‘Reporting from Washington — Less than 24 hours before the House approved its landmark energy and climate bill last month, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) got several paragraphs added to the 1,200-page measure — additions expected to be worth millions of dollars to companies that install solar panels.’

The article mentions several of these amendments, which were added to consolidate crucial support for the bill:

“…There were about 300 pages of last-minute amendments, many designed to make money for industries and constituencies important to fence-sitting lawmakers.”

via House climate bill was flooded with last-minute changes – Los Angeles Times.

July 27, 2009

Obama opened a two day U.S. / China meeting with a statement addressing several important issues, including the need for cooperation on climate change:

“The United States and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the world. We are also the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. Let’s be frank: Neither of us profits from a growing dependence on foreign oil, nor can we spare our people from the ravages of climate change unless we cooperate. Common sense calls upon us to act in concert.

Both of our countries are taking steps to transform our energy economies. Together we can chart a low carbon recovery; we can expand joint efforts at research and development to promote the clean and efficient use of energy; and we can work together to forge a global response at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and beyond. And the best way to foster the innovation that can increase our security and prosperity is to keep our markets open to new ideas, new exchanges, and new sources of energy.”

See Obama’s complete statement via whitehouse.gov briefing

‘ARE, Sweden Reuters – Germany called a French idea to slap “carbon tariffs” on products from countries that are not trying to cut greenhouse gases a form of “eco-imperialism” and a direct violation of WTO rules.’

via Germany calls carbon tariffs eco-imperialism | Green Business | Reuters.

‘OSLO (Reuters) – The United States is by far the biggest greenhouse gas emitter ahead of China if consumers in rich nations are given responsibility for energy used to make imported goods, a researcher said on Wednesday.’

via U.S. top greenhouse gas emitter, counting imports | Green Business | Reuters.

This analysis challenges China’s recently acquired position as the world’s greatest greenhouse gas emitter by shifting the focus from production to consumption. The article goes on to quote these statistics:

‘In the ranking of 73 nations, Americans have the biggest annual “carbon footprint” at the equivalent of 29 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita, ahead of Australians on 21 tonnes and Canadians on 20 tonnes.

Each Chinese citizen in the survey, based on 2001 data, accounts for just 3.1 tonnes. Adjusted for China’s much bigger population, U.S. emissions were 7.9 billion tonnes and China’s 3.9 billion.’

‘Three non-governmental organizations — Amigos da Terra Amazônia Brasileira, the ethno-environmental Kanindé defense association and the co-ordination of Brazilian Amazon indigenous organizations — have together filed two civil suits against Ibama, the Brazilian institute for the environment and natural renewable resources.’

via Environmental lawsuits filed against Amazon dam projects – Politics – Renewable energy news – Recharge – wind, solar, biofuels, wave/tidal/hydro and geothermal | rechargenews.com.

‘WASHINGTON Reuters – China and other developing nations must help “pay” for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said on Monday, backing off a recent statement that put a greater burden on the United States.’

via U.S. says China must pay to cut greenhouse gases | Green Business | Reuters.

‘China, like the United States, seems ready to take off as a ravenous consumer of solar energy.

Earlier this week, China’s largest solar company, Suntech Power (NYSE: STP), said it had signed letters of intent to build four solar farms totaling 1.8 gigawatts for provincial and city governments in China.’

via Greentech Media: True or False: China Will Be a Bigger Solar Market than the U.S..

‘LONDON (Reuters) – A dual system of both national emissions caps and carbon trading schemes should play a central role in cutting global greenhouse gas emissions, a report commissioned by the British government said on Monday.’

via CO2 caps central to climate fight: UK | Green Business | Reuters.

‘SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The United Nations has given a green light to the first of a new generation of carbon offset programs designed to bring carbon reductions to a mass market in developing nations.’

via U.N. approves new generation carbon offset project | Green Business | Reuters.

‘GURGAON, India (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sounded optimistic on Sunday that the United States and India can bridge their differences on reducing greenhouse gases.’

via Clinton upbeat on climate change talks with India | Green Business | Reuters.