The White House has released a new report which it hopes will help to galvanise support for climate change legislation in the United States.
The report is the first issued since Barack Obama became President and it contains the strongest language on climate change to come out of the White House.
A lead author of the report, Dr Jerry Melillo, says climate change is fact, not opinion.
"It is clear that climate change is happening now. The observed climate changes we report are not opinions to be debated. They are facts to be dealt with," he said.
The nearly 200-page document is a joint venture between the White House and 13 federal agencies.
It has been released as the US Congress considers legislation that imposes the first national cap on emissions while also seeking to reduce them.
Mr Obama's chief science adviser, John Holdren, says action must be taken.
"Action needs to include both measures to reduce the emissions of heat-trapping pollution that are driving this problem and measures to adapt to the part of climate change we can't avoid," he said.
The report compiles years of scientific research and updates it with new data, painting a bleaker picture of global warming in the United States than has been done before.
It reveals that the average temperature in the US has risen 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 50 years, and might rise by up to 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100.
It warns the number of deaths from heat waves could double in Los Angeles and quadruple in Chicago if emissions are not reduced.
Sea levels are also expected to rise, with the area near New York City one of the worst hit.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Jane Lubchenco says humans are to blame.
"We're also reporting today with greater confidence than ever before that human activities are the main cause of the changes we see underway," she said.
"I really believe this report is a game changer, I think that much of the foot dragging in addressing climate change is a reflection of the perception that climate change is way down the road, it's in the future.
"And this report demonstrates, provides the concrete scientific information, that says unequivocally that climate change is happening now."
Meanwhile the United Nations is warning of what it calls "megadisasters" in the world's biggest cities unless more is done to heed the threat of climate change.
It says tens of millions of people are highly exposed because they live in big cities that would be threatened by rising sea levels or earthquakes.
And a new report from the Red Cross likens forecasting the impact of global warming to rolling a dice saying: "confronted with global warming, we know the dice is loaded".
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Gindalbie job losses blamed on ‘green tape’
Gindalbie Metals has blamed delays in receiving environmental approval for the $1.8 billion Karara iron ore project in the Mid-West for its decision to axe one in five jobs.
The 21 per cent cut to Gindalbie’s workforce, which will make 24 out of 113 positions redundant, includes Andrew Munkton’s position as operations general manager.
Gindalbie, which also blamed the global financial crisis for the cost-cutting measure, said it would cancel activities such as regional exploration to focus solely on Karara.
In addition to the exploration team, other jobs to face the cut relate to Karara’s start-up, which is facing delays because of troubles to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals.
Only two key approvals remain outstanding — environmental goahead from the WA Government and Chinese sign-off for AnSteel to inject $162 million into Gindalbie.
Chinese approval is expected any time.
But doubts remain over the timing of the environmental approval, given that Gindalbie appealed against part of the Environmental Protection Authority’s recommendation to conditionally allow Karara’s development. Gindalbie expects to have to wait at least another three months before receiving final government go-ahead.
Only two years ago Gindalbie had targeted first magnetite production from Karara by next year. The target date has since been pushed back to the first half of 2011, if Gindalbie is able to start construction by the December quarter this year.
“We are not cutting staff because the project has stopped,” a Gindalbie spokesman said yesterday.
“It’s going ahead but it has been delayed and we are cutting back on regional exploration.”
Gindalbie is not the only Mid-West iron ore hopeful struggling to deal with the lengthy regulatory process.
The Chinese-owned Sinosteel Midwest is appealing against an adverse EPA recommendation regarding development of its Koolanooka-Blue Hills hematite project.
The two-week appeals period closed last night and a Sinosteel spokesman said it was encouraged by the show of support its had received from a cross-section of the Mid-West community keen to see the iron ore project developed.
As well as much-needed jobs in the region, Gindalbie and Sinosteel are being relied on to provide iron ore to underpin the development of the public-private $1.5 billion Oakajee port project, north of Geraldton.
The 21 per cent cut to Gindalbie’s workforce, which will make 24 out of 113 positions redundant, includes Andrew Munkton’s position as operations general manager.
Gindalbie, which also blamed the global financial crisis for the cost-cutting measure, said it would cancel activities such as regional exploration to focus solely on Karara.
In addition to the exploration team, other jobs to face the cut relate to Karara’s start-up, which is facing delays because of troubles to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals.
Only two key approvals remain outstanding — environmental goahead from the WA Government and Chinese sign-off for AnSteel to inject $162 million into Gindalbie.
Chinese approval is expected any time.
But doubts remain over the timing of the environmental approval, given that Gindalbie appealed against part of the Environmental Protection Authority’s recommendation to conditionally allow Karara’s development. Gindalbie expects to have to wait at least another three months before receiving final government go-ahead.
