20% Europe’s Energy from Wind

A European Union project envisages 25 to 30 “smart cities” — highly insulated cities that glean energy from their waste, the sun and wind overhead, channelling it down to the electric cars, trams and buses in the streets below, says the long-awaited Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Pete Harrison for Reuters World Environment News (17 September 2009):

BRUSSELS – Europe will select 30 cities to pioneer “smart” electricity grids and space-proven insulation as it seeks to lead the global race for green technology, a draft European Union document shows.

The windpower sector must shift offshore and strive to provide a fifth of EU electricity by 2020 — ahead of industry goals — said a draft of the European Commission’s long-awaited Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

The so-called SET-Plan lays out the EU’s strategy for promoting hi-tech solutions to climate change to give European businesses a head start as the world switches to low-carbon energy.

Billions of euros will have to be poured into research to avoid falling behind the United States, which is pouring $777 million into energy research, the draft, obtained by Reuters ahead of the plan’s release next month, said.

“Basic research is chronically underfunded in the EU,” the report said. “We need to stimulate and incentivize our best brains to push back the frontiers of science.”

The project envisages 25 to 30 “smart cities” — highly insulated cities that glean energy from their waste and the sun and wind overhead and channel it down to the electric cars, trams and buses in the streets below.

“These Smart Cities will be the nuclei from which smart networks, a new generation of buildings and alternative transport means will develop into European wide realities,” it added.

EU officials are still calculating the exact needs for funding and how it will be split between industry and the public purse.

Environmentalists gave the plan a mixed reception, saying it should have completely ditched coal power and nuclear.

The geothermal industry, which generates steady “baseload” power by tapping into the earth’s natural heat, said it provided the perfect complement to fluctuating wind and solar and expressed dismay it had been ignored altogether.

“A renewable energy mix can not be reached in the future without geothermal energy,” the European Geothermal Energy Council said.

Boosting energy efficiency will top the agenda, an area where the European Space Agency is expected to contribute.

“This could be achieved by transferring advanced insulation materials and ultra-efficient energy systems to the terrestrial energy sector,” the report said.

Coal-fired power stations will be pushed to trap and bury their carbon dioxide emissions and the nuclear industry will be urged to move toward a new generation of reactors — the so-called Generation-IV reactor.

“Such reactors will be able to exploit the full energetic potential of uranium, thus greatly extending resource availability by factors up to 100 over current technologies,” said the report.

Greenpeace campaigner Frauke Thies said the overall message was inconsistent, as money poured into coal and nuclear would only prolong Europe’s unhealthy dependence on an inflexible, centralized energy network.

“We must focus on building a decentralized and flexible energy system that can handle fluctuations in renewable energy and balance supply and demand,” she added.

Source: www. planetark.org

Carbon Trading Grows Amid Uncertainty

British carbon emissions exchange operator Climate Exchange – which owns and operates emissions trading marketplaces in the US, Europe and Asia -  swung to a first-half profit as trading volumes almost doubled, but said it expected growth rates to moderate in the second half.

Victoria Bryan and Michael Szabo for Reuters World Environment News (17 September 2009):

LONDON – British carbon emissions exchange operator Climate Exchange swung to a first-half profit as trading volumes almost doubled, but said it expected growth rates to moderate in the second half.

“Whilst we are delighted with the growth achieved in the first half of 2009, political and regulatory uncertainty may moderate our rates of growth during the second half of the financial year and we have observed lower volumes in August,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The firm posted a pretax profit of 1.5 million pounds ($2.5 million), compared with a loss of 0.3 million in the first half of 2008.

AIM-listed Climate Exchange owns and operates emissions trading marketplaces in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including the European Climate Exchange (ECX).

Group trading volumes in the first half increased 96 percent year on year, while the ECX traded 2.685 billion contracts, nearly equaling the amount traded for 2008 as a whole.

But ECX volumes have nearly halved to 283.4 million tonnes traded in August from its record volume of 539 million in March.

Fox Pitt Kelton estimates full-year group pre-tax profits at 6.5 million pounds including share-based payments, CEO Neil Eckert told Reuters.

Andrew Shepherd-Barron of KBC Peel Hunt reiterated his sell rating and 812 pence price target, saying the shares already account for rapid volume growth in Europe and the U.S.

At 1102 GMT (7:02 a.m. EDT), Climate Exchange shares were up 17.0 pence or 1.97 percent at 880 pence on Wednesday.

