Happy New Year!

In 2011 people got increasingly involved with efforts to combat climate change. President Obama listened to demonstrators and postponed the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline pending further investigation. More businesses than ever assumed a leadership role by engaging environmental sustainability and despite setbacks, renewable energy continued to grow. Even COP 17 exceeded expectations with a binding agreement that represents an important step in the right direction.

Last year was also a challenging year for the environment and the global economy. Extreme weather all around the globe made it harder to ignore the catastrophic impacts of a changing climate. Levels of CO2 continued to rise despite all the evidence encouraging us to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. Oil spills and tar sands development dominated headlines. In the US, political obstructionism reigned supreme as the Republican controlled House made it impossible to even consider legislation related to energy or the environment.

The year to come will no doubt be full of similar challenges, but we can overcome if we persevere and work together. Ignorance is the single greatest obstacle we face. To combat it we need to inform people about the urgency of climate change and equally importantly, we need to educate them about the opportunities afforded by the green economy.

As 2011 comes to an end and we look forward to 2012, we want to thank all of the more than one hundred thousand readers of The Green Market. This year we reached more people than ever and next year we will keep expanding our reach.

We hope you will join us in fighting for a science based understanding of climate change, we hope you will keep striving to adopt greener business practices and we hope you will keep pressing the different levels of government to adopt greener legislation.

We are making a difference and together we can succeed in saving the world from the clutches of runaway climate change. The Green Market will be there in 2012, with its ongoing mission of providing news, information, and resources to help businesses be more sustainable.

Please help to spread the word by following along and sharing our posts, but most of all stay in touch and let us know what you are doing so that together we can build a greener world.

Here is to fighting the good fight for a more sustainable economy in 2012!

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

GM Collaborating with LG to Develop EVs

Consumer electronics leader LG Group, the second largest South Korean conglomerate, is expanding its collaborating with with automotive giant General Motors (GM), the largest US automaker. The new partnership will see the two companies team up to design and build hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The partnership will have engineers from both companies working on component, structural and architectural designs for cars. The two companies are already partners in the electric vehicle market. LG Chem, a unit of LG, currently supplies lithium-ion battery cells for G.M.'s Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera.

GM already uses hardware produced by LG for its OnStar system. LG also worked with GM on a demonstration fleet of electric Chevy Cruze in Korea last year fitted by the company's battery pack and motor inverter.
G.M. hopes the LG deal will benefit both companies in an increasingly competitive efficient vehicle sector.

"Many solutions for tomorrow's transportation needs may be available more quickly by building on our partnership strategy," said G.M. Vice Chairman Steve Girsky. "Consumers benefit by getting the latest fuel-saving technology faster if we work with the best suppliers and we save time and money in the development process."

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Crucial Role of Public Private Partnerships in US Battery Technology

Public private collaborations have played a fundamental role advancing the US position in the development of commercial scale energy storage systems for cell phones, laptops, hybrids and electric vehicles. National laboratories conduct vital research that make it possible for the private sector to achieve commercial scale.

According to Jeff Chamberlain, who currently heads up battery research and development for Argonne National Lab, "In the U.S., businesses tend to invest in research that will pay off in the short term. National laboratories are filling a gap by conducting the essential research that will change the game 10 to 20 years down the road."

In the late 1990s the Energy Department’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences funded an extensive study of lithium-ion batteries. Their findings led the team at Argonne National Lab to focus on reworking the chemistry of the cathode, the positively charged portion of the battery.

What their research discovered revolutionized the battery industry. The researchers utilized new synthesis methods to develop a manganese-rich cathode that not only surpassed existing batteries in safety and capacity, but also cost less to manufacture due to the low market price of manganese.

"Existing materials weren't good enough for a high-range vehicle," explained Michael Thackeray, an Argonne Distinguished Fellow who helped develop the new cathode. The Argonne materials marked “a big step forward in extending the range for an electric vehicle."

This new approach to storage effectively addressed three of the major obstacles standing in the way of a mass produced electric vehicle:

1. Cost
2. Lifespan
3. Driving range

Once the technology was created the private sector stepped in to reach commercial scale.

Argonne partnered with companies such as LG Chem and Envia Systems to help adapt its battery technology for large-scale production. These partnerships have produced a supply chain that’s creating jobs all across the country and allowed revolutionary cars such as the Chevy Volt to go from concept to commercial reality.

As stated by Chamberlain, “We're developing technology that I'm highly confident will help make plug-in hybrid cars more economic. The work at Argonne ends up in the hands of taxpayers who paid for research. This is a fulcrum, a key component to moving away from fossil fuels."

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Ford Collaboration with Zipcar

Ford and Zipcar are collaborating to deploy hundreds of car-sharing vehicles in college campuses. Car sharing is a more environmentally sustainable approach to transportation than ownership. It is an important way of minimizing traffic and emissions.

Through the Students with Drive grant program, Ford will provide $300,000 in grants to be awarded to student organizations and universities.Through the collaboration with Ford, Zipcar is able to offer $10 off the $35 annual membership fee for the first 100,000 new University members to sign up, plus $1 off the Zipcar hourly rate for the first 1 million hours of use on any of the new Ford vehicles at selected colleges and universities.

