Climate Change Attorney Blog

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 will be increasingly essential to avoid a growing toll on birds and wildlife, along with the loss of a wide array of ecological benefits, from clean water supplies, insect control and seed distribution provided by birds, to travel and tourism revenues.”

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 California’s request was reportedly hailed by Governor Schwarzenegger. In an attempt to address global warming issues the President also directed that federal fuel efficiency standards for 2011 be released by the Department of Transportation by March of this year.

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 size, type or elevation of the trees.

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 billion dollars over the next decade. According to the Chicago Tribune, the price tag, along with concerns that the proposals will increase utility costs, are a stumbling block to adoption. Yet, proponents argue that, over a period of time, jobs will be created and savings will result from implementation of the recommendations.

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 contained in the report are: (1) there will be “rapid and sustained arctic September sea ice loss”, (2) the potential for sustained drought in the southwestern United States has increased, (3) there will likely be a decrease in the northward flow of warm water in the upper layers of the Atlantic Ocean and (4) there will likely be an increase in the release of methane gas deposits from the earth.

As reported in the Washington Post, perhaps one of the most disturbing conclusions is the possibility of an even greater rise in sea level by the year 2100 than was previously predicted. The original projection was for a 1.5 foot increase in sea level by the next century, but observations over the last two years demonstrate that major ice sheets are melting more rapidly than originally thought. Therefore, the rise in sea level may actually be as much as four feet. The USGS has created a Website which addresses issues relating to glaciers and climate change.

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 that the new administration is serious about addressing climate change issues. In announcing the Holdren appointment the President-elect stated in part: “[t]oday, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation,”

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 treaty can be agreed upon. The lack of direction from the United States is viewed to be the result of the conference coinciding with the presidential transition.