‘An agreement to curb deforestation is expected to be one of the major outcomes of this year’s global climate-change negotiations in Copenhagen. There is an extensive, often theoretical, debate about the merits of using market mechanisms to slow deforestation. But ahead of the negotiations in December, practical problems with projects aimed at curbing deforestation in Papua New Guinea, Guyana, Panama and Uganda point to a rocky road ahead for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).’
News Roundup
Are we ready for REDD? | China Dialogue
August 5th, 2009Beijing's smog is back year after Olympics – Yahoo! News
August 5th, 2009‘BEIJING AFP – One year after staging a mostly pollution-free Olympics, Beijing has seen its skies shrouded in haze again, highlighting what observers call a mixed Olympic legacy on the environment.’
via Beijing’s smog is back year after Olympics – Yahoo! News.
China, U.S. offer no quick boost to solar slump | Reuters
August 4th, 2009‘LOS ANGELES/HONG KONG (Reuters) – Investors are banking on fresh government incentives in the United States and China to help pull the solar sector out of its slump, but it will be next year before demand from those markets even begins to make a dent in the global glut of solar panels.’
via China, U.S. offer no quick boost to solar slump | Green Business | Reuters.
Mexico aims to bring CO2 cut plan to climate talks | Reuters
August 4th, 2009‘MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico aims to put a detailed offer to cut the growth of its own greenhouse gas emissions on the negotiating table at global climate change talks in Copenhagen this year, a senior environmental policymaker said.’
via Mexico aims to bring CO2 cut plan to climate talks | Green Business | Reuters.
U.S. says African farming has role in green push | Reuters
August 4th, 2009‘NAIROBI (Reuters) – Africa can boost global efforts to curb emissions through the absorption of greenhouse gases by developing its farming sector, the U.S. secretary of agriculture said on Tuesday.’
via U.S. says African farming has role in green push | Green Business | Reuters.
Forests fall to beetle outbreak | Reuters
August 4th, 2009‘The plague has cost billions of dollars in lost timber and land values and may thwart efforts to combat climate change, as forests are major storing houses of carbon, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.’
via Forests fall to beetle outbreak | Green Business | Reuters.
Scientists study huge plastic patch in Pacific | Reuters
August 4th, 2009‘LOS ANGELES Reuters – Marine scientists from California are venturing this week to the middle of the North Pacific for a study of plastic debris accumulating across hundreds of miles km of open sea dubbed the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.”‘
via Scientists study huge plastic patch in Pacific | Reuters.
Report: Rising Sea Levels, Temperature Inevitable In California, State Must Prepare
August 3rd, 2009‘SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even if the world is successful in cutting carbon emissions in the future, California needs to start preparing for rising sea levels, hotter weather and other effects of climate change, a new state report recommends.’
Agricultural climate adaptation is also mentioned:
‘The report says farmers should be encouraged to be more efficient when watering their crops, and investments should be made to improve crop resistance to hotter temperatures.’
via Report: Rising Sea Levels, Temperature Inevitable In California, State Must Prepare.
Film warns of 'world without fish' | BBC NEWS
July 31st, 2009‘They are dramatic images to make a dramatic point. The End of the Line is a film packed with footage of big-scale fishing in oceans around the world.’
SunPower to grow market share, revenues | Reuters
July 31st, 2009‘San Jose, California-based SunPower — which provides solar cells, solar panels and systems — saw a 22 percent drop in second quarter profit, but maintained its market share. The company is projecting 2009 revenue of $1.35 billion to $1.7 billion.’
via SunPower to grow market share, revenues | Green Business | Reuters.