Today's Climate: March 24, 2009

Obama Lays Out Clean-Energy Plans (Washington Post)

President Obama outlined plans to spend $59 billion in economic stimulus funds and $150 billion from the federal budget to promote America's clean-energy future. "We will attack the problems that have held us back for too long," he told entrepreneurs.

China Asked to Adopt First Binding Emissions Cuts (Bloomberg)

When UN climate talks start in Bonn next week, China and other developing nations will be asked to consider accepting their first binding targets for cutting greenhouse gases.

Ocean Fertilizer Experiment Fails (Times of India)

An Indo-German Antarctic expedition that triggered protests when it set out in January to fertilize the ocean with iron as a global warming “fix” has found that the amount of CO2 extracted was far less than expected.

Adam Smith Would Smell a Rat (Carl Pope/Huffington Post)

Members of the Edison Electric Institute have agreed among themselves to lobby to ensure that 40 percent of any federal carbon permits are given to them for free as a group. This proposed cartel is breathtaking in its audacity.

Great Lakes Ice Shows Climate Change Complexity (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Winter ice cover in the middle of Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes has been diminishing by 1.3 percent a year for three decades. That's more than a 30 percent decline since the 1970s, lake scientists say.

Funding Chief: Climate Pact Needs Flexible Deadline (Reuters)

The deadline for a new global accord on climate change should be extended if Washington is not ready to make commitments by December, suggests the head of international environmental funding agency Global Environment Facility.

U.S. Big Steel Pushes for Carbon Fees on China (Reuters)

China's steel industry should face fees on its exports into the United States if Washington adopts greenhouse gas cuts and Beijing does not, U.S. steel industry officials say.

Japan Election May Bring Tougher Climate Policies (Reuters)

Japan will adopt greener climate policies if the opposition, ahead in voter polls, wins an election this year and sticks to promises for greater use of renewable energy and bold cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmentalists in a Clash of Goals (New York Times)

As the Obama administration puts development of geothermal, wind and solar power on a fast track, the environmental movement finds itself torn between fighting climate change and a passion for saving special places.

Siemens Acquires 28% of Archimede Solar Energy (Dow Jones)

Siemens Energy is acquiring a 28% stake in Italian solar company Archimede Solar Energy, the sole producer of solar receivers using molten salt for heat transfer, expanding its solar thermal power.

Tar Sands Government Touts Aspen Institute Honor (Energy News)