From October 2011 through April 2012, Ford will reward five student organizations across the country with $5,500 in Zipcar credits to put toward memberships and driving. Each month, 10 runner-up organizations also will be awarded with $1,000 each in Zipcar credits. Monthly winners will be featured in the Zipcar University monthly newsletter and on the "Students with Drive" Facebook tab, as they share updates on their use of Zipcar funds throughout the year.

The Zipcar partnership is yet another example of how Ford is leading the way with innovative green collaborations.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Ford and Toyota Collaborating on Hybrid Technology and Telematics

Ford and Toyota announced that they are working together on a new more efficient hybrid system and advanced telematics. Ford has developed an excellent reputation for trucks, and Toyota has owned the hybrid car market for a couple decades. So, it stands to reason that the two should be partnering to develop a hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

As stated in an August 2011 press release, "Ford and Toyota have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the product development collaboration, with the formal agreement expected by next year." That understanding will see them acting as equal partners to create a new rear-wheel drive hybrid platform which will be ready for use later this decade.

Although Ford and Toyota had each been pursuing hybrid truck and SUV platforms, the two companies believe that "their collaboration will allow them to bring these hybrid technologies to customers sooner and more affordably than either company could have accomplished alone."

"This agreement brings together the capability of two global leaders in hybrid vehicles and hybrid technology to develop a better solution more quickly and affordably for our customers," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "Ford achieved a breakthrough with the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and we intend to do this again for a new group of truck and SUV buyers – customers we know very well."

Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota executive vice president, Research & Development, said: "In 1997, we launched the first-generation Prius, the world's first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid. Since then, we have sold about 3.3 million hybrid vehicles. We expect to create exciting technologies that benefit society with Ford – and we can do so through the experience the two companies have in hybrid technology."

The two companies also agreed to work together on enablers to complement each company's existing telematics platform standards, helping bring more Internet-based services and useful information to consumers globally.

"By working together, we will be able to serve our customers with the very best affordable, advanced powertrains, delivering even better fuel economy," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. "This is the kind of collaborative effort that is required to address the big global challenges of energy independence and environmental sustainability."

Toyota President Akio Toyoda added: "Toyota is extremely proud to join Ford in developing a hybrid system for pickup trucks and SUVs. Not only is this tie-up clearly one aimed at making automobiles ever better, it should also become an important building block for future mobility in the U.S. By building a global, long-term relationship with Ford, our desire is to be able to continue to provide people in America automobiles that exceed their expectations."

Both companies have agreed to collaborate on standards and technologies needed to enable a safer, more secure and more convenient in-car experience for next-generation telematics systems.

"Ford has made tremendous progress in the area of telematics," Kuzak said. "We have unique and very good solutions today with SYNC and MyFordTouch. Working together on in-vehicle standards can only enhance our customers' experience with their vehicles."

Uchiyamada added: "Toyota has also invested heavily in telematics in various countries around the world, with services like the G-BOOK and G-Link. In the U.S., we have just introduced the accessible, easy-to-use Entune. By sharing our know-how and experience, we would like to offer even better telematics services in the future."

The collaboration between Ford and Toyota is likely to produce results that will set industry standards. The two automotive giants will create the next generation of telematics and in-car Internet based technology systems. They will also create a rear-wheel-drive hybrid system that delivers a major improvement in fuel efficiency.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Fisker Buying Engines from BMW for New Cars

Electric vehicle developer California based Fisker Automotive is collaborating with Germany's BMW to procure the engines for upcoming Fisker mid-sized cars. Since its inception in 2007 Fisker has been working on luxury high-performing extended-range electric cars. The current generation of cars is sold under the name Karma, it has an all-electric drive range of more than 50 miles (51.6 miles or 83 km) and a solar roof. The Karma can go from 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds (5.9 seconds).

In September 2009 the US Department of Energy awarded the company $528.7 million loan guarantee to further develop the Fisker’s first plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) the Karma and a new vehicle that goes under the code named Project NINA.

Fisker expects to invest $195 million in the project over the next three years. When fully operationally Fisker expects its new manufacturing facility to have a production capacity of 100,000 vehicles a year. This is the exact number of four-cylinder turbocharged engines it has ordered from BMW.

Fisker‘s CEO and Executive Design Director, Henrik Fisker said that with BMW’s track record of producing the most fuel efficient engines it was the “obvious choice” for Fisker’s new line of cars.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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GM and BMW are Collaborating on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development

General Motors and BMW are planning to collaborate on hydrogen fuel-cell technology for passenger cars. GM has invested almost $2 billion in development costs of hydrogen fuel-cell systems. GM focuses its fuel-cell R&D in Germany, which lends itself well to the possible collaboration.

BMW failed in its efforts to develop cryogenic hydrogen which is why the company is looking to partner with GM's research efforts. BMW will contribute to research costs in exchange for the technology developed by GM.

BMW is also involved in a joint partnership with PSA Peugeot-Citroën to co-develop hybrid systems and a collaboration with Toyota for lithium-ion battery development.

