Today's Climate: September 17, 2009

India Ready to Issue Non-Binding Emissions Targets (Reuters)

India is ready to quantify the amount of planet-warming gas emissions it could cut with domestic actions to fight climate change, the environment minister said today, but it will not accept internationally binding targets.

EPA Moves to Rewrite Bush-Era Smog Rule (CQ Politics)

The EPA said it would reverse a Bush administration policy and propose new national smog standards by December to ensure that the benchmarks are scientifically sound and protect public health.

White House Wants Fuel Subsidy Cuts on G-20 Agenda (Greenwire)

White House officials are calling for international efforts to end fuel and electric power subsidies as part of the agenda for next week's G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh, according to a letter from a senior administration official.

Australia's ASX to Launch Renewable Energy Futures Market (Reuters)

Australia's futures exchange operator ASX Ltd said today that it plans to establish a futures market for renewable energy by the end of the year as the country seeks to quadruple green power generation by 2020.

Week of Meetings Could Make or Break Climate Effort (AFP)

Key meetings unfolding in Washington, New York and Pittsburgh in the coming week may determine whether a two-year effort to combat climate change will triumph or be written off as a flop of historic dimensions.

Scientists Discover Climate Change Warning in Greenland Ice (Nature)

The Greenland ice sheet melted much more rapidly as a result of a 2-3 degree temperature rise in the past than previously estimated, suggesting future warming could have more dramatic effects than experts assume.

Vital Signs Growing Weaker for Climate Bill (Politico)

The climate bill is not dead, but its pulse is rapidly weakening on Capitol Hill. Democratic aides have interpreted the White House’s relative silence as a sign the administration does not want to expend much political capital on a global warming bill this year.

EU Calls on US to Do More to Tackle Climate Change (AFP)

The United States must do more to tackle climate change, the EU presidency said, in a challenge to President Obama ahead of a key international summit.

Copenhagen Begins in Beijing. The World Waits (Guardian)

It could be the most crucial question we face today: Just what is China's climate change strategy? Diplomats say the nation’s political position has hardened over the summer.

APS Gets $70M from DOE to Feed Captured Carbon to Algae (Greentech)

Arizona Public Service Co. has landed a $70.5 million Department of Energy grant to try to feed algae the carbon dioxide coming from its coal-fired electricity plants and then use the algae to make biofuel.

Oil Drilling Axis Targets Florida's Offshore (Earthjustice)