IGSD

Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

July 2013



Damage from Methane Release by Arctic Permafrost Could Cost $60 Trillion

July 25, 2013

Warming caused by methane released by thawing Arctic permafrost could cost the world more than $60 trillion in damages, according to a new study published yesterday in Nature, nearly equal to the 2012 global GDP of $70 trillion. read more

 


Vice President Biden Keeps HFCs at Top of US Geo-Political Agenda During India Visit

July 25, 2013

During his visit to India this week Vice President Joe Biden continued the Administration’s full court press on the HFC amendment under the Montreal Protocol, originally proposed by… read more

 


Wildfires Causing Melting in Low-Lying Himalayan Glaciers

July 17, 2013

A new study by Indian glaciologists suggests black carbon from forest fires may affect the “reflectance” or albedo of glaciers in a manner that reduces their mass balance. The report indicates… read more

 


The US-China Agree to Further Climate Cuts

July 11, 2013

The U.S.-China Working Group on Climate Change, set up in April during Secretary of State John Kerry’s first visit to China, yesterday announced agreement on five new initiatives to… read more

 


Air Pollution Shorting Lives in China, Europe

July 10, 2013

A new study finds that air pollution during the 90’s caused the combined loss of more than 2.5 billion years of life for the 500 million residents of Northern China. The study… read more

 


Phasing Down HFCs Under Montreal Protocol Can Cut Climate Pollution Twice Over

July 1, 2013

A global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol will drive the development of super-efficient air conditioning and refrigeration that in turn reduces energy use and carbon dioxide pollution, according to… read more