more than 2,500 European energy companies found that 59 percent of respondents have already reduced their emissions because of the European cap and trade system that put a price on carbon emissions. Another 9 percent said they plan to lower emissions due to the cost of carbon. Most of the reductions were only marginal, less than 5 percent, but the survey showed that the system introduced six years ago, has gained wider acceptance and has made a small dent in the pollution from big energy companies. Since the Emissions Trading Scheme’s (ETS’s) introduction, power companies have received their permits for free, but beginning in 2013 they will have to pay for their allocations in an auction with other companies. Overall carbon pollution has declined since 2005, despite a small increase in emissions last year. Europe is on target to meet its emissions reduction goal of 20 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels. Forty-nine percent of the companies that responded thought the trading scheme was the most cost-effective way for Europe to meet its emissions targets, up from 43 percent in 2010.

For additional information see: AP

On February 27, a Philippine House Committee on Ecology approved a bill that would create the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) for assisting local governments as they cope with climate change. Deputy Speaker of the Philippine Congress Lorenzo R. Tañada was the principal author of the bill that would incentivize early climate action by encouraging local governments to create adaptation plans and vulnerability assessments before they tap the PSF. A coalition of various organizations, including Oxfam and the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities, are working to persuade Congress to approve the bill as soon as possible. According to Congressman Tañada, the country’s response to natural disasters caused by climate change has been disorderly and costly, and the PSF bill would establish “long-term, predictable, and transparent” financial resources made available to vulnerable populations. Potential financial sources are cash dividends declared by all government-owned and controlled corporations, a portion of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge, and a portion of emission units earned under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism.

For additional information see: Business World, Thomson Reuters

On February 28, China’s Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian issued a warning about the effects of unrestrained development on China’s air, water, and soil quality, saying that the nation’s current path could stifle long-term economic growth and fuel social instability. China has become the leading emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), due to its growth in energy consumption, its dependence on coal for 70 percent of its energy needs, and its increasing demand for oil. Mr. Zhou said the government will take a more aggressive role in determining whether development initiatives contribute to climate change through a new risk assessment system. Mr. Zhou’s comments were echoed by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on the same day, who suggested that the nation would seek to embrace tighter environmental regulations this week. “We must not any longer sacrifice the environment for the sake of rapid growth and reckless roll-outs,” said Mr. Wen, who lowered China’s target for average GDP growth, from 7.5 percent to 7 percent, in a move that suggested China would reconsider emphasizing economic growth above all else.

For additional information see: The New York Times, Reuters, BBC

On February 27, at a meeting of the BASIC group of countries—Brazil, South Africa, India, and China—ministers from the four countries expressed the need for specific issues to be addressed before the upcoming December climate talks in Durban, South Africa. At the conclusion of the meeting in New Dehli, India, representatives said the agreements made at the 2010 Cancún climate talks could not be a complete substitute for the decisions made during the 2007 climate change conference in Bali. According to Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, there were several issues of equity, intellectual property rights, and trade in the “Bali Road Map” that were not included in the Cancún agreements. The BASIC countries want to see them addressed in Durban. Ramesh also pointed out that even though the United States and other participants in the 2009 Copenhagen Accord had agreed to raise $30 billion to aid poor and developing countries at risk of climate change disasters, they have so far failed to deliver these “fast track” financial obligations. Ramesh said only a negligible amount of the promised money has been delivered, and further inaction could lead to a suspicious atmosphere in Durban. The ministers said that a commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol, a commitment review mechanism for developed and developing countries, and strong emission reduction targets for the developed world were also necessary for an agreement at Durban.

