Economics

ADB to issue bond to raise funds to finance clean energy projects in Asia.

The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it plans to issue its first clean energy bond to raise funds for renewable energy projects in Asia. Associated Press 01 Sep

Bjørn Lomborg: $100bn a year needed to fight climate change.

The world's most high-profile climate change sceptic is to declare that global warming is "undoubtedly one of the chief concerns facing the world today" and "a challenge humanity must confront," in an apparent U-turn that will give a huge boost to the embattled environmental lobby. London Guardian 31 Aug

New talks aim for push on finance.

Ministers from nearly four dozen countries meet in Geneva on Thursday and Friday, bidding for progress on climate finance, an issue that has bedevilled the quest to roll back global warming. Agence France-Presse 01 Sep

Baker, Cahill would review greenhouse gas pact.

Gov. Deval Patrick’s chief rivals for the Corner Office declined Monday to embrace a multistate compact aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, raising the possibility that they’d pull Massachusetts out of the effort after four years of participation. State House News Service 31 Aug

Energy

W. Coloradans air concerns on Xcel energy plan.

Many western Coloradans are urging state regulators to reject moves to switch from coal to natural gas as the fuel to generate electricity. Associated Press 31 Aug

Scots clean energy experts in call to up pressure on China and India.

A Scottish-based consultancy is calling on the international community to apply more pressure on China and India to switch to cleaner energy sources. Glasgow Herald 31 Aug

Miners give clean-energy bill the coal shoulder.

Legislation aimed at cleaning up Denver's air and turning Colorado into a model state for clean energy and jobs is feared as a job killer for the Western Slope's coal country. Denver Post 31 Aug

Regulators vote to adopt standards allowing local governments to pay residents living near turbines.

State energy regulators completed work Monday on rules that would restrict the location of wind turbines in Wisconsin. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 31 Aug

Other News

Editorials

Call to protect estuary timely.

Despite concerns about the environmental impact caused by encroaching industry, public interest in the future of the Nanaimo Estuary has been negligible. But introduce the world-wide topics of climate change and carbon reduction, and people just might sit up and take notice. Nanaimo News Bulletin 02 Sep

Cleaner cars, A to D.

Proposed stickers for vehicles would make it easier to see whether you're buying a fuel-efficient one or a guzzler. The stickers are a symbol of how far this country has come in providing a wider range of environmentally responsible choices to help ensure cleaner air and a healthier planet. New York Times 01 Sep

Climate change: The facts of life.

Reminders of the reality of climate change are now reported almost every week. Political action – real, determined and concerted action – seems again improbable. But it also remains more urgent than ever. London Guardian 31 Aug

The urgent islands.

If a country sinks beneath the sea, is it still a country? That is a question about which the Republic of the Marshall Islands - a Micronesian nation of 29 low-lying coral atolls - is now seeking expert legal advice. New York Times 30 Aug

Behind the energy failure in Congress.

In the Senate, the bill ran into two industries that see alternative energy as a threat - and the senators whose first loyalty is to those industries. Markey cited two states in particular: Kentucky, where coal is king, and Oklahoma, an oil state with two GOP senators wedded to Big Oil's agenda. Framingham MetroWest Daily News 29 Aug

Liability for climate change.

When extreme weather strikes, such as the floods in Pakistan, the null hypothesis is to assume that humans have not played a role, then figure out if they did. But that's the opposite of what should be done. New Scientist 26 Aug

Australia's mixed climate.

Australia's politicians have failed its people on climate change. Despite opinion polls that consistently indicated popular support for policies to tackle greenhouse-gas emissions, the country's two main parties have both weakened their stance on the issue of late. Nature 26 Aug

A mixed result for the environment.

The Australian election result can scarcely be called a victory for the environment. But those who understand the importance of democratic efforts to curtail runaway climate change will continue to look with interest at developments Down Under. London Independent 23 Aug

Opinion

75 months and counting ....

