News Roundup
‘Hopes for an agreement being reached at a United Nations summit in December “hang in the balance,” undermined by a climate of suspicion between rich and poor countries, said Foreign Secretary David Miliband, speaking at a press conference with his brother, Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband.’
via The Associated Press: UK: Global deal on climate change at risk.
‘WUXI, China, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world’s leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced that it has achieved a new world record conversion efficiency of 15.6% on a commercial grade multi-crystalline silicon PV module. This conversion efficiency surpasses the previous record of 15.5% (aperture area only) set by Sandia National Labs 15 years ago. The multi-crystalline module conversion efficiency was independently tested by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany.’
via Press Releases.
‘China is tightening grip on its rare earth metals, which may derail production of hybrid and electric cars, according to The New York Times and Bloomberg. Hybrid cars use rare metals, especially neodymium for magnets in electric motors, and lanthanum in nickel metal hydride batteries.’
‘TOKYO — Japan’s prime minister-elect breathed new life into efforts to curb global warming Monday, standing by a campaign pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent in the next 10 years from 1990 levels — a target that environmentalists said puts Japan at the forefront of the fight against climate change.’
via Japan’s New Leader Pledges Sharp Emissions Cut – NYTimes.com.
‘For all its pronouncements that gas could be used to replace aging, inefficient coal-fired power plants — and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the process — lawmakers from coal-producing states appear committed to keeping coal as the nation’s primary producer of power.’
via Natural Gas Hits a Roadblock in the Energy Bill – NYTimes.com.
More on Solar trade wars:
‘TOKYO Reuters – Japanese oil refiner Showa Shell Sekiyu KK said it will invest $1.1 billion to build a new thin-film solar cell plant, as it chases First Solar in a growing market.’
via Showa Shell to spend $1.1 billion chasing First Solar | Green Business | Reuters.
‘GENEVA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) — Delegates to the Third World Climate Conference agreed Thursday to set up a global framework for sharing climate information and services in an effort to better deal with disasters related to climate change.’
via Climate conference agrees on framework for climate services_English_Xinhua.
‘BEIJING, Sept. 3 — The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has travelled to the Arctic Circle to witness first hand the devastating effects of climate change.’
… ‘Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, said, “I’m sending from this Arctic to all world citizens, particularly world leaders to draw an urgent attention to take action immediately, to preserve this planet earth, to preserve all what we can to help our succeeding generation to be able to live in a hospitable environment in a sustainable way.” ‘
via UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon visits Arctic Circle_English_Xinhua.
‘…The road to Copenhagen also is paved with gold: money being spent by the wealthy oil, gas and coal industries to derail or weaken any outcome. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched an “AstroTurf” (not to be confused with grass roots) campaign in the U.S., paying for and organizing rallies, largely attended by oil, gas and coal company employees, under the banner of “Energy Citizens.” Employees are bused in to the staged rallies with signs proclaiming “I’ll pass on $4 gas” and “Congress, don’t take away my job!” Similarities to the organized mobs at health care reform town-hall-style meetings are not merely coincidental; former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey’s group FreedomWorks, funded by, among others, oil and pharmaceutical corporations, is listed as a consultant to each industry campaign.’
via Truthdig – Reports – New Light on Copenhagen Climate Talks.
‘GENEVA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) — China stands for international cooperation in addressing climate change and will continue to actively participate in the global process for tackling the challenge, a Chinese leader said here Thursday.’
via China to continue active role in addressing climate change_English_Xinhua.