Environmental Stories to Watch: 2008

Jonathan Lash

World Resources Institute

December 18, 2007

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

United Nations Climate Change ConferenceBali, 3 - 14 December 2007

Decision -/CP.13: Bali Action Plan

Resolving to urgently enhance implementation of the Convention in order to achieve its ultimate objective in full accordance with its principles and commitments,

Reaffirming that economic and social development and poverty eradication are global priorities,

Responding to the findings of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that delay in reducing emissions significantly constrains opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels and increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts,

Recognizing that deep cuts in global emissions will be required to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention and emphasizing the urgency to address climate change as indicated in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change…

The Bali Communiqué on Climate Change

www.azfoo.net

Congressional Action?

US States – Cap and Trade

Key states to watch:• Alaska

– Observer to Western Climate Initiative (WCI)– Hard hit by climate change, big oil state

• Florida– Considering joining Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

(RGGI)– GHG targets on par with California

• Illinois– Big coal, corn state– Governor strongly considering cap and trade

• Utah– Big coal state– Participant in WCI, legislature not behind Governor

http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/los_angeles/index.html

EPA’s Response toMass. v. EPA

Put An Ear inYour Tank ?

Projected Global Biofuel Production

Source: Graph: Juergens et al, 2007; Data: A. Prakash (FAO) http://rose.geog.mcgill.ca/wordpress/?m=200510

Rising Food Prices in China

MercoPress

Dong Zhixin (chinadaily.com.cn)

The stampede for cheap cooking oil on November 10 left three dead and dozens injured [AFP]

AlJazeera.net

Poverty + Food & Water Shortage

Source: CAIT (http://cait.wri.org)

Low High

2005 2006 2007 2008

Energy Security

Pollution Abatement

Market Pressure

International Pressure

Climate Change Impacts

Factors Influencing China Climate Change Policy

China passes the U.S. as the largest GHG emitter in the world

http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympics_a_view_from_the_bird_s_nest

http://asiancemagazine.com/jun_2007/2008_beijing_olympics_a_view_from_the_bird_s_nest

Global Investment in Sustainable Energy, by Type and Region, 2006

Concentrating Solar Tower Technology

http://www.epa.gov/cleanrgy/pdf/morse-dec6.pdf

Global CSP Pipelines by Developer, 2007

Credit: Emerging Energy Research

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/08/31/106376/us-biofuel-output-moves-up-a-gear.html

PV system for the Beijing ‘Bird's Nest’ 2008 Olympic Stadium

450KW PV system for San Francisco Airport - Terminal 3

300KW on-grid roof top PV system in Jiangsu Province, China

38KW Pecos Park recreational center- Phoenix (Arizona)

WHO WINSTHE CCSRACE?

Australian farmers face bankruptcy from droughtTue Oct 23, 2007

Australian drought pushes up price of beerOct 13, 2007

The Australian Election 2007: a referendum on climate change

John Howard, 1996-2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

John Bazemore / AP

Robin Nelson / Zuma Press file

Photo of prayer service by Jessica McGowan, Getty Images

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue was joined by about 250 people at the state Capitol on November 13 in a prayer for rain.

—USA Today

JEFF GUENTHER/The Chattanooga Times

Source: IPCC AR4

Sea ice extent for September 25, 2007

Colorado River Basin: More Drought Projected

At least a 17% reduction in water supply to the Upper Colorado Rover Basin projected under a 2º C warming scenario

Colorado River Basin water allocated on the basis of a 1922 compact – an extraordinarily wet year….