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United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change Homepage HEREAre the Chinese Working To Curb Their Emissions?
The draft {Alternative Energy Revitalization Plan} that is working its way through the government is a case in point. Though the complete plan has yet to be released to the public, enough important details have filtered out to confirm that China continues to vigorously remake its energy infrastructure. Significant funds are earmarked in the plan to further catalyze renewable energy development over the next ten years: the Chinese will spend in excess of 3 trillion Yuan RMB [approx. US $462 billion] on renewable energy through 2020. MORE US carbon tariffs, still long way off, draw Asia ire
Green protectionism is likely to cause unease at next week's G8 meeting in Italy and separate 17-member Major Economies Forum gathering. It is also a growing concern in U.N. talks that aim to seal a broader climate pact at the end of the year in Copenhagen. China, the world's top greenhouse gas emitter, said carbon tariffs would violate the rules of the World Trade Organisation as well as the spirit of the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol. Carbon tariffs would "seriously hurt the interests of developing countries" and "disrupt the order of international trade," the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement posted on its website. MORE Climate Declaration To Get Global Boost
The draft, seen by The Wall Street Journal, sets up a framework for detailed negotiations on the issue ahead of a United Nations climate conference in December. But it leaves key areas in the climate-change debate in dispute. The draft is subject to change ahead of a meeting of global leaders starting Wednesday. The declaration recognizes a "broad scientific view" that global temperatures shouldn't rise more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but doesn't lock in the "two-degree ceiling" that some nations and environmentalists want. Global temperatures currently are about 0.8 degree Celsius above those levels. MORE France supports greater role for Quebec in climate change talks
While Charest admitted he could not impose on Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who to include in Ottawa's official delegation to the United Nations Climate Change conference to be held in Copenhagen on December, he stressed the French-speaking Canadian province has a vital role to perform in global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He compared Quebec's role to California's lead in the U.S. to curb greenhouse gas discharges. Filion said, quoted by CanWest News Service, "It would not be abnormal that important states like Quebec be able to have their voice heard in the discussion." Charest, said in a statement, "Quebec was recognized as a leader among the Canadian provinces in the battle against climate change.... I am convinced of the important role that Canadian provinces and territories could and must play in the fight against global warming. MORE Opposition wants climate change action from Ottawa
Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of "jeopardizing international climate change efforts leading up to Copenhagen" and hurting Canada's image abroad. "While climate change threatens us all, the Harper government's stubborn inaction is leading Canada towards painful environmental trade sanctions and a costly loss of international prestige," Ignatieff said. MORE Canada and Japan blocking climate-change deal, Sir David King warns
London —Canada and Japan were blocking a possible deal on climate change at the Copenhagen summit, Sir David King, the former Chief Scientific Adviser, warned yesterday. Speaking at the World Conference of Science Journalists, Sir David said that the two countries had stepped into the breach left by the Bush Administration, which had strongly resisted cutting CO2 emissions. “Copenhagen is faltering at the moment,” said Sir David. “The Americans are now fully engaged. But several countries are blocking the process.” Governments previously were able to hide behind the US’s intransigence on climate change, he said, but the pro-climate policies being launched by the Obama administration means this is no longer possible. “The time has come for people to reveal their cards,” he told delegates. MORE RELATED:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Tory attack ad suggests Bloc soft on pedophilesMinimum sentences remove judges' discretion, Bloc Whip says The message, which was sent at taxpayers' expense in every single Bloc riding, features a blurry picture of a small boy leaving a park with an older man. The two are walking hand-in-hand, and a nearby kiddy swing is empty. “Your Bloc MP has voted against the protection of children,” the tag line states. MORE ONTARIO: Hudak urges HST rebellionNew Tory leader says McGuinty will retreat if Ontarians push back against harmonized tax
With the new 13 per cent levy less than a year away, Hudak, who won the Tory leadership on Saturday, said taxpayers have to take a stand if they want McGuinty to relent. Hudak wouldn't say if he'd repeal the tax should the Tories topple the Liberals in the 2011 election. MORE Groups refused standing at prostitution law trial
Mr. Justice Ted Matlow of the Ontario Superior Court said that the groups would be liable to turn the trial into a soapbox for spiritual views, which would be out of place in a strictly legal proceeding. Judge Matlow said that the groups struck him as being unaware that the challenge "does not provide a political platform where interested persons are permitted to speak in order to advance their personal views, beliefs, policies and interests at large." MORE Green Party of Canada... ONTARIO: Nuclear energy neither clean nor safe
Hydro will continue to produce the same amount of electricity every year; however its proportion of the energy mix will decline due to net increases in demand. Wind generates power 30 per cent of the time, solar 20 per cent and other renewables 30 to 50 per cent. Replacing all nuclear and fossil fuel energy sources with renewables by 2040 would result in this mix: 47.2 per cent hydro; 13.8 per cent wind; 7.2 per cent solar; 5.5 per cent tidal/wave; 23.1 per cent geothermal; 3.2 per cent other renewables, such as biomass and waste water. This is a manageable expectation, especially in Ontario where we have made a commitment through the Green Energy Act. The GTA has made significant progress in both renewable sources of energy and energy conservation. MORE RELATED: We must look beyond nuclear energy for other options newsdurhamregion.com
U.N. to Study Potential Threats to Canada-U.S. World Heritage SiteConservation photographers set for expedition to British Columbia's Flathead Valley near Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Decades-long concerns over energy and mining development proposals near a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Canada-U.S. border have prompted the agency to launch a fact-finding mission to investigate potential threats to the region.
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July 3, 2009 |
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