One of the issues that will inhibit the rapid proliferation of hydrogen cars in the US is the lack of refueling infrastructure.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Hybrids Could Substantially Reduce US Fossil Fuel Consumption

Barry Stevens, PhD, is the Managing Director of TBD America, Inc., here is his response to a question about the impact on petroleum usage if all passenger vehicles in the US were as energy efficient as Toyota's Prius.

To respond to this question Mr Stevens analyzed the fuel requirements for the 137 million passenger cars in the US (his analysis excluded over 100 million other vehicles registered in the US). It was determined that if all passenger cars in the US were as efficient as the Toyota prius, there would be a 19% gross savings in fossil fuel consumption.

A 19% reduction in petroleum consumption is significant, it would potentially render all oil imports from Persian Gulf counties unnecessary. The economic cost of replacing all 137 million gasoline burning passenger vehicles in the US with hybrids or EVs would be about $3.4 trillion.

The move to hybrids and EVs would be of immense benefit to the environment, but Americans would also benefit as lower amounts of smog and less air pollution would reduce disease and deaths.

To view Steven's spreadsheet, follow the calculations and understand the rationale, click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Global Demand for Hybrid Vehicles

The worldwide market for all vehicles will grow by about four percent per year over the next six years, analysts at Pike Research estimate that the electric vehicle market will grow at a rate of almost 20 percent over the same time frame.

According to the report, “Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts”, by 2017, 3.1 percent of global auto sales will be hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

The Pike research corroborates a 2006 study entitled "World Hybrid-Electric Vehicles to 2010" which predicted that global demand for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) will grow twenty percent annually. Gains for these fuel-efficient vehicles will be driven by erratic fuel prices, increased emissions regulations and lowering HEV cost disparities. The US, Western Europe and Japan will remain the top markets, with China catching up fast.

The study reviewed market research, market share, market size, sales, demand forecast, market leaders, company profiles and industry tends.

This study analyzed the then $2.8 billion world hybrid-electric vehicle industry. It presents historical demand data for 2000 and 2005 and forecasts to 2010, 2015 and 2020 by HEV type (full hybrid, mild hybrid); by segment (passenger car, light truck); by world geographical region (e.g., North America, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific); and for 12 leading national markets.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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EV Sales Predictions in the US

Analysts expect the sales of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to significantly increase in the US over the next several years. The anticipated annual growth rate is expected to be 43 percent between 2011 and 2017. Annual sales will reach approximately 360,000 vehicles by 2017.

According to the report, “Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts”, by 2017, 3.1 percent of global auto sales will be hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Demand will be strong in the US where these vehicles will account for 5.1 percent of total domestic vehicle sales in 2017.

Within the US, the PEV market is currently led by two key models, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf. However, this may change as Ford is expecting to provide a wide array of models and recharging equipment.

The Pike report suggests that Ford will likely take the market lead by 2017 with 23.6% PEV market share. Toyota (with a plug-in version of its popular Prius) and General Motors will likely find themselves fighting for second with 21.1% and 20.7% market share, respectively.

Tesla can expect a market share for its startup is expected to grow to 4.6% by 2017 from 2.2% in 2011.

As the most populous states, California, New York and Florida will see the highest sales. However, when assessed as a percentage of total vehicle sales, smaller states will outperform larger ones. A 2011 report from Pike Research indicates that Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Delaware will all be among the top states for PEV penetration.

PEV sales of total light-duty vehicle sales in 2017 are expected to be 6.3 percent in Hawaii, 5.4 percent in California and Oregon, 4.6 percent in Washington, D.C. , and 4.5 percent in Delaware .

Part of the sales of PEVs are determined by availability. New York and California account for more than half of the available PEVs in the US, while Southern and rural states have limited PEV availability.

Pike Research's "Index of Positive Opinion" toward PEVs indicate that consumers in each state have differing attitudes toward EVs. The research shows that in certain regions like Northern California people are very positively disposed towards EV whereas in places like North Dakota people have a very negative opinion of EVs.

To see Pike Research's report, "Electric Vehicle Geographic Forecasts", click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Ford's Solar Powered Charging Stations

Ford Motor Company is using SunPower Corp.’s panels for its solar electric vehicle charging system. The charging stations will fuel Ford's new EVs (Focus Electric and C-Max Energi). The system employs rooftop solar panels which feeds power to an electric vehicle charger. Under Ford’s “Drive Green for Life” program customers can get the 2.5-kilowatt solar-powered charging station for under $10,000. The price includes federal tax credits but not state or local rebates. Loans and leases to offset the cost of the solar roof are also available.

The solar roof comes with a residential monitoring device that tracks the performance of the array and displays it on the Web or through an iPhone application. It will produce an average of 3,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, enough for a car owner who drives 1,000 miles per month. The Focus has an average range of 100 miles. Ford plans to start selling the Focus this year and C-Max Energi in 2012.

