greenhouse gases

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Solar Lull May Trigger Ice Age
Solar Lull May Trigger Ice Age
Feb 14, 2008 2:56 PM CST

Solar Lull May Trigger Ice Age

Global warming still dire despite sluggish sun, study says

(Newser) - Solar activity, which usually runs in 11-year cycles, has been so sluggish of late that space weathermen are worried we might be entering a mini-ice age. They expected to see sunspot activity pick up about last March, to peak in 2012; if the sun stays this sluggish for another year...

Scientists ID Catastrophic Climate Change 'Tipping Zones'

9 danger signs that disaster is inevitable

(Newser) - Scientists have identified nine danger zones where global warming could be pushed past the point of no return within years, the Independent reports. The scenarios include the melting of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, the collapse of the Indian and West African monsoons, and the death of forests in...

Climate Change May Trigger Crop Failures

Major food shortages predicted for Africa, Asia by 2030

(Newser) - Climate change could cause severe food shortages in South Asia and southern Africa, two of the poorest regions in the world, by 2030, National Geographic reports. "We were surprised by how much, and how soon, these regions could suffer if we don't adapt," said one of the study's...

Brits Debate Eco-Wisdom of Biofuels
Brits Debate Eco-Wisdom
of Biofuels
Jan 20, 2008 11:03 AM CST

Brits Debate Eco-Wisdom of Biofuels

Oil substitute may destroy rainforests, increase food prices

(Newser) - Biofuels may actually exacerbate the environmental problems they were meant to allay, reports the Observer, and a UK Parliamentary committee has released a report examining the possible effects. Using fuel made from crops like tallow and rapeseed may actually worsen greenhouse gas emissions, kill rainforests, and drive up food prices...

EU Countries Critical of Climate Plan

Economic concerns could undermine Europe's green resolve

(Newser) - The European Commission is set to unveil broad new climate change legislation next week, but the measures have been criticized by member countries and trade organizations that fear adverse effects on European business. France is worried about effects on its nuclear industry, Der Spiegel reports; Germany and Spain have raised...

Calif. Sues EPA Over Emissions
Calif. Sues EPA Over Emissions
Jan 2, 2008 2:21 PM CST

Calif. Sues EPA Over Emissions

15 states join fight to limit greenhouse gases from cars and trucks

(Newser) - California, joined by 15 other states, filed suit today against the Environmental Protection Agency for rejecting its plan to limit greenhouse gases on cars, trucks, and SUVs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Bush administration is "ignoring the will of millions" by ruling that Congress' recent boost in fuel-efficiency standards...

Bush Warms to Global Warming
Bush Warms to Global Warming
Dec 29, 2007 1:53 PM CST

Bush Warms to Global Warming

The president looks to lead on climate change, in his own way

(Newser) - Aiming to polish his legacy, President Bush is mulling new climate policy that may include mandatory emissions caps, the Washington Post reports. The Post tracks his evolution from climate skeptic to advocate of higher fuel efficiency and a $37 billion investment in alternative fuels—although critics remain dubious of a...

EPA Chief Ignored Staff on Calif. Ruling

Auto industry pushed White House to sway him, sources say

(Newser) - The EPA chief—under heavy pressure from the auto industry—rejected his own staff's advice in denying California’s request to set its own fuel economy standards, the Los Angeles Times reports. Stephen Johnson told the state that it’s request was unnecessary in the wake of the new energy...

Feds Block California's Tougher Emissions Law

EPA refuses waiver with 16 states waiting in the wings

(Newser) - The Bush administration has refused to allow California and 16 other states to set their own strict standards on tailpipe admissions. EPA chief Stephen Johnson yesterday declined to grant California a federal waiver to impose its own standards on greenhouse gas admissions from vehicles. The other states were poised to...

Gas Limits Dumped to Assuage US in Bali Talks

Language softened to break standoff

(Newser) - Negotiators at the UN climate conference in Bali eased off goals to limit emissions of greenhouse gases today in an attempt to overcome US opposition, Reuters reports. The compromise draft has removed a specific target of cutting emissions by 25 to 40% by 2020. The Indonesian hosts are hoping softer...