For additional information see: Sify News, United Press International, Hindustan Times

On March 1, UN Climate Change Chief Christiana Figueres called on world governments to quickly implement the agreements reached at the 2010 Cancún climate summit and provide clarity on the future of the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. She warned that the future of the global carbon market could be in thrown into doubt unless the upcoming climate talks in Durban, South Africa, produce an agreement on how to replace or extend the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which ends in 2012. Figueres described the Cancún talks as a solid step forward for strengthened global climate action, and praised the conference for forming the most comprehensive package ever decided by governments to help developing countries deal with climate change, and for deciding on a long-term agreement to keep average global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-Industrial Age levels. However, Figueres noted that current emissions reductions promised by governments are only 60 percent of what the scientific community says is required by 2020. She instructed governments to agree on a way to cut global emissions about twice as quickly as they have already promised, and to keep in mind that the Kyoto Protocol remains the only working, binding international model to reduce emissions.

For additional information see: UN News Centre, United Press International, Business Green

On February 28, a study published in the journal Climatic Change found that the range of the lodgepole pine tree is shrinking as a result of climate change, and could disappear from most of the Pacific Northwest by 2080. Warming temperatures, less winter precipitation, earlier loss of snowpack, and more summer drought appear to be affecting the range of the lodgepole pine, while simultaneously attracting bark beetles that attack the tree species. The lodgepole pine thrives in cold temperatures and plays a key role in many ecosystems in western North America, but scientists predict that the tree will only be able to survive in 17 percent of its current habitable range. The pine can occupy vast areas following major fires where extreme cold temperatures, poor soils, and branch-breaking snows make it difficult for other tree species to compete or survive. According to the study, climate change forces will have decreased the Pacific Northwest range of lodgepole pine by 8 percent by 2020, and by 2080, scientists predict that it will be almost absent from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

For additional information see: EurekAlert, The New York Times, Science Daily, Oregon State University Press Release, Study Abstract

Southwest U.S. Could Face a “Megadrought” Due to Rising GHG Emissions

On March 1, a study published in the journal Nature found that rising global temperatures from increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) could lead the southwestern United States into a period of prolonged extreme drought seen only in ancient geological history. Researchers used a 270-foot core of sediments extracted from a dry lakebed in the Valles Caldera National Preserve to construct climatic conditions that prevailed between 360,000 and 550,000 years ago. Data from the lake sediment suggest that if the current epoch followed past trends, the Southwest would eventually enter a cooler, wetter phase in the absence of climate changes that are expected to arise from rising concentrations of heat-trapping GHGs. The sediment layers, which were bounded by distinct layers of volcanic ash, covered two interglacial periods, which represent times between ice ages when warmer temperatures mimicked present-day temperatures. The current Holocene Epoch is the most recent interglacial period. The projected warmth caused by GHGs increases the possibility of tipping the region into a “megadrought,” potentially lasting a millennium or more, according to lead researcher Peter Fawcett.

For additional information see: The New York Times, Science Daily, Study Abstract

Drier Conditions Reduce Vegetation, Could Accelerate Dust Storms in Southwest

On February 28, a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that climate change is projected to result in drier conditions in the southwest United States that will likely reduce perennial vegetation cover and result in increased dust storm activity in the future. The researchers examined climate, vegetation, and soil data collected over a 20-year period in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah, then used these measurements in a model to project future wind erosion. According to scientists, accelerated rates of dust emission from wind erosion have significant implications for natural systems and human health. Dust carried by the wind has far-reaching effects, including the loss of nutrients and water-holding capacity from source landscapes, declines in agricultural productivity, and health and safety concerns. In addition, dust is a contributing factor in speeding up the melting of snowpack, which can subsequently affect the timing and magnitude of runoff into larger bodies of water.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Study Abstract