In January 2011, Ford partnered with retailer Best Buy to sell a 240-volt home charging station. "The goal of working with both SunPower and Best Buy was to offer Focus Electric owners solutions to charging needs that help lower the vehicle's overall cost of ownership," said Mike Tinskey, Ford’s director of global vehicle electrification and infrastructure.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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GM's Solar Powered Charging Stations

GM Ventures L.L.C., the venture capital arm of General Motors Corporation is investing $7.5 million in Sunlogics P.L.C. a maker of electric vehicle charging stations. As part of the Chevrolet Green Zone program, Sunlogics will construct solar charging stations for GM. These “solar canopies” charge electric cars with low weight photovoltaic panels. The solar charging stations are rated at 20 kilowatts and can take up to 24 electric vehicle spaces.

Sunlogics will also install solar canopies at GM’s Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric car dealerships as well as large-scale solar arrays to be installed on GM’s facilities. Sunlogics plans to open factories in Detroit and Ontario.

GM has three solar roofs installed on its facilities, two of which were built by Sunlogics. The car maker’s 12-MW solar roof at its car assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain is currently the world’s largest.

The GM deal is not Sunlogics’ first solar E.V. charging station deal. It has partnered with battery company Energizer to develop E.V. chargers and other solar equipment to be sold under the Energizer Brand.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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GM's Greener Manufacturing of Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM produces fuel efficient cars like the Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway. GM also produces the well known Chevy Volt which allows up to 50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles.

GM is serious about addressing climate change. "Chevy's Volt and its clean energy investment both exemplify the bold leadership businesses can take today to address our changing climate," Goddard Claussen said." Its commitment to community-focused clean energy and energy efficiency investments will drive change and increase awareness across the country."

Other green initiatives from GM include reducing water use by nearly 35 percent between 2005 and 2009 at manufacturing facilities worldwide; decreasing fossil fuel at GM plants by using landfill gas, hydro and solar power; recycling 90 percent of the waste the company generates; and operating 75 landfill-free facilities, more than half of its manufacturing plants globally.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Chevrolet is Investing 40 Million to Offset its Car's Emissions

Chevrolet has announced that it is investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Its goal is to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over next few years. The company plans to invest $40 million on efforts that reduce environmental impacts. The initiative is focused on projects that promote energy savings, renewable energy, responsible use of natural resources and conservation in communities across the U.S.

Chevrolets efforts are equal to eliminating the carbon emissions from the electricity usasge of almost one million (970,874) homes or 1.7 million acres of pine forest.

These initiatives are equivalent to one year of emissions from driving all the cars GM expects to sell in th U.S. in 2011 (1.9 million vehicles).

Chevrolet's clean energy investments include efforts like wind, solar and forestry projects, methane capture from landfills, providing energy efficient technology to schools and other community-based facilities.

"GM has made great progress in reducing our environmental impact, but we know we can do more," said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson. "Chevrolet's investment is an extension of the environmental initiatives we've been undertaking for years because the solution to global environmental challenges goes beyond just vehicles."

Chevrolet is making investments through third-party organizations with the help of environmental experts, non-government organizations and academics through the Climate Neutral Business Network.

"Chevy is an iconic emblem of America and it is a big deal that it is stepping forward to address one of our greatest challenges – moving us toward a low-carbon future," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "Chevy is clearly demonstrating that companies can act now and help propel clean energy solutions."

For more information about Chevrolet's clean energy investment initiatives, click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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State of the Climate Global Analysis Nov 2011


Anyone who remains unconvinced of the veracity of climate change need only review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) State of the Climate Global Analysis for November 2011.

According to NOAA data, 2010 is tied with 2005 as the warmest year in 131 years of global land and sea temperatures and 2011 is the 12th warmest year on record.

Global Highlights
  • The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for November 2011 was the 12th warmest on record at 13.35°C (55.81°F), which is 0.45°C (0.81°F) above the 20th century average of 12.9°C (55.0°F). The margin of error is +/- 0.07°C (0.13°F).
  • Separately, the global land surface temperature was 0.61°C (1.10°F) above the 20th century average of 5.9°C (42.6°F), making this the 16th warmest November on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.11°C (0.20°F).
  • Warmer-than-average conditions occurred across central and eastern North America, Northern and Western Europe, northern Russia, most of China and the Middle East, southeastern Australia, and southern South America.
  • Cooler-than-average regions included Alaska, western Canada, much of Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, and southwestern Russia.

Separately, the global land surface temperature was 0.61°C (1.10°F) above the 20th century average of 5.9°C (42.6°F), making this the 16th warmest November on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.11°C (0.20°F).

The November global ocean surface temperature was 0.39°C (0.70°F) above the 20th century average of 15.8°C (60.4°F), making it the 12th warmest November on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.04°C (0.07°F). The warmth was most pronounced across the north central and northwest Pacific, the Labrador Sea, and portions of the mid-latitude Southern oceans..

The November global ocean surface temperature was 0.39°C (0.70°F) above the 20th century average of 15.8°C (60.4°F), making it the 12th warmest November on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.04°C (0.07°F).

The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the September – November period was 0.52°C (0.94°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.1°F), making it the 12th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.09°C (0.16°F.

The September – November worldwide land surface temperature was 0.87°C (1.57°F) above the 20th century average, the seventh warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.17°C (0.31°F).
The global ocean surface temperature for September – November was 0.39°C (0.70°F) above the 20th century average and was the 12th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.04°C (0.07°F).