Prices for voluntary carbon credits trading on Climate Exchange’s Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) have plummeted as a result of regulatory uncertainty, more supply and less demand due to the economic slowdown, Eckert said.

CCX trades credits in the voluntary, un-regulated market where companies can offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

CCX credit prices have tumbled from a high of over $7 in May 2008 to $0.25 on Tuesday, and volumes have fallen by 44 percent in the first half of 2009.

“The voluntary market is just a stepping stone on the way toward a mandatory market, so we expect the business to transform from CCX to our Chicago Climate Futures Exchange,” Eckert said.

CCFE volumes have more than tripled and Eckert said the exchange now has a 99 percent market share of futures trading in the U.S. Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a mandatory scheme for polluters in 10 eastern U.S. states.

A new climate bill which would see the inception of a mandatory, national emissions market is currently incubating in the U.S. Senate while the United Nations is meeting in Copenhagen in December to negotiate a new global climate pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Source: www.planetark.org

Green for Go & Zero for Emissions

Renault and German electric utility RWE signed a cooperation agreement to create a large-scale zero-emissions individual transport and travel system in Germany, as the car industry celebrated the end of the recession with a double shot of super-luxury cars at the opening of the Frankfurt motor show, was washed down with lashings of sober green fuel sippers and commitments to lower emissions.

Phil King in Frankfurt for The Australian (16 September 2009):

THE car industry celebrated the end of the recession with a double shot of super-luxury cars at the opening of the Frankfurt motor show yesterday.

An unprecedented rollout of models by the elite brands, which included a €1.1 million ($1.9m) Lamborghini convertible and a new $700,000 Rolls-Royce, was washed down with lashings of sober green fuel sippers and commitments to lower emissions.

Confidence is quickly returning to the industry, which believes it has turned the corner on the sales downturn.

“This show is being held at exactly the right time,” Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn said on the eve of the event. “The crisis isn’t over yet but there are increasing signs we’ve seen the bottom and we can look forward with optimism.”

The recovery could not be better timed for the big European makers, which have kept their research on alternative fuels at full throttle through the downturn and at last it is bearing fruit.

Most brands – including the two German luxury leaders, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – will soon have petrol-electric versions of their cars on sale, starting with their large sedans and four-wheel-drives. The research focus is now shifting to battery-powered cars, which are a quicker solution because they are simpler to engineer.

Volkswagen was just one of many brands signing up for battery power when it revealed it would offer an electric version of its new mass-market runabout by 2013, called E-Up.

BMW has a head start with an electric Mini undergoing the largest trial of the technology so far, with hundreds on the roads of European cities.

But European carmakers believe alternative solutions will be part of a broad spectrum of offerings that will still include greener versions of their luxury and performance cars. Volkswagen expects battery cars to claim just 2 per cent of the total market by 2020 and believes that luxury buyers will still demand Bentleys and Lamborghinis, as long as they have a green tinge.

The future would belong to low-emission vehicles because green concerns were not transitory trends, Mr Winterkorn said. “But premium vehicles with a sense of responsibility have a future.”

Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini are all part of Volkswagen’s stable and all have emerged from hibernation during the downturn with new elite models.

The Bentley Mulsanne is a full-strength flagship limousine that will compete against the new Rolls-Royce Ghost in the sub-$1m bracket. But the new Bugatti four-door and the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster are hunting for buyers with millions to spend.

Bentley and Bugatti boss Franz-Josef Paefgen said the elite brands could afford to spend more time perfecting their vehicles during a crisis and the super-luxury segment would rebound, with long-term forecasts showing it was a growth area.

A focus on having your car and flooring it was also central at BMW and Mercedes, which both unveiled show-stoppers. Mercedes’s resurrection of its famous Gullwing sportscar from the 1950s will sell for about $500,000 and expects to find 5000 buyers a year, starting in 2010.

BMW brought some razzamatazz back to motor shows with a lavish new hall that includes an indoor oval track. Its Vision EfficientDynamics sportscar is a showcase for fuel-saving techniques and delivers racy performance from a tiny three-cylinder diesel engine combined with electric motors. “Our task is to find a balance between green demands, driving pleasure and individual mobility,” said BMW boss Norbert Reithofer.

Source: www.theaustralian.news.com.au

Frankfurt, September 15, 2009 – Today, Renault and German electric utility RWE signed a cooperation agreement to create a large-scale zero-emissions individual transport and travel system in Germany.

The objective is to establish electric cars as a viable and attractive transport solution for German consumers.

The partnership was officially launched today by Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault and Nissan, and Mr. Dr. Jürgen Grobmann, CEO of RWE.