Ancient Catastrophic Drought Shows How Severe Climate Change Can Become

On February 24, a study published in the journal Science found that climate change could become worse than anything recorded in written history. An international team of scientists compiled four dozen paleoclimate records from sediment cores extracted from several locations in Africa, which showed the occurrence of one of the most widespread and intense droughts of the last 50,000 years or more that struck Africa and Southern Asia 17,000 to 16,000 years ago. The “H1 megadrought” was one of the most severe climate trials ever faced by anatomically modern humans. Africa’s Lake Victoria dried out, the Nile and the Congo rivers shriveled, and Asian summer monsoons weakened or failed from China to the Mediterranean. While the cause of the drought is still unknown, the study opens up the possibility that the “Heinrich Event 1,” a massive surge of icebergs and meltwater into the North Atlantic at the close of the last ice age, could have played a role, as it coincided with the drought. This study differed from previous studies that implicated the southward drift of the tropical rain belt as a localized cause. Researchers found that the rain belt not only moved, but it also weakened. According to lead author Curt Stager, “there is much less ice left to collapse in the North Atlantic now, so it is unlikely that this type of megadrought could happen again, at least on such a huge scale.”

For additional information see: Science Daily, Study Abstract

Arctic Algae Blooms Occurring Earlier, Impact on Carbon Cycling Unknown

On March 3, a study published in Global Change Biology found that warming temperatures and melting ice in the Arctic may be behind the phytoplankton peak occurring up to 50 days earlier than usual. Earlier timing of the annual algal bloom—a crucial marine event that leads to the production of zooplankton, which become a food resource for fish—could hold major consequences for the entire food web and carbon cycle in the region. Scientists plotted the yearly spring phytoplankton bloom in the Arctic and found that the peak of the bloom has been occurring earlier each year for more than 10 years. The researchers also analyzed satellite data depicting ocean color and phytoplankton production to determine how early the spring blooms have arrived in recent years. According to scientists, the advancement of the bloom may have serious consequences for the entire Arctic ecosystem, and could explain the annual variability of fish stocks in the region.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Study Abstract

One: Climate Change Could Make “Tree of Life” Slimmer in Europe

On March 1, EU-founded research published in the journal Nature found that the tree of life, an aggregate of species according to their genetic similarity, faces a trend of homogenization across the continent of Europe due to climate change. However, it will not lose its overall structure, meaning there will be no major losses of biodiversity, but it will become “thinner” as vulnerable species may fall prey to the effects of climate change. Major losses would occur only if localized “branches” were completely eliminated, which would then jeopardize the structure of the entire tree. According to researchers, reductions in phylogenetic diversity will be greater in southern Europe, and gains are expected in the higher latitudes or altitudes; however, losses will not be offset by gains. While the data did not present a number of species predicted to disappear, they did suggest that humankind needs to be aware of the threat and ensure species’ sustainability. This study differed from previous biodiversity studies through its use of phylogenetic groups, which are based entirely on species’ evolutionary relatedness to one another, as opposed to taxonomic groups, which provide information about evolutionary relatedness based on form and function, and are thus less accurate when predicting future evolutions.

For additional information see: Science 2.0, European Comission, Study Abstract

On March 2, a study published in the journal Nature suggested that mankind may have set into motion the sixth known mass extinction in Earth’s history. Naturally induced extinction events have occurred over the past 540 million years, but the new threat is man-made, caused by habitat loss, over-fishing, over-hunting, the spread of germs and viruses and introduced species, and climate change caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists examined the state of biodiversity today, using the world’s mammal species as a measuring baseline. Until mankind’s expansion 500 years ago, mammal extinctions were rather rare, with an average of two species dying out every million years. In the last 500 years, at least 80 out of 5,570 mammal species have gone extinct. Under the assumption that these species are extinct and biodiversity loss will continue unabated, researchers said that the sixth mass extinction could arrive within 3 to 22 centuries—a “fast track” pace compared to previous extinctions. Authors acknowledged some weaknesses to their study from using only mammals as a benchmark of Earth’s biodiversity, as well as having an incomplete fossil record. However, they said it is important to devote resources and policy toward species conservation.

