Global Warming Today articles from October 2004

Global Warming Today archives from October 2004

San Francisco Mayor Introduces New GHG Reduction Plan.
October 1, 2004... Reuters recently reported that San Francisco, CA mayor Gavin Newsom introduced earlier this week a new "climate action plan" aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, or approximately 2.5 million...

Study Finds Tundra Decomposition Could Speed Warming.
October 1, 2004... The Toronto Star last week reported that a new study published in the British journal Nature warns that Arctic tundra decomposition triggered by increasing temperatures could actually accelerate global warming by producing more carbon dioxide...

Russian Government Approves Kyoto Protocol Ratification.
October 1, 2004... Reuters reported yesterday that the Russian government has approved ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. According to Reuters, the international treaty will now be sent to parliament where Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov expects a difficult...

Weekly Update.
October 1, 2004... ICLEI COOLING OUR COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP: COMBATTING THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN TEXAS CITIES, October 4, 2004, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX INTERNATIONAL EMISSIONS TRADING ASSOCIATION'S 4TH ANNUAL WORKSHOP ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION...

Groups Fault DOE for Delay in Enacting Efficiency Standards.
October 4, 2004... A new study released by two environmental groups finds that three appliance efficiency standards being considered since 2001 by the Department of Energy (DOE) could, if implemented, save consumers $7 billion per year. In the report, the...

New Report Questions Australian Geosequestration Plan.
October 4, 2004... Greenpeace Australia Pacific recently announced that a new report released by the Australia Institute indicates that geosequestration, the Australian Coalition Party's primary proposed method of addressing global warming in the upcoming...

Japanese Researcher Reports Rise in Antarctic CO2 Levels.
October 4, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) professor Takashi Yamanouchi has revealed that results from a monitoring balloon indicate that the average amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) over...

Island Nations Urge UN Assembly to Combat Global Warming.
October 5, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that government representatives from various small island nations urged the international community during the 59th annual United Nations (UN) General Assembly ministerial meeting late last month to...

WWF Report Recommends CO2 Trading Scheme for Japan.
October 5, 2004... A new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report recommends that Japan follow Europe's lead and adopt an emissions-trading system in order to meet its upcoming Kyoto Protocol obligations. The report, commissioned by the German think-tank Oeko...

Climate Trust to Purchase Carbon From Idle Reduction Efforts.
October 5, 2004... The Climate Trust recently announced a commitment to spend up to $2.2 million to address emissions from idling diesel trucks at truck stops on the West Coast. According to Climate Trust, the project, which continues the organization's...

AEP Files Motion to Dismiss Carbon Dioxide Lawsuits.
October 6, 2004... American Electric Power (AEP) recently announced it has joined with Cinergy, Xcel, Southern Company and Tennessee Valley Authority in filing motions with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to dismiss carbon dioxide...

Australian Government Reaffirms Position Opposing Kyoto Protocol.
October 6, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Australian industry minister Ian Macfarlane commented in response to the Russian government's anticipated ratification of the Kyoto Protocol during an interview late last week that Australia should not join the...

New EU Environment Commissioner Says CO2 Trading Can Begin.
October 6, 2004... Reuters recently reported that incoming European Union (EU) environment commissioner Stavros Dimas testified last week that the EU can launch its carbon dioxide (CO2) emission trading system without the participation of all 25 nations in the...

Canadian Ministers Debate Vehicular Emissions Regulations.
October 7, 2004... The Canadian Press (CP) recently reported that the Canadian Environment Department and the Natural Resources Department are debating whether the country should adopt vehicular emissions standards similar to the new California law requiring...

Texas Begins Underground CO2 Storage Experiment.
October 7, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that environmental officials in Texas have begun an experiment to pump captured carbon dioxide emissions into the sandstone beneath an abandoned oil field straddling the Texas/Louisiana line. ...

TXU Releases New Study Evaluating Climate Change Policies.
October 7, 2004... Dallas, TX-based energy company TXU Corporation recently announced the release of an independent study, titled "TXU Activities Regarding Actual and Potential U.S. Air Emissions and Climate Change Policies," that was developed as part of an...

Petitioners Urge Environmental Considerations in Debates.
October 8, 2004... Ceres, the Civil Society Institute's Results for America project, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and the Union of Concerned Scientist recently announced they have, in conjunction with union, religious, science, state...

New Report Links Warming to Rising Conflicts in Africa.
October 8, 2004... Reuters recently reported that a new study issued late last month, titled "Southern African Millennium Ecosystem Assessment," suggests that global warming may lead to rising conflicts in Africa by further stressing local food supplies and...

