Climate Change News - May 6, 2013

Delegates Meet in Bonn to Discuss International Climate Agreement for 2015

Delegates from 176 countries met April 29 – May 3 for United Nations climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany. Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, made an effort to focus on the positive elements of the negotiations, which are laying the groundwork for the next climate agreement to take effect in 2020 (see December 17, 2012 issue). At the Bonn talks, progress toward an agreement was made by both developed and developing countries. Noel Casserly, head of the Irish delegation, said, “Parties are engaging constructively. But we will have to step it up.” The United States proposed a 'bottom-up' approach, in which each nation would set individual climate change targets, effectively replacing the Kyoto Protocol with a voluntary treaty. However, some argue that this will not be enough to substantially cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit warming to two degrees Celsius, as agreed to by the international community. The lead negotiator for the European Union, Artur Runge-Metzger, doubts the efficacy of goals set by national governments. “If no one does anything on mitigation, there may be a huge cost on adaptation, and with the little money you put in you might not be able to cover that cost.”

For additional information see: Irish Times , Reuters – 1 , Bloomberg , Reuters – 2

Rep. Lee Introduces Congressional Resolution Acknowledging Climate Change Impact on Women

On April 26, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 12 other House Democrats introduced a concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res.36) recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. The resolution especially emphasizes the toll that droughts, severe storms and rising temperatures will have on vulnerable communities in developing countries, where it is estimated that female farmers produce 60 to 80 percent of the food. H.Con.Res.36 notes that even in the United States climate disruption has caused significant problems for women, with Hurricane Katrina displacing “over 83 percent of low-income, single mothers” in the Gulf Coast region. The resolution also notes broad solutions to this issue, including the “balanced participation of men and women in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts,” and encouraging “the president to integrate a gender approach in all policies and programs in the United States that are globally related to climate change; and ensure that those policies and programs support women globally to prepare for, build resilience for, and adapt to climate change.”

For additional information see: The Hill , H.Con.Res.36

EPA Revises Fugitive Methane Estimates from Hydraulic Fracturing

In mid-April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced its estimates of the fugitive methane emissions released through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas extraction. Using industry-reported pollution control and methane leakage data, the new EPA estimates are 20 percent lower than previous estimates, a decrease in fugitive methane emissions more than 850 million tonnes between 1990 and 2010. Despite the reductions, fracking is still the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions in the United States. Dr. Robert Howarth, professor of ecology at Cornell University, questioned the fugitive emissions reduction, saying, the EPA seems “to be ignoring the published [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] data in their latest efforts, and the bias on industry only pushing estimates downward – never up – is quite real. EPA badly needs a counter-acting force, such as outside independent review of their process.”

For additional information see: AP

U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Commission Expresses Concern about Falling Water Levels

On April 26, the International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canadian panel that advises the two countries on Great Lakes issues, expressed concern about the low water levels on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In January, both lakes fell to their lowest point on record. The panel met to discuss installing water retention structures and artificial barriers to raise water levels 5 to 10 inches in both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Lana Pollack, head of the U.S. delegation, did not endorse the proposal, claiming that it might give “false hopes” for solving what amounts to a larger issue. Pollack stated, “The public really needs to understand what we’re doing to our Great Lakes by pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and creating climate change.”

For additional information see: Washington Post

Japan Joins Growing Group of Countries Strengthening Limits on HFCs

Japan’s Cabinet recently approved revisions of national law to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, or F-gases. Many F-gases are super greenhouse gases, and many also destroy the protective ozone layer. The new law, which still must be approved by Parliament, will reduce the climate impacts of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other F-gases through a holistic approach, including technology development and by setting target dates to phase out F-gases by manufacturers and importers of products such as air conditioners and refrigerators. Japan’s push parallels efforts in Europe to strengthen their F-gas regulations, where a proposal is pending in the European Parliament (see November 12, 2012 issue). “Japan is joining a growing group of countries that recognize the need to reduce HFCs, which are super greenhouse gases,” said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. “These national and regional efforts are catalyzing development of safer alternatives, including natural refrigerants, and this is making it increasingly likely that the Montreal Protocol will soon be able to level the playing field by phasing out HFCs globally.” Zaelke added, “A global phase out would avoid 100 billion tonnes of CO2 in climate mitigation, and avoid 0.5 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century.”