For additional information see: AFP, Study Abstract

Other Headlines

The Embassy of Canada, with the support of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is hosting a briefing on the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, one of the largest conservation agreements in history. The Agreement brings together the forest industry and conservation groups to work toward a common goal of economic prosperity and resource protection, and may be a useful model for managing environmental conflicts in other sectors. Speakers will include Gary Doer, Canadian ambassador to the United States; Avrim Lazar of the Forest Products Association of Canada; Greenpeace Forests Campaign Coordinator Richard Brooks; the Pew Environment Group’s Steven Kallick; and The Nature Conservancy’s Ronnie Drever. The briefing will be held from 10:00 – 11:30 am in G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building (Metro: Union Station). It is free and open to the public, no RSVP required. For more information, contact Claire Seaborn at claire.seaborn@international.gc.ca or (202) 448-6452.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing on the prospects for increased use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. Natural gas has a current price advantage over diesel fuel and gasoline (per gallon equivalent), emits fewer greenhouse gases when burned (per unit energy), and comes from mostly domestic sources at present. However, increasing and sustaining U.S. gas production will rely heavily on unconventional sources (shale gas, coal-bed methane, and tight gas), which face potentially rising costs, require continuous and intensive drilling, and present significant water supply, water quality, wastewater, air quality, land use, and seismic risk issues. Speakers for this event will include Danilo Santini of the Argonne National Laboratory, Mark Smith of the U.S. Department of Energy, Dana Aunkst from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lynn Pittinger of Pittinger Consulting, and Steven Hamburg from the Environmental Defense Fund. This briefing will be held from 3:00 – 4:30 pm in 2318 Rayburn House Office Building (Metro: Capitol South). It is free and open to the public, no RSVP required. For more information, contact Jan Mueller at jmueller@eesi.org, or (202) 628-1400.

Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support!

On October 25, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced new regulatory standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The new EPA and NHTSA standards are a response to President Obama’s May 21, 2010 memorandum regarding fuel efficiency standards, and will require medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold between 2014 and 2018 to have emissions and efficiency improvements that will ultimately save 500 million barrels of oil and cut GHG emissions by 250 million metric tons over the lifetime of the vehicles. In a press release, EPA estimates that the program “would cost the affected industry approximately $7.7 billion, and generate total societal benefits of $49 billion, providing $41 billion in net benefits as a result of the standards over the lifetimes of model year 2014-2018 vehicles.” On October 27, the Canadian government announced that it also will create new emissions regulations for heavy-duty vehicles that will be aligned with those of the United States. Jim Prentice, Canadian Minister of the Environment said in a statement that “Canada and the United States have had great success in working together to reduce emissions from new light-duty vehicles, and we are looking forward to doing the same for heavy-duty vehicles.”

For additional information see: New York Times, Environment Canada Press Release, AP, EPA Fact Sheet

On October 25, the Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe) released a report which revealed that several large European companies are funding the campaigns of U.S. Senate candidates who oppose climate legislation. According to the report, Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) received $240,200 in campaign funding from Bayer, BASF, Solvay, Lafarge, BP, GDF-SUEZ, Arcelor-Mittal and EON in 2010. All of these companies are significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters themselves, together emitting 130 million tons of GHGs in 2009, according to CAN Europe. The report states, “European companies are funding almost exclusively Senate candidates who have been outspoken in their opposition to comprehensive climate policy in the U.S., and candidates who actively deny the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and is caused by people.”

For additional information see:Climate Action Network Press Release, Climate Action Network Europe Report, Guardian, Deutsche Welle

On October 23, the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) – the UN body in charge of expanding emissions reduction projects – agreed to a proposal to simplify carbon offset rules, following climate discussions in Bonn, Germany. The Joint Implementation process allows companies in Kyoto Protocol-participating countries to invest in projects that reduce carbon emissions, and in return receive carbon credits which can be used for internal carbon offsets or sold for profit. The present model allows countries to either monitor emissions reductions themselves or let the UN do an independent assessment. Allowing two monitoring methods is considered unsustainable because different projects have been subject to different regimes in different countries. The JISC now wants to create a universal system that is simpler and more transparent. “This is a landmark moment for the market-based approach to combating climate change,” JISC chair Benoît Leguet said on Friday. “We’re putting forward ambitious but extremely practical proposals that would draw on the best features of national and international approaches to incentivizing emission reduction projects.” The new model still needs to be approved at December’s UN climate talks in Cancun.

