Climate Talks Lag on CDM Reform

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Mechanics of curbing climate change
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7444881.stm

Negotiators from more than 172 countries are meeting in Bonn to hammer out a deal that may culminate in a new global climate agreement. In this week's Green Room, UN climate chief Yvo de Boer argues that negotiators want to see more of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, not less...

While the climate crisis continues to deepen, political leaders continue to delay real changes in policy that will make a difference. One case in point is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows heavy polluters to pay firms, mostly in the developing world, to reduce their GHG emissions in return for carbon credits. Sounds like a good idea? Maybe, if in fact, the investments really do result in additional real reductions in emissions that would not have otherwise have been achieved without the CDM agreements. But the current system is so lax, that many of these investments may not bring the real reductions they promise. Countries need to find the political will to make sure that CDM really works as advertised before expanding the system in any post-Kyoto agreement.

Wind power trumps nuclear

While much of the US economy continues to lag, there are a few bright spots. One is wind power. Wind power investment and production is booming globally. It shows how forward thinking and investment in new technologies can create economic growth while helping the environment. Firms and governments that ignore alternative energy and higher efficiency do so at their own peril in an increasingly globalized marketplace. It should also be noted that wind power investment is far cheaper than nuclear power, and brings a much faster return on investment. The typical nuclear power plant takes more than a decade to build. The first new batch of US plants will not come online until 2017 at the earliest, while other technologies can start paying dividends right now, at lower cost and with greatly reduced risk to the public. Here is a recent article on progress made in the wind power industry http://www.enn.com/energy/article/36949.

Species extinctions accelerating

An epidemic of extinctions: Decimation of life on earth - Nature, Environment - The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/an-epidemic-of-extinctions-decimation-of-life-on-earth-829325.html

Species are dying out at a rate not seen since the demise of the dinosaurs, according to a report published today – and human behaviour is to blame. Emily Dugan counts the cost...

Species are dying off at 10,000 times the natural rate of extinction. Between 1960 and 2000, animal populations declined by 30%. The five main reasons for this decline are all human induced: climate change, pollution, destruction of natural habitats, the spread of invasive species and the overexploitation of species. Noted biologist Edward Wilson estimates that there are more than 10,000,000 species on the planet. And the most devastating effects of global warming are just beginning to appear. This devastation is mostly avoidable. Why are we doing this to our planet?

Eleven Things You Can do to Become A Climate Friendly Consumer

Most of us do not realize that our shopping and eating habits have a major impact on the climate. The average family of four generates more than 4 pounds of trash per person per day; most of it never gets recycled. A big part of this waste stream is product packaging. Also many of our favorite foods, especially beef products, require massive amounts of resources to produce. Up to 56% of all US farmland is dedicated to producing cattle feed and related products.

Here are 11 tips that can help you to cut down on the trash make both healthy and climate friendly eating choices:

1. Avoid packaged food products.
2. Consider reducing or eliminating consumption of meat, especially red meat.
3. Increase vegetable consumption.
4. Buy locally produced organic fruits and vegetables.
5. Avoid non-seasonal foods that have to be shipped from thousands of miles away.
6. Frequent farmers markets.
7. Compost more often.
8. Avoid producers that practice inhumane animal treatment practices.
9. Use products made from sustainably harvested or recycled materials.
10.Give non-material gifts, or use recycled wrapping paper and boxes.
11.Just buy less: free yourself from advertisers and reconnect with your friends and family.

For more information, visit http://www.climatediet.com

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | 'Unexpected growth' in CO2 found

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | 'Unexpected growth' in CO2 found
"About half of emissions from human activity are absorbed by natural "sinks" but the efficiency of these sinks has fallen, the study suggests."

A recent study by the Global Carbon Project has found that global levels of atmospheric CO2 increased 35% more quickly than previously predicted. Part of the increase is due to reductions in energy efficiency by fossil fuel using technologies. Technological gains achieved during the 1990s have slowed. The other major contribution comes from ‘positive feedbacks’ from our own climate system. As the world warms, greenhouse gases that have been ‘sequestered’ in the Earth’s sediments (ex. permafrost in Siberia), forests (deforestation) or oceans are now being released at a higher rate into the atmosphere. Temperature increases of 10 F or more in Arctic regions over the past 50 years have unleashed a wave of new methane emissions that may be almost impossible to arrest without urgent action to slow global warming.

Now is the time to personally commit to reducing our climate footprint! Government and industry has not taken sufficient action to reverse these trends.

Inexpensive Earth Day makeover to reduce your carbon footprint

One of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day is to take a few easy steps to reduce energy consumption around the house. Here are some really low cost-high impact purchases /suggestions that will reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Two cartons of rope caulk: Use to seal drafty windows from unwanted air infiltration.

2. Battery charger: Replace hundreds of disposable batteries by charging your own.

3. Small shopping bag: Get a "Chico Bag" which is a nylon bag that fits in your purse or pocket.

4. Tire air gauge: Keep those car tires properly inflated for better gas mileage and higher driving safety.

5. CFL bulbs: Switch out a few incandescent bulbs for CFL equivalents. Watch out for power company rebate programs that can make the new bulbs as cheap as the other technology.

6. Pick up two to three larger reusable shopping bags: These now come in all shapes and sizes. You can get them for virtually free from government or certain retailers.

7. Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators: Reduce water flow from 2-3 gallons per minute to 1 gallon per minute. This will also cut back on your hot water bill.

8. Add a water displacement container to your existing toilets: This reduces water required for flushing.

9. Get a shower timer: Try to limit your shower time by using a timer. Any clock will do, or pick up an hour glass timer for a few dollars.

10. And, of course, your diet would not be complete without your own copy of The Climate Diet, your guide to easy lifestyle changes that can be adapted to almost any lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint.

For more info, visit http://www.climatediet.com

Seattle ditches throw away bags

On April 2^nd Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, announced a proposal to levy a 20 cent ‘green fee’ on all plastic shopping bags. The measure would also ban foam containers presently used by restaurants and other retail establishments. Seattleites use more than 360 million bags a year and tens of billions end up in the trash worldwide. Plastic bags are small in weight, but have an oversized effect on the environment. While recyclable, most end up in landfills, where they sit for hundreds of years while their toxic components slowly seep into the soil, potentially endangering water quality. They also pose a hazard to fish and wildlife. If enacted, Seattle would join a number of other countries and jurisdictions that have already levied taxes or banned plastic bags altogether including San Francisco, Sweden, Ireland and even China. To help people adjust to the new regime, the City promises to provide one reusable bag to every citizen. Says Nickels, "the answer to the question 'paper or plastic' is neither: Both harm the environment."