Commonwealth Builds Momentum for Climate Deal (Reuters)
Commonwealth nations representing one-third of the world’s population threw their weight behind an "operationally binding" UN climate deal in Copenhagen next month, leaders said on Saturday.
US and China to Reduce Emissions, But Not Enough (AP)
Even after the U.S. and China set targets last week for cutting emissions, the world’s combined pledges ahead of Copenhagen fall far short of what experts say is needed to avert dangerous global warming.
India Gives Conditional Green Light to Emission Cuts (AFP)
Indian PM Manmohan Singh said Saturday he was willing to commit his country to "ambitious" carbon cuts, provided others share the burden. Singh gave no indication of any figures India might propose.
Australia Fans Election Talk Over Carbon Plan (Reuters)
Australia on Sunday fanned talk of a snap election over climate change, effectively setting a Monday deadline for lawmakers to approve its scheme to cut emissions or risk the wrath of voters.
Australia Opposition Vulnerable on Emissions: Poll (Reuters)
Australia’s conservative opposition could lose at least 20 of its seats in an early election if it blocks a planned emissions trading scheme, a new poll has predicted.
Britain, France Back Global Fund for Climate Ills (AP)
The leaders of Britain and France gave their backing Friday to a global fund that would provide $10 billion annually for the next three years to help poor nations fight global warming.
Climate Battle Bill to Top $300 Billion: Guyana (AFP)
The true cost of fighting climate change will top $300 billion and developed countries may balk at footing the bill, Guyana’s PM Bharrat Jagdeo said Saturday at the 53-nation Commonwealth talks.
Hacked E-Mail Data Prompts Calls for Changes in Climate Research (New York Times)
Some climate scientists are calling for changes in the way research on global warming is conducted after a British university said thousands of private e-mail messages had been stolen from its climate center.
Western Lifestyle Unsustainable, Says Climate Expert Rajendra Pachauri (Guardian)
Rajendra Pachauri, the chair of the UN IPCC, warned that Western society must undergo a radical shift if the worst effects of climate change were to be avoided. A new value system of "sustainable consumption" was now urgently required, he said.
German Energy Giant RWE Vows to Cut CO2 Emissions (Deutsche Welle)
Germany’s second largest power firm wants to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20% by the end of 2012, by closing 16 of its oldest power stations and increasing the use of renewables.
Peat Fires Release Huge Amounts of Greenhouse Gases: Study (Science Daily)
Peatland fires in Indonesia released up to about 900 million metric tons of CO2 in 2006. This is more than the amount of CO2 emitted in Germany in that year, and represents 16% of the emissions associated with global deforestation.
Nepal Government to Hold Everest Climate Meeting (AFP)
Nepal’s cabinet will meet in the shadow of Mount Everest this week to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayas ahead of climate talks in Copenhagen.
Australia’s Wine Industry in Peril from Climate Change (Guardian)
A two-year study of one of Australia’s most prestigious wine producing regions warns that extreme heat, frost and disease could devastate grapevines over the next 70 years.
Starving Polar Bears Turn to Cannibalism (Toronto Star)
Scientists say shrinking Arctic sea ice may be forcing some hungry polar bears into cannibalizing young cubs.
