Webinar: Findings and Recommendations From The National Climate Assessment

The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) released the draft of the third National Climate Assessment (NCA) on January 11th for public review. The NCA is a climate status report authorized under the Global Change Research Act of 1990. Prepared every four years and based on the best available science, the report is a collaborative effort from hundreds academic, government, non-profit, and private sector experts.

The findings in the 1000 page draft temperature rising at an accelerating rate, tied to carbon emissions from human activity. Painting a dire picture of increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the report warns that the “level of current (remedial) effort is insufficient to avoid increasingly serious impacts of climate change that have large social, environmental, and economic consequences.” However, there is another option, “Well-planned and implemented actions to limit emissions and increase resilience to impacts that are unavoidable can improve public health, economic development opportunities, natural system protection, and overall quality of life.”

Join the Security and Sustainability Form and Second Nature for a free webinar hosting a panel of NCA lead authors in a review of the report’s findings. Moderator: David Hales, Executive Director, Second Nature NCA authors.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM EST

To find out when it will air in your time zone or to register for the webinar click here.

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Global CO2 Emissions Data for 2011 from the CDIAC

The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) have published the provisional CO2 emissions data for 2011, which provides more detail than the figures released by the Global Carbon Project. While the data in the US, UK and some parts of Europe are encouraging, in Asia, particularly China and India we are seeing unsustainable increases in carbon emissions.


2010 and 2011 (% INCREASE)

UK: 134058 / 124886  (-6.8)
US: 1500864 / 1473381  (-1.8)
REST NORTH AMERICA: 266235 / 271286  (1.9)
EUROPE (EXCL UK): 1246070 / 1245760  (0.0)
RUSSIA:  445326 / 458108  (2.9)
MIDDLE EAST:  496096 / 514791  (3.8)
AFRICA:  341068 / 343051  (0.6)
CHINA:  2260287 / 2484812  (9.9)
INDIA:  572692 / 615500  (7.5)
REST ASIA/PACIFIC: 1102394 / 1124795  (2.0)
SOUTH AMERICA: 340452 / 350774  (3.0)
OTHERS: 485995 / 463709  (-4.6)

TOTAL 9191537 / 9470853 3.0

The US UK and EU

The CDIAC data shows that emissions in the UK and US are declining. As a whole, Europe's emissions are unchanged, however certain countries in the EU like Germany and France have reduced emissions. The progress in these countries is offset by countries like Poland and some other Eastern European nations where emissions are increasing.

China and India

China and India have continued to massively increase their emissions. Together they now account for a third of global emissions, and both plan to continue to increase them substantially for many years to come. At the current rate of increase their fossil fuel emissions will double by 2020, by which time they will account for over half of the global CO2.

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Carbon Measurement Guide for Companies

A free guide helps companies to measuring their carbon footprints. The guide provides practical suggestions to help you measure the carbon footprint of your organisation. Learn how to define what your measure, where to find the relevant data, hints and tips to make the process easier, and pros and cons of online and offline measurement tools, as well as considerations for outsourcing your carbon footprint measurement.

This new Carbon Measurement Guide provides practical suggestions to help ease the process of measuring the carbon footprint of your organisation.

Download this FREE guide to learn:

• How to reduce your business' greenhouse gas emissions
• How you can save energy and reduce costs
• How to use your reductions to establish your position as a market leader.

To download the Carbon Measurement Guide click here.

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The Success of RGGI Carbon Trading Shows Cap-and-Trade Works

Despite opposition from Republicans, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has been shown to be very successful. A January 28th New York Times article reviewed RGGI a carbon trading initiative launched by ten northeastern states in January 2009. According to independent reports the emissions reductions have been greater and cheaper than expected, and have produced substantial fringe benefits in terms of lower overall electricity costs, more jobs, and greater regional independence of fossil fuel imports.

The RGGI cap-and-trade carbon trading scheme was based on the successful initiative to reduce emissions of acid rain precursor aerosols which in the 1980s and 1990s achieved significant reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions.

Republicans who once supported cap-and-trade decided to make the issue a political football and as part of their obstructionist approach they now rail against it. Although New Jersey Governor Chris Christie withdrew from RGGI, independent studies confirm it is clearly working well.

