2009 October

India Seeks to Become Global Leader in Climate Politics

October 31, 2009 By Mridul Chadha 1 Comment

India has announced numerous changes in its climate policy signaling a renewed effort to cement its credentials as a global environment leader.

GOP Will Cry in the Corner During Kerry-Boxer Markup

October 31, 2009 By Dave Levitan 1 Comment

The seven Republican members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will boycott next Tuesday’s planned markup of the Kerry-Boxer climate legislation. Ah yes, the “screw you guys, I’m going home” tactic. How productive.

Developing Countries Gain Leverage Over Developed Nations Ahead of Copenhagen Talks

October 31, 2009 By Mridul Chadha Leave a Comment

The developed countries are struggling to build national consensus for ambitious mitigation measures while the developing countries have gained the higher ground in the negotiations for the next climate deal by announcing voluntary sectoral emission reduction targets.

SuperFreakonomics Redux: Even Congress is Riled Up

October 30, 2009 By Dave Levitan 6 Comments

Last week I wrote in this space that when faced with a problem that so clearly requires huge top-down action from governments the world over, what two contrarians write in a book doesn’t exactly bother me that much. But now members of Congress are pissed off too.

Senate Climate Bill Goes After Only 2% of American Businesses

October 28, 2009 By Timothy B. Hurst Leave a Comment

Only 2% of companies are covered by the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, but that 2% represents 70% of US emissions, says Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), the bill’s co-sponsor.

Bill Gates Forced to Support GMO’s (cartoon)

October 27, 2009 By Joe Mohr Leave a Comment

Bill Gates supports biotechnology. Is the “bug”-free Apple to blame?

Struggling to Take Clear Stand Indian PM Calls for Consensus Among Government Officials

October 25, 2009 By Mridul Chadha Leave a Comment

With so much going on at the international front the Indian government has struggled to chalk out official negotiations plan for the Copenhagen Summit. It must now decide if it wants to be a deal breaker or a major initiator at the climate talks.

India, China Push for National Climate Goals Ahead of Copenhagen Meeting

October 24, 2009 By Mridul Chadha 1 Comment

With an international deal in doubt, India and China look to increase cooperation in areas like renewable energy, climate change research.

Can We Really Get Back to 350 ppm?

October 24, 2009 By Dave Levitan 4 Comments

Today is 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action, during which people around the world are trying to call attention to our need to bring the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere back down to 350 parts-per-million (ppm). A noble cause, to be sure — but can we actually do it?

Obama Gives Clean Energy Speech, Says Naysayers Will Be Marginalized

October 23, 2009 By Timothy B. Hurst 1 Comment

Speaking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology today, U.S. President Barack Obama threw strong support behind clean energy and technology, touting America’s history of innovation and not shying away from problems.