ghg emissions

Harvesting for Biofuels via Shutterstock

 

The majority of biofuel development to date has been driven by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the United States and the ethanol program in Brazil, Proálcool. These programs have created a burgeoning ethanol industry, and the RFS program has gone slightly further to provide additional support for biodiesel and to lay the groundwork for next generation biofuels like cellulosic ethanol.[read more]

Wikimedia Commons.

The Global e-Sustainability Initiative, an information and communication technology (ICT) industry partnership, just released a new report that details how expanded use of ICT could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 16.5% by 2020 and offset $1.9 trillion in gross energy and fuel costs. Unsurprisingly, the power and transportation sectors are found to have the highest potential for GHG emission reduction via greater ICT adoption.[read more]

The tremendous complexity combined with the short-term and local variability of climate make accurately forecasting global climate change one of the most challenging and daunting tasks ever undertaken by the scientific community. Nonetheless, spurred on by growing number of signs that significant climate changes were under way, climate...[read more]

California’s safest option for guarding against lawsuits over how it spends the billions anticipated from its landmark cap-and-trade program is to channel the auction revenue toward reducing greenhouse gas pollution and furthering the goals of its Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32), according to a recent analysis.The conclusion by the...[read more]

Canada confirmed today (June 10, 2011) that it will not take on a target under an extension of the Kyoto Protocol following the completion of the first commitment period, 2008-2012.  Given that Canada is likely to miss by a wide margin its current target under the first commitment period, this decision may not be surprising, but it...[read more]

Given President Obama’s recent declaration that the new course of energy policy may come in the form of “chunks” rather than comprehensive legislation, we must ask ourselves which chunks to push for first if we want better emission outcomes? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to better understand the emissions profile of...[read more]

The combination of an energy event yesterday in Washington, DC that I was unable to attend and a comment I received on Monday's posting got me thinking about energy policy in the context of the new year and the start of the new Congressional session today.National energy policy has been debated throughout my adult life, whether the...[read more]

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a vital tool in the global fight against climate change. With its important application to the capture and storage of carbon dioxide emissions from power stations, CCS has a crucial role to play in tackling greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining security of supply. The International Energy Agency...[read more]

After the dark economic events of 2009, 2010 is a brighter year for renewable chemical/ industrial biotechnology/ green chemistry companies as far as project milestones, investment activities and company exposures are concerned. More traditional chemical [and petroleum] companies are jumping into the concept of using renewable-based...[read more]

Plastic bags, SUVs and hamburgers: No right-thinking tree-hugger would endorse them, at least not in public. But here’s the thing: While we can replace plastic bags with reusable ones, and we can electrify our SUVs, the world’s consumers will almost surely demand more, not less, beef in the years ahead. Which is why the World Wildlife...[read more]

Some new years seem newer than others, bringing major changes rather than just the turning of a calendar page. 2011 is shaping up that way, with a return to divided government in the US and the beginning of national greenhouse gas regulation by the EPA based on that agency's interpretation of the Clean Air Act, rather than as a result of...[read more]

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently initiated rule making for the state’s cap and trade regulation as part of AB 32, and it’s an important tactic towards reducing California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  The first step to reduce the state’s GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, and then an additional...[read more]

That’s the the 7-day (12/14-12/20) sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly map from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (ABM).  Their El Niño-Southern Oscillation report finds: Pacific Ocean temperatures remain at levels typical of a mature El Niño….  As a result, central Pacific Ocean surface temperatures are now at their...[read more]

Solar Power Part of a “Moral Obligation” to Act At the Climate Summit in Copenhagen on Friday, United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke spoke to reporters about the need to embrace fundamental change to combat global warming. Part of that change, he said, is accepting the scientific fact that climate change is a reality. Locke...[read more]

I think this one speaks for itself. India: No to peaking year: India has set up clear limits to the kind of climate commitments it is ready make in Copenhagen, says Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. India says no to a peaking year of emissions and rejects international scrutiny of domestic measures to cut greenhouse gases. India is...[read more]