The Renault Nissan Alliance aims to become the world’s leading manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. Germany will be one of the major markets for all-electric models.

RWE, is one of the leading european utility companies. RWE is currently setting up a powerful charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in major German cities and will subsequently roll-out this infrastructure across Germany.

Through the agreement announced today, the Renault Nissan Alliance and RWE aim to provide consumers with access to zero emission mobility. The partners want the joint market launch to start in June 2011. The Renault-Nissan Alliance and RWE intend to develop the market for EVs and create strong interest for e-mobility.

A joint pilot phase, starting second quarter 2009 and lasting until June 30, 2011, will first take place in Berlin, followed by other major German cities. Starting at the end of 2010, 100 electric Renault pre serial vehicles will use the RWE charging infrastructure. .

Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault and Nissan, said, “The signature of the cooperation agreement with RWE is a major step forward for Renault and the Alliance in Germany. The Renault- Nissan Alliance is committed to become the global leader in zero emission vehicles. Thanks to this partnership with RWE, we will be able to provide German customers with electric vehicles at an affordable price, with performance, roominess, comfort, quality and safety.”

Dr. Jürgen Grobmann, CEO of RWE, said, “We are entering together into new territory with this innovative partnership. Together with Renault, we want to help electric cars make their breakthrough in Germany, with an attractive offering consisting of an electric car, eco-energy and fast charging stations.

The Renault Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,090,304 vehicles in 2008. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world’s top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability. Marking its tenth anniversary this year, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is leading a collaborative approach with both business and governments and has signed nearly 30 agreements worldwide with partners to launch its first electric vehicle starting in 2010 and to mass market a full range of electrical vehicles in 2012.

RWE is one of Europe’s five leading electricity and gas companies. RWE is active in the generation, trading, transmission and supply of electricity and gas. Through RWE’s fully consolidated investments, 66,000 employees supply over 14 million customers with electricity and 6 million customers with gas. In fiscal 2008, RWE recorded €49 billion in revenue.

Source: www.media.renault.com

Solar Panel Industries Go Global

China has decided that clean-tech is going to be the next great global industry and is now creating a massive domestic market for solar and wind, which will give it a great export platform, while US company Applied Materials maintains a real-time global interaction with all 14 solar panel factories it’s built around the world in the last two years. 

By THOMAS FRIEDMAN, Op-Ed Columnist, New York Times (15 September 2009):

Applied Materials is one of the most important U.S. companies you’ve probably never heard of.  It makes the machines that make the microchips that go inside your computer. 

The chip business, though, is volatile, so in 2004 Mike Splinter, Applied Materials’ C.E.O., decided to add a new business line to take advantage of the company’s nanotechnology capabilities — making the machines that make solar panels. 

The other day, Splinter gave me a tour of the company’s Silicon Valley facility, culminating with a visit to its “war room,” where Applied maintains a real-time global interaction with all 14 solar panel factories it’s built around the world in the last two years.  I could only laugh because crying would have been too embarrassing.

Not a single one is in America. Let’s see: five are in Germany, four are in China, one is in Spain, one is in India, one is in Italy, one is in Taiwan and one is even in Abu Dhabi.  I suggested a new company motto for Applied Materials’ solar business: “Invented here, sold there.”

The reason that all these other countries are building solar-panel industries today is because most of their governments have put in place the three prerequisites for growing a renewable energy industry: 1) any business or homeowner can generate solar energy; 2) if they decide to do so, the power utility has to connect them to the grid; and 3) the utility has to buy the power for a predictable period at a price that is a no-brainer good deal for the family or business putting the solar panels on their rooftop.

Regulatory, price and connectivity certainty, that is what Germany put in place, and that explains why Germany now generates almost half the solar power in the world today and, as a byproduct, is making itself the world-centre for solar research, engineering, manufacturing and installation.  With more than 50,000 new jobs, the renewable energy industry in Germany is now second only to its auto industry.  One thing that has never existed in America — with our fragmented, stop-start solar subsidies — is certainty of price, connectivity and regulation on a national basis.

That is why, although consumer demand for solar power has incrementally increased here, it has not been enough for anyone to have Applied Materials — the world’s biggest solar equipment manufacturer — build them a new factory in America yet.  So, right now, our federal and state subsidies for installing solar systems are largely paying for the cost of importing solar panels made in China, by Chinese workers, using hi-tech manufacturing equipment invented in America.

