Good News
- Experts are hopeful about opportunities for cooperation between US and China on climate change.
- The new US Department of Interior has canceled the Utah land leases that would have opened environmentally sensitive areas to oil and gas drilling.
- UK's National Grid says biogas produced from waste could be used to heat homes, rather than electricity, a less efficient process, to save carbon emissions.
- Researchers claim that using cellulosic ethanol instead of gas reduces air pollution in terms of fine particles as well as CO2. However, it all depends on the production method.
- Official UK figures show a 1.5% decrease in CO2 emissions in 2007. Unfortunately that might only be because of "creative accounting".
Bad News
- The UN warns of possible economic upheaval if climate change is not addressed, as it worsens poverty and destabilizes economies.
- A study shows African fisheries are the most vulnerable to climate change, which would damage coral reefs and cause droughts and floods inland.
- Rising greenhouse gas emissions are hindering the recovery of the ozone layer, with public health implications.
- According to Obama's Energy Secretary, climate change could wipe out California's agriculture.
- Investment in alternative energy dropped 44% in the last quarter of 2008, following the economic recession.
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