Climate Change News - January 28, 2013

President Obama Underlines Importance of Climate Change in Inaugural Address

In his January 21 inaugural address, President Barack Obama spoke strongly about the moral imperative of climate change and devoted significant time to the issue. The president vowed that, “We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure -- our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”

For additional information see: New York Times , Washington Post , The Hill , Speech Transcript

Democratic Members of Congress Form Bicameral Climate Change Task Force

On January 24, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced that they will be forming a bicameral Congressional task force on climate change. At a press conference, Waxman and Whitehouse said that they would encourage President Obama to lay out a plan for how the White House would address climate change. In addition, they stated that the task force had not entirely given up on the possibility of comprehensive legislation to address the issue. Sen. Whitehouse suggested that the group also would work through grassroots mobilization, stating, “We intend to reach out to the American public, and we intend to reach out to different elements and groups of the public, to make sure that they come here and force their way through those barricades of denial.”

For additional information see: Bloomberg , The Nation , Letter to the President

Congress Responds to President Obama’s Statements about Climate Change

Several Senate members responded positively to President Obama’s mention of climate change in his inaugural address. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released a statement saying, “The way the President spoke about climate change in his remarks today was exactly right. Addressing the threat of climate change is about protecting the future for our children and future generations, our most sacred obligation.” In a separate interview, Sen. Boxer, who serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, stated that she will use her position to focus on passing small bills aimed at creating positive climate mitigation effects. On January 22, Boxer introduced a bill (S.52) to improve energy efficiency in federal buildings. In addition, Sen. Boxer stated she planned to block attempts to repeal already existing environmental protections and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate carbon dioxide. “A lot of people don’t recognize that EPA has huge authority here to reduce carbon in the air,” she said. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) also had a positive reaction to President Obama’s remarks, saying that, “President Obama has it right: the U.S. must take practical steps on climate change. [. . .] Moving to a low-carbon economy isn't just vital for our environment, it will also strengthen America's economy and make our employers more competitive internationally.” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) agreed, stating that, “It really is a moral issue and one we cannot ignore.” Congress to go down that path again.”

For additional information see: The Hill , Politico , The Oregonian , Platts , Los Angeles Times

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney Questioned about Climate Plans

On January 22, at the first press conference after the inaugural address, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked at least nine questions related to climate change. After responding to a series of questions prodding for specifics about the President’s climate change plans, Carney said, “I appreciate the interest in this issue, one that the President shares. But I'm not going to preview or speculate about actions beyond what I've said already. The President made clear that climate change is real. That is certainly a conviction held by most Americans, and certainly backed up by the vast majority of the science. No specific storm or weather event can be tied to climate change, but the fact is we have seen more severe storms. We have seen more severe weather events, droughts, and fires. And as we are experiencing – or certainly, the people of New Jersey and New York especially are experiencing – the impacts of those storms are devastating. The impacts of those events can be devastating. And it's all the more reason for us to act together.”

For additional information see: Transcript

Sen. Kerry Discusses Importance of Climate Change during Confirmation Hearings

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) discussed the importance of climate change during his January 24 confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – which he currently chairs – for the cabinet position of U.S. Secretary of State. “The solution to climate change is energy policy,” Kerry said in response to a question from Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) on climate. “And the opportunities of energy policy so vastly outweigh the downsides that you’re expressing concerns about. And I will spend a lot of time trying to persuade my colleagues about this. You want to do business and do it well in America, we gotta get into the energy race. [. . .] I’ll be a passionate advocate, but not based on ideology, based on fact, based on science. This $6 trillion market is worth millions of American jobs and we better go get it.” Kerry has a long record of championing climate action (see January 2 issue).

For additional information see: Politico , Washington Post

Vice President Biden Urges Environmentalists to “Keep the Faith”

On January 20, a day before President Barack Obama addressed the issue in his inaugural speech, Vice President Joe Biden spoke about climate change at the Green Inaugural Ball. At the event, an inaugural ball in support of environmental issues, Biden said, “I'll tell you what my green dream is: that we finally face up to climate change.” He also assured attendees that, “I don't intend on ending this four years without getting an awful lot more done. [. . .] Keep the faith.”

For additional information see: Politico

UN Secretary-General Says Climate Action a Top Priority

In a January 21 interview with the Associated Press before the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon laid out his top priorities for 2013; at the top of the list was a global agreement on climate change. “The world is now experiencing unprecedented challenges . . . Climate change is happening – much, much faster than one would have expected,” Ban said. “Climate and ecosystems are under growing strain.” In response, Ban said, “I will do my best to mobilize the political will and resources so that the member states can agree to a new legally binding global agreement on climate change.” The Secretary-General also plans to have priorities that tie climate change mitigation to economic growth and sustainable development. “We have to have sustainable development . . . That’s our number one priority together with climate change.”

For additional information see: AP

International Community Praises Obama for Climate Pledge

On January 21, President Barack Obama earned widespread praise from the international community for his inaugural address, which reaffirmed the need for U.S. engagement in combating climate change. In a statement to reporters, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard noted, “We have got work to do on climate change and President Obama was very forthright about the need to tackle climate change.” Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also responded positively, telling Associated Press that Obama’s pledge to tackle the issue “definitely is a political boost.” However, some remain hesitant that the president’s goals will translate to real measures given the unwillingness of Congress to commit to binding steps to curb carbon in the past. "Words in an inauguration speech are one thing,” stated Samantha Smith, head of the World Wildlife Foundation climate and energy initiative. “Many are waiting to see what specific actions the president will take.”