The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January – November period was 0.52°C (0.94°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.2°F), making it the 11th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.09°C (0.16°F).

The January – November worldwide land surface temperature was 0.84°C (1.51°F) above the 20th century average — the seventh warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.20°C (0.36°F).
The global ocean surface temperature for the year to date was 0.41°C (0.74°F) above the 20th century average and was the 11th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.04°C (0.07°F).

The climate phenomenon La Niña continued through November, which helped produce cooler—although still above-average—temperatures on a global scale compared with previous months. The average temperature over land was 0.61°C (1.10°F) above the 20th century average. This marks the coolest monthly average temperature anomaly over land since February 2011 and the coolest November land temperature since 2000. However, it was the 16th warmest November since records began in 1880. Regionally, warmer-than-average conditions occurred across central and eastern North America, Northern and Western Europe, northern Russia, most of China and the Middle East, southeastern Australia, and southern South America.

The November average monthly temperature in Norway was 4.6°C (8.3°F) above average, making this month the country's warmest November since records began in 1900. The average temperature for Northern Norway was 5.3°C (9.5°F) above normal, also a new November record.

According to the UK Met Office, November 2011 was the second warmest November on record for the United Kingdom, Behind 1994, at 2.9°C (5.2°F) above normal. Provisionally, Scotland recorded its warmest November on record.

In Asia, China reported its third warmest November since national records began in 1951, according to the Beijing Climate Center. It was the warmest November on record in 12 provinces and second warmest in four provinces.

Cooler-than-average regions around the globe included Alaska, western Canada, much of Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, and southwestern Russia. Alaska reported its sixth coolest November on record.

Land tends to absorb and release heat much faster than water. Thus, land temperatures generally fluctuate more rapidly than ocean surface temperatures and this is well illustrated by the global anomaly differences between October and November 2011. While the November land surface temperature anomaly was 0.61°C (1.10°F) and 16th warmest November on record, the October 2011 land temperature was 1.10°C (1.98°F) above average and was the second warmest October on record—a difference of 0.49°C (0.88°F). On the other hand, both the October and November global ocean temperature anomalies were 0.39°C (0.70°F), ranking 11th and 12th warmest for their respective months. In fact, the global monthly ocean temperature anomaly has remained between 0.35°C (0.63°F) and 0.47°C (0.85°F) during all of 2011 to date—a range of only 0.12°C (0.22°F).

La Niña conditions during November kept east central Pacific Ocean surface waters nearly 1°C below average for that region. Sea surface temperatures were also below average in the southern Atlantic Ocean and other parts of the mid-latitude southern oceans. It was notably warmer-than-average across the north central and north west Pacific Ocean, the Labrador Sea, and the southern Indian Ocean. As stated above, the globally averaged ocean temperature was the 12th warmest November on record, but was the coolest November since 2007. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC), La Niña is expected to peak during December 2011–January 2012 and continue through the Northern Hemisphere spring 2012.

Combining the monthly global land and ocean temperatures, November ranked as the 12th warmest November since records began, at 0.45°C (0.81°F) above average, making this the 26th consecutive November and 321st consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last month with below-average temperatures was February 1985. However, November 2011 also marks the coolest November since 2000 and the lowest above-average monthly temperature since February 2011.

La Niña conditions were present during all three Northern Hemisphere autumn (Southern Hemisphere spring) months. Over land, temperatures were notably above normal across most of the Northern Hemisphere higher latitudes, including most of Canada, Northern Europe, and most of Russia. It was cooler than normal in much of the Middle East and part of eastern Russia. The November land temperature was 0.88°C (1.58°F) above average, making this the seventh warmest global land November on record.

Norway recorded its warmest autumn since records began in 1900. The average temperature was 3.0°C (5.4°F) above average, topping the previous record set in 2000 of 2.8°C (5.0°F) above average. It was also Finland's warmest autumn since 1938.

It was the second warmest autumn on record for the United Kingdom in more than a century, with temperatures 2.1°C (3.8°F) above average. November 2006 was the warmest at 2.3°C (4.1°F) above average. In Central England, autumn temperatures were the second warmest in at least 350 years.

While the nationally averaged November temperature for Austria was only about 1°C above normal, the average temperature at high elevation stations was 2.6°C above average, giving this region the second warmest November in the country's 161-year period of record. The warmest autumn in the high-elevation alpine regions occurred in 2006, with temperatures 3.2°C above average, according to Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG), Austria's National Meteorological Service.

It was the 12th warmest September–November across the global oceans. Sea surface temperatures were warmer than average across the north central and north west Pacific Ocean and parts of the mid-latitude southern oceans. Ocean temperatures were cooler than average in the east central Pacific Ocean, where La Niña conditions were observed, as well as the north east Pacific, the southern Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the mid-latitude southern oceans.

The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for September–November was the 11th warmest such period on record and the coolest since 2007, at 0.53°C (0.95°F) above the 20th century average.

La Niña conditions were present in the east central Pacific Ocean during 2011 to date, with the exception of April through July, when ENSO-neutral conditions prevailed. The January–November 2011 global combined land and ocean temperature anomaly of 0.53°C (0.95°F) was the 11th warmest such period on record but the coolest since 2008 (0.50°C / 0.90°F), which was also a La Niña year. Separately, the January–November global land and global ocean temperatures ranked as the 7th and 11th warmest such periods, respectively.

