The Audubon Society has issued a report, based upon 40 years of study in the United States, entitled “Birds and Climate Change Ecological Disruption in Motion.” The report concludes that global warming is having a significant impact on the migratory pattern of birds. It notes: “planned, science-based habitat conservation efforts…
In what may signal another break with Bush Administration policy, EPA Administrator Jackson issued a letter in response to a petition from the Sierra Club indicating the EPA would review a Bush Administration memo interpreting the scope of the Clean Air Act. While refusing to stay the Bush era memorandum,…
A New York City panel created by Mayor Bloomberg issued a report predicting significant increases in temperature and sea level in and around New York City over the next 70 years. The report predicts sea level rise of up to two feet and mean annual temperature increases of up to…
President Obama announced today that he was directing the EPA to reconsider the request by California to institute tougher standards for vehicle carbon dioxide emissions. It is expected that several other states may make similar requests if California, which was originally denied, is now granted approval. The move to review…
In an article published by the journal Science,it was found that the effects of warming and resulting “water deficits are likely contributors to tree mortality.” A summary of the report in today’s New York Times notes that the study conducted in the Pacific Northwest found significant increased mortality, irrespective of…
The new White House Website has already listed an ambitious program for addressing issues of climate change. Included in the goals are (!) within 10 years saving more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela, (2) reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 and (3)…
The Iowa Climate Change Council appointed by the governor in 2007 issued its final report just before Christmas. The report contains 56 recommendations to reduce GHGs through, among other things, energy efficiency and a cap and trade program. If implemented the program will reportedly cost the state an estimated 4.8…
While the good news is that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report issued last week finds that “abrupt” climate change is unlikely in the 21st century, the bad news is that such “abrupt” changes are possible and present models cannot even predict some of the potential changes. Among the conclusions…
This morning the media is reporting that President-elect Obama has named Harvard professor, John Holdren, a specialist in climate and energy issues as the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology. This appointment, along with the appointment of Steven Chu as head of the Energy Department, signals…
The Poznan Climate Change Conference is reportedly struggling to make progress due to lack of proactive participation by the United States and the European Union. The conference is intended to be a run up to the conference scheduled for Copenhagen in 2009, where it is hoped the terms of a…