Today's Climate: August 18, 2009

Young Activists from 110 Countries Want Climate Action (AFP)

More than 800 young environmental activists from 110 countries on Monday began a UN-organized meeting described as the biggest-ever youth gathering on climate change.

U.S. Wind Capacity Targets to be Missed Amid Slowdown (Financial Times)

The American Wind Energy Association has said the industry had anticipated 10,000 MW of new capacity this year but it is likely to build only about half that because of limited financing.

Australia: Labor Concession over Climate Bill (The Age)

The Rudd government has given the Opposition one concession in its renewable energy target legislation: existing waste-coalmine-gas projects will be included as an energy source in the scheme.

CFTC Seeks to Boost Oversight of Carbon Trading (Reuters)

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has proposed increasing federal oversight of the Chicago Climate Exchange's carbon spot contract to promote transparency as it prepares for national management of greenhouse gases.

Fla. Governor's Moves Scrutinized for Clues to U.S. Climate Debate (Greenwire)

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is getting heat from his party's right wing over his support of climate legislation, fueling speculation that the politician may move away from "pro-green" positions that have been praised by top Democrats.

Green Dollars Moving to Smart Grid, Energy Storage (Reuters)

Investment in the green tech sector is now shifting from capital-intensive energy technologies, such as solar and wind, to those associated with energy storage, transportation and efficiency.

UN Chief Warns of 'Incalculable' Suffering without Climate Deal (AFP)

UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned Tuesday of "incalculable" human suffering if the world fails to reach a deal at crucial climate talks this December.

As Arctic Ocean warms, Megatons of Methane Bubble Up (New Scientist)

Over 250 plumes of mainly methane gas have been discovered bubbling up from the Arctic sea floor to the west of the Svalbard archipelago, due to warming waters from climate change.

Milestone: Chinese Automaker Signs Up for BYD Batteries for Hybrids (Earth2Tech)

Chinese battery giant BYD has snagged a battery supply deal from an undisclosed but major China-based car manufacturer — the first domestic automaker to sign up for lithium-ion batteries from BYD.

German Firms Create New U.S. Solar Thermal Company (Reuters)