Only two years ago Gindalbie had targeted first magnetite production from Karara by next year. The target date has since been pushed back to the first half of 2011, if Gindalbie is able to start construction by the December quarter this year.
“We are not cutting staff because the project has stopped,” a Gindalbie spokesman said yesterday.
“It’s going ahead but it has been delayed and we are cutting back on regional exploration.”
Gindalbie is not the only Mid-West iron ore hopeful struggling to deal with the lengthy regulatory process.
The Chinese-owned Sinosteel Midwest is appealing against an adverse EPA recommendation regarding development of its Koolanooka-Blue Hills hematite project.
The two-week appeals period closed last night and a Sinosteel spokesman said it was encouraged by the show of support its had received from a cross-section of the Mid-West community keen to see the iron ore project developed.
As well as much-needed jobs in the region, Gindalbie and Sinosteel are being relied on to provide iron ore to underpin the development of the public-private $1.5 billion Oakajee port project, north of Geraldton.
World Environment Day observed in Mymensingh
The World Environment Day was observed in Mymensingh in a befitting manner on June 5.
To observe the day a procession was brought in the town from the office of Deputy Commissioner and dispersed at the town hall after parading the main streets of the town.
District administration with the help of World Vision,, ADP and other government offices and NGOs arranged the procession.
An a forestation programme was held on the occasion on the Muktijodha Smriti Saudha.
In the afternoon a discussion meeting was held at DC's conference room in which Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh A.N.Shamsuddin Azad Chowdhury presided over.
The speakers expressing concern over the degradation of environment of the country said if the ecological system is destroyed, the environment system will be destroyed. So, the water bodies of the countries, including the rivers, should be protected and they stressed for launching a social movement to this effect.
To observe the day a procession was brought in the town from the office of Deputy Commissioner and dispersed at the town hall after parading the main streets of the town.
District administration with the help of World Vision,, ADP and other government offices and NGOs arranged the procession.
An a forestation programme was held on the occasion on the Muktijodha Smriti Saudha.
In the afternoon a discussion meeting was held at DC's conference room in which Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh A.N.Shamsuddin Azad Chowdhury presided over.
The speakers expressing concern over the degradation of environment of the country said if the ecological system is destroyed, the environment system will be destroyed. So, the water bodies of the countries, including the rivers, should be protected and they stressed for launching a social movement to this effect.
Environment ministry to eject double agents
A number of people serving on regulatory boards of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) will soon be sacked. The ministry has discovered they are also directors of companies whose projects the boards they are serving on have appraised.
“These are clear cases of conflict of interest,” Jairam Ramesh, environment minister, told Hindustan Times. “It was the duty of these people to keep the government informed.”
The most striking case is that of former power secretary P. Abraham, who has been heading the MoEF’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) on river valley and hydropower projects for the past two years. Every hydel project needs this EAC’s clearance before it can start.
According to a complaint sent to the ministry by six NGOs last week, Abraham is also on the board of at least six power companies, including Lanco Infratech, Maharashtra Power Generation Company, GVK Industries Ltd and JSW Energy Ltd.
“There have been at least six occasions when a project of companies where Abraham is a director came for clearance before the committee he chairs,” said Neeraj Vagholikar of Pune-based Kalpvriksh Environmental Action Group on telephone.
Abraham reportedly stayed away from meetings at which projects of companies he was connected with were discussed. “But that is not enough,” said Ramesh. “I agree totally with the anti-dam activists and have initiated action.”
Despite repeated efforts by Hindustan Times, Abraham could not be contacted. “I’ve also been trying to contact him for the last two days,” said Ramesh.
MoEF sources claimed other EACs, notably the one on mining and another on coal-based power plants, also have members associated with private interests.
The National Biodiversity Authority has members who formerly worked for private companies like Syngenta, which has applied for patents from this very authority. They, however, refused to reveal names.
“These are clear cases of conflict of interest,” Jairam Ramesh, environment minister, told Hindustan Times. “It was the duty of these people to keep the government informed.”
The most striking case is that of former power secretary P. Abraham, who has been heading the MoEF’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) on river valley and hydropower projects for the past two years. Every hydel project needs this EAC’s clearance before it can start.
According to a complaint sent to the ministry by six NGOs last week, Abraham is also on the board of at least six power companies, including Lanco Infratech, Maharashtra Power Generation Company, GVK Industries Ltd and JSW Energy Ltd.
“There have been at least six occasions when a project of companies where Abraham is a director came for clearance before the committee he chairs,” said Neeraj Vagholikar of Pune-based Kalpvriksh Environmental Action Group on telephone.
Abraham reportedly stayed away from meetings at which projects of companies he was connected with were discussed. “But that is not enough,” said Ramesh. “I agree totally with the anti-dam activists and have initiated action.”
Despite repeated efforts by Hindustan Times, Abraham could not be contacted. “I’ve also been trying to contact him for the last two days,” said Ramesh.
