aces posts, articles, and infographics

Myth vs. Reality on the Copenhagen Climate Summit

December 11, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 64 views

Myth #1: Copenhagen is already a failure. Instead of a binding agreement we’ll end up with a political deal that gets us nowhere. Reality: We are on schedule at Copenhagen to complete the first of a two-step negotiating process designed to finish a new international agreement well in advance of the end of the first commitment period... [read more]

Will Europe go for a 30% cut in carbon pollution (from 1990 levels) by 2020 at Copenhagen?

December 9, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 121 views

The European Union has proposed cutting its carbon emissions 30 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 if other developed countries reduce their carbon emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. But Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said in Copenhagen that the European Union should proceed with its 30 percent reductions targets... [read more]

Can Countries Cut Carbon Emissions Without Hurting Economic Growth

September 24, 2009 by Robert Stavins
with 310 views

In the September 21st issue of the Wall Street Journal, the editors pose the following question: can countries cut carbon emissions without hurting economic growth? In his introductory essay, Michael Totty frames the issues as follows: “There’s little doubt: Cutting greenhouse gases will be costly. But that leads to two big questions.... [read more]

Three Pillars of a New Climate Pact

September 21, 2009 by Robert Stavins
with 97 views

THE climate change summit at the United Nations on Tuesday, September 22nd, is aimed to build momentum for the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December, where nations will continue negotiations on a successor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. ... [read more]

Breaking: Boxer and Kerry to delay introducing climate bill — thank goodness (again)!

August 31, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 80 views

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have just released a joint statement: The Kerry-Boxer bill is moving along well and we are looking forward to introducing legislation that will create millions of clean energy jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and ensure American leadership in the clean energy economy... [read more]

China's Solar Industry Poised to Leave U.S. in the Dust

August 28, 2009 by WattHead Guest Contributor
with 95 views

To some, recent discussion of the "clean energy race" is just the latest iteration of flashy climate change rhetoric, refurbished and repackaged as a do-or-die clean technology race between the U.S. and Asia. Yet, as a New York Times piece entitled "China Racing Ahead of U.S. in the Drive to Go Solar," testifies, the clean energy... [read more]

Enhancing our national security by reducing oil dependence and environmental damage

August 26, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 102 views

The United States has an historic opportunity to enhance its national security by reducing its dependence on oil. Policies to accomplish this goal, including more efficient fuel economy standards, investments in hybrid and electric vehicles, development of natural gas-fueled heavy duty vehicles, and production of advanced biofuels... [read more]

Is it time to ask? 300+ Groups Make Boxer Appeal

August 26, 2009 by A Siegel
with 87 views

Virtually with each passing day, the scientific understanding of the depths of our climate change challenge deepens. Just this week, the head of the IPCC, stated (in a private capacity) that the IPCC almost certainly understated the case and has joined an increasing number of scientists calling for a target of 350 ppm of CO2 or ten... [read more]

Fighting back, several Senators are working to strengthen the climate and clean energy bill

August 25, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 66 views

Guest blogger Brad Johnson has an excellent summary of efforts to make the American Clean Energy And Security Act stronger in a post first published here. Even as some of their colleagues try to place roadblocks on energy reform, several members of the U.S. Senate are attempting to strengthen the American Clean Energy and Security... [read more]

US Refineries Under Cap & Trade

August 24, 2009 by Geoffrey Styles
with 99 views

A new study confirms my previous suspicions that the allocation of free emission allowances in the Waxman-Markey climate bill would disproportionately disadvantage the US oil sector, with serious consequences for our energy security. In particular, it quantifies the impact on the refining sector, which was chosen by the bill's authors... [read more]

The climate and clean energy bill does not “let coal plants off the hook” as Carl Pope and Eric Schaeffer assert

August 24, 2009 by Joseph Romm
with 80 views

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) concluded its analysis of the House climate Bill: … new coal bill without CCS beyond those that are already under construction are almost eliminated. There is also a large increase in coal power plant retirements [and a 60% drop in coal use in power plants] by 2030 from current levels in... [read more]

This “Energy Citizen” also wants a word

August 23, 2009 by David Hone
with 89 views

Last week saw the launch of a new initiative in the United States, “Energy Citizens”, which aims to create a significant lobby against the passage of climate change legislation in the USA and most specifically the recent House bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, or “Waxman-Markey” as it is more widely... [read more]

CS Monitor: China Aims to "Leapfrog" U.S. in Clean Energy Race

August 18, 2009 by WattHead Guest Contributor
with 121 views

Originally Posted at The Breakthrough InstituteImagining China as a giant green frog seems a little ridiculous, but, as Peter Ford of the Christian Science Monitor reported last week in a piece entitled "China's Green Leap Forward," China's intent to "leapfrog" the United States in the clean energy race is far from ridiculous - it may... [read more]

“CFLs cost less …”

August 18, 2009 by A Siegel
with 88 views

There is a fundamental framing and analysis challenge that pervades much of the Washington (and national) discussion of moving forward toward better policy. This is true in health care, transportation, prison reform, decriminalization of marijuana (and industrial hemp), clean energy, global warming, and very many other important policy... [read more]

China Moves Up The Renewable Energy Attractiveness Ladder

August 13, 2009 by Vicky Portwain
with 84 views

China has stepped up 3 places in the latest Renewable Energy Attractiveness league table put together by Ernst & Young. China now holds second place jointly with Germany further to moves by the Chinese Government to support national solar PV generation. China now has a whopping 9GW target for solar power. According to Ernst... [read more]