‘…The road to Copenhagen also is paved with gold: money being spent by the wealthy oil, gas and coal industries to derail or weaken any outcome. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched an “AstroTurf” (not to be confused with grass roots) campaign in the U.S., paying for and organizing rallies, largely attended by oil, gas and coal company employees, under the banner of “Energy Citizens.” Employees are bused in to the staged rallies with signs proclaiming “I’ll pass on $4 gas” and “Congress, don’t take away my job!” Similarities to the organized mobs at health care reform town-hall-style meetings are not merely coincidental; former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey’s group FreedomWorks, funded by, among others, oil and pharmaceutical corporations, is listed as a consultant to each industry campaign.’

via Truthdig – Reports – New Light on Copenhagen Climate Talks.

‘CANBERRA Reuters – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living organism, is under grave threat from climate warming and coastal development, and its prospects of survival are “poor,” a major new report found on Wednesday.’

via Outlook poor for Great Barrier Reef: study | Science | Reuters.

‘In a striking example of ingenuity, Australian inventor Tom Chalko has converted a deep freezer into an incredibly efficient refrigerator.’

via Dan Gould: Hyper-Efficient Refrigerator Uses Less Electricity than a Light Bulb.

‘Aug 29 – Sculptures of children carved from glacial melt were displayed in Beijing as Greenpeace marks the 100-day countdown to climate talks.’

via Climate change ‘meltdown’ in China | Video | Reuters.com.

‘HONG KONG (Reuters) – U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett intends to raise his stake in Chinese electric car and battery maker BYD Co Ltd (1211.HK), BYD’s chairman said on Monday, sending shares in his company up 8 percent.’

via China’s BYD says Buffett wants to raise stake | Reuters.