Group of 8As President Obama arrived for three days of meetings, negotiators for the world’s 17 leading polluters dropped a proposal to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by mid-century, and emissions from the most advanced economies by 80 percent. But both the G-8 and the developing countries agreed to set a goal of stopping world temperatures from rising by more than 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

The discussion of climate change was among the top priorities of world leaders as they gathered here for the annual summit meeting of the Group of 8 powers. Mr. Obama invited counterparts from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and others to join the G-8 here on Thursday for a parallel “Major Economies Forum” representing the producers of 80 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. But since President Hu Jintao of China abruptly left Italy to deal with unrest at home, the chances of making further progress seemed to evaporate.

Read the rest of the article here.

The announcement came alongside an order to the Department of Transportation to begin redrafting federal MPG standards.

As it now stands, federal authority eclipses state’s rights to pass their own restrictions on auto emissions. A point of contingency during the Bush administration, the federal law was upheld under the assumption that auto companies would not be able to meet the stricter standards proposed, or would be unable to split their production lines to cater to each state individually.

If the EPA overturns the decision, as it is expected to do, states like California, New York, Massachusetts and 11 others will be granted the right to regulate the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles purchased in their state. California, already a leader in air quality standards, is expected to be one of strictest states of all.

You can read more about it here (New York Times) and here (Wall Street Journal)

“We have ignored this problem for far too long,” said Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat who was recently awarded a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “It’s time to start working.”

Business groups warn that imposing limits on emissions will drive up energy costs at a time when manufacturers already are shedding jobs by the thousands because of the global economic downturn. Manufacturers in Iowa and nationwide also worry that they’ll be put at a disadvantage to competitors in China and other countries that are building new coal-fired power plants.

“We need to have a grown-up conversation about what we can do and in the time frame that we need to do it without an undue disruption of the economy,” said Hank Cox, a spokesman for the National Association of Manufacturers. Its members include firms that are based in Iowa or have major operations there, including Vermeer Corp., Terra Industries Inc., Whirlpool Corp., and Bunge North America.

However, two growing sectors of Iowa’s economy, ethanol and wind energy, would benefit from increasing the cost of gasoline andcoal-generated electricity.

President-elect Barack Obama has made clear through a series of key appointments that the issue is going to be a top priority for his administration. Democratic congressional leaders have delivered the same message as well.

Read the full article here

The tiny vehicle, plugged in to an electrical outlet behind City Hall, tops out at 25 mph and gets 35 miles to a charge. It is one of the more visible elements of an EcoSmart program designed to save fuel and to cut carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.

Ames is one of 34 Iowa cities that have pledged to create strong local policies and programs to reduce global warming. From Shenandoah to Cedar Falls to Davenport to Des Moines, cities large and small are overhauling vehicle fleets, checking buildings for energy efficiency, and changing light fixtures to save money and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The efforts are paying dividends at the bank and in the air.

Read the full story here