Transcript Slide 1
Environmental Stories to Watch: 2008 Jonathan Lash World Resources Institute December 18, 2007 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change United Nations Climate Change Conference Bali, 3 - 14 December 2007 Decision -/CP.13: Bali Action Plan Resolving to urgently enhance implementation of the Convention in order to achieve its ultimate objective in full accordance with its principles and commitments, Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are global priorities, Responding to the findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that delay in reducing emissions significantly constrains opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels and increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts, Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention and emphasizing the urgency to address climate change as indicated in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change… The Bali Communiqué on Climate Change Congressional Action? www.azfoo.net US States – Cap and Trade Key states to watch: • Alaska – Observer to Western Climate Initiative (WCI) – Hard hit by climate change, big oil state • Florida – Considering joining Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – GHG targets on par with California • Illinois – Big coal, corn state – Governor strongly considering cap and trade • Utah – Big coal state – Participant in WCI, legislature not behind Governor EPA’s Response to Mass. v. EPA http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/los_angeles/index.html Put An Ear in Your Tank ? Projected Global Biofuel Production Source: Graph: Juergens et al, 2007; Data: A. Prakash (FAO) http://rose.geog.mcgill.ca/wordpress/?m=200510 Rising Food Prices in China Dong Zhixin (chinadaily.com.cn) AlJazeera.net The stampede for cheap cooking oil on November 10 left three dead and dozens injured [AFP] MercoPress Poverty + Food & Water Shortage Low Source: CAIT (http://cait.wri.org) High Factors Influencing China Climate Change Policy Market Pressure International Pressure Climate Change Impacts Pollution Abatement Energy Security 2005 2006 2007 2008 China passes the U.S. as the largest GHG emitter in the world http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympic s_a_view_from_the_bird_s_nest http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympics_a _view_from_the_bird_s_nest Global Investment in Sustainable Energy, by Type and Region, 2006 Concentrating Solar Tower Technology http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/pdf/morse-dec6.pdf Global CSP Pipelines by Developer, 2007 Credit: Emerging Energy Research http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/08/31/106376/us-biofuel-output-moves-up-a-gear.html PV system for the Beijing ‘Bird's Nest’ 2008 Olympic Stadium 38KW Pecos Park recreational centerPhoenix (Arizona) 450KW PV system for San Francisco Airport Terminal 3 300KW on-grid roof top PV system in Jiangsu Province, China WHO WINS THE CCS RACE? Australian farmers face bankruptcy from drought Tue Oct 23, 2007 Australian drought pushes up price of beer Oct 13, 2007 The Australian Election 2007: a referendum on climate change John Howard, 1996-2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd John Bazemore / AP Robin Nelson / Zuma Press file Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue was joined by about 250 people at the state Capitol on November 13 in a prayer for rain. —USA Today Photo of prayer service by Jessica McGowan, Getty Images JEFF GUENTHER/The Chattanooga Times Source: IPCC AR4 Sea ice extent for September 25, 2007 Colorado River Basin: More Drought Projected At least a 17% reduction in water supply to the Upper Colorado Rover Basin projected under a 2º C warming scenario Colorado River Basin water allocated on the basis of a 1922 compact – an extraordinarily wet year….