Climate Change News - January 13, 2014

Environmental Protection Agency Releases Carbon Pollution Standards for New Sources

On January 8, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its carbon pollution standards for new power plants, the first federal regulations to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants. Announced in September by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the rule is seen as a key component of the President’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The new source performance standards include mandates that new coal-fired power plants deploy carbon capture and storage (CCS), in order to meet the new 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per megawatt hour emissions limit. While new source performance standards are not expected to result in a dramatic reduction of CO2 emissions, as carbon-intensive coal power use has already been declining, the final rules will set a precedent for the future regulation of existing power plants. Hal Quinn, president of the National Mining Association, questioned the feasibility of CCS, saying the new regulations “effectively ban coal from America's power portfolio by conditioning new power generation on the use of unproven technologies.” Although the EPA states that the technology is ready, Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, also expressed doubts, saying “We will continue our vigorous oversight of this rulemaking, which has been fraught with irregularities, and we continue to believe that EPA is acting far beyond the scope of its legal authority." The EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule until March 10, and will hold a public hearing on February 6 in Washington, DC. Draft regulations for CO2 emissions from existing power plants are expected to be released in June.

For additional information see: Bloomberg BNA , The Hill , The Huffington Post , Federal Register

Democratic Senators Start New Climate Task Force

On January 8, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced that they are going to lead a new Senate Climate Change Action Task Force, in order to tackle “special-interest lies” on climate change. The senators said that a diverse group of outside interests would contribute, including Walmart, Coca-Cola, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Garden Club of America. Senator Boxer said that working with the private sector would be a “big part” of the effort. Senator Whitehouse commented, “There is a vast and clear truth out there, which is what carbon pollution is doing to our atmosphere and oceans, and there is a vast and broad array of armies that are willing to fight for that truth . . . [the task force will] organize those armies and bring that truth [out].” The task force’s twelve-person membership is comprised entirely of Democrats, the names of which will be released on January 21. The members will likely collaborate on legislation that covers issues such as building efficiency, renewable energy and low-carbon biofuels. Senator Boxer added that the Senate Climate Clearinghouse, previously the only Senate body which focused entirely on climate change, will now be chaired by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and it would continue its role as a “think tank” for climate policy.

For additional information see: San Antonio Express News , Huffington Post , National Journal

State Department Releases 2014 Climate Action Report

On January 1, the Department of State submitted the 2014 U.S. Climate Action Report to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This report lays out how the United States plans to mitigate and adapt to climate change inside and outside its borders, by cutting domestic greenhouse gas emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and assisting developing countries through strategic international climate finance. The report relies heavily on actions outlined in President Obama’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing the United States for climate change impacts, and leading international efforts to curb global warming (see EESI’s article on the announcement of CAP). Due to energy efficiency increases, the recession, and the expansion of renewable energy, U.S. emissions fell in 2011 to approximately 6.5 percent below 2005 levels. However, the report shows that emissions are set to rebound between now and 2020 unless new policies are enacted. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in the report foreword that, "we are not just the 'indispensable nation'—today we must be the indispensable stewards of our shared planet." To avert a 2 degree Celsius rise in temperature the United States and other countries must also focus on reducing emissions beyond 2020, which are predicted to rise in the U.S., according to the report.

For additional information see: U.S. Climate Action Report , Washington Post

California Unveils Budget Plan Including Using Cap-and-Trade Funds for High-Speed Rail