Since its inception in 2009, Northeastern greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 30 percent. This is largely due to switching from coal to natural gas reduced demand brought on by the recession. On its own the RGGI trading system accounts for 6 percent of these emissions reductions.

An independent assessment by the Analysis Group further indicated that RGGI has saved customers money and created jobs. Participating states have used proceeds from the auctions to promote energy efficiency and electricity generation from renewables. The study, commissioned by four nonprofit foundations and conducted by the Boston consulting firm Analysis Group.

These findings demonstrate that carbon trading under a cap-and-trade system is the best way to use the free market to reduce emissions in a way that minimizes harm to the economy. When the review period comes to an end in the summer 2012 it will likely be declared a success and be subject to more stringent cuts and more widespread adoption. This is great news for the environment and the economy.

Research shows that Republicans are on the wrong side of this issue as the RGGI program illustrates that the benefits of carbon trading far outweigh the costs.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Reducing Emissions Through Forest Preservation with REDD

This video deals with the crucial role that forests play to reduce emissions and manage climage change. Specifically the video offers a simplified understanding of REDD which is an abbreviation for "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries." This video explains the workings of REDD, the key mechanism to reduce forest loss which significantly contributes to climate change.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Carbon Credits Explained

This video offers a simplified explanation of carbon credits and carbon finance. First it reviews greenhouse gases or GHGs, then it uses the example of a coal plant in the developing world to demonstrate how credits are earned and traded.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Michigan State University Protesting Coal on Campus

Although schools across the US are increasingly adopting greener energy alternatives, this is not the case for Michigan State University. The school has the largest on-campus coal plant in the nation burning over 200,000 tons of coal each year. In addition to contributing to climate change, the plant's pollution contaminates the air in the community of East Lansing, and far beyond.

Greenpeace reports that the incidences of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, lung disease, and emphysema are drastically higher in areas near coal-fired power plants. It is estimated that coal pollution causes 31 deaths annually in East Lansing.

“Coal is harmful to our environment and us, but not everyone knows. I think it is important to raise awareness of the problem so it can be fixed and the damaging effects of coal can be stopped,” said student activist Kendra Majewski.

For two years MSU students have been engaged in Greenpeace's Quit Coal campaign. Students have gathered petitions, rallied, marched, met with the administration, and brought clean energy experts to campus to meet with physical plant engineers. They are demanding that the administration quit coal and transition to clean energy. The MSU administration has thus far ignored their pleas.

Even though three students were recently arrested at a Michigan State University Sit-in, MSU activists have indicated that they are going to keep demanding clean air. Hundreds of other campuses across the nation have demonstrated in support of the school's Quit Coal campaign. month of October's 100 Actions for 100% Clean Energy.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Volkswagen's Dark Side

Volkswagen has made the strategic decision to produce and market vehicles that are more price competitive than they are fuel efficient.

All the major automotive brands are making radical fuel efficiency improvements to help reign in carbon. It is obvious to all but the willfully misinformed that climate change is a serious threat to all life on the planet, and anthropogenic carbon is the leading cause.


Carbon reduction on the scale required demands a new approach to the way we do business. Companies that oppose the transition to a low carbon economy are compromising their own long term competitiveness as well as undermining the environment.

Although Volkswagen does have some greener vehicles, they are also behind some of the dirtiest brands in the automotive sector.

Irresponsible companies will increasingly be punished in the marketplace. Greenpeace should be lauded for expediting what will eventually come from market forces. One day in the not too distant future a combination of regulation and public pressure will make all businesses more sustainable.

Volkswagen is resisting the inevitable and putting itself at a competitive disadvantage compared to automotive giants like Hyundai.

This Greenpeace video parody of VW's advertising compares the automaker to the Death Star for its opposition to cuts on CO2 emissions. The video encourages viewers to "Join the Rebellion" where visitors can sign a "Rebel Manifesto" to be sent to VW execs, it will then allow them access to part two of the film.

As reviewed in this video, corporations like Volkswagen that oppose cutting emissions are clearly drawing their power from the dark side of the force.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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