MoEF sources claimed other EACs, notably the one on mining and another on coal-based power plants, also have members associated with private interests.
The National Biodiversity Authority has members who formerly worked for private companies like Syngenta, which has applied for patents from this very authority. They, however, refused to reveal names.
ADB's Regional Climate Change Initiatives
Mitigation-related Initiatives
Carbon Market Initiative - strengthening the carbon market by providing additional financial resources for project development, as well as technical and marketing support, for projects potentially eligible for the Clean Development Mechanism.
Cities Development Initiative for Asia* - providing advisory and capacity-building support on climate-friendly city development.
Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities* - promoting a reduction in vehicle emissions through improved fuel quality, vehicle maintenance, emission control technology, alternative fuels, and better traffic management. This is a regional network jointly launched by ADB and the World Bank in 2001 and is now an independent organization based in Manila.
Energy for All Initiative - promoting expanded access by the poor to modern and clean forms of energy.
Energy Efficiency Initiative - providing innovative financing mechanisms for clean energy investments with the aim to invest $1billion per year on clean energy development programs from 2008 to 2010.
Sustainable Transport Initiative - providing advice and financing for innovative public transport schemes that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants.
Top
Adaptation-related Initiatives
Addressing Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific Region - This project is gathering knowledge and producing a series of publications covering key climate change challenges facing Asia and the Pacific such as energy and climate change, adaptation in the agriculture sector, and migration and climate migrants.
Central Asia Countries Initiative for Land Management - restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the productive functions of land in Central Asia.
Climate Change Adaptation Program for the Pacific - examined the special risks faced and adaptation approaches and measures needed in low-lying island states, and ADB is following up on implementing strategies identified.
Promoting Climate Change Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific - promoting an improved understanding by participating governments of the necessary actions they must take to adapt to climate change through the adoption of investment programs, plans, and policies.
Regional Partnerships for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness - will seek to increase the financial resilience of participating Pacific Island countries to the effects of natural disasters.
Regional Review of the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia - analysis will examine climate change adaptation (as well as Clean Energy) costs and options facing the largest economics of Southeast Asia.
Water for All - this vision and policy is supported by ADB's Water Financing Program, which is working to increase investments and support reforms, capacity development, and regional cooperation in the water sector.
Carbon Market Initiative - strengthening the carbon market by providing additional financial resources for project development, as well as technical and marketing support, for projects potentially eligible for the Clean Development Mechanism.
Cities Development Initiative for Asia* - providing advisory and capacity-building support on climate-friendly city development.
Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities* - promoting a reduction in vehicle emissions through improved fuel quality, vehicle maintenance, emission control technology, alternative fuels, and better traffic management. This is a regional network jointly launched by ADB and the World Bank in 2001 and is now an independent organization based in Manila.
Energy for All Initiative - promoting expanded access by the poor to modern and clean forms of energy.
Energy Efficiency Initiative - providing innovative financing mechanisms for clean energy investments with the aim to invest $1billion per year on clean energy development programs from 2008 to 2010.
Sustainable Transport Initiative - providing advice and financing for innovative public transport schemes that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants.
Top
Adaptation-related Initiatives
Addressing Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific Region - This project is gathering knowledge and producing a series of publications covering key climate change challenges facing Asia and the Pacific such as energy and climate change, adaptation in the agriculture sector, and migration and climate migrants.
Central Asia Countries Initiative for Land Management - restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the productive functions of land in Central Asia.
Climate Change Adaptation Program for the Pacific - examined the special risks faced and adaptation approaches and measures needed in low-lying island states, and ADB is following up on implementing strategies identified.
Promoting Climate Change Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific - promoting an improved understanding by participating governments of the necessary actions they must take to adapt to climate change through the adoption of investment programs, plans, and policies.
Regional Partnerships for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness - will seek to increase the financial resilience of participating Pacific Island countries to the effects of natural disasters.
Regional Review of the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia - analysis will examine climate change adaptation (as well as Clean Energy) costs and options facing the largest economics of Southeast Asia.
Water for All - this vision and policy is supported by ADB's Water Financing Program, which is working to increase investments and support reforms, capacity development, and regional cooperation in the water sector.
ADB Hosts Regional Forum to Develop Strategies to Cope with Climate Change
Government leaders, policymakers, and climate change experts from around the world will gather in the Philippines this week for a high-level dialogue and a series of technical meetings aimed at helping Asia-Pacific countries move toward low-carbon and climate-resilient development paths.
Hosted by ADB, the Climate and Clean Energy Week will consist of two events. The High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific, to be held 16-17 June, will bring together policy makers to discuss the path forward for the Asia-Pacific region in the face of climate change. The dialogue will be followed by the 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009, from 17-19 June, which will serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and forging new partnerships to advance clean energy solutions in the region.
