The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets

There are few who would argue with meeting emissions targets in Europe. But, they are expensive to achieve and many of the new member states have found it difficult to give this a priority when there are so many other economic and social issues to deal with. Christian Oliver writes in the Financial Times about … Continue reading The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets →

Expected impact of climate change on Asian economic growth

Victor Mallet writes in the Financial Times about a recent Asian Development Bank study that calculates the effect on GDP in six Asian countries if they maintain a “business as usual” scenario for global carbon emissions. Climate change to slash south Asian GDP, ADB warns South Asian economies will be badly squeezed by climate … Continue reading Expected impact of climate change on Asian economic growth →

We cannot ignore aviation’s contribution to GHG emissions

As many of us take to the skies to far off holidays, we should note the impact of air travel on GHG emissions. This is not to put a damper on our northern summer but at some point we are going to have to address this more effectively. The Press Association provides a good news … Continue reading We cannot ignore aviation’s contribution to GHG emissions →

Challenging myths that influence our views on climate

Robert H. Frank, an economics professor at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, writes in The Upshot section of the New York Times about the frequent incantation of a motley collection of myths, each one rooted in bad economics. This is good summer reading for all of you to reflect upon. … Continue reading Challenging myths that influence our views on climate →

Many in the American religious community supporting Obama’s environment programme

It is always fascinating to who is an environmentalist and who is a “denier.” While this is true globally, it is particularly true in the US where many conservatives are opposed to any effort to address climate change. Theodore Schleifer writes in the New York Times about a group of conservative faith leaders who have … Continue reading Many in the American religious community supporting Obama’s environment programme →

Politicians and economists – who do you believe?

We find that the Prime Ministers of Australia and Canada are convinced that carbon taxes do not work. Munir Sheikh, an executive fellow at the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, and a former chief statistician of Canada argues the case of the economists in Canada’s Globe and Mail. What do these PMs … Continue reading Politicians and economists – who do you believe? →

Addressing climate change does not have to cost the earth

Fred Pearce provides a useful article on the New Scientist website about a relatively low cost way to avoid climate change. Stopping harmful climate change is surprisingly cheap Saving our skins might be surprisingly cheap. To avoid dangerous climate change, the world needs to boost spending on green energy by $1 trillion a year. … Continue reading Addressing climate change does not have to cost the earth →

Texas and its climate change concerns

Texas has largely based its economy on exploiting its vast fossil fuel reserves. Neena Satija, however, writes in the New York Times about how the economic miracle has come at a price and that the state emits more GHG emissions than any other state. Yet, they fear that they can do nothing to reduce emissions … Continue reading Texas and its climate change concerns →

Environmentalists hone their lobbying skills

In the US, Coral Davenport writes in the New York Times that environmentalists show that using the same lobbying techniques as the oil industry is the best way to promote their case. Taking Oil Industry Cue, Environmentalists Drew Emissions Blueprint In November 2010, three combatants gathered in a sleek office here to build a carbon … Continue reading Environmentalists hone their lobbying skills →

New report from UK: Buildings and infrastructure ill-prepared for changing climate

The resilience of transport networks, homes, hospitals and water supplies in England need to be enhanced to counter the more frequent and severe flooding and heatwaves that can be expected in future. This is the key finding of a new report by the UK government’s official adviser on preparing for climate change. The findings are … Continue reading New report from UK: Buildings and infrastructure ill-prepared for changing climate →