For additional information see: Business Green, Reuters

On October 28, representatives from energy company National Grid and Cambridge University told British Parliament members the UK should extend daylight savings time to reduce the country’s energy consumption and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The panel discussion was held by Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Committee. According to National Grid’s operations manager Alan Smart, peak evening energy usage could be reduced by 1,300 megawatts if clocks were not pushed back an hour in October. Cambridge researchers told the panel that putting clocks an hour forward year-round would reduce annual GHG emissions by 447,000 tons. Following the panel discussion, Tim Yeo, chairman of Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Committee said, “At a time when public finances are tight, making better use of the available daylight is a cheap and cheerful way for the U.K. to do its bit in reducing emissions. I am calling on the government to launch a full scale trial.”

For additional information see: Bloomberg

On October 22, the Asia Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the World Bank released a joint report showing that large Asian coastal cities will experience frequent flooding and extreme weather events if current climate change trends continue. The report studied potential risks due to climate change in the cities of Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila, and suggested measures and strategies to address these issues. In Bangkok, better control of ground water pumping and further investments in pump station capacity are needed to reduce urban vulnerability to flooding. In Ho Chi Minh City, 26 percent of the population is already affected by extreme weather events and a comprehensive climate change adaptation strategy was recommended. In Manila, city flooding may cause damages up to one-quarter of the city’s gross domestic product; a complete redesign of flood control infrastructure would be needed to protect against sea level rise and typhoons. The report concluded that climate-related risks need to be a central part of city planning.

For additional information see:

Reuters, International Business Times, ADB Press Release, ADB Report

On October 22, Pakistan’s Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations, held an international conference on climate change. During the conference, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that climate change is a major environmental issue and urged nations to form a universal and collective response, particularly in vulnerable South Asian regions. Gilani said Pakistan is developing a comprehensive climate change strategy and the country is looking forward to a substantive outcome at December’s UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun. Pakistan was one of the first nations to sign the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Although Pakistan emits a small percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions, it faces severe climate change impacts such as melting of glaciers, sea level rise and flooding.

For additional information see: Business Recorder, Pakistan Observer, Daily Times

On October 27, the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) released a joint report on climate projections for 10 national parks in California. The study considered a medium-high emissions scenario with heat-trapping pollutants rising at slightly lower levels than in recent years. Using six climate models, researchers predicted that Yosemite National Park will become 7.5°F warmer by the years 2070 to 2099 than it was from 1961 to 1990. Temperatures in the Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Mojave and Death Valley National Parks also are expected to rise. The report says that Joshua trees and giant sequoias may not be capable of adapting to predicted temperature changes. California’s economy will be impacted as national parks located in the state draw more than 34 million visitors a year. “The natural and cultural resources of California’s national parks are directly linked to over one billion dollars in economic activity and 19,000 jobs.” According to Theo Spencer, a senior advocate in NRDC’s Climate Center, “by acting now to reduce the pollution that causes global warming we will preserve these jobs and create new ones while continuing America’s long-standing position of technological leadership.”

