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Low Carbon Alliance launches its new Blog

gco2's Low Carbon Alliance launches its new Blog to allow readers share their thoughts on important climate change and carbon management issues. The first article launched is a review of the economic benefits and challenges of wind as a means of power generation. Read the article and add your comments by visiting www.lowcarbonalliance.ie/blog.aspx

Climate Change is "Even Worse Than Feared"

Thousands of the world's top scientists are gathering for an emergency climate summit and warning that the situation is worse than previously thought.

The overriding message from the meeting in Copenhagen is expected to be that urgent action is needed.

Until now, scientists and politicians have maintained that if a rise in the global temperature can be limited to two degrees by 2100, dangerous climate change can be avoided.

During the conference, many scientists will argue that the rapid rise in carbon emissions means staying below two degrees now looks practically impossible.

A computer model run by the UK's Met Office shows that even in the best case scenario, we only have a 50:50 chance of meeting this goal.

Vicky Pope, head of climate change advice at the Met Office told Sky News Online: "Even with drastic cuts in emissions in the next 10 years our results predict that there will only be around a 50% chance of keeping global temperatures rises below 2C."

The latest official report on climate change from the IPCC, the UN's scientific body, was written back in 2005.

So far, the world has warmed around 0.7 degrees since the start of the last century. If the temperature rises above two degrees the Met Office warns of catastrophic impacts.

Up to 30% of species face an increased risk of extinction while hundreds of millions more people will be without water if temperatures continue to rise.

During the summer of 2003, tens of thousands of people died in Europe during a record heatwave. Scientists warn that unless we drastically cut our emissions, this will be the norm by the middle of the century.

Climate scientist Professor Tim Lenton, from the University of East Anglia, told Sky News Online: "I really hope that policy makers come away with a visceral sense of how rapidly the climate is already changing."

At the end of this week's emergency summit, scientists will publish a new document which they hope politicians will use as a basis for their negotiations at a crucial UN meeting in December.

The climate clock is ticking they say, towards a global emissions reduction deal.

Article Source: Catherine Jacob, Environment Correspondent - Sky News

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Copenhagen-Climate-Change-Summit-Urgent-Action-Needed-Warn-Scientists-At-Emergency-Meeting/Article/200903215237720?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15237720_Copenhagen_Climate_Change_Summit%3A_Urgent_Action_Needed%2C_Warn_Scientists_At_Emergency_Meeting

Aviation to be included in Emission Trading Scheme

08 July: Source RTE News

MEPs have backed a proposal to include aviation in the EU's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012. The move, aimed at cutting the amount of greenhouse gases produced by airlines, has already been agreed by transport ministers.

The European Parliament voted 640 to 30 in favour of a rule that airlines would have to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 3% in the first year, and by 5% from 2013 onwards.

The vote was the last step to turn the proposals into law. The system will apply to all airlines flying into and out of the 27-nation EU, including non-European carriers.

Ryanair condemned the move, saying it would 'substantially increase taxation on Europe's consumers, but will do nothing whatsoever for the environment'. The scheme has also annoyed the US, which has threatened legal action.

Under the scheme, airlines will be able to sell CO2 allowances if they reduce emissions and buy them if their emissions rise. 85% of allowances to emit CO2 will be allocated for free, while the rest will be auctioned. The plan is expected to add €9 to the cost of an average flight by 2020, according to the EU.

ESRI projections suggest Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions will have increased by nearly 5% in 2007

Govt faces 'real difficulties' on emissions

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan has said that the Government faces real difficulties and real challenges in reducing Ireland's carbon emissions.

He was commenting after projections from the Economic and Social Research Institute which suggest that Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions will have increased by nearly 5% in 2007.

Professor Richard Tol of the ESRI said heavy carbon taxes are going to have to be introduced in the medium term.

Mr Ryan said his reaction was 'not to dispute the underlying fundamental analysis', but he said the true figures will only be known later this year.

He described the projected figures as a real difficulty and a real challenge, but one that the Government is determined to meet by creating jobs in the new eco-tech sector.

However, opposition parties are likely to point out that while the Government promised to reduce emissions by 3% each year, they are projected to go up by 5% - an eight-point gap.

Source: RTE News: Thursday, 28 August 2008
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0828/emissions.html