On January 9, California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) unveiled his 2014-15 budget plan proposal of $155 billion in a press conference, including his specific goals for high-speed rail and California’s cap-and-trade system. Governor Brown explained his plan to spend a combined $300 million of the $850 million in revenue expected to be raised by the state’s cap-and-trade program on his $68 billion high-speed rail project, which he said will “reduce greenhouse gases” in its own right. In addition, Governor Brown pledged to invest cap-and-trade money in low-carbon transportation initiatives as well as in low-income communities across the state, a key component of the original cap-and-trade plan. Finally, Governor Brown stated his intent to repay the cap-and-trade program $100 million, part of a $500 million allotment of cap-and-trade profits he earlier borrowed for the state’s rainy day fund. Vien Truong, Environmental Equity program director of the Greenlining Institute in Berkeley, commented, “Based on what’s been reported, the governor is making critical investments in existing programs that will help disadvantaged communities cope with the worst impacts of the climate crisis, while at the same time creating jobs and saving low-income consumers money. This will bring real benefits to communities hit first and worst by pollution and climate change as well as the recession.” The governor will negotiate with legislative makers on the proposed budget up to June 15, the date the Legislature must pass a new budget. The new budget will take effect on July 1.

For additional information see: Grist , Los Angeles Times , Related News: The Sacramento Bee (Blog)

United Kingdom Prime Minister and Special Envoy on Climate Change Speak on Extreme Weather

On January 8, United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron stated during his questions session in the Commons that he suspected global warming was contributing to the storms and floods that have been recently occurring in the UK. Cameron said he believed Britain has seen an increase in abnormal weather events, adding that “Colleagues across the house can argue about whether that is linked to climate change or not. I very much suspect that it is.” In related news, on January 8, UK Special Envoy on Climate Change Sir David King spoke out on the BBC’s new station, radio 5, about the threat of extreme weather and storms. In his remarks, he stated that it is urgent that the UK prepare for the increase of extreme weather such as flooding and gale-force winds, as climate change makes these extreme weather events more probable. King noted, “severe weather conditions that we might have expected to occur once in 100 years, say, in the past may now be happening more frequently.” His interview was during some of the most severe storms and flooding that the UK has seen in decades, with 70 mph winds hitting the west coast of Britain, south-east England, and Northern Ireland; 84 flood warnings in England and Wales; and another 220 areas on high alert. The UK’s Environment Agency estimates that for every pound invested in flood preparedness, the UK would net between 7 and 8 pounds in savings. However, during the recent financial recession the agency’s budget was decreased. King cites two necessary actions, “one, get back to the higher investment level in flood defenses and, two, push hard on the rest of the world in terms of mitigating the impacts of climate change.”

For additional information see: The Guardian , The Guardian , Blue & Green Tomorrow

Value of Global Carbon Permits Dropped in 2013

On January 2, Thomas Reuters Point Carbon published a study on the declining value of global carbon markets. Analysts found that the value of global carbon markets declined by 38 percent in 2013 to $52.9 billion, or 38.4 billion euros. The decrease in global price is due to a pattern of falling prices and volume in the European Union and United Nations carbon markets, with price diminishing from $130 billion (96 billion euros) in 2011 to $84 billion (62 billion euros) in 2012, and volume dropping from 10.7 billion emission units to 9.2 billion. The smaller North American carbon markets were the only ones to have grown in 2013, with the highest carbon permit prices in the new market spanning California and Quebec, at $10.71 per metric ton (see January 6 Climate Change News). Benchmark European Union carbon permit prices were already below that level in 2012 at $7 (5 euros) per metric ton. However, emerging markets in China could reverse the overall global decline in carbon market pricing and volume. Point Carbon's Anders Nordeng explained, "The main explanation for the falling prices in carbon markets around the world is the very modest emission reduction targets adopted for the period up to 2020." He added that a deal is needed on ambitious reduction targets during the 2015 climate change negotiations in Paris to effectively tackle climate change.

For additional information see: The Guardian , Environmental Leader

More Than 300 Groups Write to Oppose Call to Use Nuclear Energy to Slow Climate Change

On January 6, over 300 groups wrote in opposition to a letter former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist Dr. James Hansen, Dr. Ken Caldeira, Dr. Kerry Emanuel and Dr. Tom Wigley sent earlier this year supporting nuclear energy’s place in solving global warming (See November 18 Climate Change News). The new statement, organized by the Civil Society Institute and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, asks that the scientists reconsider their support of nuclear energy, given its reliance on taxpayer subsidies, its potential for catastrophic accidents, and the nuclear weapon proliferation risks associated with its development. “Instead of embracing nuclear power, we request that you join us in supporting an electric grid dominated by energy efficiency, renewable, distributed power and storage technologies,” the letter states. The groups also recommend a global phase-out of nuclear energy. Dr. Hansen and his colleagues had originally argued that renewable energy could not be scaled up fast enough to solve global warming, but the groups dispute this claim, saying that advanced nuclear technology is “without realistic hope” of commercialization. The 311 groups on the letter include 237 groups from 46 U.S. states (as well as the District of Columbia), and 74 groups from 44 nations around the world.

