Full Coverage: Climate change

30.11.2004 The Climate Stewardship Act would set the first binding limits on global warming emissions from the biggest polluting industries in the United States and is one of the country's best chances to begin slowing global warming, says the Worldwide Fund for Nature, urging support for the bill.

30.11.2004 Despite increasing scientific evidence that the Arctic environment is already showing the effects of global warming, a meeting of eight arctic nations last week failed to develop any specific recommendations for combating the problem--largely because of pressure from the U.S., reports Environment News Service.

29.11.2004 Gasoline in Canada's most populous province will contain an average of 5 percent of pollution-reducing ethanol by 2007, the Ontario government said Friday.

29.11.2004 The ice is melting and the heat is on for international delegates assembling in Buenos Aires next week to find new ways to confront global warming under the 194-nation treaty on climate change.

29.11.2004 Gordon Brown is rumoured to be abandoning an increase in fuel tax announced only 8 months ago, such is the electoral power of the motorist lobby. This new call for higher taxes on 4X4 vehicles may be optimistic.

26.11.2004 A new report shows that aggregate greenhouse gas emissions in China are second only to US and rising rapidly. But ordinary people in China are relatively energy-poor and the Kyoto agreement therefore imposes no reduction targets on the country.

26.11.2004 With gaps emerging in UK energy needs and in greenhouse gas emission commitments, there are inevitable signs of life from the pro-nuclear lobby. But of course nothing too forceful until after the election.

23.11.2004 VAT charged for using energy in the home is 5%; the rate for saving energy through domestic purchases is 17.5%. Can a rational man like Gordon Brown live with a legacy of such fiscal nonsense? The pre-budget statement on December 2nd may be his last chance.

22.11.2004 BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 19, 2004 (ENS) - The European Union took two big steps in the past 24 hours. The Council of Ministers and Parliamentappointed a new executive branch under a new president, and the EU stepped up efforts to get rid of the worldÂ’s most toxic chemicals by ratifying the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

22.11.2004 One of the internationally agreed mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was set into motion yesterday (18 November), as Russia officially gave its ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to Kofi Annan, secretary-general to the United Nations.

19.11.2004 Melting glaciers caused by climate change pose an urgent threat to Mount Everest's unique environment, activists said Wednesday, launching a campaign to protect the Himalayan mountain range and the world's highest peak.

19.11.2004 NAIROBI, Kenya, November 18, 2004 (ENS) - The 90 day countdown to the Kyoto ProtocolÂ’s entry into force was triggered today by the receipt of the Russian FederationÂ’s instrument of ratification by the United Nations Secretary-General. The Protocol will become legally binding on its 128 Parties on February 16, 2005.

19.11.2004 NAIROBI, Kenya, November 18, 2004 (ENS) - The 90 day countdown to the Kyoto ProtocolÂ’s entry into force was triggered today by the receipt of the Russian FederationÂ’s instrument of ratification by the United Nations Secretary-General. The Protocol will become legally binding on its 128 Parties on February 16, 2005.

19.11.2004 Activists have launched a campaign to protect Mount Everest saying that melting glaciers caused by climate change pose a serious threat to the Himalayas unique environment.

19.11.2004 Scotland has wind and waves in plenty. Does this mean leadership on renewables and climate change? A mixed picture says Friends of the Earth Scotland.

17.11.2004 Make achieving a poverty and hunger-free world both a passion and a mission. Work for a sarvodaya society where there is social inclusion ...”, says M. S. Swaminathan in an interview to Basheerhamad Shadrach of OneWorld South Asia.

15.11.2004

Global Carbon Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning, 1751-2003 © Earth Policy Institute

It's becoming clear that while carbon emissions continue to rise to all-time highs each year, the earth's ability to handle increasing carbon levels is weakening, with potentially disasterous repercussions for our global climate. The good news is, there are steps we as humans can take to decrease our carbon outputs and help the earth begin to recover, says Lila Buckley of the Earth Policy Institute.

15.11.2004 Global warming has had little noticeable impact in Washington, D.C., but that uncertainty may have shrunk somewhat with the release last week of two scientific reports suggesting that global warming is not just a hypothetical possibility, but a real phenomenon that has already started transforming especially sensitive parts of the globe.

15.11.2004 The space agencies of India and France signed an agreement on Friday to cooperate in launching a satellite in four years that will help make climate predictions more accurate.

12.11.2004 With the re-election of President Bush, state governments and big business will likely be the biggest forces over the next four years to craft new policies and develop innovative technologies aimed at reducing U.S. emissions of the gases scientists say are causing global warming.