Simon Fox : Weblog

Germany stalled on the expressway to a green future.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-energy-

Germany's energy revolution has hardly begun, but it's already running out of steam. There is a lack of political decisiveness and companies are complaining of a dearth of incentives to invest billions in necessary infrastructure. Progress or no progress, taxpayers continue footing the bill.

150,000 more US heat deaths projected by 2100.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/23/us-climate-heat-deat

Killer heat fueled by climate change could cause an additional 150,000 deaths this century in the biggest US cities if no steps are taken to curb carbon emissions and improve emergency services, according to a new report.

New and frozen frontier awaits offshore oil drilling.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/science/earth/shell-arctic-o

Experts and security officials view the Alaskan Arctic as the last great domestic oil prospect. But many Alaska Natives and environmental advocates say drilling threatens wildlife and pristine shorelines, and perpetuates the nation’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels.

Cancelled project spurs debate over geoengineering patents.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.nature.com/news/cancelled-project-spurs-debate-ove

Technologies to keep Earth cool could one day provide a radical fix for climate change and, in a world struggling to control its greenhouse-gas emissions, could also prove highly lucrative for inventors. But who should own the intellectual property behind these world-changing techniques?

New York tries to help landlords, tenants pick 'low-hanging fruit.'

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.eenews.net/public/climatewire/2012/05/23/1

When Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled his plan to cut this city's greenhouse gas emissions, he knew buildings would have to be a major part of the plan. New York City has more than a million of them, including a large collection of the oldest, draftiest, most soot-spewing buildings in the United States.

Shale gas boom helps slash US emissions.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/3aa19200-a4eb-11e1-b421-00

The shale gas boom in the US has led to a big drop in its carbon emissions, as power generators switch from coal to cheap gas.

Study predicts Louisville will lead nation's large cities in heat-related deaths.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120523/GREEN/305230092/Study-

As many as 19,000 Louisville residents will die of heat-related causes by the end of the century – topping 40 large American cities, according to a new environmental report.

Wind farm that enraged Donald Trump is vital for Scotland, says expert.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/environment/wind-farm-that

Scotland's foremost energy economist will today tell delegates at the opening session of an “All Energy” conference in Aberdeen that plans for a controversial demonstrator wind farm in Aberdeen Bay could enable Scotland to take a global lead in the development of offshore wind energy.

Special interests chip away at Jakarta tree-cutting ban.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304065704577421

A year ago this week, Indonesia kick-started plans to radically reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions by pledging to stop issuing new forest-clearing permits for two years. But after drawing international acclaim, Indonesia's moratorium on forest clearing has proved hard to implement,

Heartland Institute in financial crisis after billboard controversy.

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/24/heartland-insti

The ultra-conservative Heartland Institute admitted it was in financial crisis on Wednesday, with the flight of corporate donors making it difficult to pay staff or cover the costs of its annual conference aimed at debunking climate science.