“About 95 percent of our solar business is outside the U.S.,” said Splinter.  “Our biggest U.S. customer is a German-owned company in Oregon.  We sell them pieces of equipment.”

If you read some of the anti-green commentary today, you’ll often see sneering references to “green jobs.”  The phrase is usually in quotation marks as if it is some kind of liberal fantasy or closet welfareprogram (and as if coal, oil and nuclear don’t get all kinds of subsidies).  Nonsense.  In 2008, more silicon was consumed globally making solar panels than microchips, said Splinter.

“We are seeing the industrialization of the solar business,” he added. “In the last 12 months, it has brought us $1.3 billion in revenues.  It is hard to build a billion-dollar business.”

Applied sells its solar-panel factories for $200 million each.  Solar panels can be made from many different semiconductors, including thin film coated onto glass with nanotechnology and from crystalline silicon.  At Applied, making these complex machines requires America’s best, high-paid talent — people who can work at the intersection of chemistry, physics and nanotechnology.

If we want to launch a solar industry here, big-time, we need to offer the kind of long-term certainty that Germany does or impose the national requirement on our utilities to generate solar power as China does or have the government build giant solar farms, the way it built the Hoover Dam, and sell the electricity.

O.K., so you don’t believe global warming is real.  I do, but let’s assume it’s not.  Here is what is indisputable: The world is on track to add another 2.5 billion people by 2050, and many will be aspiring to live American-like, high-energy lifestyles.  In such a world, renewable energy — where the variable cost of your fuel, sun or wind, is zero — will be in huge demand.

China now understands that.  It no longer believes it can pollute its way to prosperity because it would choke to death.  That is the most important shift in the world in the last 18 months.  China has decided that clean-tech is going to be the next great global industry and is now creating a massive domestic market for solar and wind, which will give it a great export platform.

In October, Applied will be opening the world’s largest solar research centre — in Xian, China. Gotta go where the customers are.  So, if you like importing oil from Saudi Arabia, you’re going to love importing solar panels from China.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Health Warning: Operate on Climate Change

Failure to tackle climate change could be catastrophic for health, the heads of 18 doctors’ associations warned in a joint appeal published in the British Medical Journal and The Lancet, urging governments to act decisively to roll back the threat from global warming. Representatives of the world’s 17 biggest carbon polluters have kicked off a week of high-stakes talks on climate change with a discussion at the US State Department.

Failure to tackle climate change at a key United Nations conference in Copenhagen could be catastrophic for health, the heads of 18 doctors’ associations warned yesterday.

In a joint appeal published in the British Medical Journal and The Lancet, they urged governments to act decisively to roll back the threat from global warming.

Scientists have repeatedly warned climate change could affect health in many ways, ranging from malnutrition caused by drought to the risk of cholera from flooding and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to temperate zones.

”Doctors must take a lead in speaking out. There is a real danger that politicians will be indecisive, especially in such turbulent economic times as these. Should their response be weak, the results for international health could be catastrophic,” the doctors’ letter said.

The December 7 to 18 meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change aims to set down action for tackling heat-trapping carbon emissions beyond 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires.

The letter was signed by the presidents of 18 colleges of physicians or academies of medicine from Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada, Ireland, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Ireland, South Africa and Scotland.

Meanwhile, in a challenge to US President Barack Obama before a key international summit in Pittsburgh, the European Union presidency in Brussels said the US must do more to tackle climate change.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said, ”I hope to speed up the talks all over the climate issue.”

He acknowledged a promise by Japan’s incoming prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, to target 25 per cent cuts in greenhouse emissions, but said he was less impressed by US efforts so far.

The EU prides itself on taking the lead in the battle against climate change, with member states agreeing to make 20 per cent cuts in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 from 1990 levels. EU leaders are seeking a more ambitious global goal at the Copenhagen talks and are ready to commit to 30 per cent cuts if the rest of the world does likewise to attain the overall goal of restricting global warming to 2 degrees.

”We are worried because the sum of the initiatives taken so far is not enough to meet the 2-degree target,” Mr Reinfeldt said.

He also stressed the need for the financial commitments to support those efforts and to adapt to the climate change which was already inevitable.

In a draft communique drawn up for an EU summit today, European leaders say ”each country that has not yet done so should make urgently ambitious commitments to mid-term reductions and quantifiable actions” on emissions.

Money set aside for the climate fight ”will need to be scaled up urgently and substantially”. Richer nations should also contribute to financing the fight against climate change in developing nations.

The European Commission estimates the cost of fighting global warming for developing countries will reach 100 billion euros ($A170billion) a year by 2020.

