News Roundup
‘Despite fears that the Obama administration’s proposed rule to curb carbon-dioxide pollution could wreak severe damage on the economy, the true effect is likely to be much more modest. And a key reason can be linked to the nation’s boom in natural gas production.’
via Gas boom dulls carbon rule’s effect – Los Angeles Times.
‘WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday announced one of the strongest actions ever taken by the United States government to fight climate change, a proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulation to cut carbon pollution from the nation’s power plants 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.’
via Unveiling New Carbon Plan, E.P.A. Focuses on Flexibility – NYTimes.com.
‘WASHINGTON (AP) — In a sweeping initiative to curb pollutants blamed for global warming, the Obama administration unveiled a plan Monday that cuts carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by nearly a third over the next 15 years, but pushes the deadline for some states to comply until long after President Barack Obama leaves office.’
via Obama carbon rule gives states more time to comply – Yahoo News.
‘On this week’s episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Neil deGrasse Tyson explained the substantial evidence for climate change in what often felt like a direct address to those who deny that the phenomenon is happening. While the series has touched on climate change in several previous episodes, this week’s penultimate episode was the one in which the show’s writers made the case for enacting change to mitigate its effects.’
via It’s the Beginning of the End on This Week’s ‘Cosmos’ – The Wire.
‘Washington (AFP) – US President Barack Obama wants to force coal energy plants to reduce emissions and pay for greenhouse gases they do emit through a cap and trade system, the New York Times said Thursday.’
via ‘Obama wants to force coal plants to reduce emissions’ – Yahoo News.
‘…When asked if climate change was a good or a bad thing, 63 percent of Americans said it was a bad thing, while 76 percent perceived global warming as a bad thing – a 13-point difference.’
via Americans More Worried about ‘Warming’ Than ‘Climate Change’ – NYTimes.com.
‘WASHINGTON — Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmental activist from California, wants to blast the issue of climate change to the front lines of American politics. His “super PAC,” NextGen Climate, will spend about $100 million this year to influence several Senate and governor’s races in which climate change could play a major role.’
via Tom Steyer Hopes NextGen Climate Gets Voters to Consider Environment – NYTimes.com.
‘Pope Francis made the religious case for tackling climate change on Wednesday, calling on his fellow Christians to become “Custodians of Creation” and issuing a dire warning about the potentially catastrophic effects of global climate change.’
‘(Reuters) – Recent meetings between U.S. oil producers and Commerce Department officials have fueled industry hopes that the Obama administration may soon begin to ease a longstanding ban on oil exports.’
via After Washington chats, drillers hopeful U.S. will ease oil export ban | Reuters.
‘…The proposed curbs will form the cornerstone of Obama’s climate action plan, a multi-layered blueprint for fighting global warming unveiled a year ago. The plan is critical to fulfilling U.S. commitments to reduce emissions agreed to at an international forum in Copenhagen in 2009.’
via In big public push, White House seeks to smooth way for carbon curbs | Reuters.