For additional information see: Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and NRDC Report, Rocky Mountain Climate Organization Press Release, National Parks Traveler, San Francisco Chronicle

On October 24, Nature Geosciences published a study that explains where old carbon was stored during the last glacial period. According to lead researcher Dr. Ellen Martin, the study results will help scientists “understand how the carbon cycle works, which is important for understanding future global warming scenarios.” Martin measured isotopes of neodymium preserved in microscopic fossil fish teeth to trace whether old carbon samples had come from the North Pacific or the Southern Ocean. The results showed that most of the carbon was being stored in the Southern Hemisphere. When southern ice sheets melted, they released carbon dioxide (CO2) consistent with accepted measurements. The implication of the study is that during warming scenarios, oceans cannot store as much CO2 as they can under glacial conditions. “The oceans have 60 times more carbon dioxide in them than the atmosphere, so when we worry about what’s happening with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we often look to the oceans as a potential source or sink,” Martin said. During glacial periods, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere average 200 parts per million, compared with 280 parts per million between glacial periods. Today’s concentration level is about 380 parts per million.

For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract in Nature Geosciences

• Bill Gates and Sergey Brin Donate Funds to Fight Proposition 23

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA invite you to learn about the role of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability in developing successful local economic development strategies. Practitioners and leading experts will discuss key concepts and practical examples of how energy and sustainability issues factor into fundamental economic development goals to save money for businesses and households, create new markets and business opportunities, and develop a talented workforce, as well as spur job creation and retain dollars in the local economy. Intended for local officials, economic development, energy, and sustainability professionals, and policymakers, this webinar series will examine the opportunities and obstacles facing local communities to achieve long-term prosperity in a changing economy. Part I: Saving Money, Expanding Markets, and Building a Talented Workforce will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. and can be registered for here. Part II: Leveraging Public Resources and Federal Funding will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. and can be registered for here. For more information, contact Jan Mueller at jmueller [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1883 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (202) 662-1883      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support!

On October 21, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published its annual Arctic Report Card confirming that the Arctic remains vulnerable to climate change. The report, based on the findings of 69 international researchers and 176 scientific references, states that Greenland had record high temperatures and glacier area loss in 2010; Arctic sea ice reached the third lowest recorded minimum since 1979 and Arctic snow cover duration was at a record minimum. NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said, “whatever is going to happen in the rest of the world happens first, and to the greatest extent, in the Arctic.”

For additional information see:  Washington Post, NOAA Arctic Report Card

On October 20, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the Obama administration to clarify whether polar bears are endangered under U.S. law. Scientists believe that polar bears may soon become extinct because global warming has caused the rapid disappearance of Arctic sea ice upon which polar bears depend. Sullivan made the order after a coalition of environmental groups presented a case that the federal government should place polar bears on the endangered species list. The legal status of polar bears remains in question after the Obama administration supported the former President George W. Bush administration’s rule that polar bears are merely threatened. If polar bears are found to be endangered, there may be legal means to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Endangered Species Act.

For additional information see: Washington Post, Kansas City Star

On October 15, the USDA Forest Service released a report that says U.S. forests offset roughly 11 percent of industrial carbon emissions annually. According to the report, U.S. forests currently store 41.4 billion metric tons of carbon and an additional 192 million metric tons are absorbed each year. Researchers say that this annual carbon absorption offsets carbon emissions from about 135 million cars. “America’s forests play a critical role in combating climate change, collectively capturing and storing significant amounts of carbon that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The report also shows that the amount of carbon stored in forests has increased steadily since 1990 because total forestland area has increased and carbon storage density is growing.

For additional information see: USDA Press Release, USDA Data Results, Reuters, Sustainable Business News

On October 18, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) wrote an op-ed article in the Washington Times claiming that the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming should be dissolved and that Republicans should aggressively challenge several Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules if they regain the House majority in the upcoming election. “To date, this new select committee has needlessly spent nearly $8 million in taxpayer money, and that does not account for the countless dollars spent on so-called ‘fact finding’ missions,” Upton wrote in the op-ed. Upton also criticized several EPA goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions, calling the efforts a “regulatory train wreck” and “job killing” plans. On October 19, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) defended the committee she created in 2007. “The Select Committee held dozens of hearings and briefings to educate members and the public on the efforts of the Congress. In addition, the Committee played an important role in holding BP accountable after the Gulf oil rig explosion and ensuring that the public had access to all pertinent information about the resulting spill and cleanup,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement.