Pressure is mounting for a breakthrough in what has been dubbed Climate Week, which also opens in Washington today with a ministerial-level gathering of the world’s largest 17 carbon polluters.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon will host a climate summit in New York next week, to be followed by a two-day G20 summit in Pittsburgh. AFP

Source: www.canberratimes.com.au

From AFP correspondents in Washington (18 September 2009):  

REPRESENTATIVES of the world’s 17 biggest carbon polluters have kicked off a week of high-stakes talks on climate change with a discussion at the US State Department.

The main aim of the week of meetings is to bridge differences ahead of the UN December 7-18 climate change conference in Copenhagen, where a pact for curbing global warming beyond 2012 – when Kyoto Protocol obligations on cutting emissions expire – is to be crafted.

Negotiators will meet for two days at the State Department in Washington, then move to New York next week and then on to Pittsburgh.

The meetings come as Washington tries to resume a leadership role on climate change, and follow a warning from UN chief Ban Ki-moon that world leaders need to “get moving” on climate change.

Representatives from the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and Britain were at the State Department talks on Thursday, along with officials representing Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and host, the United States.

The participants belong to the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, an initiative US President Barack Obama launched in March – a sharp change from the policies of his predecessor George W. Bush, who rejected the Kyoto Protocol, the previous UN framework on climate change.

Together the countries are responsible for 80 per cent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The talks today and Saturday “will focus primarily on key areas of mitigation, adaptation and technology”, the official said.

Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Build It Back Green

A new global movement recognises that scientific predictions of more intense severe weather are becoming a reality. Green Cross Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation and Alternative Technology Association are supporting bushfire affected residents in Victoria with a suite of community engagement programs and on-the-ground tools to help households make practical choices that maximise eco-resilience.

 Each major fire, cyclone and storm surge event offers the opportunity to rebuild encouraging eco-resilience in our communities. Widespread sustainable rebuilding efforts are now underway in New Orleans led by Green Cross Australia’s US affiliate, Global Green USA.

Flowerdale is an inspiring example of a Victorian community pulling together to rebuild their lives, homes, community centres and schools in a more sustainable way in the aftermath of the horrors of Black Saturday.

Flowerdale community leader Pete Williams says, “The tragedy of Black Saturday has also provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to rebuild in a sustainable way.” Flowerdale will be the hub for a region-wide effort.

 Green Cross Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation and Alternative Technology Association will support bushfire affected residents with a suite of community engagement programs and on-the-ground tools to help households make practical choices that maximise eco-resilience.

 A dedicated green building resource centre in Flowerdale will be available to thousands of impacted residents. Community planning support will be provided to assist with integrated sustainable water, waste and energy solutions.A widespread community talks program will regularly bring information to the neighborhood level.

 Monica Richter from the Australian Conservation Foundation says, “Our collaboration aims to support a lasting shift toward sustainable community adaption and resilience well into the future”.

 BIBG will deliver a green building guide and a “Build it back green” website that provides practical multi-media based post-disaster rebuilding information and tools including trade videos that address the nitty-gritty building challenges these communities are confronting.

Habitat for Humanity Australia will work with an army of volunteers to build ninety affordable sustainable homes to support low income residents using a sweat equity model.

 Green Building Council of Australia will encourage the large staff pool of its 700 national corporate members from the property development and building sector to volunteer on the ground, building new homes and sustainable community infrastructure. GBCA will also assist small businesses who wish to reduce their environmental footprint as they rebuild.

Romilly Madew CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia says: “GBCA will target all its members and affiliated industries to assist in the volunteer program. The aim of this program is to provide individuals and companies the opportunity to assist on the ground, within the bushfire regions.”

Importantly our research team from the CSIRO Climate Change Adaptation Flagship will assist residents to make material and product choices that are resilient to bushfire risk but also have strong environmental performance.

Through this project we introduce a new term which will be vital for Australia as we address the challenge of adapting to climate change while mitigating its risks. “ECO-RESILIENCE,” says CSIRO Flagship Director Andrew Ash, “is all about smart climate change adaptation, and will create exciting 21st century intellectual property.”

 BIBG partners hope to be a source of advice, leadership, practical tools and capacity to assist Victorian communities to transition and emerge as the cohesive, healthy, thriving and, now resilient, communities they once were.

Green Cross Australia CEO Mara Bun says “it is our aim that a minimum of 400 households will be supported to increase their eco-resilience with innovative hazard reducing materials, technologies and practices, while reducing their greenhouse emissions by 10 tonnes per annum.”

