News extra

Melting in Greenland speeds up; Arctic ice much thinner
This summer’s melt in Greenland was 150% above average, according to NASA. The amount of snow that melted this year could cover the U.S. twice over, according to the Geophysical Union’s Eos newspaper. Especially startling was the melting above 1.2 miles in altitude, with the fastest thaw in two decades. If all the ice in Greenland were to melt, it could raise sea levels 20 feet. In related news, large tracts of Arctic ice are now just 1 meter (3 feet) thick, according to a Norwegian survey. In 2001 the same areas were 2 meters (6 feet) thick. (Sources: Greenwire, NASA.gov, PlanetArk)

Chicago adds hybrids, plans bike drop-off program like in Paris
Chicago is making plans to increase its fleet of hybrids and start a program of bike drop-offs like the one that’s been popular in Paris. The city will replace old Crown Victorias with 300 new Toyota hybrids, adding to the 202 hybrids it now has. The bike program likely will be free for up to 30 minutes and $1.50 per half-hour after that. (Chicago Sun-Times)

British to turn off inefficient incandescent light bulbs
Britain will cut an estimated 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases by 2012 by eliminating incandescent light bulbs. The phase-out begins next year through voluntary agreements with manufactures, retailers and electric companies. European Union competition laws require that the plan be voluntary. (Source: E&E News PM)

Americans see dismal record here on Global Warming curbs
People in the U.S. want leaders to move boldly to cut greenhouse gases, but only 1 in 5 approve of how President Bush, the Congress and private industry are handling the problem, a new poll shows. Only 1 in 10 think there has been strong public action in the past year, according to the Associate Press-Stanford University poll taken in late September. More Democrats and Independents disapprove of Bush’s performance, while Republicans are more likely to think Bush and business have caused little harm. But anxiety about the environment exists across party lines, with 80% saying Global Warming is already under way. (Source: AP)

BBC poll shows worldwide support for bold steps on emissions
In another, worldwide, poll by BBC, 90% said Global Warming should be curbed. BBC and the University of Maryland questioned 22,000 people in 21 countries this summer and found 79% think human activity is a significant cause of climate change. And 65% said major steps should be taken very soon. While 68% of Chinese said poor countries should cut emissions too, only 36% in India did. Pollsters determined there is a relationship to the amount of publicity given to the issue, with 36% of Indians surveyed saying they have heard little or nothing about Global Warming. Poll results were released last week. (Sources: BBC, Greenwire)

Bush Summit seen by some attendees and producing little
The Bush summit for major polluting countries last week accomplished little, according to several delegates. John Ashton from the U.K. told the New York Times the voluntary measures called for by President Bush would be ineffective in curbing Global Warming. Advanced technology, also touted by Bush, is good but needs government commitment and investment, he added. Everton Vargas from Brazil complained that “the whole agenda was set by the American government [and they] didn’t bring any new ideas.” The German Environment Minister said he spent 2 days talking with Democratic Congressional leaders, with an eye toward a post-Bush future. There was little applause for the president’s 15-minute speech, except among U.S. Cabinet and other Administration officials. The international community will next meet in Bali in December to discuss what happens when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. (Sources: New York Times, Greenwire)

FP&L pledges massive solar plant at Clinton Initiative meeting
Florida Power & Light announced plans for a $1.5 billion solar plant that will reduce CO2 emissions by 2 million metric tons over the next 5 years. This was just one of the pledges to fight Global Warming at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting last week in New York. Others included:
• 1Sky and a coalition will raise $50 million to push for U.S. goals and policies to match those of the European Union, which is committed to cutting GHG by 20% (from 1990 levels).
• Coca-Cola will spend $13.5 million to work with local farmers and non-profits on reforestation in Brazil.
• A group of utilities said they would eliminate 20 million tons of GHG a year through increased efficiency. Included are Duke Energy, Consolidated Edison, Edison International, Great Plains Energy, Pepco, PNM, Sierra Pacific and Xcel Energy.
• Standard Chartered Bank will underwrite $4 million to $5 million in debt for clean energy projects in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. (Sources: PlanetArk, E&E News PM, Greenwire)

Transportation Dept. lobbies again California EPA waiver
Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-Calif.) investigation of Administration efforts to block California’s tailpipe-emissions law, has turned up e-mails showing Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, with White House approval, launched a lobbying campaign among governors and House members to stop the EPA from granting the state a waiver to set its own standards. DOT was working with the Michigan delegation, the documents show, because the auto industry strongly opposes the effort by California – and 12 other states – to cut auto emissions 30% by 2016. California, which has waited nearly two years to implement its law, asked for the waiver from EPA under the Clean Air Act. Other states are watching with interest because it will affect their ability to implement their laws. Meanwhile, 89 legislators wrote the EPA that a recent Vermont court ruling on vehicle emissions should clear the way for the EPA to grant the waiver. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has threatened to sue if the EPA doesn’t grant the waiver. (Sources: PlanetArk, San Francisco Chronicle, E&E News PM, E&E Daily)



Xtreme Weather Watch

Torrential rains and floods have swept through East and West Africa in recent weeks, destroying thousands of acres of farmland, and affecting a million people from Ethiopia to Senegal. Northern Ghana, the food basket of that nation, suffered unprecedented rains, causing 300,000 to flee their homes. (Reuters)

Uganda is reeling from the heaviest rains in 35 years, as floods affected hundreds of thousands and swept away 30 bridges, hampering relief work. Lack of drinking water and cases of diarrhea and malaria have overwhelmed medical workers. The UN’s World Food Program is calling for $65 million to feed 1.7 million facing shortages. (PlanetArk)

Extreme drought in Australia is cutting grain crops by 30% or more, causing a serious threat to the country’s important beef industry. Many feedlots that fatten cattle before export have had to be shut down. Australia has been the No. 1 beef exporter by value and No. 2 by volume. (PlanetArk)