News
Himalayan glaciers shrinking due to black carbon: expert
July 28, 2013
Black carbon, mainly produced by burning of agricultural waste and vehicles, is responsible for the quicker melting of Himalayan glaciers, according to an Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur study. read more
New York City Breaks Its Energy Use Record During Brutal Week-Long Heat Wave
July 21, 2013
The heat wave that blanketed parts of the East Coast in close to 100-degree temperatures and high humidity broke the daily temperature record at JFK International Airport. It was the longest heat wave in New York City in more than a decade. But it made history in another way too: New York City broke its record for energy use on Friday, as residents cranked up air conditioning in an effort to stay cool. read more
Obama Seeks New U.S. Role in Climate Debate
July 2, 2013
When President Obama barged into a meeting of leaders from Brazil, China, India and other countries at a climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, he managed to extract a last-minute agreement to set a goal to limit the rise in global temperatures. read more
A fracking breakthrough for environmentalists and drillers
March 23, 2013
LAST WEEK BROUGHT a heartening breakthrough in the war over fracking: A handful of major green groups and big drillers agreed on environmental standards. We’d forgive you for raising a skeptical eyebrow. Some in the industry have been claiming that fracking — which involves pumping fluid underground to extract natural gas from rock formations… read more
U.S. could fall short of 2020 climate goal, new study says, but target remains in reach
February 6, 2013
The United States is not on track to meet its international commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the World Resources Institute. read more
Kerry’s climate change credentials
December 28, 2012
Sen. John Kerry, President Obama’s nominee for secretary of State, may not be able to bring peace to the Middle East, end enduring trade and currency disputes with China or mend fences with all the anti-American leaders in Latin America. But he may be capable of redirecting the debate over an issue of equal or greater importance: climate change. read more
Snapshots From Doha and Elsewhere
December 6, 2012
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is not attending the annual United Nations climate change summit meeting under way here in the Qatari capital. In fact, she has not attended one since the largely unsuccessful conclave in Copenhagen three years ago, which was supposed to produce a new global agreement on climate change but instead dissolved into near chaos. read more
How to Make Air Conditioners Less Guzzling and More Green
September 23, 2012
When the electricity went out in northern India this past summer, alarm bells went off among global energy experts. They’re still ringing as one hemisphere eases out of the hot season and the other warms up. read more
Global warming: the heat’s back on
September 14, 2012
It was an extraordinary triumph of old technology over new, of basic science over space-age wizardry and – 25 years ago tomorrow – it led to a planet-saving pact, one of the most successful treaties ever agreed. read more
Profits on Carbon Credits Drive Output of a Harmful Gas
August 8, 2012
When the United Nations wanted to help slow climate change, it established what seemed a sensible system. Greenhouse gases were rated based on their power to warm the atmosphere. The more dangerous the gas, the more that manufacturers in developing nations would be compensated as they reduced their emissions. read more