Source: www.greencrossaustralia.org

Ocean Weather Forecast: It’s Getting Hotter

Scientists have recorded the world’s warmest August ocean surface temperature, a heat wave is heading for Queensland and an El Nino-borne drought looms, while the Arctic’s sea ice pack thawed to its third-lowest summer level on record, continuing an overall decline symptomatic of climate change.

Brian Williams in the Courier Mail (18 September 2009):

SCIENTISTS have recorded the world’s warmest August ocean surface temperature, a heat wave is heading for Queensland and an El Nino-borne drought looms.

The weather bureau expects temperatures in far western Queensland to reach 40C early next week and hit 34C in Brisbane on Wednesday, driven by north to northwest winds.

There should be mostly fine conditions over the weekend for Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, with the chance of a shower.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected over the Granite Belt, with patchy and thundery rain developing in the Channel Country.

Meanwhile, the US National Climatic Data Centre in Asheville, North Carolina, has found ocean temperatures were the warmest on record averaged for any June to August period in either the Northern Hemisphere summer or Southern Hemisphere winter – 1.03F above the 20th century average of 61.4F. The preliminary analysis is based on records dating to 1880.

 NCDC scientists said large parts of the world’s land mass had warmer-than-average temperatures in August.

The warmest were Australia, Europe, parts of the Middle East, northwestern Africa and southern South America. Australia and New Zealand had their warmest August since records began.

The combined average global land and ocean surface temperature for August was the second warmest on record, behind 1998.

Arctic sea ice covered an average 6.267 million sq km during August, 18.4 per cent below the 1979-2000 average and consistent with a decline of sea ice since 1979.

National Climate Centre climatologist Robyn Duell said unusual drought-bearing El Nino conditions persisted, with tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures warmer than average.

“These conditions are forecast to persist until at least year’s end by most leading climate models,” she said.

Conditions across eastern Australia were dry during July and August, while August and early September have been exceptionally warm.

SEQwater spokesman Mike Foster said catchments had dried out to the point that a minimum 50mm to 60mm of rain would be needed to trigger inflows. Brisbane’s Wivenhoe Dam was on 65.9 per cent, Somerset 92.9 per cent and North Pine 98.4 per cent for an aggregate of 75.7 per cent.

The Australian Conservation Council yesterday said it would start a national campaign, urging governments to strengthen building standards for homes to set zero emissions and water-efficiency standards.

Environment Victoria’s campaigns director, Mark Wakeham, said emissions from the average home could be reduced by more than 75 per cent with energy-efficient design and appliances, while power needs could be supplied by renewable energy.

Source: www.news.com.au

From Reuters correspondents in Los Angeles (18 September 2009):  

THE Arctic’s sea ice pack thawed to its third-lowest summer level on record, continuing an overall decline symptomatic of climate change, US scientists said.

The melt was up slightly from the seasonal melt of the past two years, but still some 20 per cent below the minmum cover for the Arctic summer since satellites began measuring it in 1979.

The range of ocean remaining frozen over the northern polar region reached its minimum extent for 2009 on September 12, when it covered 5.1 million square km, and now appeared to be growing again as the Arctic starts its annual cool-down, the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported.

That level was 24 per cent less than the 1979-2000 average, the Colorado-based government agency said.

This summer’s minimum represented a loss about about two-thirds of the sea ice measured at the height of Arctic winter in March.

By comparison, the Arctic ice shelf typically shrank by a little more than half each summer during the 1980s and 1990s, ice scientist Walt Meier said.

The lowest point on record was reached in September 2007 and the 2009 minimum ranks as the third-smallest behind last year’s level.

But scientists said they do not consider the slight upward fluctuation again this summer to be a recovery.

The difference was attributed to relatively cooler temperatures this summer compared with the two previous years.

Winds also tended to disperse the ice pack over a larger region, scientists said.

“The long-term decline in summer extent is expected to continue in future years,” the report said.

Scientists regard the Arctic and its sea ice as among the most sensitive barometers of global warming because even small temperature changes made a huge difference.

“If you go from a degree below freezing to two degrees above freezing, that’s a completely different environment in the polar region,” Mr Meier said.

“You’re going from ice skating to swimming. Whereas if you’re on a tropical beach and it’s three degrees warmer, you probably wouldn’t even notice it.”

World leaders will meet at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday to discuss a climate treaty due to be agreed on in December.

