‘WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday made it clear that President Obama would veto a bill authorizing construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting up an immediate clash with Republicans just as they assume control of Congress.’

via With Veto Threat, Obama and Congress Head for Collision Over Keystone Pipeline – NYTimes.com.

‘If you’ve ever expressed the least bit of skepticism about environmentalist calls for making the vast majority of fossil fuel use illegal, you’ve probably heard the smug response: “97% of climate scientists agree with climate change”–which always carries the implication: Who are you to challenge them?’

via ‘97% Of Climate Scientists Agree’ Is 100% Wrong.

‘This year’s almost mythic, defining task is to roll the boulder of a new climate agreement uphill to Paris. There’s a whole sack of new sustainable development goals to sign-off as well. Intended to allow the whole human population to thrive within planetary boundaries, these 17 principal goals were meant to be concise, global, limited in number, action-oriented and easy to communicate.’

via Paris climate talks the most significant task ahead of us in 2015 | Environment | The Guardian.

‘A rift is emerging among investors in some of the world’s biggest energy companies over a global campaign that aims to combat climate change by making fossil fuels as unpopular as tobacco.’

via Climate change groups split on fossil fuel divestment – FT.com.

‘Forty years after first taking the oath as governor of California, Democrat Jerry Brown was sworn in to an historic fourth term Monday, proposing sweeping changes to address global climate change while offering a measured approach to targeting the state’s long-term financial liabilities.’

via Gov. Jerry Brown takes fourth oath; targets climate change | The Sacramento Bee.

‘Over the weekend, The Guardian reported that Pope Francis will issue an encyclical urging Catholics to push for action on climate change. The push will coincide with the efforts to follow up on the Lima agreement in the hope that they will lead to binding agreements for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.’

via Pope to push for action on climate change | Ars Technica.

‘…Over time, humans have cut down or damaged at least three-quarters of the world’s forests, and that destruction has accounted for much of the excess carbon that is warming the planet.’

via Restored Forests Breathe Life Into Efforts Against Climate Change – NYTimes.com.

‘One of four heavily damaged reactor buildings at Japan’s tsunami-battered Fukushima nuclear power plant has been cleared of radioactive fuel rods, the operator said Saturday.’

via First of four Fukushima reactors cleared of nuclear fuel – Yahoo News.

‘A new study released today presents powerful evidence that clearing trees not only spews carbon into the atmosphere, but also triggers major shifts in rainfall and increased temperatures worldwide that are just as potent as those caused by current carbon pollution. Further, the study finds that future agricultural productivity across the globe is at risk from deforestation-induced warming and altered rainfall patterns.’

via Clearing rainforests distorts wind and water, packs climate wallop beyond carbon.

‘…as a new report out this week argues, scientists are making the case that cutting down these forests does more than simply release carbon into the atmosphere — it has a direct and more immediate effect on the climate, from changes in rainfall patterns to rising temperatures. The amount of water that forests pump into the air is key to this. But scientists don’t agree on how that happens.’

via Report suggests forest-cutting can have an immediate effect on climate – The Washington Post.