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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for August 25, 2015
Posted: 25 Aug 2015 12:53:07
This is a service of the California Air Resources Board’s Office of Communications. You may need to sign in or register with individual websites to view some of the following news articles. UN CLIMATE TALKS Gambia Ahead in Preparation for UN Climate Change Meeting. The minister of Environment, Climate Change, Water, Forestry and Wildlife said The Gambia has completed the preparation of her Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) ahead of many countries, thus making the country among the few African countries to do so. http://allafrica.com/stories/201508251601.html United Nations’ Paris summit: India's climate plan to have sectoral goals. India's climate action plan ahead of the United Nations' Paris summit in December will come with sector-specific emphasis on emission reduction. The Union environment ministry has held at least five rounds of meetings with key infrastructure ministries to help clarify the definition, scope and approach for preparing India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to be submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), officials from various government departments told ET. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/united-nations-paris-summit-indias-climate-plan-to-have-sectoral-goals/articleshow/48660566.cms CAP AND TRADE $2.2B in cap-and-trade funds begins flowing, boosting rail, housing, clean cars. California is starting to dole out nearly $2.2 billion generated by its cap-and-trade program to cut carbon emissions, allocating funds to hundreds of projects. Winners include regional rail, electric car rebates and rooftop solar for low-income residents. Revenue from auctions of pollution permits under the system has bolstered the state's budget. A database compiled by ClimateWire shows for the first time precisely where funds have been directed. It reveals that more than $1.4 billion has been pledged to more than 350 recipients. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/08/25/stories/1060023868 How carbon credit scheme resulted in even more greenhouse gas emissions The use of carbon credits – offsetting pollution from one source by preventing it at another – under the Kyoto climate treaty may have worsened climate change instead of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, a new study indicates. The authors of the study say that offsets that were created under the United Nations' scheme significantly undermined the efforts to address climate change and estimate it actually increased emissions by some 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0825/How-carbon-credit-program-resulted-in-even-more-greenhouse-gas-emissions AIR POLLUTION What Does That Air Pollution Reading Actually Mean? Recent advances in satellite measurements and portable air sensors have made it easier than ever to track fine particulate matter—the tiny junk that gets in your lungs and causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease. But accurate measurements alone are not enough; you have to be able to interpret them. The World Health Organization guideline for safe air is an annual average of 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5, for instance, but what does that really mean to the average person? http://www.citylab.com/weather/2015/08/what-does-that-air-pollution-reading-actually-mean/402142/ CLIMATE CHANGE Climate Change Symposium Kicks Off In Sacramento. California is already dealing with the effects of climate change, but scientists and policy experts are discussing how to better manage and adapt to those effects during the California Climate Change Symposium in Sacramento. Managing the state's water resources is a top concern. Scientists released a study last week that found climate change is intensifying the drought in California. Peter Gleick with the Pacific Institute says the state should prepare for more hydrological extremes, both drought and flooding. He says the drought is bringing unexpected consequences to California’s climate picture. http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/08/24/climate-change-symposium-kicks-off-in-sacramento/ DROUGHT Water use in Bakersfield hits and misses state's conservation targets. Customers of California Water Service Co. in Bakersfield deserve a pat on the back: They not only met but far exceeded the state's conservation mandate for July. Water use in the district fell 38.9 percent in July compared to July 2013, easily surpassing the district’s 32 percent requirement, Cal Water Bakersfield district manager Rudy Valles said. http://www.bakersfield.com/news/2015/08/24/cal-water-cust.html FUELS Biofuel Use Saved 589.3 Million Tons of Carbon Emissions Over the Past Decade. Over its 10-year lifespan, the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) requirement to substitute biofuels for fossil fuels has displaced nearly 1.9 billion barrels of foreign oil and reduced U.S. transportation-related carbon emissions by 589.33 million metric tons, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) finds in an analysis released today. http://www.pharmiweb.com/pressreleases/pressrel.asp?ROW_ID=126419#.VdyyVvlVhBd Fossil-Fuel Industry Can’t Stop Renewable Energy, Obama Says President Barack Obama pledged to provide incentives to support investments in renewable energy, saying the industry will thrive despite opposition by Republicans and fossil-fuel suppliers.The White House on Monday announced a $1 billion increase in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects, $24 million in new grants for solar research and measures to reduce costs for homeowners to install solar panels. The government also said it would approve a transmission line for a large solar plant in Riverside County, California. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-25/fossil-fuel-industry-can-t-stop-renewable-energy-obama-says VEHICLES Tesla rival seeking billion-dollar California factory? Here’s what we know. Could California finally drive off with a new billion-dollar factory for electric cars? A secretive electric car developer recently announced that it's scouting several locations for a new factory, fueling speculation about a state tax-credit race similar to last year’s push for Tesla's gigafactory. http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/blog/morning-roundup/2015/08/tesla-rival-seeking-billion-dollar-california.html?ana=e_sac_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2015-08-25&u=mWGE3JCkQISFrrs/NMmWBIotlWU&t=1440519282 Tech startups want to change the way you drive. A veteran computer scientist hates sitting in his car at stop lights, so he creates software that makes the experience less annoying. A former engineering professor wants to double the range of today's electric vehicles. And an aeronautics expert believes flying cars shouldn't be science fiction. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEC_AUTOS_TECH_STARTUPS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT GREEN ENERGY Solar, wind power draw Obama support at Vegas energy summit. President Barack Obama brought presidential star power to tout the benefits of solar electricity in Western states during an annual green power conference Monday in Las Vegas hosted by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. The president used a keynote speech to the eighth National Clean Energy Summit at the Mandalay Bay resort to endorse continuing development of wind and solar energy. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CLEAN_ENERGY_SUMMIT_VEGAS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT OPINIONS How to pay for cleaning up the Exide mess. The now-closed Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon has apparently spread toxic lead dust through a much larger area than had previously been believed, perhaps contaminating as many as 10,000 homes. That revelation by state officials this month means thousands of children may have been exposed to a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Making the properties safe for residents could require the largest cleanup of its kind in California history. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-exide-20150824-story.html Dan Walters: How could carbon cut impact us? Nancy McFadden, a top aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, last week dismissed as “ridiculous” fears that Brown’s push to reduce oil-based fuel use in California by 50 percent would mean gas rationing. She spoke during a conclave to support two measures that would commit California to making deep reductions in carbon emissions over the next few decades. http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/dan-walters/article32260479.html California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.