EPA Launches New Household Efficiency Campaign.
October 8, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it has commenced a new fall campaign designed to encourage conservation efforts by homeowners, such as the use of energy-efficient light bulbs. EPA numbers reveal that American...

Weekly Update.
October 8, 2004... U.S. CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, October 12-14, 2004, Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center, Rockville, MD WESTERN FUELS SYMPOSIUM: 19TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LIGNITE, BROWN AND SUBBITUMINOUS COALS, October 12-14, 2004,...

Climate Leader Partners Announce New GHG Reduction Goals.
October 13, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reported that six partners in its Climate Leaders program, a voluntary effort that works with companies to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set long-term emissions reduction goals,...

NASA Climate Model Study Predicts Antarctic Global Warming.
October 13, 2004... NASA recently announced that results of a new computer model study conducted by NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) researchers Drew Shindell and Gavin Schmidt indicate that temperatures in the South Polar Region of Antarctica...

Russian Minister Projects Duma Will Ratify Kyoto by Month's End.
October 13, 2004... Reuters recently reported that a senior Russian minister has said the government expects the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by the end of the month. According to Reuters, two thirds of the State...

SEC Issues Energy Efficiency, Renewables Recommendations.
October 13, 2004... The Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC) recently announced that 27 of its member groups have sent officials in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies a detailed set of recommendations...

NOTICE TO EIN PUBLISHING SUBSCRIBERS.
October 13, 2004... Due to technical difficulties, EIN did not publish its newsletters on Tuesday, October 12. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your continued support. (EIN STAFF: 10/12)

USPS Completes Energy Efficiency Upgrades, PV Installation.
October 18, 2004... The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently announced that Chevron Energy Solutions has completed major energy efficiency upgrades and a solar power installation at the USPS West Sacramento Processing & Distribution Center in Sacramento, CA. ...

Russian Parliament Committee Urges Kyoto Ratification.
October 18, 2004... Reuters this week reported that the ecology committee of Russia's lower house of parliament recommended that the body ratify the Kyoto Protocol on October 22. According to Reuters, Vladimir Grachyov, head of the state duma ecology...

Please Accept Our Apologies for Last Week's Technical Problems.
October 19, 2004... During the week of October 11, EIN Publishing experienced, for the first time in eight years, a computer crisis the extent of which disabled us from sending out our daily newsletters and communicating with our subscribers via e-mail. We greatly...

USPS Completes Energy Efficiency Upgrades, PV Installation.
October 19, 2004... The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently announced that Chevron Energy Solutions has completed major energy efficiency upgrades and a solar power installation at the USPS West Sacramento Processing & Distribution Center in Sacramento, CA. ...

ExxonMobil Records Rise in Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
October 19, 2004... The Guardian recently reported that ExxonMobil experienced a two-percent increase in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions last year, making it the target of environmental criticism and a possible European consumer boycott. According to the...

Climate Leader Partners Announce New GHG Reduction Goals.
October 19, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reported that six partners in its Climate Leaders program, a voluntary effort that works with companies to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set long-term emissions reduction goals,...

Green Mountain Power Joins Chicago Climate Exchange.
October 19, 2004... Green Mountain Power (GMP) announced last week it will join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), becoming the first northeast electric utility to sign on with the greenhouse gas trading market. GMP, an investor-owned electric utility with...

NASA Climate Model Study Predicts Antarctic Global Warming.
October 19, 2004... NASA recently announced that results of a new computer model study conducted by NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) researchers Drew Shindell and Gavin Schmidt indicate that temperatures in the South Polar Region of Antarctica...

Russian Parliament Committee Urges Kyoto Ratification.
October 19, 2004... Reuters this week reported that the ecology committee of Russia's lower house of parliament recommended that the body ratify the Kyoto Protocol on October 22. According to Reuters, Vladimir Grachyov, head of the state duma ecology...

U.S., China Study Finds Qinghai-Tibet Glacier Shrinking.
October 19, 2004... China Daily last week reported that a joint study involving 20 researchers from the U.S. and China has determined that the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in western China is shrinking at "an unprecedentedly fast pace." According to the newspaper,...

Russian Minister Projects Duma Will Ratify Kyoto by Month's End.
October 19, 2004... Reuters recently reported that a senior Russian minister has said the government expects the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by the end of the month. According to Reuters, two thirds of the State...

