Blog
Copenhagen Climate Summit Opens: What’s at Stake?
By Nick Berning (cross-posted from Open Left) Hi from Copenhagen, where a crucial round of negotiations aimed at yielding a solution to global climate change began this morning. I’m here with three -- soon to be five -- colleagues from Friends of the Earth’s group in the U.S. (there are Friends of the Earth groups in 77 countries) and we’re going to post frequent updates about the negotiations as they unfold over the next two weeks. Read More
Copenhagen Day 1: Monday, December 7
Day 1: Monday, December 7 Nick provides a brief and clear overview of what's at stake -- from a scientific and social justice perspective -- in efforts to yield a solution to global climate change. Check it out here. Read More
Getting a grip on cruise ship pollution
Friends of the Earth issues comprehensive report on the environmental impacts of the cruise industry Read More
Just showing up is not enough
Encourage the president to do right in Copenhagen. Read More
Don’t let Chrysler bail on its electric vehicle promises
Chrysler, the recipient of $15.3 billion in taxpayer-funded bailout money -- granted in part because of its promise to invest in electric vehicle technology -- has just announced it is scrapping its plans for producing large volumes of electric cars.Join us in telling Chrysler this is unacceptable. Pledge not to buy any Chrysler vehicles unless the automaker reinstates its electric vehicle program. Read More
Rich countries scheme to ditch Kyoto targets
The final negotiating days before Copenhagen just wrapped up today in Barcelona. At this point, prospects for reaching a meaningful international climate agreement in December are dim. Wealthy countries continue to refuse to make strong commitments. U.S. Read More
Oil spill damages San Francisco Bay just two years after Cosco Busan
Last Friday, October 30th, the oil tanker Dubai Star spilled an estimated 400-800 gallons of bunker fuel into San Francisco Bay almost two years to the day after the Cosco Busan spilled over 50,000 gallons of bunker fuel into the Bay. The bunker fuel spread out into a 4 mile long slick and has currently polluted at least six miles of Bay shoreline closing several Read More
Africa stands up for binding targets
African negotiators at the UN climate talks in Barcelona refused to continue formal discussions about all other issues until wealthy countries live up to their legal and moral responsibility to commit to deep emissions reductions. Read More
Barcelona climate talks start off on best possible footing, finally
No, developed countries didn’t in fact finally live up to their historical responsibility by committing to deep emissions cuts or significant financing to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change. However, yours truly was, for the very first time in her life, upgraded to business class for the transatlantic flight to Barcelona! I can’t imagine a better way to have started the trip and I am hoping that the official start of the talks tomorrow will be similarly hopeful. Read More