As the world warms, trees are becoming
less efficient at absorbing CO2 |
Good News:
- California and 15 other states in addition to environmental groups are not taking the EPA's disfavor for stronger emissions limits lightly; instead, the States are suing the EPA for not granting California the right to set its own clean air laws when it comes to greenhouse gases.
- India will be granting subsidies to jump start its solar production capacities. That goes for both photovoltaic and solar thermal power.
- Speaking of solar, Japan announced that 30 percent of Japanese homes will be solar-powered by 2030. That will increase the number of solar-powered homes from 400,000 to 14 million.
- Bidding starts next month to lease the mineral rights (read oil and natural gas rights) to the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Siberia. The US Minerals Management Service timed this announcement to be a few days before the Fish and Wildlife Service decides to add the polar bear to the Endangered Species list. Coincidence?
- The Year of the Frog starts off with a dire warning about the virus killing off amphibians. Clorox is the first corporate sponsor. They will be using bleach for good instead of evil.
- A new study is hinting at the idea that the Arctic is warming up from energy being brought up to the Arctic Circle by cyclones and other weather-related clouds, more so than the increasingly exposed water and other non-reflective surfaces exposed by melting ice sheets. It is the air itself high above the Arctic that is warmer than at ground level. This corresponds to another study two years ago that showed similar findings in Antarctica.
- Another new study just published is indicating that trees are losing their ability to store carbon, due to seasonal changes from warmer weather. The shorter the winter, the less capacity the tree has to trap all of that carbon we love emitting so much.
- Japan cannot have a good news without a bad counterpoint, I guess, because Japan also announced that it is joining the "Mining for frozen methane club", taking its place along side founding members Canada and the US. Let's just hope that methane stays frozen while you are digging it up.
- Oil finally hit $100 a barrel for February futures. Its price soon adjusted to just below the century mark, but it will still hurt when it comes time to pay for it. The poor are usually hurt the most, but if more people feel the pinch, perhaps more research and development money will be "pumped" into renewable energy besides ethanol.
- Chimps working for the Feds will be guaranteed sanctuary that cannot be taken away when they retire from their Government Lab jobs. The CHIMP Act had previously allowed chimps to return to testing after retirement, but no more. Not that one ever did go back for more testing, but hey, now it's legal.
- Santeria priests in Cuba are joining Al Gore in his efforts to warn people of climate change. The priests got their inspiration from the animal sacrifices performed in order to predict the coming year's events. 1,000 priests with goat innards can't be wrong.
