Environmental Stories to Watch: 2008 Jonathan Lash World Resources Institute December 18, 2007
Environmental Stories to Watch: 2008
Jonathan Lash
World Resources Institute
December 18, 2007
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Climate Change ConferenceBali, 3 - 14 December 2007
Decision -/CP.13: Bali Action Plan
Resolving to urgently enhance implementation of the Convention in order to achieve its ultimate objective in full accordance with its principles and commitments,
Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are global priorities,
Responding to the findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that delay in reducing emissions significantly constrains opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels and increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts,
Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention and emphasizing the urgency to address climate change as indicated in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change…
The Bali Communiqué on Climate Change
www.azfoo.net
Congressional Action?
US States – Cap and Trade
Key states to watch:• Alaska
– Observer to Western Climate Initiative (WCI)– Hard hit by climate change, big oil state
• Florida– Considering joining Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
(RGGI)– GHG targets on par with California
• Illinois– Big coal, corn state– Governor strongly considering cap and trade
• Utah– Big coal state– Participant in WCI, legislature not behind Governor
http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/los_angeles/index.html
EPA’s Response toMass. v. EPA
Put An Ear inYour Tank ?
Projected Global Biofuel Production
Source: Graph: Juergens et al, 2007; Data: A. Prakash (FAO) http://rose.geog.mcgill.ca/wordpress/?m=200510
Rising Food Prices in China
MercoPress
Dong Zhixin (chinadaily.com.cn)
The stampede for cheap cooking oil on November 10 left three dead and dozens injured [AFP]
AlJazeera.net
Poverty + Food & Water Shortage
Source: CAIT (http://cait.wri.org)
Low High
2005 2006 2007 2008
Energy Security
Pollution Abatement
Market Pressure
International Pressure
Climate Change Impacts
Factors Influencing China Climate Change Policy
China passes the U.S. as the largest GHG emitter in the world
http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympics_a_view_from_the_bird_s_nest
http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympics_a_view_from_the_bird_s_nest
Global Investment in Sustainable Energy, by Type and Region, 2006
Concentrating Solar Tower Technology
http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/pdf/morse-dec6.pdf
Global CSP Pipelines by Developer, 2007
Credit: Emerging Energy Research
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/08/31/106376/us-biofuel-output-moves-up-a-gear.html
PV system for the Beijing ‘Bird's Nest’ 2008 Olympic Stadium
450KW PV system for San Francisco Airport - Terminal 3
300KW on-grid roof top PV system in Jiangsu Province, China
38KW Pecos Park recreational center- Phoenix (Arizona)
WHO WINSTHE CCSRACE?
Australian farmers face bankruptcy from droughtTue Oct 23, 2007
Australian drought pushes up price of beerOct 13, 2007
The Australian Election 2007: a referendum on climate change
John Howard, 1996-2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
John Bazemore / AP
Robin Nelson / Zuma Press file
Photo of prayer service by Jessica McGowan, Getty Images
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue was joined by about 250 people at the state Capitol on November 13 in a prayer for rain.
—USA Today
JEFF GUENTHER/The Chattanooga Times
Source: IPCC AR4
Sea ice extent for September 25, 2007
Colorado River Basin: More Drought Projected
At least a 17% reduction in water supply to the Upper Colorado Rover Basin projected under a 2º C warming scenario
Colorado River Basin water allocated on the basis of a 1922 compact – an extraordinarily wet year….