Source: www.heraldsun.com.au

Seeing REDD? How it works in Papua New Guinea

Carbon Planet takes steps to explain how Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) works and what’s been going on in Papua New Guinea with forestry offset schemes.

From Carbon Planet:

REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. REDD is a carbon market-based mechanism to prevent the logging of forests and replace the income from the logging with an income from the earning of carbon credits. The carbon credits are awarded from protecting the forests and as a result stopping the carbon emissions that are released from forest deforestation and degradation.

How are REDD credits awarded?

The only carbon credits that can be awarded are those that have been certified by, validated, verified and registered, under credible independent International Standards bodies such as the Voluntary Carbon Association (VCA), which operates the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS).

VCS carbon credits or Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) must be held in a VCS approved independent carbon registry. VCS projects can also be certified to meet the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard which is operated by the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and the Social Carbon Standard operated by the Ecologica Institute and Social Carbon organisation.

What is the status of REDD projects in PNG?

Papua New Guinea has, for some time, had contracts in place with international timber companies and other resource companies enabling them to harvest the indigenous rainforests. Indigenous landowners signed over their timber rights to the Papua New Guinean Government who in turn offered these landowner areas as timber concession areas to timber companies to harvest or leased the landowner’s areas to resource companies to extract other resources such as gold, oil or gas.

The process whereby the landowners agree to assign the timber rights to their land to the Government is known as the Forest Management Agreement (FMA) Process. A Forest Management Agreement (FMA) is signed by the landowners and the PNG Government. Landowners receive royalties from the timber concession holding company for timber harvested, or from the resource company for minerals extracted from their land.

The royalties represented income for some members of the indigenous community. However, management practice standards in the timber and resource industries in Papua New Guinea have been less than ideal, resulting in deleterious environmental and social impacts locally.

However, Papua New Guinea has taken the lead in identifying the important role rainforests play in providing ecosystem services to the global and local community with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare calling for and establishing the Coalition for Rainforest Nations with the objective of forested tropical countries collaborating to reconcile forest stewardship with economic development.

What about the so-called “fake” carbon credit certificates the press has reported?

As at September 7, 2009, to the best of our knowledge, no “fake” carbon credit certificates have been created.

In mid 2008 the Office of Climate Change (who is the Designated National Authority (DNA) who authorises carbon market activities) created a “symbolic REDD credit certificate” as a sample certificate with no commercial value.

Carbon Planet has had no involvement with them; we understand the certificates were an internal sample produced by the Office of Climate Change not for any commercial use or purpose. The “REDD credit certificates” were not intended as anything but a symbolic reference of a REDD credit certificate.

The only REDD credits or carbon credits that can be awarded are those that have been, validated, verified and registered or certified, under credible independent international standards or bodies such as the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), and the issued certified VCS credits known as Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) must be held in an independent carbon registry approved by the VCS. VCS REDD projects may also be certified under the Community Climate Biodiversity Standard (CCBS) of the Community Climate Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA).

As far as selling bogus carbon credit certificates, since we were founded in 2000, Carbon Planet has never, and will never sell any carbon credits that haven’t been properly certified by a third party carbon certification body and held in an independent carbon credit registry. In fact, we are one of the only carbon retailers that sells properly certified carbon credits and transfers ownership to all buyers via an independent carbon registry account.

I’ve purchased carbon credits from Carbon Planet in the past, are my carbon credits okay?

Carbon Planet has only ever retailed and wholesaled carbon credits certified by reputable third party carbon credit certification bodies. This means that you can be sure that they were legally created, that payment reached rightful stakeholders, and that they represent real and additional carbon benefits. Furthermore, unlike most other carbon credit retailers, you retain legal ownership of the carbon credit once purchased.

Any carbon credits you have purchased from Carbon Planet have met our stringent procurement policy.

Did Carbon Planet pay $1.2m to the PNG Government to either buy carbon credits or be awarded projects?

As at September 7, 2009, Carbon Planet has never paid any monies to the PNG Government. Carbon Planet paid AU$1.2m in project finance to project developer Nupan Trading Corporation (PNG) Limited. Carbon Planet operates under a strict code of conduct.

What is the relationship between Nupan and Carbon Planet?

Nupan, as well as other project developers, has contracted Carbon Planet to provide the certification and trading services for its carbon projects in Papua New Guinea and other countries around the World. Nupan and Carbon Planet are not joint venture partners in any project.

Who are Nupan and Kirk Roberts?

