*‘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…)

The developments in Brussels strongly influence the mood here in Poznan. If Europe is not giving the leadership in climate change policy that we need, we cannot expect other nations to agree to any measures. At an informal meeting with German NGOs, German environmental minister Sigmar Gabriel showed deep concern about the development in Brussels.

At a press conference of the Climate Action Network Europe (CAN), strong words were used about the state of discussions at Brussels:

• It is an embarassment, that Europe even discusses the possibility that 60% of a 20% emissions reduction could be offset with Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs). Effectively, that would mean emissions reduction of just 4% within the European countries until 2020!

(more…)

You would like to see your commitment and efforts in sustainable energy recognized at European level and have a chance of being rewarded during a prestigious ceremony in the presence of high-ranking EC’s Officials? Join the Sustainable Energy Europe Award Competition now and become an ambassador of European excellence in sustainable energy. (more…)

Healthy ecosystems and a continuous network of these ecosystems across large regions are essential for the ability of species to adapt to changing climates. Because we depend on many functions of ecosystems such as clean water and air, and carbon sequestration, nature protection is nowadays an essential part of adaptation to climate change. Biodiversity protection is therefore a very important aspect of any climate change policies.

“Bonn/Brussels May 29, 2008 – Today at the 9th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Bonn (Germany), special attention was paid to the Natura 2000 network, one of the greatest achievements of EU environmental policy. This network of more than 26,000 protected areas is Europe’s main contribution to the CBD’s efforts to halt global loss of biodiversity. (more…)

Reprinted with permission from Peter Montaque

The coal, oil, automobile, railroad and electric power industries are planning to “solve” the global warming problem by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and burying it a mile underground, hoping it will stay there forever. The plan is called CCS, short for “carbon capture and storage” (or sometimes “carbon capture and sequestration”).

Emitting CO2 into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) is thought to be the main human contribution to global warming.

If industry’s CCS plan were ever implemented, it would be the largest hazardous waste disposal project that humans have ever undertaken, and among the most dangerous as well. (more…)

Capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CCS) is predicted to be one of the most important measures to counter the threats to our climate. But the technology still hasn’t been tested in full scale, and the complications and risks it entails may have been grossly underestimated.

This is the conclusion drawn in Anders Hansson’s dissertation at the Department of Technology and Social Change, Linköping University.

He studied documents from the EU and the UN Climate Panel about CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storing), as well as some of the research they are based on. The UN Climate Panel released its most thoroughly considered report ever last year, supported by an uncommonly unanimous research community.

The Climate Panel sees CCS as offering great potential. (more…)

The first European Info Day on Eco-innovation will take place on 8th May in Brussels. It will be a key opportunity to learn more about the € 28 million funds set aside by the European Commission this year to stimulate the market uptake of some of the best environmental products, processes and services in Europe.

The event, organised by the European Commission’s Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation (EACI), seeks to attract the talent of European eco-innovators that have come up with a new product, process or service showing clear environmental benefits, but still struggling to succeed in the marketplace. (more…)