September 02, 2009

When it comes to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, China wants in. The bold proclamation comes amidst international discussions that are to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

Its intentions may be pure. But its motivations are even clearer. If the country is to modernize its generation fleet, it needs investors. As such, China must not only become an active partner in the fight to curb heat trapping emissions but it also needs to attract at least $200 billion in foreign investment over the next decade. Toward that end, it is asking the developed world to share both its money and technology.

August 10, 2009

Climate change policies may be evolving in the United States. But they are they still formulating among developing nations. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton felt the full force of such challenges during a recent visit to India.

In what may be termed as a polite but tense exchange between Clinton and the Indian Environmental Minister, Jairam Ramesh, the two traded barbs and discussed their respective roles in helping to minimize man-made carbon emissions that are considered by United Nations scientists to be the leading cause of global warming.

June 19, 2009

Global warming's disastrous affects loom, says the United Nations. But fixing it remains elusive and expensive, it acknowledges. To do so, the industrialized world must lead by example and help fund efforts taken by poorer countries.

It appears, however, that aggressive and mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions tied to global warming are unrealistic in the short term. Instead, the international community is likely to gravitate toward a gradual and flexible approach -- one that permits the lesser developed regions to grow their economies while they also take steps to reduce emissions. But as new pollution-cutting technologies are commercialized, the policies will become more ambitious.

June 03, 2009

The spillage of 5 million cubic yards of coal ash is testing the Tennessee Valley Authority like never before. Its immediate response and ultimate resolution will determine just how its neighbors and its wholesale customers interact with the nation's largest provider of electricity.

The prescription for remedying any disaster is to demonstrate empathy and to communicate those concerns from those at the top of the organization. Companies may wrestle with whether to limit their legal liabilities or to respond to the public interest. But working to ensure the safety and well-being of neighbors and customers is always the correct response. The stakeholders, in turn, will likely respond in kind. The goal of entities in the hot seat is to generate more goodwill than legal ramifications.

May 29, 2009

Political science teaches compromise as art form. And nowhere is that tenet clearer than with the carbon constraint bill now debated by Congress.

It's one thing to have principles. It's another to pass legislation representative of those ideas -- especially in a body comprised of 536 strong-willed individuals. With control of the White House and a majority in both chambers, the Democrats undoubtedly rule. But the party is certainly not homogeneous as its members represent varied interests throughout geographically diverse areas. As such, they rally behind their leaders only after they serve their constituents.