2011
EPA approves alternatives for super-greenhouse HFC refrigerants
December 16, 2011
The U.S. EPA took a major step this week towards reducing the fastest growing greenhouses gas in the United States by approving three low global warming potential (GWP) hydrocarbon alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. read more
UNEP tells Durban negotiators fast action on black carbon and other air pollutants can cut rate of global warming in half
December 9, 2011
The rate of global warming can be cut almost in half over the next 30 to 60 years with a package of 16 fast-action mitigation measures that reduce two local air pollutants… read more
Island Effort to Slow Sea Level Rise Blocked at Bali Montreal Protocol Meeting
November 25, 2011
At the 23rd annual meeting of the Montreal Protocol ozone treaty in Bali, Indonesia 21-25 November, a strong and vocal majority of 108 Parties supported a plea by island nations to phase down super greenhouse gases… read more
Fast cuts to non-CO2 climate pollutants can cut rate of warming in half
November 25, 2011
A new UNEP report details how fast action to reduce non-CO2 short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), including black carbon, methane and tropospheric ozone, can cut the rate of global warming in half and the Arctic by two-thirds over the next 30-60 years. read more
Central America launches two national pilot projects to speed safe destruction of ozone-depleting substances and persistent organic pollutants
October 21, 2011
Destroying large banks of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), harmful to the earth’s atmosphere, together with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), damaging to human health and the environment, are the twin aims of a unique regional partnership launched today in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. This initiative is supported financially by Norway and Switzerland. read more
European Parliament urges fast cuts in black carbon and ground-level ozone to reduce threats from dangerous glacial dams in Himalayas
October 10, 2011
Fast cuts in black carbon are needed to reduce threats from hundreds of dangerous glacial dams in the Himalayan Hindu Kush and the devastating flash floods caused when these dams burst, according to the European Parliament. read more
UN Secretary General urges countries to leapfrog HFCs to protect climate
September 16, 2011
Countries and companies should leapfrog HFCs to protect the climate, according to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement issued today on International Ozone Day. HFCs are super greenhouse gases 2,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide at warming the climate. read more
European Parliament Calls for Fast Action to Cut Non-CO2 Climate Forcers Part of Comprehensive Climate Strategy
September 14, 2011
The European Parliament is calling for fast action to reduce non-CO2 climate forcers including black carbon soot, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), methane, and ground-level ozone, which together are responsible for nearly half of climate forcing. read more
Island Nation’s Climate Strategy Advances at Montreal Protocol Meeting Goal Is Protecting Most Vulnerable Countries
August 8, 2011
Proposed amendments to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol received support from a diverse group of developing and developed countries this week at the treaty‟s annual Open Ended Working Group meeting. read more
Accelerating Impacts from Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Threaten Human Rights
July 13, 2011
Climate pollutant emissions violate human rights and require rapid reductions to protect the world’s most vulnerable people, according to a joint submission to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights by the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) in Argentina… read more