Good News
- Obama's Nobel prize winning pick for energy secretary is said to focus more on renewable energy and green jobs, rather than same old fossil fuels.
- Australia has a new carbon trading plan, aiming to cut CO2 between 5 and 15% from 2000 levels.
- Mexico pledged to cut its emissions by 50% by 2050 from 2002 levels, one of the few developing countries to set a specific targets.
- UN chief calls for a New Green Deal to fix both the climate and economic crisis.
- Meanwhile, 190 countries meeting at Poznan have agreed on a set of goals for a new climate treaty, yet no real commitment to reduce carbon emissions was made (Wait, are we still in the good news section?)
Bad News
- The Darfur conflict is devastating the environment in the region, from forests to farmland.
- Coral reefs are under increasing pressure from climate change, reaching a tipping point within 10 years unless action is taken.
- Forest clearing in Asia is releasing massive amounts of CO2, contributing to global warming.
- Canada's existing oilsands mines are leaking contaminants into the water supply.
- Rock bottom material prices are threatening the recycling industry.
