Posted on June 20, 2008 by Dennis Pfaff
- In a move that we'll probably hear more about as word gets around, the Schwarzenegger administration in California has advised cities, counties and other agencies approving projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act that they can't ignore ignore greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, according to the California Planning and Development Report.
- The troubled European carbon trading market, which got off to a poor start by issuing too many permits at the outset, provides a cautionary tale and a warning that such approaches could collapse, despite their political popularity, in this piece from The New York Times.
- Meanwhile, carbon trading markets combined with skyrocketing oil prices could actually harm efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, at least according to some analyses reported by Environmental Capital, the Wall Street Journal environmental blog.
- But at the same time, demands that world leaders take action on climate change are coming from ... big and powerful corporations, because they stand to gain; Environmental Capital again.
- Could it be that energy and environmental issues such as climate change are going to play a big role in the presidential election? Republican Sen. John McCain has been talking about the issue a lot lately, notably calling for more oil drilling and nuclear power. Now, the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers endorse Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, with a wind generator as a backdrop, as noted by Grist.
- Renewable energy experts and advocates wrapping up a major conference in New York warn that recent upticks in investment might be clouded by uncertainty over the future of renewable energy tax credits, according to Clean Edge.
- In what was called a "bold political gamble," Canada's opposition Liberals have proposed a raft of new carbon taxes despite record energy prices, reports Reuters.
- Tupelo honey could be in trouble because the trees that provide the nectar for the celebrated sweet treat are disappearing; some blame government policies leading to water reductions, says this story from the Tallahassee Democrat.