"Asia's share of greenhouse gas emissions has been growing rapidly over the past two decades and infrastructure investments in the next two decades will have profound impacts on the region’s economy and the global climate,” said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. "The Climate and Clean Energy Week is an opportunity to establish the basis for regional economic growth that is more environmentally sustainable, and to discuss priorities for Asia and the Pacific in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December."
Mr. Kuroda will co-host the high-level dialogue with Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Goh Kun, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, will also speak at the dialogue. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address the participants via video, and Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will update participants on progress toward a new global agreement in Copenhagen.
"Open dialogue is critical to achieving the policy, finance and technology solutions needed to address climate change in Asia and the Pacific," said Dr. Pachauri. "Decoupling economic growth from future greenhouse gas emissions is key to the region's future development, and only collective action will help us achieve this."
ADB will use the 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009 to launch its Energy for All Partnership, which aims to provide clean, reliable energy to 100 million people in the Asia and Pacific region by 2015. ADB will also unveil a plan which outlines ongoing and planned responses to climate change in each of its five regions.
Hosted by ADB, the Climate and Clean Energy Week will consist of two events. The High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific, to be held 16-17 June, will bring together policy makers to discuss the path forward for the Asia-Pacific region in the face of climate change. The dialogue will be followed by the 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009, from 17-19 June, which will serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and forging new partnerships to advance clean energy solutions in the region.
"Asia's share of greenhouse gas emissions has been growing rapidly over the past two decades and infrastructure investments in the next two decades will have profound impacts on the region’s economy and the global climate,” said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. "The Climate and Clean Energy Week is an opportunity to establish the basis for regional economic growth that is more environmentally sustainable, and to discuss priorities for Asia and the Pacific in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December."
Mr. Kuroda will co-host the high-level dialogue with Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Goh Kun, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, will also speak at the dialogue. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address the participants via video, and Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will update participants on progress toward a new global agreement in Copenhagen.
"Open dialogue is critical to achieving the policy, finance and technology solutions needed to address climate change in Asia and the Pacific," said Dr. Pachauri. "Decoupling economic growth from future greenhouse gas emissions is key to the region's future development, and only collective action will help us achieve this."
ADB will use the 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009 to launch its Energy for All Partnership, which aims to provide clean, reliable energy to 100 million people in the Asia and Pacific region by 2015. ADB will also unveil a plan which outlines ongoing and planned responses to climate change in each of its five regions.
UNEP Signs Agreement To Help Green The Sochi 2014 Olympics
In an effort to green the Sochi Olympics in 2014, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Olympic organizers to help and advise them on making the Games environmentally friendly.
At the signing ceremony on 5 June, Theodore Oben, Chief of the UNEP's Outreach Section, said: "I am sure the memorandum signed today will not only be a written commitment, but will guarantee that during the preparation and staging of Sochi 2014 great strides are made in environmental protection in Sochi and the Krasnodar Region," said
Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, added: "Signing this important Memorandum will help ensure Sochi 2014 is able to introduce Green Standards to every level of the Games' preparation and will ensure that the Organizing Committee continues to work with international environment experts to support this."
Sochi, which sits between the balmy shores of the Black Sea and the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains in Russia's Krasnodar Region, is renowned for its pristine setting.
In an effort to preserve this natural beauty, the city in 2008 followed UNEP's recommendation to move the bobsleigh and luge tracks away from the Caucasus nature reserve, which is one of the only mountain areas in Europe that remains virtually untouched by human activity. In changing the venue, organizers stressed that they are committed to creating an "environmental legacy for the future of the region".
"We developed the Sochi 2014 environmental strategy and this will ensure that the ecological situation in the Krasnodar Region is enhanced for generations to come," stressed Chernyshenko at the signing of the agreement.
At the signing ceremony on 5 June, Theodore Oben, Chief of the UNEP's Outreach Section, said: "I am sure the memorandum signed today will not only be a written commitment, but will guarantee that during the preparation and staging of Sochi 2014 great strides are made in environmental protection in Sochi and the Krasnodar Region," said
Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, added: "Signing this important Memorandum will help ensure Sochi 2014 is able to introduce Green Standards to every level of the Games' preparation and will ensure that the Organizing Committee continues to work with international environment experts to support this."
Sochi, which sits between the balmy shores of the Black Sea and the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains in Russia's Krasnodar Region, is renowned for its pristine setting.
In an effort to preserve this natural beauty, the city in 2008 followed UNEP's recommendation to move the bobsleigh and luge tracks away from the Caucasus nature reserve, which is one of the only mountain areas in Europe that remains virtually untouched by human activity. In changing the venue, organizers stressed that they are committed to creating an "environmental legacy for the future of the region".
"We developed the Sochi 2014 environmental strategy and this will ensure that the ecological situation in the Krasnodar Region is enhanced for generations to come," stressed Chernyshenko at the signing of the agreement.
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