Much of Europe experienced extreme dryness during November. Germany reported its driest November since records began in 1881, measuring just 61 percent of its average monthly rainfall. Several locations recorded no measureable rainfall. Austria also had its driest November since national records began in 1858, with just 2 percent of average rainfall for the month. The second driest November was recorded in 1920, with 14 percent of average monthly rainfall.

Much-wetter-than-normal conditions occurred across parts of South Asia and northeast Africa. Tropical Depression Keila brought very heavy precipitation to the Arabian Peninsula at the beginning of the month. November rainfall across China was, on average, 57 percent above normal, marking the wettest November since 1983 for the country. It was the wettest November on record for the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Fujian.

The areas with the wettest anomalies during September–November (Northern Hemisphere fall; Southern Hemisphere spring) included part of southwestern Asia and the Middle East, northern China, and western Australia. The driest anomalies during this period were observed over much of Europe, the central United States, part of northeast Asia, and east central Australia.

The United Kingdom saw large variations in precipitation during autumn. According to the UK Met Office, it was the second wettest September–November on record in Northern Ireland. In contrast, it was the driest such period since 1978 in the Midlands, and the driest since 1985 in East Anglia and southeast England.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Canada’s White Christmas Isn’t So White Anymore

Enjoying a white Christmas is an honored tradition for many all over the world, and nowhere more than for those in Canada’s Great White North. But for most Canadians, the tradition of a white Christmas is becoming more a dream than a reality.

David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada studied weather records and snowfall trends collected across Canada between 1964 and 2009. What Phillips found was that the chances of having a white Christmas with more than 2 centimeters (.7 inches) of snow on the ground has decreased dramatically in the past few decades.

The second largest and second coldest country on earth, 85 percent of Canada will still be blanketed in snow, says Phillips. But in the countries southern tier, where most people live and celebrate Christmas, the chances of a decent snowfall has dropped by nearly a quarter since 1991.

“Most Canadians will see a green Christmas,” said Phillips. “Who would have thought in the Great White North, the land of ice and snow, that we would be denied something that we hold close to our hearts?”

“It’s about a feeling,” added Phillips, “it’s about the Christmas card look to a scene, it’s about sleigh bells and chestnuts roasting.”

In Calgary Alberta, the chances of a white Christmas has fallen most precipitously. Between 1964 and 1984, the city had a 74 percent chance of a decent snowfall by Christmas. But from 1991 to 2009 the probability of a white Christmas fell to only 47 percent.

And even when the snow does fall, there is less of it. Goose Bay, Labrador, in northern Canada, still has a 100 percent chance of snow by Christmas, but instead of the average 25 inches of snow depth recorded between 1964 and 1982, only 13.7 inches on average blanketed the community on Christmas between 1991 and 2009.

Fewer white Christmases don’t necessarily put anyone in peril, but it could have an impact on Canada’s tourism industry and is a “bummer” for those attached to the idea of a pristine, white Christmas full of deep fresh snow.

“It’s an emotional thing,” says Phillips. “We’re the great White North, we are the land of ice and snow, and we are losing that reputation, because winters just aren’t what they used to be.”

But the changing winters in Canada may help the onset of climate change “resonate” with Canadians suggests Phillips.

“When climatologists talk about climate change and global warming and it sounds technical, but it hits home with white Christmases.”

Source: Global Warming is Real

Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Christmas Lighting

Millions of lights are used to decorate and illuminate the Christmas season, but traditional light bulbs are a huge drain on energy. Thankfully there are more environmentally friendly alternatives to the traditional Christmas light bulb. LED Christmas lighting uses significantly less electricity and lasts much longer than traditional bulbs. A large number of retailers are offering LED Christmas lighting this holiday season.

All Canadian Home Depot Stores hosted a light exchange where customers brought in their old incandescent or old LED holiday lighting and they received an in-store coupon for 30% off a new energy efficient set of LED holiday lights. The new LED light sets are 80% more energy efficient than the traditional incandescent version of holiday lights. The new LED lights last up 25,000 hours or the equivalent of 12 holiday seasons. These new sets come with replacement bulbs and don’t heat up like the previous generation of lights, making them safer while saving money on energy.

The light exchange is part of Home Depot’s Eco Options program which is designed to help customers identify products that are making an environmental difference, one purchase at a time. Home Depot also has Eco Options Consumer Events, which help customers “upgrade to more energy and water-efficient products, and providing public education on key environmental issues.” The company also hosts recycling programs, which help consumers responsibly recycle batteries, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and paint.

Other companies are also providing LED based Christmas lighting alternatives. One such example is MrLight.com, a family owned and operated lighting manufacturing and distribution company that specializes in advanced LED lighting technology. On their website you can find an assortment of LED Christmas lighting as well as solar Christmas lights, LED Christmas tree ornaments and LED tea lights.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to the Traditional Christmas Tree

There are over two billion Christians in the world and many in North America and Europe are following the time honoured tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. This Christmas millions of Christmas trees have been bought around the world. The question is what type of tree is best for the environment? Here is a review of some of the options available today.

