Sunday, 03 January 2010

President Obama and the United States Environmental Protection Agency are gearing up to put the nation on a low-carbon diet and their strategy would do Weight Watchers proud: Count first, cut later.

The counting began Jan. 1, when some 10,000 companies and other entities, including municipalities and even some universities, must start measuring their greenhouse gas emissions.

And while it's uncertain when mandatory cuts will be announced -- and whether Congress or the EPA will act first -- the law firm of Plunkett Cooney said polluters might want to start dieting sooner rather than later because their GHG emissions, down to the plant level, will become part of the public record after March 31, 2011.

January 04, 2010

The New Year is ringing in renewed hope. And so it is with the framers of the most recent global climate change accord. And while those advocates for change have fallen short of winning approval to make immediate and deep cuts in carbon emissions, they are vowing to continue their fight into 2010.

With 192 nations having joined the Copenhagen talks, firm obligations were always considered elusive. Most in the global community did express the desire to gradually transform their energy production. But only a core element made the steadfast pledge to notably reduce their carbon emissions. As such, the parties will keep working and striving to reach the air quality standards that they say are necessary.

December 11, 2009

In an effort to give the Copenhagen conference momentum, the Obama administration has introduced its long-awaited policy declaring greenhouse gases dangerous to the environment and public health.

The move, of course, was expected. And his supporters are applauding the timing. To proponents, it's a bold measure that makes a clear statement to all concerned parties as to where the president stands on carbon reductions. To critics, however, it is an expensive endeavor that will hurt American businesses.

December 09, 2009

Despite the cries of foul play, the global community is working right now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the massive uproar from skeptics over global warming has diverted attention and dampened some of the enthusiasm in Copenhagen where those climate talks are occurring.

Global warming has always been a hot topic. For those who believe adamantly that the earth's temperature is gradually warming and threatening the planet's viability, it's principally a man-made issue. Critics, however, say that the science has shortcomings and that the earth's warming -- and cooling -- is all part of natural climate cycles. Now, though, they are arguing that the some of the leading climatologists who espouse man-made global warming have not been entirely upfront.

November 23, 2009

The U.S. coal-fired electric power industry is without doubt facing ever-increasing challenges in its efforts to remain a viable fuel.

Impending legislation and regulations concerning allowable carbon dioxide emissions, in whatever form these rules might ultimately take, are putting growing pressure on coal-burning utilities to invest in carbon-capture technology research and to diversify their energy portfolios.