Today's Climate: February 16, 2009

UN Urges G20 Leaders to Back 'Green New Deal' (Reuters)

The head of the U.N. Environment Program told a gathering G20 leaders today that political efforts to curb pollution, protect forests and avert global warming have failed. He said the world needs to learn from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression and launch a "Green New Deal."

Will Beijing Respond to Clinton's Wish List? (Time)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Asia today on her first foreign trip as the nation's top diplomat. Climate change is near the top of her list. It also provides an opportunity to establish a working relationship with Beijing.

Indonesia Ending Ban on Clearing Peatland Forests for Palm Oil (Reuters)

Indonesia will open up peatland forests for plantation crops such as palm oil after freezing new permits for more than a year, an agriculture ministry official said today. The move has alarmed green groups.

European Lawmakers Push for Deforestation Credits in ETS (Euractive)

A European Parliament resolution slated for debate today suggests earmarking some of the revenue from emissions trading to boost EU policies on tackling deforestation.

Hansen: Coal-Fired Power Stations are Death Factories (Guardian)

NASA’s James Hansen launches an excoriating attack on Britain’s love affair with the most polluting of fossil fuels – right before the government is expected to give the go-ahead to a coal-burning Kingsnorth power plant.

Scientists: Hamburgers are the Hummers of Food (AFP)

Beef is such an incredibly inefficient food to produce that switching from steak to salad could cut as much carbon as leaving the car at home a couple days a week, scientists say.

Solar Energy Could Be Texas’ Next Boom (Houston Chronicle)

In Texas, the realization is hitting home — solar can create thousands
of jobs and spur the Texas economy. State lawmakers are jumping on
board.

Clean Energy is Struggling in Downturn Like Everything Else (Guardian)

Renewable energy consultant New Energy Finance says the next six
months are likely to be more difficult for the clean energy sector, but
it notes, "there is still a significant amount of investment activity
going on."

Despite Gov’s Opposition, Coal Plant Gets Air Permit (Post and Courier)

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environment Control board issued an air pollution permit to Santee Cooper to build a $2.2 billion coal-fired power plant, despite opposition from the governor.

Gasification Plant OK’d for Idaho (AP)

The developers of a proposed $1 billion Idaho facility that is designed to produce fertilizer from the coal gasification process received a final state permit and could begin construction this fall.

Life After Coal: It's Sooner Than You Think (Altenergy Stocks)