For additional information see: Japanese Government Press Release , Hydrocarbons21

Nigerian Security Adviser Blames Civil Unrest on Climate Change

On April 30, Nigerian National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki told members of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change that climate change was to blame for increasing national insecurity, as rising sea levels in the Niger Delta and increasing desertification in Northern Nigeria have forced many young people out of their traditional agricultural livelihoods. He explained that many displaced young men have joined insurgent militant groups and criminal organizations, and that many herdsmen who remained had to travel farther afield to find usable pastures, bringing them into conflict with nearby farmers. Col. Dasuki emphasized that the Nigerian federal government needed to prepare for prolonged climate impacts, and called on the government to establish grazing routes and raise the funds needed to prevent future flooding.

For additional information see: All Africa

Extreme Weather Cost U.S. Taxpayers $136 Billion Since 2011

In a report released April 29, researchers from the Center for American Progress found that the United States spent at least $136 billion from 2011 – 2013 on disaster relief through appropriation bills and disaster-relief supplementals. This includes $55 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on direct relief and flood insurance; $27 billion from the Department of Agriculture on crop insurance; and $7 billion from the Army Corps of Engineers on flood control. Study co-author Daniel J. Weiss, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, stated, “If we don’t even know how much natural disasters are costing us, then Congress is going to keep under-budgeting for disaster relief and recovery. [. . .] And lawmakers will end up doing deficit spending to pay for it.” The researchers recommend that the federal government invest in local resiliency programs and climate change mitigation to reduce costs in the future.

For additional information see: Washington Post , Report

EPA Program to Reduce Domestic Diesel Emissions Has Been Successful, But Budget Threatened

According to a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report to Congress, 52,000 high-polluting diesel engines have been cleaned up or removed from U.S. highways since 2008 through a federal program administered by the EPA to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and smog funded by the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (P.L.111-364). The EPA report estimates that roughly 230,000 tons of soot and smog causing pollutants, 12,500 tons of particulate matter – which includes potent climate pollutant black carbon – and more than two million tons of carbon dioxide were abated through the program. The report states, “Many projects have focused on school buses due to the importance of cleaner transportation for children and communities. In addition, the program targeted long-haul trucks, assisting fleets with fuel-saving technologies, and lowering emissions.” President Obama’s proposed Fiscal Year 2014 proposed budget would cut program funding from $20 million in fiscal year 2013 to $6 million. Diane Bailey, senior scientist at the National Resources Defense Council, said, “The diesel industry has come a long way. It would be really disappointing to see the program funding slashed when it’s been so successful on all accounts.”

For additional information see: Environmental Health News , Report

California to Use Cap and Trade Revenue on Energy Efficiency and Public Transit Projects

California regulators voted April 25 to use the revenue from the state carbon trading system to finance carbon-cutting measures. The state cap and trade system raised $138 million from its first two allowance auctions (see February 25 issue). The California Air Resources Board approved the use of revenues to pay for projects including high-speed rail, zero-emissions vehicles, and low-income housing retrofits. California Governor Jerry Brown is expected to submit an updated proposal within the next month for how to use the auction money as part of his budget proposal.

For additional information see: Bloomberg

Environmental Marketing May Dissuade Some from Conserving Energy

A new study finds that labeling energy-efficient products as environmentally friendly dissuades conservatives from purchasing them. The paper, published April 29 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that when faced with the choice between a traditional incandescent light bulb and a more costly yet more energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb, participants who had been given $2 to go shopping for these products were more likely to purchase the CFL. When both types of bulbs were priced at 50 cents each, all participants but one chose the more efficient bulb, labeled as lasting 9,000 hours longer and reducing energy costs by 75 percent. However, when a “Protect the Environment” sticker was added to the CFL packaging, more self-identified liberals bought these bulbs, but there was a significant drop-off in the number purchases by conservatives and moderates. Lead author Dr. Dena Gromet, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, concluded, “When liberals are buying a CFL, they are already thinking about how this is a good choice because it is going to benefit the environment. Whereas our research suggests it may not be as top-of-mind for more conservative individuals.”

