From an interview with the CEO of Duke Energy, Mr. Rogers, on 60 minutes, it again became distressingly clear that some people are not able to “connect the dots”, as the US-based climatologist Jim Hansen calls it.

Even though Mr. Rogers admits that his company is one of the largest CO2 emitters of the states, that the US needs a federal law to limit CO2 emissions, and that we urgently need to act on climate change, he does not draw the immediate consequences for his own company from that. (more…)

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On the last day of PowerShift 09 - climate education and activism by more than 12,000 youth that gathered from all over the US in D.C. - on March 2 2009, a large number of people will converge in D.C. to protest against coal (see earlier blog entry here and an article by the washington Pots by Bill McKibben here).

In this yet largest demonstration against coal-fired power plants in the U.S., participants will call for attention to the fact that CO2 concentration has risen to dangerous levels, and that we thus cannot afford to keep adding CO2 to the atmosphere. (more…)

*‘Tax and Trade’ is pseudonymously and sometimes disingenuously termed ‘Cap & Trade’Today,

February 25, 2009, James Hansen testified before the Committee on Ways and Means, United States House of Representatives. His suggestion to implement a carbon tax with 100% dividend is an ingenious way to speed up the changes away from fossil fuels that are so urgently needed. Currently, Europe is proceeding with the Cap and Trade System. But it might be useful to review its effectiveness critically and to ensure that the system we implement is indeed able to ensure the changes that are needed. Because if the system does fail, we might not have time to rectify our errors.

In the following is the reprint of Dr. Hansen’s testimony:

Our planet is in peril1. Climate disruption threatens everyone, but especially the young and the unborn, who will bear the full brunt through no fault of their own. Recent science makes it clear that if we continue to burn most of the fossil fuels we will leave our children a deteriorating situation out of their control. (more…)

At a recent conference in Berlin, many people spoke in support of a controversial technology: Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).  Did we lose all those CCS supporters to the coal industry, or could there be good reason for their support of CCS?

Let me start with a disclosure: I have been trained by former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore to give presentations on climate change as part of The Climate Project, and am a passionate supporter of 350. Consequently, I strongly believe that one of the most important actions that the world needs to take is to stop the burning of coal in power plants that are not equipped with CCS. And because CCS technology is a far way from being economically viable, I viewed CCS as just an excuse to keep building new coal-fired power plants - with the empty promise that at some later point in time those plants will be equipped with CCS.

For those who are new to the term CCS: it is a method that captures CO2 before, during, or after the burning of organic material. (more…)

Below is Al Gore’s speech that he gave January 29, 2009 at the Senate panel on climate change that was organized by Senator Kerry. Sentences are put into bold by MW.

We are here today to talk about how we as Americans and how the United States of America as part of the global community should address the dangerous and growing threat of the climate crisis.

We have arrived at a moment of decision. Our home – Earth – is in grave danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings.

Moreover, we must face up to this urgent and unprecedented threat to the existence of our civilization at a time when our country must simultaneously solve two other worsening crises. Our economy is in its deepest recession since the 1930s. And our national security is endangered by a vicious terrorist network and the complex challenge of ending the war in Iraq honorably while winning the military and political struggle in Afghanistan.

As we search for solutions to all three of these challenges, it is becoming clearer that they are linked by a common thread – our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels. (more…)

This letter from December 29, 2008, written by one of the world leading climate scientists, the US-American Dr. James Hansen, summarizes the major steps which he consideres as essential parts of Barack Obama’s policy if a climate catastrophe is to be avoided (I made some major points bold). For sure this letter will be controversial, in parts because Dr. Hansen supports 4′th generation nuclear power. However, I believe we do need to be open to consider new paths during a time of emergency, even if we principally strongly oppose them. MW

Dear Michelle and Barack,

We write to you as fellow parents concerned about the Earth that will be inherited by our children, grandchildren, and those yet to be born.

Barack has spoken of ‘a planet in peril’ and noted that actions needed to stem climate change have other merits. However, the nature of the chosen actions will be of crucial importance.

We apologize for the length of this letter. But your personal attention to these ‘details’ could make all the difference in what surely will be the most important matter of our times. Jim has advised governments previously through regular channels. But urgency now dictates a personal appeal. Scientists at the forefront of climate research have seen a stream of new data in the past few years with startling implications for humanity and all life on Earth. Yet the information that most needs to be communicated to you concerns the failure of policy approaches employed by nations most sincere and concerned about stabilizing climate. (more…)

Based on the recent emissions report from the U.S., it is clear that renewable energies are urgently needed to reduce the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the states. The courageous plan of Al Gore to produce electricity from 100% reneable energies within 10 years and the determination from president-elect Obama to fight the global climate crisis are important first steps towards emissions reductions in the U.S. Now the words just need to be put into action, hopefully more consequently than in Germany (MW).

Reposted from William Brown

The USA Energy Information Administration (EIA) in December 2008 published its annual update, “Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2007,” by the EIA Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting, U.S. Department of Energy.

This important 54-page document answers a wide variety of questions about fuel and sector roles in emissions of such greenhouse gases (GHG) as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. (more…)

Finally! The EPA is showing leadership in environmental protection at a scale appropriate for this important federal US agency.

In a move that signals the start of the our clean energy future,  the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruled today EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new coal-fired power plants.  The decision means that all new and proposed coal plants nationwide must go back and address their carbon dioxide emissions.

“Today’s decision opens the way for meaningful action to fight global warming and is a major step in bringing about a clean energy economy,” said Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club Senior Attorney who argued the case. “This is one more sign that we must begin repowering,  refueling and rebuilding America.” (more…)

Oil and Gas Seen to Have Lesser Effect

Satellite imagery shows where carbon dioxide is being emitted or absorbed, measured here in 2003. Reds show sources; blues, absorption. Courtesy, NASA.

An ongoing rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide from burning of fossil fuels might be kept below harmful levels if emissions from coal are phased out within the next few decades, say researchers. They say that less plentiful oil and gas should be used sparingly as well, but that far greater supplies of coal mean that it must be the main target of reductions. Their study appears in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles. (more…)

Die Gerichtsaussage von Dr. James Hansen, gefolgt von einem Freispruch der angeklagten Greenpeace Aktivisten, ist ein wichtiger Erfolg für alle Klimaschützer. Unten die vollständige Version im original von Jim Hansen.

Good news from the UK: the Kingsnorth Six were acquitted by a Crown Court jury.  They were members of a group of 23 Greenpeace volunteers who had attempted to shut down the Kingsnorth coal-fired power plant, specifically the six were the ones painting the smokestack with “Gordon Bin It” when interrupted by the police.  Their defense was ‘lawful excuse’, that they were protecting property of greater value (the Earth!) from the impact of climate change.  We will need our Mercedes-driving lawyer friends to tell us if the verdict has greater significance — but the jurors were common people, not politicians.  It was an impressive show — judge and lawyers with their white wigs — hopefully it has an impact. (more…)