For additional information see: E&E News , PR Newswire , Letter

New Jersey Is One of States Most Threatened by Sea Level Rise

In a research article published December 4 in AGU Publications, scientists at Rutgers and Tufts released findings that the sea level in New Jersey is currently rising faster than at any point in the last 4,300 years, and will likely continue to rise more than the global average. Depending on how sensitive the Gulf Stream will be to the melting of ice sheets from global warming, future sea level rise could be 1.5 to 2.3 feet by mid-century, and 3.5 to 5.9 feet by the end of the century. At the low end of the spectrum, that places New Jersey’s sea level rise at 11 to 15 inches higher than projected global averages up to 2100. Study author Ken Miller at Rutgers commented, “In the sands of the New Jersey coastal plain, sea level is also rising by another four inches per century because of sediment compaction – due partly to natural forces and partly to groundwater contamination. But the rate of sea level rise, globally and regionally, is increasing due to melting of ice sheets and the warming of the oceans.” Already, the eight inches of climate change-related sea level rise along the New Jersey and New York City regional coasts exposed an additional 83,000 people to flooding during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. To arrive at their conclusions, the scientists evaluated past sea level rise using geological and tide-gauge data, and modeled potential future sea level rise by accounting for five effects, including local subsidence, ocean dynamics and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Ben Strauss at Climate Central commented that the research “clearly indicates that New Jersey is one of the regions of highest concern in the United States, as far as risk from sea-level rise is concerned.”

For additional information see: Rutgers , Philly.com , Study

Study Predicts Extreme Weather and Sea Level Rise in Los Angeles

On January 7, the University of Southern California (USC) presented new findings that low-lying areas in Los Angeles including San Pedro, Wilmington and Venice, are susceptible to flooding that could damage beaches, roads, buildings, as well as waste and potable water systems. The researchers used a United States Geological Survey (USGS) coastal impacts model to estimate that the sea level near LA will likely rise by a half meter between 2000 and 2050, and 1.4 m between 2000 and 2100. In the event of a flood from a 10-year storm after a half meter rise in sea levels, direct building losses would be about $410.3 million, with an additional $5.8 million lost due to business interruption. Those amounts are close to doubled under a 1.4 m sea level rise scenario. The report notes, “It is unlikely that any storm wave-driven flooding or property damage will occur in the foreseeable future. But if sea level rise takes one of the higher trajectories, problems would become evident around midcentury.” Study authors advised the City of Los Angeles to draft a plan to adapt to rising sea levels, and recommended the frequent monitoring of LA beaches, which provide an important buffer against storms. The $120,000 study was funded jointly by USC and the City of Los Angeles, and combined environmental and social scientists with engineers, emergency planning and coastal management experts to inventory LA’s climate change vulnerabilities. The researchers presented their work at the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability forum in Santa Monica.