Fresh Cut

Almost 30 million American households buy a fresh cut Christmas tree each year. Alhough Christmas trees are commonly grown on farms, they take six to 12 years to grow and often end up in landfills. These trees consume water and are often sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. Their transportation also uses energy and contributes to soil erosion.

On the upside, the trees are renewable, they provide habitat for wild animals, absorb carbon dioxide, create oxygen, and provide jobs.

However, mass agriculture can be environmentally destructive, so if you decide on a fresh cut tree consider these tips.

• Try to buy an organic Christmas tree.
• Buy from smaller, local farms to reduce transportation miles and support a small, sustainable operation.
• Recycle your tree. Check your local municipality to see if there is Christmas tree recycling near you, or recycle it yourself.
• Don’t use tinsel or fake snow spray (they are hard to remove and make your tree ineligible for recycling).

Artificial

Artificial trees are commonly made of plastic which is petroleum based. That means lots of carbon dioxide-creating energy is required to make and transport them. In addition they are difficult to recycle and the vast majority (75 percent) are made in China under less than favorable labor conditions.

Some of these trees also contain lead and most are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) also known as vinyl, which is sometimes referred to as “the poison plastic.” PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment throughout its entire life cycle, at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash. PVCs contain contaminate like mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which may pose irreversible lifelong health threats. When produced or burned, PVC plastic releases dioxins, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems.

Live

The greenest form of Christmas tree is a live tree which can be replanted (as long as this is done in a week or less). Some use ornament trees—sculptural arboreal forms. Others decorate a houseplant like a giant rosemary bush.

One of the more innovative environmentally sensitive alternatives to a cut or artificial Christmas tree involves renting a live tree. This is a concept started in 1992 by companies like the Original Living Christmas Tree Company in Portland, Oregon. A tree rental company will deliver a living Christmas tree to your door which has been planted in a large pot. Once Christmas is over, it is returned to the company where it will be placed in a nursery or planted. This option is not only better for the environment it is often cost competitive with traditional Christmas trees.

People are increasingly looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional Christmas trees and some innovative businesses are responding to the burgeoning demand.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Global Warming and the Shortage of Mistletoe

The effects of climate change are ubiquitous, and this year it is even impacting the availability of mistletoe. Droughts, one of the corollaries of global warming, is behind the shortage. The small parasitic plant grows on trees in humid climates in Europe and the US. Because of dry conditions in the southern US, and Texas in particular, most of this years crop comes from Europe.

The mistletoe that is available from the US looks anemic and is very expensive. Stores have had an extremely difficult time trying to find Christmas plant, as it is a scarce commodity this year.

Climate change will have widespread impacts and the shortage of mistletoe is yet further evidence. Even deniers are forced to admit that global warming is real as the longtime holiday tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is being withered by drought.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Koch Brother’s Ties to GOP Presidential Candidates

Oil billionaires David and Charles Koch use their oil wealth to misinform Americans and influence the GOP. The Koch brothers have spent $55 million to fund climate denial front groups, their agenda includes efforts to undermine the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Koch Industries has given generously to conservative politicians throughout the country at both the federal and state level and many Republicans including GOP presidential candidates are known to have ties to the brothers.

The Kochs use Republicans to resist climate and energy legislation and protect their oil interests. One of the reasons Americans are so ill informed about climate change is due to the barrage of misinformation from the Koch brothers’ network of front groups. The Koch brother are directly or indirectly involved with a variety of organizations that actively work to misinform lawmakers and the American public.

The Koch brothers have a long history of influence peddling through front groups like Americans for Prosperity (AFP), which had a role in the formation of the Tea Party. Many Republican presidential hopefuls have been in attendance at AFP events like the annual Defending the American Dream Summit. These Summits focus on issues like reversing environmental protections, preventing new environmental laws and promoting policies that benefit big oil.

At the October 5, 2007 Summit, the GOP Presidential candidates who attended included John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. The speakers that day included Herman Cain and AFP founder David Koch. At the 2009 Summit on October 3, in Washington, DC, speakers Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann voiced their opposition to proposed energy legislation. For the 2012 election cycle, the AFP foundation is planning to spend $200 million to influence the electoral outcome.

The Koch brothers also support conservative think tanks such as the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation. It should come as no surprise that the 2011 Republican Foreign policy debate was sponsored by the Heritage Foundation.

This climate denying duo has developed a large network of alliances within the Republican Party, including some of the leading contenders for President. Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum have all been shown to have close ties with the Kochs.

Herman Cain

Although Herman Cain has recently withdrawn from the presidential race, he has close ties with the Koch Brothers and the AFP. Cain has been a featured speaker at AFP events for years. In 2005 and 2006, Cain was the public face of AFP’s “Prosperity Expansion Project.”

“I know the Koch brothers,” Cain told CNN host John King. “The Koch brothers helped to start an organization called Americans for Prosperity, and I did some speaking when they were starting that organization. I’m very proud of the relationship I have with the Koch brothers. I have also attended some of their seminars and have found them very informative.”