For additional information see: The Hill, Ubton Op-ed in Washington Times, The Hill

On October 16, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson traveled to China to meet with her Chinese counterpart, Environmental Protection Minister Zhou Shengxian, to sign a bilateral environmental agreement which had expired in 2008. Under the agreement, the United States and China will collaborate on the prevention and management of air pollution, water pollution, and hazardous waste. The renewal of the agreement immediately followed the stalled UN climate negotiations in Tianjin, China.

For additional information see:  UN Dispatch, AP, Wall Street Journal, EPA Press Release

On October 14, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced that Rajendra Pachauri will remain its chairman despite the heavy criticisms made about a few serious errors in the 2007 IPCC report. Mr. Pachauri has been the chairman since 2002 and presided over the erroneous report. Following these allegations, the InterAcademy Council conducted an evaluation of the procedures and processes of the IPCC and concluded that “fundamental reform” was necessary, recommending that the panel’s chairman and top officials should only serve six years. During a news conference, Mr. Pachauri said the IPCC supported his continuing as chairman through the completion of the current climate assessment report in 2014.

For additional information see: Wall Street Journal

On October 19, Vivid Economics released a survey that ranked carbon pricing efforts by major economies to stimulate investment in cleaner energy. According to the survey, Britain had the strongest clean energy incentive by setting an implied carbon price at $29.30 per ton. Higher carbon prices stimulate investment in clean energy technologies by making dirty fuels like coal and oil more expensive and allowing new low carbon energy technologies opportunities to compete in the marketplace. After Britain, China came in second with an implied carbon price of $14.20 per ton, followed by the United States at $5.10, Japan at $3.10, Australia at $1.70 and South Korea at $0.70. In the past few years, Britain has taken measures to create a business-friendly environment for clean energy technologies. “Investment in clean energy in the United Kingdom reached around $11 billion in 2009,” Erwin Jackson, deputy chief executive of the Climate Institute said in a statement.

For additional information see: Reuters

On October 20, a study by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) showed that UK companies are setting ambitious carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets. According to an RBS e-mailed statement, 73 percent of UK companies with at least 25 million pounds of revenue are actively reducing CO2 emissions, and the overall number of UK companies implementing CO2 reduction targets is up 50 percent since 2008. The catalyst for this movement has been higher demand for low carbon goods and services, according to the study. “With the global market for low carbon goods and services expected to grow considerably in the next few years, there will be an abundance of commercial opportunities for businesses to exploit,” said Tim Boag, managing director of structured finance at RBS.

For additional information see: Bloomberg

On October 5, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society released a joint report outlining changes Canada will experience if global temperatures increase 2°C. The report found that Canada’s ski industry will suffer, shipping cargo across the Great Lakes could be more expensive because of lower water levels, Arctic sea ice is expected to decrease 50 percent, and the South Saskatchewan River may dry up, among many other changes. A few days after the report’s release, experts gathered in Toronto to discuss how Canadian cities are increasingly vulnerable to many different climate disasters. “Planning policy has to catch up with carbon-change policy,” said Eva Ligeti, executive director of Clean Air Partnership, at the meeting. “We need a coordinated, multi-disciplinary response plan, embedded in planning documents. We need to develop our adaptive capabilities and reduce emissions before we reach the point where we can no longer adapt.”

For additional information see: The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun

On October 20, British risk advisory firm Maplecroft released a Climate Change Vulnerability Index, which measures the vulnerability of 170 countries to adverse climate impacts over the next 30 years. The index evaluates 42 social, economic and environmental factors to assess national vulnerabilities to climate-related natural disasters, sea level rise and human impacts such as agricultural dependency and resource conflicts. Bangladesh and India ranked the highest within the ‘extreme risk’ category that also included the Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan. At this moment, developing countries are attracting large foreign investment and climate change impacts are becoming serious concerns for investors. “Understanding climate vulnerability will help companies make their investments more resilient to unexpected change,” according to Matthew Bunce, principal analyst at Maplecroft.