Denmark Looks to Claim Warming-exposed Arctic Seabed.
October 19, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Denmark's science ministry has announced plans to deploy an expedition to the North Pole to prove that parts of the Arctic seabed, which have become accessible due to global warming, are natural extensions of...

DOE Grants to NM Include Support for GHG Reduction Project.
October 19, 2004... The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the awarding of more than $4.1 million to New Mexico for five new research and development projects, including one that may allow more carbon dioxide (CO2) to be injected into geologic...

Scientists Reveal Two-year Increase in GHG Emissions.
October 19, 2004... Reuters recently reported that scientists monitoring sites in Hawaii, west Ireland and the Norwegian Arctic island of Svalbard revealed earlier this week that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased during the past two years by a rate of...

New Zealand Emissions Reduction Program Wins Innovation Award.
October 19, 2004... The New Zealand government recently announced that the Ministry for the Environment's (MfE) Projects to Reduce Emissions program has won the Supreme Award at this year's BearingPoint Innovation Awards. The government said that the...

SEC Issues Energy Efficiency, Renewables Recommendations.
October 19, 2004... The Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC) recently announced that 27 of its member groups have sent officials in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies a detailed set of recommendations...

Weekly Update.
October 19, 2004... AESP-NEEC ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THE GREAT ENERGY DEBATE, October 25, 2004, Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlboro, MA CLEANTECH VENTURE FORUM V, October 25-27, 2004, Intercontinental Toronto Centre, Toronto, Ontario DEPARTMENT OF...

EC Council Agrees on New F-gas Reduction Legislation.
October 20, 2004... The European Union (EU) Council agreed upon legislation late last week designed to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (GHGs) that includes a directive dealing with fluorinated gases (F-gases) used in vehicle air conditioning...

British Scientist Predicts Warming-related Extreme Weather.
October 20, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Britain's chief scientist David King commented during the third Greenpeace Business Lecture in London last week that global warming, prompted by a steady rise in greenhouse gases (GHGs), will likely lead to an...

ACC to Host 22nd Annual Coal Market Strategies Conference.
October 20, 2004... The American Coal Council (ACC) will host the 22nd Annual Coal Market Strategies Conference, an event designed to examine "critical marketplace and public policy issues that are affecting utility-coal markets and the industries that help power...

EPA Awards Grant to BPI For Energy Efficiency Training.
October 20, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Energy (DOE), has awarded a $1 million grant to the Building Performance...

University of Adelaide Develops New Climate Change Radar.
October 21, 2004... Australia's University of Adelaide recently announced that staff at its Center of Expertise in Microwave Radar (CoEMR) are developing a new type of radar sensor to provide three-dimensional maps of vegetation structure in an effort to help...

Air New Zealand Seeks At-risk Status for Domestic Carbon Tax.
October 21, 2004... British newspaper the Independent recently reported that Air New Zealand (NZ) has commented that the country's proposed carbon tax on domestic air travel beginning in 2008 could cost the airline up to $12 million annually. According to the...

FOE Says New U.K. Map Reveals Warming-related Flood Risk.
October 21, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) U.K. warned earlier this month that a new British map of flood risk suggests that global warming has the potential threaten millions of homes in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. According to FOE U.K.,...

GM Reports GHG Emissions Reduction from U.S. Facilities.
October 22, 2004... General Motors (GM) recently announced that, according to a voluntary report filed with the Department of Energy (DOE), the company's U.S. facilities have reduced their total greenhouse gas (GHG) output from 55.06 million metric tons carbon...

EU Unconditionally Accepts Six National Allocation Plans.
October 22, 2004... Reuters recently reported that the European Commission has unconditionally approved national allocation plans for the European Union (EU) emissions trading scheme submitted by Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain, as well as...

Texas A&M, MPE to Host Emissions Reduction Summit in TX.
October 22, 2004... Texas A&M University's Energy Systems Lab and the San Antonio, TX-based Metropolitan Partnership for Energy (MPE) will host "Emissions Reduction & Energy Leadership Summit 2004," an event featuring separate Texas Emission Reduction Program...

New Report Calls for International Action on Warming.
October 22, 2004... Christian Aid, an agency of the churches in the U.K. and Ireland, recently announced that the Working Group on Climate Change and Development, a coalition that includes Christian Aid, has released a new report which warns that global warming...

Weekly Update.
October 22, 2004... AESP-NEEC ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THE GREAT ENERGY DEBATE, October 25, 2004, Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlboro, MA CLEANTECH VENTURE FORUM V, October 25-27, 2004, Intercontinental Toronto Centre, Toronto, Ontario DEPARTMENT OF...

