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Kerry Implores Indonesia on Climate Change Peril

Kerry on Climate Change On Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry delivered remarks on climate change to an audience of students in Jakarta, Indonesia. He accused climate change deniers of burying their heads in the sand. JAKARTA, Indonesia — Secretary of State John Kerry urged Indonesia on Sunday to take steps to combat climate change, warning that failure to act would jeopardize the nation’s resources and damage its economy. Warming seas, he said, could deal a severe blow to Indonesia’s fishing industry, while powerful storms could buffet the country and rising seas may put much of Jakarta, the capital, under water. “This city, this country, this region is really on the front lines of climate change,” Mr. Kerry said in a speech . “It’s not an exaggeration to say to you that your entire way of life that you live and love is at risk.” Mr. Kerry, who has […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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America’s leaky natural gas system – Peak Oil – Climate Change – Global Warming

The first thorough comparison of evidence for natural gas system leaks confirms that organizations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have underestimated U.S. methane emissions generally, as well as those from the natural gas industry specifically. Natural gas consists predominantly of methane. Even small leaks from the natural gas system are important because methane is a potent greenhouse gas – about 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. A study, “Methane Leakage from North American Natural Gas Systems,” published in the Feb. 14 issue of the journal  Science , synthesizes diverse findings from more than 200 studies ranging in scope from local gas processing plants to total emissions from the United States and Canada. “People who go out and actually measure methane pretty consistently find more emissions than we expect,” said the lead author of the new analysis, Adam Brandt, an assistant professor of energy resources engineering at Stanford […]

Posted On : Published By : ASPO-USA
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UK floods set to continue as more rain hits

The devastating UK floods are set to continue as more heavy rain hits already saturated ground. The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England and there are 16 severe flood warnings in southern England. However, the situation in the worst-hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week. David Cameron described the floods as a "tragedy" and warned people to prepare for more bad weather this week. Persistent rain Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday. The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but the Met Office warning was in place because of the saturated ground. There are also concerns about south Wales. There is also a yellow severe weather warning for ice in northern Scotland […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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The Gravitational Pull of Planet Carbon

Listening to President Obama’s State of the Union address, it would have been easy to conclude that we were slowly but surely gaining in the war on climate change.  “Our energy policy is creating jobs and leading to a cleaner, safer planet,” the president said.  “Over the past eight years, the United States has reduced our total carbon pollution more than any other nation on Earth.”  Indeed, it’s true that in recent years, largely thanks to the dampening effects of the Great Recession, U.S. carbon emissions were in decline (though they grew by 2% in 2013).  Still, whatever the president may claim, we’re not heading toward a “cleaner, safer planet.”  If anything, we’re heading toward a dirtier, more dangerous world.  A series of recent developments highlight the way we are losing ground in the epic struggle to slow global warming.  This has not been for lack of effort.  Around […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Study concludes that NG leakage higher than reflected in inventories; transportation fuel climate benefits questioned

A review of 20 years of technical literature on natural gas (NG) emissions in the United States and Canada comprising more than 200 papers has concluded that official inventories consistently underestimate actual CH4 emissions due to leakage from the natural gas system. “Atmospheric tests covering the entire country indicate emissions around 50 percent more than EPA estimates,” said lead author Adam Brandt at Stanford University. The study, which is authored by researchers from seven universities, several national laboratories and federal government bodies and other organizations, is published in the journal Science.

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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UK storms: Homes left without power and travel disrupted

Blackpool in Lancashire is among areas that have been battered by wind and rain Tens of thousands of homes are without power and commuters are facing renewed travel disruption after hurricane-force winds battered the UK on Wednesday. Forecasters are predicting some respite on Thursday from stormy weather but another Atlantic low could bring gales of more than 80mph from Friday onwards. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset – all already hit by severe flooding. Train services in parts of the UK are cancelled and some roads are closed. Prime Minister David Cameron will chair the first meeting of a new Cabinet committee on flood recovery later. It comes after road and rail travel was hit by high winds, which closed major routes and caused delays and cancellations throughout Wednesday. A man, thought to […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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UK storms: Met Office issues 'Red Warning' for wind

Winds of up to 100mph are expected to batter west Wales and north-west England, with the Met Office issuing its first "red warning" of the winter. The warning for 13:30 to 21:00 GMT means there is a "risk to life" and people should "avoid dangerous areas" with widespread damage expected. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset. Meanwhile, David Cameron has repeated his pledge that "money is no object in this relief effort". He also announced money would be available for businesses and homeowners repairing flood-damaged property to build in new defences and said small businesses affected by flooding would get 100% relief from business rates. Waves have battered the coastline in Chiswell in Dorset The Met Office said: "Winds of this strength can cause widespread structural damage, bringing down trees and also leading to […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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UK storms: Met Office issues ‘Red Warning’ for wind

Winds of up to 100mph are expected to batter west Wales and north-west England, with the Met Office issuing its first "red warning" of the winter. The warning for 13:30 to 21:00 GMT means there is a "risk to life" and people should "avoid dangerous areas" with widespread damage expected. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset. Meanwhile, David Cameron has repeated his pledge that "money is no object in this relief effort". He also announced money would be available for businesses and homeowners repairing flood-damaged property to build in new defences and said small businesses affected by flooding would get 100% relief from business rates. Waves have battered the coastline in Chiswell in Dorset The Met Office said: "Winds of this strength can cause widespread structural damage, bringing down trees and also leading to […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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British floods stern warning, environmental group says

Friends of Earth campaigner Guy Shrubsole said the British government needs to take climate issues more seriously given the season’s extreme weather. The Met Office, the British weather reporting agency, said wind gusts of at least 60 mph are expected in southern and southwestern counties accompanied by rain. "The public should be aware of the potential for further flooding in places," it said in its forecast for Wednesday. Shrubsole said in a statement extreme weather is becoming more common as the effects of climate change take hold. He said the government is not focusing on the issue as it should. "If we want to keep the nation’s head above water we must take global warming more seriously," he said in a statement Tuesday. Last month was the wettest January for the country since 1910. The Met Office said last week some of the climate […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple
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Tight Propane Supply Reaches Crisis

Federal and state officials are pushing emergency measures to get propane to people who need the gas to heat their homes in the Midwest and other regions of the country beset by persistent frigid temperatures. The measures, which include extending working hours for truckers and ordering a pipeline company to prioritize shipments to areas with tight supplies, are meant to alleviate a propane crunch that has sent prices for the fuel to record highs in some parts of the country. "The propane shortage has been a crisis for thousands of families and farmers in Minnesota and across the region," Sen. Al Franken, who represents the North Star State, said in a statement. He has been asking various federal agencies to help route more propane to places in need. Governors in affected states are trying to increase propane deliveries and make funds available for residents to pay higher heating bills. […]

Posted On : Published By : Tom Whipple