News: Archive for July, 2009
‘Shipping accounts for nearly three percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and pressure has grown for cuts ahead of a crucial climate change summit in Copenhagen in December. Delegates from around 90 countries approved non-compulsory technical and operational measures to reduce greenhouse emissions from ships.’
via U.N. shipping body agrees to CO2-cutting proposals | Green Business | Reuters.
‘It goes without saying that the more electricity we consume, the more CO2 gets generated by power stations. Less obvious is the fact that, as demand goes up, each unit of electricity becomes more polluting – the “carbon intensity” goes up, to use the jargon.’
‘Well, at least that clears up the mystery. Over the past year I’ve been fretting over an intractable contradiction. The government has promised spectacular cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. It is also pushing through new roads and runways, approving coal-burning power stations, bailing out car manufacturers and ditching regulations for low-carbon homes. How can these policies be reconciled?’
‘A new group is attempting to better reconcile high velocity wind power development with its impact on avian victims.’
via Institute Studies Clash Between Wind and Raptors | Green Business | Reuters.
‘BEIJING (Reuters) – The huge costs required to capture CO2 emitted by China’s vast coal-fired power sector is a price worth paying to cut greenhouse gases to reasonable levels, U.S. energy secretary Steven Chu said.’
via China carbon capture costs worth paying: U.S. energy sec | Green Business | Reuters.
‘BEIJING — The United States and China, the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters, announced plans for a joint clean energy research center Wednesday as the American commerce secretary appealed to Beijing to avoid imposing trade barriers on green technology.’
And an alarming factoid:
‘If China fails to use more renewable sources, the “amount of carbon
China emits in the next 30 years will equal all the carbon the U.S. has
emitted in the life of the country,” Chu said in a speech to students
at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.’
‘SAN FRANCISCO Reuters – Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world’s biggest retailer, will announce on Thursday the development of an index that will be used to measure the social and environmental impact of the products it sells in its discount stores.’
via Wal-Mart index to rate products’ environmental impact | Green Business | Reuters.
‘BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday that a global climate deal could still be ready by a December summit in Copenhagen despite differences that resurfaced last week between rich and poor countries.’
via Global climate deal still possible: Brazil’s Lula | Green Business | Reuters.
‘MUNICH Reuters – The Desertec Industrial Initiative, the world’s most ambitious solar power project, will map out investment plans by 2012 to develop carbon-free energy that could supply up to 15 percent of Europe’s needs by 2050.’
via Desertec to develop investment plans by 2012: DII | Green Business | Reuters.