Blog
The Orly Taitz of Climate Change? ‘Lord’ Monckton in Copenhagen
By Nick Berning (cross-posted from Open Left) Read More
Technology Assessment in Copenhagen
Our Health and Environment Campaigner, Ian Illuminato, will be joining the rest of our team in Copenhagen on December 13. Ian’s mandate during the negotiations will involve lobbying for stricter assessment of risky technologies, which are being promoted to help with the climate crisis. Read More
Senators Cantwell and Collins introduce much needed alternative into climate debate
Senators Maria Cantwell and Susan Collins have introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act, which is a much needed addition to the climate debate in the Senate. The bills in the House and Senate are rife with loopholes, give free handouts to polluters, and trust the integrity of the system to Wall Street traders who are more interested in gambling on carbon derivatives than getting environmental results. Read More
Copenhagen Day 5: Friday, December 11
Day 5: Friday, December 11 A quiet day, considering the fervor of emotions from the beginning of the week. However, Kate was on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman to talk about what targets really mean and the climate debt we owe developing countries. See below. Her interview begins at the 14:40 mark. See the latest from the climate talks. Read More
Report from Copenhagen: Fourth Day of Negotiations
By Karen Orenstein (cross-posted from Open Left) Over the last day in Copenhagen, heated debates and surely thousands of conversations here in the conference center have focused on what the legal outcome of the climate negotiations should be -- and how to get there. Read More
The Blend Wall: More Ethanol in Your Tank?
The Blend Wall is the amount of ethanol that is allowed to be blended into a gallon of gasoline. Currently, this is limited to 10% of a gallon of fuel. The reason for this limit is because EPA must certify the safety of fuels in order to be legally used, and often times mid-level blends of ethanol (such as 15% or 20%) can cause harm to air quality and engines. Because there are only so many cars in the United States, this results in a cap on how much biofuel can be used in the U.S. Read More
Biodiesel Subsidies Up for Renewal
Biodiesel currently received a $1.00 per gallon subsidy when blended into diesel fuel. This subsidy is through a tax credit, which is to expire at the end of 2009. This credit is given irrespective of the impact that this fuel is having on the environment or economy. In fact, it is possible for the subsidy to apply to the dirtiest of biofuels, including imported palm oil from Malaysia or soy biodiesel from Brazil. Read More
Copenhagen Day 4: Thursday, December 10
Day 4: Thursday, December 10 Today, President Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Norway. And the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance has responded with a powerful letter addressed to President Obama. They write: Read More
Report from Copenhagen: Africa demands that wealthy nations step it up
By Kate Horner (cross-posted from Open Left) Yesterday, African activists as well as members of African parliaments attending climate negotiations in Copenhagen demanded that wealthy nations step it up. Read More