For additional information see: The Atlantic , CNBC , Study

EIA Predicts that Extending Current U.S. Policy Will Keep GHG Emissions Flat through 2040

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Extended Policies case on April 30 as part of its Annual Energy Outlook 2013 report. The Extended Policies case shows that the United States could avoid an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 2013 and 2040 by extending a number of current policies – including the production tax credit for wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric power and the investment tax credit for solar – and by updating and strengthening a number of other policies – including the fuel-economy standards for new cars and appliance efficiency standards. These policy extensions and updates would reduce projected GHG emissions six percent by 2040, but achieving President Obama’s goal of 83 percent emissions cuts by 2050 would not be achievable with current policies.

For additional information see: Washington Post , EIA Press Release , Study

2012 Is Ninth Warmest Year Globally Since 1850

In its annual climate report released May 2, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) concluded that 2012 was the ninth warmest year on record since 1850. The report noted that 2012 was the 27th year in a row that the world temperature has been above the 1961 to 1990 average. The report also noted that there had been an alarming loss in Arctic sea ice and an increase in extreme weather in 2012. According to WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud, “Although the rate of warming varies from year to year due to natural variability caused by the El Niño cycle, volcanic eruptions and other phenomena, the sustained warming of the lower atmosphere is a worrisome sign.”

For additional information see: AP , The Hill

2012 Sea Surface Temperatures in Atlantic Ocean Warmest on Record

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported on April 25 that Atlantic coastal sea surface temperatures from North Carolina to Maine reached a record high of 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit in 2012. “The temperature increase in 2012 was the highest jump seen in the time series [since 1854] and one of only five times [that] temperature has changed by more than 1 degree Celsius [1.8 degree Fahrenheit],” the NOAA report said. The average sea surface temperature in the Gulf of Maine rose 1.5 degrees from 2011 to 2012, and in the past four years rose between 2 - 3.5 degrees. Some officials and scientists cite sea temperature rise as a factor behind bacterial outbreaks in bivalves and sea lice infestations in Northeastern bays. The higher temperatures also could have played a role in shifting fish migration, declining shrimp catches, and an overabundance of soft-shell lobster. Higher sea temperatures are also expected to affect the spring bloom of plankton. NOAA scientist Kevin Friedland, said, “The size of the [2012] spring plankton bloom was so large that the annual chlorophyll concentration remained high [for the year] despite low fall activity. [. . .] These changes will have a profound impact throughout the ecosystem.”

For additional information see: NOAA Statement , Christian Science Monitor , Bangor Daily News

Poll: Majority of Americans Say Climate Change Is Affecting U.S. Weather

A new poll released May 1 by Yale and George Mason Universities finds that 58 percent of those polled say climate change is affecting weather in the United States. The study concludes, "Many Americans believe global warming made recent extreme weather and climatic events 'more severe.' ” When asked about which weather events were impacted by climate change, 50 percent of the American public reported the record-breaking U.S. temperatures in 2012, 49 percent reported the Midwest drought, 46 said Superstorm Sandy, and 42 percent said Superstorm Nemo. About two in three Americans say the weather has been getting worse in recent years, up 12 percent from 2012. The survey, conducted in mid-April, polled 1,045 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

For additional information see: NBC , The Hill , Poll

Wednesday, May 8: Energy Efficient Infrastructure for More Resilient Local Economies: The Role of District Energy, CHP, and Microgrids

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing on how District Energy, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Microgrids can make local energy supply more reliable and more resilient in the face of more frequent severe weather events that have caused electricity supply disruptions and serious economic losses. This briefing will provide a technology overview, showcase relevant case studies, review related pending legislation, including The Local Energy Supply & Resiliency Act of 2013 and The Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, and discuss key policy drivers to accelerate industry growth as called for in Executive Order 13624, Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency. Speakers include: Robert Thornton, President & CEO, International District Energy Association; Ted Borer, Energy Plant Manager, Princeton University; William DiCroce, CEO, Veolia Energy North America; Ken Smith, CEO, Ever-Green Energy, Inc.; Mark Spurr, Legislative Director, International District Energy Association. The briefing will be held Wednesday, May 8th, from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. in 562 Dirksen Senate House Office Building. The event is free and open to the public.