writeaboutwarming

May 23, 2013 – China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has proposed a cap on greenhouse gas emissions produced by the world’s largest emitter.   Experts say the NDRC is extremely influential (would that the EPA could say the same!), and is now working with a government whose views regarding climate change have made a sudden and dramatic shift.   In order for the proposal to be adopted, it must be approved by the government’s cabinet, known as the State Council.   It would appear that is likely to happen.   Furthermore, the NDRC said it now expects China’s greenhouse gas emissions to peak in 2025, five years sooner than expected. This announcement has been received with great excitement, particularly by those who have struggled long and hard to bring about a global agreement regarding a reduction in emissions.   Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s chief scientist, acclaimed the NDRC’s proposal as a “big shift” capable of unblocking negotiations between...

February 4, 2013 - It's great to be back. There's a lot going on: lots of good science finally coming to fruition ,a president who knows what needs to be done who, now that he's been re-elected; will finally do what needs to be done; most of the continent of Australia either on fire or flooding; much of eastern China - including Beijing - more and more frequently swathed in enough pollution to shorten lives significantly. A mixed bag, that's for sure. It does seem as though there's a distinct possibility the United States may finally begin taking its environmental responsibilities seriously. Too little, too late? Only time will tell. But the nice people at Bloomberg New Energy Finance tell us that CO2 emissions have fallen by 13% in the past five years here in the U.S., putting them at their lowest levels since 1994. This has been accomplished through the application of energy-saving technologies, and a doubling in the use of renewable energy. According to Li...