Durban Climate Talks Begin, Hotline 11.29.11

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requested permission from Congress to create the National Climate Service, a “one-stop shop” for all things climate-related. NOAA Deputy Undersecretary Mary Glackin stated that people are “often confused where to go for climate information.” Glackin said that the National Climate Service would help people find information on droughts, wildfire and flood forecasts in one place, and no new funding would be necessary to reshuffle existing offices in NOAA when creating the National Climate Service. Though the budget was largely approved by the Senate, the total budget for the climate service program was denied by the House, with the House ultimately winning out.

For additional information see:

Washington Post

In its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin the United Nations’ (UN) World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported a 29 percent increase from 1990 to 2010 in the warming effect on the climate from greenhouse gases. In addition, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere increased to 389 parts per million molecules of air in 2010, a rise of 2.3 parts per million from 2009. WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said, “Even if we managed to halt our greenhouse gas emissions today – and this is far from the case – they would continue to linger in the atmosphere for decades to come and so continue to affect the delicate balance of our living planet and our climate.” He continued, “Now more than ever before, we need to understand the complex and sometimes unexpected interactions between greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Earth’s biosphere and oceans.”

For additional information see: Business Green, Reuters

Some of the wealthiest nation’s governments, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and the United States, are discussing delaying a global climate agreement until 2016. Europe’s climate chief, Connie Hedegaard, said that the European Union’s goal was to decide on a climate change treaty “by the first COP [Conference of Parties meeting] after 2015,” with negotiations possibly further delaying the treaty until 2020. Christiana Figueres, the United Nation’s top official on climate change, collaborated with the idea, “Making an agreement is not easy. What we are looking at is not an international environment agreement — what we are looking at is nothing other than the biggest industrial and energy revolution that has ever been seen.” Scientists and environmentalists stress that delaying a global climate treaty by even a few years would be detrimental to the planet, stating that inaction would move the world closer to irreversible climate change.

For additional information see: The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have developed a set of measures for how to best manage climate change aid money, according to a study published in the journal Science. The paper outlines some recommendations which include ensuring that donations are not simply shifted away from other sources of aid, and appointing independent auditors to oversee the spending and management of the money. “If it’s not managed well we could waste a lot of money and a lot of people could not get the aid they need,” said co-author Simon Donner. The researchers also cited a lack of checks and balances in the system and past examples where the money was spent on public relations stunts showing that the agencies were “taking action.” “The international aid system is fraught with problems,” said Donner, “and by adding another $100 million a year to it, basically doubling it, we could end up worsening a lot of problems.”

For additional information see: Agence France-Presse, Vancouver Observer, Study Abstract

On November 21, the United Nations (UN) released a report stating that hydrofluorocarbons emissions must be curbed to help mitigate climate change. “Keeping a global, 21st century temperature rise under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) will require urgent action” to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), said the UN Environment Program. “By 2050, HFCs could be responsible for emissions equivalent to 3.5 gigatons to 8.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide, comparable to total current annual emissions from transport, estimated at 6-7 gigatons annually.” The report suggests alternatives to the HFC gases most popularly used in air conditioners and refrigerators, including improving existing buildings’ designs that eliminate the need for air conditioners, and the use of non-HFC substances.

For additional information see: Bloomberg

Wild oysters in the Pacific Northwest are failing to reproduce successfully due to the rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Pacific Ocean. These corrosive waters prevent oyster larvae from forming shells and they ultimately die off, with local hatcheries experiencing 70 to 80 percent of lost oyster larvae. Oyster harvesting in the Pacific Northwest brings 3,000 jobs to the local area $207 million in annual revenue to the surrounding communities. The lasting impact of oyster die-offs reach far and wide above the Pacific Northwest region, and similar effects from ocean acidification are apparent on the U.S. Atlantic coast and in Australia. Bill Dewey of Taylor Shellfish states that the Pacific Northwest oysters are “the canary in the coal mine. . . . We have to find a way in our industry to adapt.”

For additional information see: Yale Environment 360

The Canadian Embassy and the Polar Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences will host the International Polar Year seminar, where polar scientists and representatives of the polar region will gather to discuss the International Polar Year 2007-2008, as well as the upcoming conference in Montreal. The seminar will be followed by a reception at the Koshland Science Museum’s new climate exhibit. This event will take place on November 29 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the National Academy of Sciences Keck Center, located in Room 100, 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC, 20001.

For more information Click Here; To RSVP by November 22 Click Here.

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) will host Phase II: Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum. This policy forum will explore the key policy issues related to increasing private investment in and use of renewable energy in both the electricity and transportation sectors. The opening reception will take place on December 6 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Folger Shakespeare Library, located at 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003. The forum will take place on December 7 from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Cannon Caucus Room, in the Cannon House Office Building.