Senate OKs New Fuel Standards
Senate OKs New Fuel Standards
Dec 13, 2007 7:05 PM CST

Senate OKs New Fuel Standards

Bill would mandate 35 mpg for autos, boost ethanol production

(Newser) - A bill that will require better fuel mileage for automobiles passed the Senate today after majority Democrats dropped billions in taxes on oil companies, the AP reports. The bill, which Republicans said won't be vetoed if, as expected, it passes the House next week, would force cars, light trucks, and...

China, India Are Rich in 'Crystal Gas'

Frozen methane stash could feed growing energy appetites

(Newser) - The discovery of a massive store of frozen methane on the seabed off the coast of China may help the world's fastest growing nation keep up with its accelerating energy needs. Methane hydrate, also known as crystal gas, is frozen and yet flammable, and it could mean a breakthrough for...

Calif. Clears Hurdle on Emissions Law

In blow to automakers, judge rules state can set standards on greenhouse gases

(Newser) - California is one step closer to being able to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles after a federal judge today rejected the auto industry’s challenge to a state law, the Los Angeles Times reports. The state still needs a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement its standards,...

Kangaroo Farts Could Help Curb Warming

Secret to methane-free gas could be transferred to cattle and sheep

(Newser) - Australian scientists worried about global warming have turned to one of Mother Nature's cleanest "natural gas" producers, the kangaroo, for help. It seems that when kangaroos fart, the stuff contains none of the methane produced by cattle and sheep breaking wind. Scientists want to transfer the bacteria from kangaroos'...

Climate Reps at Odds Over Deforestation

Rich countries balk at paying poorer nations to stop hacking trees

(Newser) - The triumph of the Bali summit may be its plan to stop deforestation, but rich and poor nations are still clashing over details, the Washington Post reports. A dozen developing countries want incentives to stop tree-cutting, but some developed nations wince at paying them for actions not taken. "The...

New Aussie PM Urges US to Back Kyoto

Washington now alone among developed nations on emissions

(Newser) - Two days after ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse-gas emissions, Australian PM Kevin Rudd says the US should, too. Like the US, Australia had previously refused to join the agreement, which sets binding limits on emissions. But Rudd says he wants Washington on board, as “all developed and developing...

Climate Talks Move Forward, But Slowly

Bali participants take baby steps toward fighting global warming

(Newser) - Sniping among the 190 nations in attendance isn't keeping the climate talks in Bali from inching forward, Reuters reports. Participants have succeeded in putting together a "special group" to look at post-Kyoto Protocol options, but "the devil's in the detail," cautioned a top UN official. Meanwhile, environmentalists...

Climate Time Bomb Ticking, UN Says
Climate Time Bomb Ticking, UN Says
Nov 27, 2007 5:42 PM CST

Climate Time Bomb Ticking, UN Says

Ecological doomsday looms within 10 years unless world acts

(Newser) - Global warming will wreak devastation on economies and living standards around the world within 10 years unless nations take steps now to curb carbon emissions, a UN report warns. The report, the latest in a series of dire warnings from international agencies, is intended to spur action at next month's...

Court Orders Stricter Fuel Economy Rules

It throws out US standards for SUVs and minivans

(Newser) - Environmentalist groups rejoiced today after a federal appeals court struck down upcoming fuel-economy standards for some SUVs, minivans, and small trucks, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The court ruled that regulators refused to treat carbon dioxide emissions as a serious threat to global warming and ordered the government to review...

Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green
Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green
Nov 15, 2007 3:31 AM CST

Toyota: Not Easy Seeming Green

Green activists turn against Toyota over opposition to fuel economy laws

(Newser) - Toyota set a new green standard ten years ago with its ahead-of-its-time Prius hybrid and projects an image of environmental responsibility. But now the green community is using Toyota for target practice, Newsweek reports. The Japanese carzilla is generating fury with its new low 14 mpg Tundra and Sequoia models,...

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