Today's Climate: September 11, 2009

US Climate Negotiator: Timing Running Out (New York Times)

U.S. climate negotiator Todd Stern warned a Congressional panel that developed and developing nations remain deeply divided on plans for reducing greenhouse gases and time is running out.

Australians Overtake Americans in Per Capita CO2 Emissions (ABC)

A UK risk assessment firm finds Australia's heavy reliance on coal makes for an average output of 20.58 ton of C02 per person per year, compared to 19.78 ton in the U.S.

Europe Looks to Carbon Tax to Curb Emissions (New York Times)

The carbon tax appears to be making a comeback in Europe, starting in France, where Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a proposed carbon tax that would start at 17 euros per ton, higher than expected. He also called for a European carbon tax on imports.

Baucus Makes Grab for Senate Climate Bill (Politico)

Behind closed doors, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana has been staking his claim on major aspects of the climate bill, including financing for a cap-and-trade system. His power play could put him at the helm of the Democrats' domestic agenda with an impact for years.

House Investigation Finds 14th Forged Letter (Washington Post)

Congressional investigators turned up a 14th forged letter criticizing the House's climate bill, this one claiming to come from an American Legion post in Virginia.

Energy Projects Lag In Stimulus Spending (Huffington Post)

President Obama has pledged to transform the nation's energy policy and has made renewable energy a cornerstone of the $787 billion stimulus package, but the money for energy-related projects has been slow to leave Washington.

Wind Could Meet China’s Entire Power Demand (Green Car Congress)

A study by researchers at Harvard University and Tsinghua University shows China has enough wind potential to generate electricity that could meet the nation's entire projected power demand for 2030 (about twice what is used now) at reasonable prices.

Chamber, Auto Dealers Sue to Block Emissions Rules (Los Angeles Times)

A lawsuit by the Chamber of Commerce and Auto Dealers Association aims to halt the federal government and California from moving ahead with new greenhouse gas emissions rules for cars and trucks.

California Lawmakers Weigh Renewable Energy Upgrade (AP)

Today is the final day of California’s legislative session, and Democrats are pushing two RPS bills that would create the most aggressive renewable energy portfolio standards in the country.

Guatemala Drought Leads to Food Crisis (Mongabay)

The president of Guatemala declared a "state of public calamity" after the failure of bean and corn crops from drought cut the yields of the two staple crops in half.

Japan’s Climate Conundrum (Forbes)