For additional information see: Reuters , Bloomberg Businessweek

World Economic Forum Finds that Overcoming Climate Impacts Requires $700 Billion Annual Global Investment

On January 21, the Green Growth Action Alliance released a study commissioned by the World Economic Forum (WEF) stating that a global annual investment of $700 billion is required to displace fossil fuels and combat the effects of climate change. The report concluded that the extra $700 billion a year was needed to promote investment for energy alternatives, along with greater energy efficiency in the building, industry, and transportation sectors. The Alliance also suggested that governments should use public money to provide incentives for low-carbon investments, while phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. “Greening global economic growth is the only way to satisfy the needs of today’s population and up to nine billion people by 2050, driving development and well-being while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing natural resource productivity,” said former Mexican President Felipe Calderon and chair of the Alliance. “Economic growth and sustainability are interdependent, you cannot have one without the other, and greening investment is the prerequisite to realizing both goals,” he added.

For additional information see: The Independent , Reuters , Bloomberg

Airlines May Make as Much as $1.7 Billion from Freeze on EU Aviation Carbon Mandate

Airlines may have gained as much as 1.3 billion euros (US$1.7 billion) in windfall profits from a European Union law to curb carbon emissions, a study by a Dutch environmental consultancy showed. In anticipation of the requirement to purchase carbon allowances, airlines began charging consumers a $3 per ticket fee. Following strong opposition from the aviation industry, the European Commission froze the payment requirement for the year until industry leaders can decide on an alternative plan to curb emissions. Airlines continued to charge the fee even after the measure was frozen, gaining profits that environmental advocates say should be going to the United Nations Green Climate Fund to benefit victims of climate change. “Passengers have paid toward fighting climate change, it is unjust for airlines to retain these windfall profits,” said Bill Hemmings, aviation manager at Transport & Environment, a European organization that commissioned the study.

For additional information see: Bloomberg , Reuters , The Hill

Canadian Environmental Ministry Documents the Country’s Rapid Warming

Environment Canada, the federal department that handles issues related to the environment and climate, has released new weather benchmarks for rainfall, temperature, and other climate factors. The benchmarks are meant to be used by businesses and federal agencies planning infrastructure, buildings, and other projects that may be affected by rising temperatures or other weather events. This is especially important for Canada, which has experienced significant temperature increases during the past several decades, higher than most other countries. According to Environment Canada, the average winter temperature in Canada has risen over three degrees Celsius over the past 65 years, which has caused problems for infrastructure built on the assumption of extremely cold winters. Insurance agencies have been affected as well; there has been a significant increase in claims for weather-related issues, causing many of the companies to create new models for risk. According to Robert Tremblay, research director at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, “We’ve had an awful lot of those ‘exceptionals,’ [. . .] What used to be happening every 50 years is now happening every five, seven years. . . There’s obviously a sense of urgency.”

For additional information see: Globe and Mail

Study: Climate Change Impacting Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest has been severely affected by a recent “megadrought,” according to a report published January 8 in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences by an international group of researchers led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The megadrought began with major drought in 2005 which affected 270,000 square miles in the Southwest Amazon Basin area. In 2010, a second major drought hit much of the same area, causing widespread changes in the canopy and harming many of the older and larger trees that cover the newer growth in the forest. According to study co-author Yadvinder Malhi, professor of Ecosystem Science at the University of Oxford, “The biggest surprise for us was that the effects appeared to persist for years after the 2005 drought [. . .] We had expected the forest canopy to bounce back after a year with a new flush of leaf growth, but the damage appeared to persist right up to the subsequent drought in 2010.” The research group believes these persistent effects occurred because of an earlier, long-term decrease in rainfall in the Amazon caused by the warming of the Atlantic Ocean. Between 1970 and 1998, the area saw over a three percent loss in rainfall, which meant that by 2005 there was less water available and growth was already stressed. Researchers are concerned that continued droughts may cause permanent and lasting damage to the rainforest.

For additional information see: NASA Press Release , Study Abstract

EESI Helps Organize Successful Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball

On January 21, the 7th Annual Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball was buoyed by President Obama’s inaugural address. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, wearing his trademark cowboy hat and bolo tie, set the stage when he said, "We need to make sure that we tackle climate change in these next four years and this president is going to do it." John Holdren, President Obama's science advisor, promised, “We are going to lift our game in the interlocking challenges of climate change and energy.” Not to be outdone, Deputy Assistant to the President for Climate Change Heather Zichal asserted that "energy and climate policy are going to be a top priority. [...] We are going to achieve the President’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020." Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Deputy EPA Administrator Robert Perciasepe, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), former Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) were also in attendance, as well as several ambassadors. First held in 1989, at the election of President George H. W. Bush, the Ball is nonpartisan, bringing together the environmental and clean energy communities to welcome a new Administration and ensure that an environmental and clean energy message gets the visibility it deserves. EESI's Executive Director, Carol Werner, has been on the Organizing Committee for all seven Inaugural Balls.

For additional information see: The Hill , EESI Press Release

Friday, February 1: Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, an International Response for Fast-Action Climate Mitigation

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invite you to a briefing on international efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) to provide near-term climate change mitigation and improve public health and food security. These pollutants - including black carbon (soot), methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - have relatively short atmospheric lifetimes but a sizeable warming impact on the climate, particularly in the Arctic and other vulnerable regions. Opening remarks will be provided by Laura Haynes, Senior Environment and Energy Policy Advisor, Office of Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). Panelists will include: Amy Fraenkel, Director, UNEP Regional Office for North America; John E. Thompson, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, U.S. Department of State; Dr. Drew Shindell, Climatologist, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The briefing will be held Friday, February 1st, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building. No RSVP required.