Twenty five months ago I decided to find out how long it would take before, on the best data available, we would begin to cross red lines where climatic instability and extremes were concerned. A quarter of that time has now passed. London Guardian 02 Sep

Saving deep water requires digging deep into our habits.

If I shorten the length of my shower, I won't change a thing. But if 18 million people in Florida commit to doing at least one thing in their daily lives that will lessen their dependence on fossil fuel consumption, we might stand a chance at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Santa Rosa Press Gazette 01 Sep

Victoria takes leading steps on climate change.

As environmentalists, our job is to look at the coming climate crisis and demand action commensurate to the problem we all face. We are painfully aware of the need for deeper cuts in greenhouse pollution. Sydney Morning Herald 01 Sep

Prop. 23 nothing more than a killer of global warming solutions.

The Texas oil companies behind Proposition 23 don't call it an attempt to deny the existence of worldwide climate change. They just call the landmark 2006 California law they're essentially trying to repeal a "job killer." San Jose Mercury News 31 Aug

White House argues against global-warming suit.

Obama to the judicial branch: Back off. Forbes 31 Aug

The Clean Development Mechanism delivers the greatest green scam of all.

We here in Britain also have the special privilege of knowing that we are now chipping in £60 million to buy additional CDM credits through our taxes – so that the politicians and civil servants in government offices can keep warm by continuing to pump out emissions much as before. London Daily Telegraph 30 Aug

Climate change: Will Russian heat wave prompt serious action from Moscow?

Will the heat wave and drought that have created so much havoc in Russia make Russia take climate change more seriously? The answer is important not only for Russia but for the world community. Russia is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, behind China and the U.S. Christian Science Monitor 29 Aug

Earth is getting warmer but don't just blame CO2.

Global warming is a serious problem, but to put all our eggs in the carbon bucket would be foolhardy, especially after two decades of all talk and little action, New Dehli Daily Pioneer 29 Aug

'Go home, Texas oil companies!' LA mayor rebukes.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday rebuked Valero Energy Corp. and Tesoro Corp., which operate refineries in Wilmington, for bankrolling a measure that would effectively scuttle the state's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Los Angeles Times 02 Sep

Overhaul of UN climate change body 'could lead to more mistakes.'

A major overhaul of how the UN advises the world on climate change could lead to more mistakes on the impacts of global warming, an Oxford academic has warned. London Daily Telegraph 02 Sep

You're getting warmer.

It’s pretty overwhelming to think about reducing humanity’s carbon footprint when all most of us really want is to get to work on time and make it home with a few groceries for dinner. Sacramento News and Review 02 Sep

Will Texas oil firms succeed in undoing California greenhouse gas law?

Texas oil firms are backing a ballot initiative that would repeal the state's landmark 2006 greenhouse-gas reduction law. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is rallying Hispanic groups against the initiative. Christian Science Monitor 02 Sep

Financing said vital for world climate change deal.

A global fund to help poorer countries switch to green industrial technology is vital in any new international pact to battle global warming, Switzerland's top climate change negotiator said on Wednesday. Reuters 02 Sep

Change of heart from climate sceptics.

Two of the world's most influential climate sceptics appear to have had a change of heart. Sydney ABC News 02 Sep

UN: Climate funds shouldn't divert poverty aid.

The U.N.'s climate chief says poor countries are right to expect that any funding they receive to combat global warming be kept separate from development aid or poverty relief. St. Louis Post-Dispatch 02 Sep

Stern warning for climate sceptics.

One of the world's leading climate change experts, Sir Nicholas Stern, has warned that countries such as Australia will face future trade barriers unless they move to a low-carbon economy. Melbourne Age 02 Sep

Climate panel must adapt to survive,

A long-awaited report has recommended an overhaul of the IPCC. The proposals were met with a largely favourable response from climate researchers who are eager to move on after the media scandals and credibility challenges that have rocked the UN body during the past nine months. Nature 02 Sep

Southern California panel to consider greenhouse gas targets.

