Posted on June 27, 2014 by Bob Berwyn
‘No action is clearly the most expensive solution of all’
Global warming ramped up in May with a record-high average temperature worldwide.
FRISCO — Inaction on climate change is probably the costliest option for the European Union, which could not only see direct costs of €190 billion, but also a net loss of 1.8 percent of its current GDP. Premature mortality accounts for more than half of the overall welfare losses (€120 billion), followed by impacts on coasts (€42 billion) and agriculture (€18 billion).
“No action is clearly the most expensive solution of all. Why pay for the damages when we can invest in reducing our climate impacts and becoming a competitive low-carbon economy?” said Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action. “Taking action and taking a decision on the 2030 climate and energy framework in October, will bring us just there and make Europe ready for the fight against climate change,” she said. Continue reading
Filed under: climate and weather, extreme weather, global warming | Tagged: climate change impacts, climate costs, Environment, EU, global warming | Leave a comment »
Posted on January 18, 2014 by Bob Berwyn
Continued use of coal will make it tough for Europe to meet emissions targets.
By Summit Voice
FRISCO — Europe could cuts it greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent at a moderate cost, using existing technologies, according to an international multi-model analysis by the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum.
The researchers shared their findings just as the European Commission prepares to announce whether it will scale up its efforts on emissions reduction in the next decade. Continue reading
Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, global warming | Tagged: Environment, EU, Europe, greenhouse gases | Leave a comment »
Posted on November 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn
The world community once again will try to find a way to limit airline greenhouse gas emissions.
Hopes are high for a global agreement
By Summit Voice
FRISCO — In a move that was emblematic of this congressional session’s futility, the House Tuesday passed an unprecedented bill that would give the executive branch the power to ban airlines from complying with recognized international law — the only problem is, the law that it’s aimed at has already been temporarily suspended for a year.
At issue are European Union regulations regarding airline carbon emissions. The EU rules are aimed at reducing heat-trapping greenhouse gases, but have been put on hold for flights to and from the EU pending the outcome of talks aimed at developing a global plan for the airline industry, which, for the most part, has been kicking and screaming all the way to the table.
The EU rules added a few dollars to the cost of a transatlantic flight, hardly a financial burden, but U.S. airlines whined and lobbied Congress for relief rather than working proactively to address the problem. The EU announced its decision in this press conference (video), saying it wanted to contribute to “positive climate” surrounding the new international talks. Continue reading
Filed under: air quality, Environment, global warming, greenhouse gases, transportation, Travel | Tagged: airline carbon emissions, Aviation Environment Federation, Environment, EU, global warming, ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organization | 1 Comment »
Posted on October 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn
The Elbe River.
Ibuprofen and chemicals from personal care products found in surprising concentrations as part of EU water quality research
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — After a major in-depth analysis of organic pollutants in four major European river basins, scientists concluded that pesticides are an even bigger problem than previously assumed. At least 38 percent of the substances studied are present in concentrations high enough to affect aquatic organisms.
Most of the substances classified as a risk to the environment in the study were pesticides and the majority of these are not on the European list of priority substances which have to be monitored regularly. As a result, the scientists said there is an urgent need to update the EU water framework directive. The study, published last week in the journal Science of the Total Environment, clearly shows that contamination by organic chemicals is a problem throughout Europe. Continue reading
Filed under: Environment, rivers, Summit County news, water | Tagged: Danube, Elbe, Environment, EU, European Union, pesticide pollution, rivers, Summit County News, Water Framework Directive, water quality | 1 Comment »