Kirk Roberts is the principal of Nupan Trading Company Ltd. Mr Roberts has worked for some nine years in PNG, the last three concentrating on educating and informing people about the potential for not logging their forests, but rather preserving them for future generations by using Carbon Trading as a revenue source.

What are Nupan and Kirk Roberts doing in PNG?

Nupan has considerable indigenous landowner support for carbon trading. Some 6,000 people turned out of their own accord, some having walked for five and six days, to get to Apenda Village to witness the handover ceremony from Timothy Tepi to “Roberts” (as he is known in PNG), on behalf of the 45,000 people of East Pangia.

To the best of our knowledge, at no time has Kirk promised any amount of money for carbon trading. On the contrary, Kirk has always said that the free market overseas will determine what the value of a Wontok Credit (http://www.carbonowontok.org/) is, and this can only be achieved via a rigorous process of consultation, education, and documentation.

For three years “Roberts” and a team of local people have been working to get the first Government sanctioned REDD project up, and they are now very close. The verification process is well underway, and should be concluded within the next two months.

Source: www.carbonplanet.com

Ecolour, Going Green and QWESTnet

QWESTnet presented 10 speakers in an information packed programme on Friday, while the Going Green Expo in Brisbane had hundreds of exhibitors and speakers showing their green wares, including the revolutionary ecolour paints. Going Green Expo continues until Sunday 20 September.

Ken Hickson was one of the speakers in the QWESTnet Programme Friday, as well as giving a  Going Green Seminar talk on Saturday.

The exhibition was one of the best seen in Brisbane for a long time catering for business as well as consumers looking for green solutions.

Everyone who should be there was on hand, including the ever-present Carbon Market and Super Green Me. Sustainable Insight had its bookstore and had a very well-known book ready for selling and signing.

ABC Carbon made its presence felt in many ways, but also went on a search for some new innovations. One of the best we came across was ecolour.  Here’s more about this revolutionary house paint.

PAINT A BRIGHTER FUTURE TODAY

The ecolour story

If you care about the planet and your health, using an eco-friendly paint in the home, school or workplace makes sense.

ecolour is an Australian manufacturer that produces premium quality, climate friendly, water-based paints. With ZERO Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), ecolour paints are entirely non-toxic to people and the environment.

ecolour’s General Manager Stuart McPhee says, when choosing paint, you need to consider the health of your family.

Regular paints release toxic solvents and petrochemicals into the air as they dry. These are known as

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and are proven to contribute to many health conditions including cancer, sick building syndrome, breathing difficulties, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and blurred vision.

VOCs can continue out gassing for many years after application severely reducing the

quality of your indoor air.

But ZERO VOCs are not the only part of the ecolour story. Besides the health benefits, ecolour is the first climate friendly paint on the market to use a waste product as a key ingredient.

Backed by 20 years of research and development, this Australian invention turns recycled re-refined waste engine oil into water-based paint.

Australia currently burns more than 240 million litres of waste oil per year as a furnace fuel, which produces high carbon emissions. Yet for ecolour, the oil acts as a preservative and provides durability, superior coverage and smooth application qualities to the paint.

Once you use our paint you’ll never use anything else.

“Few eco paints can match ecolour’s ZERO VOC status, and none can match our climate friendliness. In addition our paints are competitively priced, making them an affordable alternative. So there is now no need to compromise your health, the environment or your wallet.”

To reduce your carbon footprint and paint a brighter future, get more information (and paint) from ecolour. The company is based at Byron Bay, New South Wales.

Source: www.ecolour.com.au, www.goinggreenexpo.com.au and www.derm.qld.gov.au

Message from the Editor

By nature and by action, I’m obviously far too polite. In my newsletter and in my book, I have consistently and fairly raised issues, reported on the words of prominent people and organisations, and set out opportunities or action. I have been quietly critical of Governments and business leaders from time to time. Did anyone notice? Did anyone in Government stop and think? Maybe I need to stop being so passive and raise my voice louder and harder. Someone told me the other day I’m doing such a good job that it’s what Government should be doing. Educating and informing about climate change awareness and action. Speaking of Government, I offered to personally present the Prime Minister with a copy of my book, but his office said this wasn’t possible. But he had time to launch a book by Paul Kelly on political leaders! I personally presented Penny Wong with a signed copy of my book. So far not a whisper of acknowledgment. What’s wrong with this Government when it cannot even acknowledge the works and words of others who are communicating and campaigning to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the climate and the country? This issue of Express – our 76^th – has some very hard hitting messages. Will someone, somewhere put up a hand and agree to act? – Ken Hickson