Posted on 20 April 2013 by John Hartz

Break the deadlock on carbon pricing in Canada

On Wednesday, Canada 2020 will convene a distinguished panel in Ottawa for a discussion of “how to sell carbon pricing to Canadians”. In advance, Diana Carney, the VP of research for the progressive policy think-tank, has written a thorough report that laments the “disintegration of constructive debate about carbon management at a national level in Canada.

The longer the political stalemate continues, the more difficult it becomes for e2consumers to plan their behaviour.

Break the deadlock on carbon pricing. It’s hurting Canada’s economy by Grant Bishop, Globe and Mail, Apr 17, 2013

Climate change is urgent 'Today' problem

"If we have any hope of keeping climate change below two degrees celsius, the peak year of carbon emission has to be 2016," said Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank. "So the challenge is right in front of us."

World Bank President: Climate Change Is Urgent 'Today' Problem by Cindy Huang, PBS News Hour, Apr 18, 2013 

EPA faces lawsuit threats over blown climate rule deadline

A dozen states and cities are jointly threatening to sue the Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to impose carbon emissions standards on power plants.

EPA faces lawsuit threats over blown climate rule deadline by Ben German, E2 Wire/The Hill, Apr 17, 2013

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs

The signs are everywhere. Britain has been unable to reach a deal for its first new nuclear power station since the 1990s. Spain, once a clean-energy enthusiast, has slashed its backing for wind and solar power. 

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs by Stanley Reed, New York Times, Apr 17, 2013

Global vegetation change

The amount of vegetation in the world, and the way it is spread across the planet, has changed significantly in the last three decades, researchers say.

They attribute more than half the changes they detected to the effects of the warming climate, with people responsible for only around a third. Surprisingly, perhaps, they are at a loss to attribute about 10 percent of the changes unequivocally to either the climate or us.

Climate Change Responsible for Global Vegetation Change by Alex Kirby,Climate News Network/Climate Central, Apr 17, 2013

How the old Amazon may help explain the new

What will be the effect of global warming on the Amazon rainforest? Over the last 30 years, forest fires, most of them deliberately started to clear land by cattle ranchers and soy farmers, have destroyed thousands of square miles of forest. This has increased carbon emissions, reduced rainfall and made the forest more vulnerable to drought.

How the Old Amazon May Help Explain the New by Jan Rocha, Climate News Network/Climate Central, Apr 19, 2013

People’s movements give “Earth Day” a new name

Few Americans are aware that in 2009, the United Nations declared April 22nd “International Mother Earth Day.” In doing so, it made what had been a U.S. event an international one, drawing attention to the need for people to unite across national borders to confront global environmental challenges.

People’s Movements Give “Earth Day” a New Name and Transformative Potential by Jackie Smith, Common Dreams, April 19, 2013

Saving our ravaged planet... and ourselves

Earth Day cometh — the 43rd year of this national focus on the state of our globe. So, how is Earth doing? Should we be weeping ... or cheering? 

Saving our ravaged planet... and ourselves by Jim Hightower, Common Dreams, Apr 17, 2013

South Florida Assessing Climate Change Impacts 

In late October, Hurricane Sandy washed out a portion of State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale. And in Miami Beach, seasonal high tides regularly deluge Alton Road.

South Florida transportation planners think these examples are just the beginning of the impact that rising sea levels, strong storm surges and flooding will have on the region's transportation infrastructure.

"It's going to happen more often," said Roger Del Rio, a project coordinator with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization.

South Florida Assessing Climate Change Impact On Roads, Bridges, Railroads, Airports by Angel Streetar, Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Apr 19, 2013

Time to step up and speak out against Big Oil

ExxonMobil, one of the most profitable companies in the world that regularly pays no US income tax, had a pretty horrible tar sands oil spill in Arkansas last month. Most people have heard bits and pieces of the story, but here’s what you probably have not heard from the corporate media.

Time to step up and speak out against Big Oil, Op-ed by Thom Hartmann, Truthout, Apr 18, 2013

U.S. Coastal cities ponder how to prepare for rising sea levels

Americans in coastal areas, particularly on the East and Gulf coasts, will confront challenging questions in the coming years as they determine how to protect millions of people in the face of rising sea levels and more intense storms.

Coastal cities ponder how to prepare for rising sea levels by Erika Bolstad, McClatchy Newspapers, Apr 17, 2013

Why can't we quit fossil fuels?

Despite the clean technology of the pa, Truthoutst decade, we continue to extract and burn fossil fuels more than ever before.

Why can't we quit fossil fuels? by Duncan Clark, The Guardian, Apr 17, 2013