Officials with the planning agency that covers Riverside and San Bernardino counties projected earlier this year that the region could cut heat-trapping emissions from passenger vehicle travel by up to 6 percent by 2035. Riverside Press-Enterprise 02 Sep

Paul makes Sebree visit.

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Rand Paul visited the Big Rivers Electric plant near Sebree Wednesday to "steadfastly oppose" any form of a "carbon tax" on coal. Evansville Courier & Press 02 Sep

Senate candidates' responses on specific topics.

Calif.—Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina fielded an array of questions during their first debate Wednesday night, some from a panel of journalists and others from Californians who appeared on video. Associated Press 02 Sep

U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul tours plant to tout coal.

Paul said recent climate legislation that would place a fee on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, sometimes referred to as cap-and-trade, would kill industry in Kentucky. Associated Press 02 Sep

Julia Gillard's high-risk embrace.

A promise of action on climate change in return for support from Greens to govern. Sydney Australian 02 Sep

Green groups urge next Australian government to deliver carbon price.

A group of trade unions, environmental and religious groups have today released a joint statement calling for Australia to put a price on carbon. London Business Green 02 Sep

United call for a price on carbon.

Environmentalists, unions and major church groups have put aside their differences to call for the federal government to introduce a price on carbon in 2011. Australian Associated Press 02 Sep

MPs urged to focus on carbon price.

A new multi-party climate change committee has been urged to reach a carbon price quickly, but it might first have to deal with Labor's derided citizens' assembly. Australian Associated Press 02 Sep

Pact could lead to tougher emissions scheme, says Brown.

Any emissions trading scheme or carbon tax emerging from Labor and the Greens' new climate change committee could be tougher on Australia's polluting industries than the government's previous scheme, according to Bob Brown. Brisbane Times 02 Sep

No fast-track for an emissions trading scheme.

The Greens have signed a formal agreement to support a minority Labor government despite receiving no assurance from Julia Gillard that she would try to bring forward the introduction of an emissions trading scheme. Melbourne Age 02 Sep

Australian PM Julia Gillard signs pact with Greens.

Australia's caretaker prime minister, Julia Gillard, has signed a deal with the Greens that will ensure their support for Labor in the country's hung parliament. London Guardian 02 Sep

Gap and Levi Strauss not joining oilsands boycott.

Two global companies listed as participants in an oilsands boycott have contacted the Alberta government to say it's not true. Fort McMurray Today 02 Sep

L.A. mayor, Latino activists take on oil companies over Proposition 23.

They say the ballot initiative to suspend the state's climate change law would hurt low-income communities already suffering the most from pollution. Los Angeles Times 01 Sep

Doing green jobs right.

Largely below the radar, a growing number of activists are scoring important victories at the regional level by combining serious coalition building, astute policy research and aggressive political action, paving the way in the process for a new New Deal in America. Nation 01 Sep

The changing climate for environmental legislation.

Waiting might be the best strategy for energy and climate-change advocates stymied by political inaction. Newsweek 01 Sep

U.N. to study impact of incomplete climate action.

The U.N. panel of climate scientists will look at the costs of "second best" ways of fighting global warming amid doubts that all countries will sign up to U.N.-led action, a leading expert said on Tuesday. Reuters 01 Sep

Countries that spurn climate remedies face barriers on trade, Stern says.

Countries that fail to adapt their economies to “cleaner” technologies are likely to lose export markets to those that do, said Nicholas Stern, former chief adviser on climate change to the U.K. government. Bloomberg News 01 Sep

State agency hears opposition to cap and trade petition.

Words such as "utmost foolishness," "an abomination," "greed," "stupidity," "nonsense" and "grossly unfair" were fired at representatives from the New Mexico Environment Department in Carlsbad Tuesday to gather comments on the department's cap-and-trade and cap-only petitions. Carlsbad Current-Argus 01 Sep

Greenies hail cross-party climate body.

Environmental groups have welcomed the formation of a cross-party climate change committee as part of a governance agreement struck between Labor and the Greens. Australian Associated Press 01 Sep