World

Economic Times,Bangalore, Wednesday July 11^th 2007

Porsche & Ferrari should worry about global warming

Because of their high production of carbon dioxide, powerful sport cars such as Porsche, Ferrari and Bentley are coming under government scrutiny. Governments have pronounced ambivalent position in what regards a future regulation on the level of emissions of car. Many are looking at outlawing powerful cars outside the racing track. While some US Congress members have already proposed to apply fuel-efficiency standards, other EU parliamentarians suggested limiting how much carbon dioxide cars emit as a proxy for fuel-consumption standard. But many persist in saying that cars only consume 15 to 20 % of the overall energy consumption in the world, and that government policy should focus first on large energy producers such as factories or power plants.

World

Times of India, Monday July 9^th 2007

Live Earth, a success?

Under the initiatives of former US vice-president Al Gore and concert producer Kevin Wall, the first Live Earth concert took place last Saturday on July 7^th in 7 different cities in the world. The concert had for objective to raise awareness about the global warming and climate change issues today. While millions of people viewed or attended the concerts, many are more skeptical about the event. In fact, the overall carbon footprint of the project is huge and going from the electrical system used to the private jets used by the performers, which are no role model for green living.

United States

Economic Times, Sunday July 8^th 2007

New Jersey signs new carbon law

On Friday July 6^th 2007, New Jersey became the first US state to mandate shard greenhouse gas reductions by 2050 to help fight climate change. The Global Warming Response Act was sign by Governor Jon Corzine, bypassing Bush’s administration by setting the mandatory regulation. The policy commands cuts in greenhouse gazes throughout New Jersey’s economy by 16% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

United States

Economic Times, Sunday July 8^th 2007

Ford to develop electric cars

The US car producer Ford announced an innovative joint venture with power utility company Southern California Edison to produce a new generation of rechargeable electric cars. The hybrid vehicles technology is the next step after Ford launched in 2004 its hybrid Escape model.

China

BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, Wednesday July 9^th 2007

China’s plan to cope with climate change

On Monday, July 9^th 2007, the Chinese government held a first meeting  in Beijing to produce a state leading group to work on a response to climate change, energy conservation and emission reduction.  The group is formed to demonstrate how serious China views the global warming issues.Currently,China has significant problems with its high energy consumption and serious environmental pollution. Many difficulties lie in the way of achieving the 11th Five-Year Program goals for reducing energy consumption, pollution, and emissions.  At the latest, China has passed United States as the country with the fastest growing carbon emission rates.

Updated on Friday July 13^th 2007

Cuba Economic Times, Bangalore, Friday July 6th 2007

Castro’s Food Security Woes Justified: UNEP

Potential for ethanol production in Cuba threatens food supplies for the poor and provokes rising concerns. The question is whether the risk outweighs the benefits of using ethanol as alternative fuels. The UNEP statement on the Cuban situation, occurring also worldwide, is that is too early to do a cost-benefit analysis on the use of biofuels, which can help reduce global warming. There is a potential for new technologies to create biofuels using enzymes from crop residue or agricultural wastes. This possibility could solve the food vs. fuel dilemma.

Canada, CALGARY, July 5th, 2007 -- Canada NewsWire

Canada steps up for R&D on renewable energies

Canada's Clean Tech economy took another step forward today as the Board of Directors of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) approved $48 million in new funding for the development and demonstration of 19 clean technologies that benefit both the environment and the economy.

United States, EnergyBizInsider, June 25th, 2007

Edison Electric Institute annual conference: technologies will save us…

The Edison Electric Institute held its annual conference to discuss on how to combat climate change. The common agreement was that technology based on science was the way to win the global warming battle and ultimately the only thing to help repair the damage already done. Although, it was agreed that all known mechanisms should be employed to reduce greenhouse gazes. A lot of hope is based on nuclear energy technologies which might work without emitting any greenhouse gazes, even if advancing such technologies will take time. Therefore, it was agreed that a regulatory scheme is needed as soon as possible, solutions ranging from a cap-and-trade system to a carbon to crediting utilities for implementing greater efficiencies.

China, Times of India, Bangalore, June 21st, 2007

China is the biggest polluter

At present rate China is building two new power stations a week and has now emissions rising at 9% per year, compared with 1, 4% in America. It has now officially overtaken the United States as the biggest polluter on the globe.