Cain’s campaign manager Mark Block and a number of aides have worked for Americans for Prosperity, or the AFP. Cain’s “9-9-9″ plan to rewrite the nation’s tax code was devised by Rich Lowrie who served on an AFP advisory board. Cain’s spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael, who left the campaign, was an AFP coordinator in Louisiana. His campaign’s outside law firm also represents the AFP and at least six other current and former paid employees and consultants for Cain’s campaign have worked for AFP in various capacities.

Cain continues to work with the group. On November 4, Cain spoke at the annual AFP’s “Defending the American Dream” summit.

Mitt Romney

In the last presidential election, David and his wife each gave the maximum $2,300 donation to Romney’s campaign. According to a leaked campaign memo, the Koch brothers are “the financial engine of the tea party.” To secure support from the Kochs and other conservatives, Romney has switched his position and embraced climate denial.

The memo also says that Romney was scheduled to meet with David Koch on Aug. 28 at his home in Southampton, N.Y., where Koch held a major event for Romney in 2010. Ironically, extreme weather (Hurricane Irene), a corollary of climate change, prevented them from meeting. The two last met in January 2011 in Manhattan at the Links Club.

Koch endorsed Romney in 2008, and was one of Romney’s first major campaign fundraisers for the 2012 elections. Romney also spoke at the Defending the American Dream Summit on November 4, 2011.

Michele Bachmann

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) may have been the Koch’s top pick for the 2012 presidential race. The Kochs have been providing financial support for her political run for President since she announced her candidacy.

In late May, KochPAC donated $10,000 in one day to Bachmann-linked committees ($5,000 to her 2012 congressional re-election committee and $5,000 to her political action committee, MICHELE PAC). According to federal campaign records, the committee has given $25,000 to the Minnesota congresswoman since 2006, excluding the May donation.

Rick Perry

Rick Perry’s contempt of environmental policies and protections make him an ideal Koch brother’s candidate. Perry has repeatedly met with the conservative billionaires. In the middle of the special legislative session in June, 2011, Perry flew to Vail, Colorado, on a donor’s private airplane to a Koch Brothers summit. Governor Perry is known to have received $76,000 in contributions from the Koch network in the last gubernational election. In 2010, KochPAC gave $50,000 to Texans for Rick Perry.

Rick Santorum

Rick Santorum has a history of KochPAC financial support. Between 1999 and 2005, federal records show, Santorum election committees received $16,000 from the committee.

The ties between the Kochs and the Republican presidential hopefuls are troubling to say the least. The Kochs are hedging their bets and spreading their influence and wherever Koch influence is to be found, environmental abuse is sure to follow.

Source: Global Warming is Real

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Republicans are Playing Scrooge this Christmas

Republicans in the House are looking more and more like Ebenezer Scrooge. The GOP is well known for its anti-environmental ambitions and now through their refusal to support the payroll tax cut extension, they are launching an assault on average Americans. Although many in the GOP signed a pledge refusing to increase taxes, it would appear this only applies to the tax increases for the wealthy.

Democrats and Republicans in the Senate came together to approve an extension of the payroll tax cut that would benefit American families. But many Republicans in the House are now refusing to even vote on that compromise. If House Republicans do not get behind the extension of the tax holiday, taxes will go up for 160 million Americans who can least afford it.

Thirty-nine Senate Republicans voted for the bill due to a provision that forces the administration to decide on the fate of the environmentally destructive Keystone XL oil sands pipeline within 60 days. In the spirit of the season the Democrats gave in on the unpopular Keystone XL provision. However Republicans in the House are in no mood to compromise.

The payroll tax cut is important to American families struggling in a difficult economy. A typical family gets about $40 with each paycheck from this tax cut, that amounts to about 1000 per year for the average family.

One House Republican referred to this debate as "high-stakes poker." Republicans need to understand that this is not a game. The American public does not appreciate the fact that Republican Representatives are playing poker with their financial well-being.

A letter from David Plouffe, the Senior Advisor to the President, said "We've been fighting for months to make sure taxes on the middle class don't go up on January 1st." He is asking Americans to weigh in on the debate, "Tell us what your family will give up if your taxes increase. We'll highlight stories like yours publicly so that they're part of the debate here in Washington. What's missing here in Washington is your voice."

"Too many just don't understand the perspective of a working family. They need to hear what it's like to be part of the middle class in this country," Plouffe added. To send your thoughts to the White House click here.

Nancy Pelosi, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives indicated that Democrats will not support the GOP's effort to reopen the debate, dismissing it as a trick. “We are not falling for that stunt again,” she said.

Pelosi made reference to the “Peanuts” cartoon series, saying she would not play Charlie Brown to Boehner’s Lucy. In the famous cartoon Lucy taunts Charlie Brown into attempting to kick a football, only to have Lucy pull it away at the last moment.

“He is not Lucy and we are not Charlie Brown,” she said.

Democrats said they would stay in Washington throughout the Christmas holiday trying to encourage the GOP to pass the two-month extension.

As we enter the election cycle of 2012, Obama's approval rating is on the rise and this may be just the Christmas present the President wanted. Republicans who put the fossil fuel industry ahead of average Americans should expect little more than a lump of coal.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.