Today's Climate: November 15, 2009

APEC Leaders Reject Possibility of December Climate Deal (CNN)

Big promises, no international climate deal and consensus that pulling the plug too quickly on stimulus spending could undermine the global economic recovery — those are the key results (or lack thereof) from the APEC summit.

Copenhagen Hopes in Tatters as Obama Backs Pact Postponement (Guardian)

President Obama acknowledged today that time has run out to secure a binding climate deal at Copenhagen and began moving towards a two-stage process that would delay a legal pact until next year at the earliest.

France, Brazil Offer Blueprint for Global Climate Policy (AFP)

France and Brazil have adopted a common policy ahead of key UN global warming talks and vowed to launch a worldwide push to convince other powers to back their "climate bible".

Australian Government Agrees to Exempt Agriculture from Carbon Plan (ABC)

Australia's government has agreed to exempt agriculture from its emissions trading scheme and allow farmers to generate carbon credits, a trade-off to get legislation through parliament.

Nuclear Energy High on US Senate's Climate Agenda (AFP)

With crucial global climate talks less than a month away, U.S. senators appear to be betting on nuclear energy as the key to finally passing sweeping domestic climate change legislation.

UNEP: Investment in Ecosystems Will Reap Rewards (Reuters)

Nations that take into account natural resources in their investment strategies will have higher rates of return and stronger economies, says a new report backed by the United Nations Environment Program.

Nissan Says All-Electric Leaf Will Compete on Price (Reuters)

Nissan Motor will keep the price of its upcoming battery-powered Leaf competitive with similar-size cars and expects to make money on the vehicle despite the cost of its launch, CEO Carlos Ghosn says.

Record High Temperatures Far Outpace Record Lows Across US (UCAR)

Spurred by a warming climate, daily record high temperatures occurred twice as often as record lows over the last decade across the continental United States, new research shows. That ratio is likely to increase dramatically in coming decades.

Hawaii's Natural Assets Eroding (AP)

Geologists say that more than 70% of Kauai's beaches are eroding and Oahu has lost a quarter of its shoreline. They warn the problem is likely to worsen significantly as global warming raises sea levels.

Manitoba’s High Hopes for Wind Blocked by Delay (Winnipeg Free Press)

Manitoba's green-energy projects are sucking wind compared to other provinces and companies that develop and service wind farms are starting to take their business elsewhere.

Gore Heckled at Outdoor Florida Climate Speech (Sun Sentinel)