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  • Spain’s Asco nuclear plant shuts down on fault

    To contact the reporters on this story: Kristian Rix in Madrid at krix@bloomberg.net .

    Last Updated: May 9, 2007 07:54 EDT

    Source: The Bulletin Online 

     

  • Cloud seeding across Australia reviewed

    South African, US speakers at Melbourne symposium: The three-day international symposium, to begin on 7 May in Melbourne, includes presentations from the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in the US, and the South African Weather Service.

    The Age, 4/5/2007, p. 4

    Source: Erisk Net  

  • Govt over-subsidises coal-fired electricity

    96pc of subsidies for fossil fuels: More than 96 per cent of that money flowed to fossil fuel production and consumption, with the remainder going to renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, over 90 per cent of the subsidies identified in the report would increase greenhouse gas emissions, it says.

    • road users benefit most from the subsidies, with about 74 per cent of taxpayer funds supporting fossil fuel industries flowing to the transport sector;

    • another 18 per cent goes to electricity generation and 8 per cent to other kinds of stationary energy;

    • the aluminium smelting industry – which had lobbied aggressively against putting a price on greenhouse gas pollution, has also benefited from subsidies. It is estimated to use almost 15 per cent of Australia’s electricity making it responsible for almost 6 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. "The annual subsidy for electricity use at the six existing Australian aluminium smelters is at least $210 million, and is likely over $250 million," the report says. "This removes the incentive to reduce electricity usage and hence cut emissions."

    The Sydney Morning Herald, 8/5/2007, p. 7

    Source: Erisk Net 

  • Japan pledges $122m for clean energy

    "With Asia’s role in the world economy growing, CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions from Asia are having an increasing environmental impact," he said.

    "At present, Asia accounts for about 30 per cent of global energy consumption," he said, adding that the region’s energy use would double by 2030 from current levels.

    "More efficient use of energy and the reduction of CO2 emissions in Asia are necessary for achieving sustainable growth not only in the region, but also in the world."

    The ADB said Friday (local time) it would invest $A1 billion in clean energy projects in 2007 and slightly more in the following two years, with the priority on China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

    But the development bank came under attack from non-governmental campaigners led by Greenpeace, which said that a large portion of the ADB’s energy financing was still being channelled into smoke-belching fossil-fueled power.

    "The bank must end the obvious contradiction of saying they want to fight climate change, while supporting coal, the most climate-damaging of energy technologies," Greenpeace’s Athena Ballesteros said in a statement.

  • Forests primary defence against global warming

    Logging cycles weaken forest carbon storing features: The same ANU study has found that the carbon store of these forests is dramatically reduced to around 300-500 tonnes of carbon per hectare if they are subject to 80 year logging cycles. “Logging is clearly contributing massively to global warming” said Matthew Wright, lead campaigner for Beyond Zero Emissions. “Unfortunately Tasmania has suffered under state and federal governments conspiring with the likes of the Gunns Corporation. Some of the worst logging in the world is occurring in that state."

    Logging releases GHG, causes heating: “Native forests create clouds and humidity which result in local precipitation. Those same clouds also reflect large amounts of sunlight back into space. Logging not only releases phenomenal amounts of naturally sequestered carbon from forest soils and canopy, but also allows greater light penetration through the atmosphere causing heating and a positive feedback loop".

    (References: Dean C, Roxburgh S, Mackey B (2003), Growth Modelling of Eucalyptus regnans for Carbon Accounting at the Landscape Scale, (CRC for Greenhouse Accounting, Australian National University) Roxburgh S, Wood S, Mackey B, Woldendorp G, Gibbons P (2006), Assessing the carbon sequestration potential of managed forests: a case study from temperate Australia, Journal of Applied Ecology.

    For comment ring: Matt Wright 0421 616 733, Adrian Whitehead 0403 735 118, Adrian Whitehead is currently touring Tasmania giving a series of zero emission talks. website: http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org Beyond Zero Emissions is an independent Zero Emission Minus Climate Change campaign. This document is available at http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org/Press-Releases)

     

  • Kansas prepares for bio-fuel boom

    The North Central Bioeconomy Consortium recently received a $100,000 grant from the Energy Foundation of San Francisco to coordinate regional public policy development and research for a renewable energy future. A strategic partnership has been formed with the Great Plains Institute of Minneapolis to help coordinate, facilitate and implement the 12-state consortium agenda.

    "These are exciting and changing times for the north central region and the United States as we move toward greater renewable energy and fuels," said Sara Bergan, executive director of the Great Plains Institute. "This consortium provides our region the opportunity to develop the next generation of biofuel feedstocks and energy technologies while providing the research and policy tools necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and economic vitality."