Climate Climate & Energy
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Not Reid, not Godot: The whole world is waiting for YOU Mr. President
The world is aghast. It’s fate, it seems, “lies in the hands of a few U.S. Senators,” as Tuvalu negotiator Ian Fry lamented in his plea for a real, science-driven deal here in Copenhagen. The collective forehead of humanity wrinkles at the prospect. Who are these people? A couple of them from North Dakota, representing […]
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What’s under construction in Copenhagen?
As 120 heads of state arrive at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, there’s amazingly little direction on just what exactly they are negotiating. Is this going to be an extension of the Kyoto Protocol (a second commitment period), or will the Kyoto Protocol be buried, with some brand new treaty rising from its ashes? Will […]
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The Nitrogen-Biochar Link
by Tom Konrad, Ph.D. Promoters of Biochar should ally with fishermen and other groups concerned about ocean dead zones caused by nitrogen runoff. The folks at the Carbon War Room are trying to save the world by tackling the trickiest problems in addressing climate change. One of their current focus points is biochar [pdf]. […]
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Climatologist Richard Alley Explains Why CO2 Changes Lag Temperature Changes
In his talk to thousands of scientists this week at the American Geophysical Union, Dr. Richard Alley, perhaps the best communicator of all climatologists today, offered a simple metaphor to explain how changes in levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to a rise in global temperatures, even if the CO2 changes lag […]
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An Evolutionary Take on Climate Change
Last weekend I spent some time at home recovering from some oral surgery. It was a welcome respite that allowed me to catch up on some of my favorite television shows, including PBS’ Nova. I downloaded the first of a series called “Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors.” The series tries to answer one of […]
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Protecting the rainforests: Are we there yet?
COPENHAGEN — Many of us who are here reading the text drafts, talking to ministers and following the negotiations were a bit surprised to read in the New York Times yesterday that we’re about to close a deal on REDD. Vaka0627 via FlickrIt’s true, negotiations have progressed, and balanced-but-far-from-completely-resolved text moved early this morning from […]
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Youth leaders make an impact in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN — Students, youth environmental advocates and other “YOUNGO” interests are busy here this week, pressing world leaders and delegates to reach a real deal to protect their future against climate change. “YOUNGO” activists in Copenhagen.IYCN Pictures via FlickrMore than 1,000 young people from over 100 countries are attending the UN Climate Summit to call […]
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Desmond Tutu (with a little help from the scientific community) explains Africa's position
There’s been so much bad journalism written from Copenhagen that it boggles the mind. The problem has been particularlly acute with respect to the developing world’s refusal to quietly accept the wealthy world’s many and various moves to evade its obligations. In fact, the Africans have good reasons for their uncompromising positioning. To see why, […]
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Desmond Tutu (with a little help from the scientific community) explains Africa's position
There’s been so much bad journalism written from Copenhagen that it boggles the mind. The problem has been particularly acute with respect to the developing world’s refusal to quietly accept the wealthy world’s many and various moves to evade its obligations. In fact, the Africans have good reasons for their uncompromising positioning. You can see […]
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Fossil jujitsu to save climate talks?
This has always been the big duh of climate and clean energy policy: How ‘bout we start by ending subsidies to fossil fuel development? Clean energy reform is hard enough, swimming against the killer tides of free carbon dumping, car-centered development, and oil-soaked politics. Can we pleeze stop adding insult to injury by targeting scarce […]