For additional information see: Reuters, Maplecroft Index

On October 20, Entergy Corporation released a study showing the U.S. Gulf Coast may face economic damages amounting to $350 billion by 2030 because of extreme weather events. The three types of hazards analyzed in the study were wind-related damage, gradual sea level rise, and sudden storm flooding. The report recommends a $50 billion investment for projects such as reinforcing beaches and improving building codes. According to the report, “with climate change, we should expect a Katrina/Rita-type year occurring every lifetime by 2030.” Entergy Chief Executive Officer J. Wayne Leonard said, “with the multiplier effect, the amount of economic loss to the Gulf Coast could rise to $700 billion, the gross domestic product for the entire region for one year.”

For additional information see: Bloomberg, Entergy Study

On October 19, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews published a study supported by the National Science Foundation that shows the United States and several other large nations may face increasingly dry conditions in the next 30 years because of warming temperatures. National Center for Atmospheric Research scientist Aiguo Dai used 22 computer climate models along with an index of drought conditions to provide evidence that the Western Hemisphere, along with regions in Eurasia, Africa and Australia, may experience unprecedented drought by 2100. Specifically, the results indicate that the western two-thirds of the United States will be very susceptible to extreme drought. Conversely, northern regions from Alaska to Scandinavia will experience wetter conditions, according to the study. “We are facing the possibility of widespread drought in the coming decades, but this has yet to be fully recognized by both the public and the climate change research community,” Dai said. “If the projections in this study come even close to being realized, the consequences for society worldwide will be enormous.”

For additional information see:  NCAR News Release, Climate Progress, Reuters, Study Abstract in Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews

On October 17, Nature Geoscience published a study showing that wind speeds just above Earth’s surface are decreasing, with the sharpest decline occurring in Eurasia. Climate change, increased vegetation and urban development are the primary causes of the 5-15 percent slowdown of surface wind, according to the report. Researchers analyzed data, dating back from 1979, from 822 weather stations in Europe, central Asia, eastern Asia and North America. Lead researcher Robert Vautard said he expected to see increased speeds in some regions and decreased speeds in others but was surprised to “see a very clear trend across the whole Northern Hemisphere.” Regions with the strongest winds experienced the sharpest declines.

For additional information see: Nature, Study Abstract in Nature Geoscience

On September 10, The Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning published a report on potential climate change impacts on Alaskan ecosystems. According to the report, “approximately 60 percent of Alaska may experience a shift to a new climate-biome during the twenty-first century.” The study concluded the Arctic and Alaska Boreal forest regions will diminish by 69 percent and the Western Tundra region will diminish by 54 percent by 2100. Various species such as Caribou, Alaska marmots, trumpeter swans and reed canary grass will experience drastic habitat changes. Results were obtained by using summer and winter temperature and precipitation data from 2000 to 2009 in a climate envelope model. Researchers then gathered habitat information on the studied species from scientific field surveys. The report was intended to help land managers who are trying to conserve or control wildlife populations gain a better understanding of potential changes in Alaskan ecosystems.

For additional information see:  Fairbanks Daily, Study Abstract in SNAP

• U.S. Envoy: Climate Deal Still Possible in Mexico
• Climate Regulations Coming for Trucks, Buses
• Climate Change May Alter Natural Climate Cycles of Pacific
• UN Urged to Freeze Climate Geo-Engineering Projects
• Waxman Chides U.S. Chamber on Climate Bill: “A Stalemate Is Not a Solution”
• Mexico Stretches Funds to Cut Greenhouse Emissions
• UK’s `Stealth’ Carbon Tax May Add About 10% to Companies’ Energy Bills

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