For additional information see: Los Angeles Times , Los Angeles Daily News , Study

Increasing Population Density in Urban Settings Will Not Compensate for Suburban Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new study published December 13 by the University of California, Berkeley in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, finds that suburban areas contribute more greenhouse gas emissions per capita than urban areas, which offsets the carbon footprint savings from high population-dense cities. The researchers used 37 variables, including weather and electricity supply, to calculate and map the 2013 household carbon footprints of more than 31,000 zip codes in all 50 U.S. states. They found that although the suburbs house less than 50 percent of the population, they account for half of all household greenhouse gas emissions, largely from its private vehicle usage such as cars and trucks. Researchers also found that household income, vehicle ownership and home size are main drivers of increased carbon emissions, all of which tend to be higher in suburban areas. Christopher Jones, one of the study’s authors, commented that although these findings might seem to suggest that increasing urban population density would decrease greenhouse gas emissions, in fact increasing urban areas “would require a really extraordinary transformation for very little benefit, and high carbon suburbanization would result as a side effect.” Daniel Kammen, a professor at Berkeley and also a study author, added, “The goal of the project is to help cities better understand the primary drivers of household carbon footprints in each location. We hope cities will use this information to begin to create highly tailored, community-scale climate action plans.”

For additional information see: The Atlantic Cities , University Herald , University Herald , Study

Geoengineering with Reflective Particles Could Cut Rainfall in the Tropics

On January 8, research was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters finding that geoengineering the atmosphere to combat severe climate change could reduce rainfall in the tropics, with the greatest effect on areas in Asia, South America and Africa. Geoengineering is a method of altering the atmosphere so it absorbs less heat, through the addition of reflective aerosol particles or other means. Researchers at the University of Reading modeled the result from injecting sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the upper atmosphere under conditions where carbon dioxide levels are at 1,022 parts per million (ppm), which represent a 4 degree Celsius warming scenario. Under these conditions, the researchers found that tropical rainfall would decrease by 30 percent, with little time for life to adapt. Andrew Charlton-Perez at the University of Reading commented that this would, for example, “quickly dry out Indonesia so much that even the wettest years after a man-made intervention would be equal to drought conditions now.”

For additional information see: The BBC

Climate Change Could Kill Off Marine Life Four Miles Deep

On December 31, a study published in the journal Global Change Biology provided the first quantified projections of future deep-sea marine life loss due to impacts of climate change. The researchers found that by the year 2100, marine life in the northeast Atlantic deep sea will decline by up to 38 percent, due to a decline in surface nutrients with a resultant decrease in nutrients sinking to the seafloor. Globally, marine life will decline by over five percent in the same time period. The changes are mainly driven by climate change impacts such as the slowing of global ocean circulation and increased separation between water masses, a process known as “stratification,” caused by warmer and rainier weather. The study also predicts that the decreased availability of nutrition will lead to decreased sizes of seafloor marine life, with affects on the larger forms of sea life that feed on them. "We were expecting some negative changes around the world, but the extent of changes, particularly in the North Atlantic, were staggering," said Dr. Daniel Jones, lead author of the study. "Globally we are talking about losses of marine life weighing more than every person on the planet put together." The study was conducted by an international team of researchers, who used eight advanced climate models to predict the change of nutrient supply across the world’s oceans, calculating the resulting biomass change using the relationship between nutrient supply and biomass from existing marine databases.

For additional information see: Scientific American , Motherboard , News-Medical , Study

New Study Reveals Fungi Sequester Carbon

On January 8, a new study published in the journal Nature revealed the under-emphasized role of fungi in sequestering carbon. Fungi deplete nitrogen from the soil, limiting the growth of nitrogen-fed decomposition microbes which release carbon in soil organic matters, thereby keeping more carbon locked in the soil. Soil contains more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined, thus the mechanisms of soil carbon accumulation and stability are critical to Earth’s climate. A group of researchers from University of Texas, Boston University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute examined over 200 soil profiles from around the world, and found that a certain type of fungus, ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal (EEM), can help soil hold up to 70 percent more carbon than the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus. However, AM is most common around the world, accounting for 85 percent of plant families. Fungi’s carbon sequestration abilities are also unusual in that they function independently of temperature, rainfall, soil clay content, and all the other variables that usually influence plant growth and soil content. Colin Averill, graduate student at the University of Texas and lead author of the paper, said “This analysis clearly establishes that the different types of symbiotic fungi that colonize plant roots exert major control on the global carbon cycle, which has not been fully appreciated or demonstrated until now.”

For additional information see: Science , Science Codex , Study