Chicago Climate Exchange to Open SO2 Futures Market.
October 25, 2004... The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) announced last week it will begin offering a futures product for sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions before year's end. CCX said the new market will be based on the existing Sulfur Financial Instruments (SFI)...

Russian State Duma Ratifies Kyoto Protocol.
October 25, 2004... The Russian State Duma ratified the Kyoto Protocol on Friday, voting 334 in favor, 73 against and two abstentions. The environmental treaty will go into effect 90 days after being ratified by the Russian upper house of Parliament and...

South Africa Looks to Nuclear Power to Reduce CO2 Emissions.
October 25, 2004... South African newspaper the Cape Times recently reported that Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs chief director in charge of nuclear affairs Tseliso Maqubela commented during a Department of Environmental Affairs parliamentary committee...

Groups Send Letters Concerning Kyoto to Putin, Bush.
October 25, 2004... The Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC) recently announced that 30 environmental and sustainable energy business organizations sent a letter earlier this month to Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating him for the decision to seek...

Kodak Joins California Climate Action Registry.
October 26, 2004... Eastman Kodak Company announced last week it has joined the California Climate Action Registry and will begin measuring and publishing its annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. "We must continually look for ways to more efficiently...

South African Cabinet Adopts New Climate Change Strategy.
October 26, 2004... South African news service BuaNews recently reported that the country's cabinet adopted a new Climate Change Response Strategy during a meeting held earlier this month in Pretoria. According to BuaNews, the plan sets out specific response...

Analysis Finds ITC, Climate Policies Needed for GHG Reduction.
October 26, 2004... The Pew Center on Global Climate Change recently announced that the new "Induced Technological Change and Climate Policy" economic analysis authored by Stanford University professor Larry Goulder finds that climate models that include induced...

FOE Urges Personal Action in Honor of Energy Efficiency Week.
October 27, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) U.K. recently announced the start of Energy Efficiency Week and has called on citizens to participate in the Climate Challenge and reduce the amount of energy they use. FOE U.K. said people can visit...

Norway Looks to Boost CO2 Sequestration Research.
October 27, 2004... Reuters recently reported that the government of Norway has earmarked more than $22 million for the research and development of technology that will capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by natural gas-fired power plants and bury them...

Groups Say Energy Efficiency Will Help Solve U.S. Oil Dependency.
October 27, 2004... The Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC) recently announced that 23 business, environmental and energy policy organizations sent a letter to President Bush earlier this week urging him to "reconsider the nation's energy policies in light of oil...

Washington State Proposes New Rule for Small Power Plants.
October 28, 2004... The Washington Department of Ecology recently proposed a new regulation to help implement a new state law that creates regulatory parity for small and large power plants that burn fossil fuel. According to the department, the overall aim of...

California Registry Adopts New Rules for GHG Emissions Reporting.
October 28, 2004... The California Climate Action Registry recently announced that it has adopted new rules for electric power companies and electric utilities participating in the registry's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions program. According to the registry,...

New Survey Reveals U.S. Companies Expect Mandatory CO2 Limits.
October 28, 2004... PA Consulting Group recently announced it has conducted a national environmental survey of electric generating companies representing approximately 30 percent of U.S. electricity generation which reveals that nearly 60 percent of respondents...

Scientists Say Increased Warming May Intensify Extreme Weather.
October 28, 2004... Researchers participating late last week in a Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School briefing suggested that this year's unusually intense period of destructive weather activity could prove a harbinger, as the...

Russian Upper House of Parliament Ratifies the Kyoto Protocol.
October 29, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has voted 139 to 1 with one abstention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. According to AP, Russian President Vladimir Putin must now...

Switzerland Issues CO2 Reduction Plan Proposals.
October 29, 2004... Swissinfo recently reported that the government of Switzerland has released for nationwide consultation four separate proposals addressing how the country can best work to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in line with legislation...

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Earns Gold LEED Award.
October 29, 2004... Wisconsin's Schlitz Audubon Nature Center announced this week is has received a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award for its Dorothy K. Vallier Environmental Learning Center. The award, presented by the U.S. Green...

Weekly Update.
October 29, 2004... 4TH IETA FORUM ON THE STATE OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS MARKET, November 3-4, 2004, Centre for Global Dialogue, Ruschlikon, Switzerland AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE & TRADE EXPO 04: CLIMATE CHANGE & BUSINESS, November 3-5, 2004, Sky City...