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What’s Behind the New Warning on Global Carbon Emissions?
Posted by National Geographic: Thomas K. Grose on June 11th, 2013
National Geographic: If the world waits until 2020 to take action on global climate change, it will undoubtedly be too late, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns in a new report. However, the Paris-based agency, which is tasked with maintaining global energy security, identified four proven policies, each relying on current technology, that could be implemented immediately. (See quiz: "What You Don't Know About World Energy.") These efforts could keep the world on track while nations work toward a more comprehensive...
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Europe’s Carbon Market Crisis: Why Does it Matter?
Posted by National Geographic: Thomas K. Grose on April 18th, 2013
National Geographic: The European Parliament this week voted 334-315 (with 60 abstentions) against a controversial "back-loading" plan that aimed to boost the flagging price of carbon, which since 2008 has fallen from about 31 euros per tonne to about 4 euros (about $5.20). Since the vote, the price has fallen even farther, to 2.80 euros. The collapsing market is hardly the kind of firm foundation needed for building a clean-energy economy. (Related: "Renewable Energy Not Growing as Fast as Necessary," and "IEA Outlook:...
As U.S. Cleans Its Energy Mix, It Ships Coal Problems Abroad
Posted by National Geographic: Thomas K. Grose on March 15th, 2013
National Geographic: Ready for some good news about the environment? Emissions of carbon dioxide in the United States are declining. But don't celebrate just yet. A major side effect of that cleaner air in the U.S. has been the further darkening of skies over Europe and Asia.
The United States essentially is exporting a share of its greenhouse gas emissions in the form of coal, data show. If the trend continues, the dramatic changes in energy use in the United States-in particular, the switch from coal to newly abundant...
U.K. Dash for Shale Gas a Test for Global Fracking
Posted by National Geographic: Thomas K. Grose on December 10th, 2012
National Geographic: The starting gun has sounded for the United Kingdom's "dash for gas," as the media here have dubbed it.
As early as this week, a moratorium on shale gas production is expected to be lifted. And plans to streamline and speed the regulatory process through a new Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil were unveiled last week in the annual autumn budget statement by the chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne.
In the U.K., where all underground mineral rights concerning fossil fuels belong to...