News: Archive for January, 2015
‘President Barack Obama will unveil a new plan to cut methane from America’s booming oil and gas industry ahead of the State of the Union address, in an attempt to cement his climate legacy during his remaining two years in the White House.’
via Obama to crack down on methane leaks from frackers and pipelines | Grist.
‘Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday he will allow the Senate to vote on an amendment asking if they agree that climate change is impacting the planet.’
via Senate to vote on whether climate change is happening | TheHill.
‘Here’s a news item you may have missed over the holidays. The “doomsday planes” are being upgraded. Four E-4B flying command posts that would be used by U.S. leaders to manage military operations in a nuclear war will receive communications upgrades to enhance their “connectivity” during a conflict that could spell the end of civilization as we know it.’
via A Doomsday Plane Reminder: Nuclear Weapons Haven’t Gone Away.
‘…If you just look at the Senate, the numbers are even more disturbing. Thirty-nine GOP senators reject the science on climate change — that’s 72 percent of the Senate Republican caucus.’
‘Small volcanic eruptions have helped cause a “pause” in global warming over the last 15 years, according to a recent study from scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.’
via Study: Global Warming ‘Pause’ Caused By Small Volcanic Eruptions | Wochit – Yahoo Screen.
‘Canada’s tar sands need to stay in the ground, the oil beneath the Arctic has to remain under the sea, and most of the world’s coal must be left untouched in order to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2°C, a study released Wednesday says.’
via Climate Mission Impossible: Scientists Say Fossil Fuels Must Go Untapped.
‘A temperature rise that could cause irreversible and potentially catastrophic damage to human civilization is practically inevitable, according to rising chatter among experts in the lead up to a year of key negotiations on a new climate change global accord.’
via We’re Kidding Ourselves on 2-Degree Global Warming Limit: Experts – NBC News.com.
‘Secretary of State John Kerry said the world’s third greatest emitter of fossil fuels is committed to fighting climate change.’
via Kerry: India is ‘committed’ to climate action | TheHill.
‘(Reuters) – Pope Francis returns to Asia for the second time in less than six months, traveling to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in coming days to underscore his concern for inter-religious dialogue, poverty and the environment.’
via Pope’s Asia trip to address poverty, dialogue, climate change | Reuters.
‘Negotiations between India and the United States on issues like climate change, an agreement on civilian nuclear plants, military purchases, and investment and manufacturing rules have quickened in recent weeks because of Mr. Obama’s coming visit. But it remains to be seen whether the president’s trip will be mainly symbolic or if it will lead to significant agreements.’
via John Kerry Arrives in India to Talk Trade and Prepare for Obama’s Visit – NYTimes.com.