Tracey Ullom

January 22, 2011

U.S. and China Leaders Begin Talks about Battling Climate Change

As the two top greenhouse-emitting countries in the world, environmental advocates have begun urging the U.S. and China to address the climate change issue. Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao have agreed to build cooperation, promote investment, and facilitate expansion in the realm of clean energy for both countries.

Source:

Obama, Hu Agree to Combat Climate Change, Urged to Do More, Environment News Service (Jan. 19, 2011), http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2011/2011-01-19-03.html.

Winner of the 2011 Zayed Future Energy Prize Will Give Away $ 1.5 Million Award

Danish wind turbine producer Vestas was awarded the Zayed Future Energy Prize for outstanding development in wind energy. The Future Energy Prize seeks to reward those who reach a balance between preserving the environment and maintaining economic growth. Vestas has announced that the $ 1.5 million award will be split and contributed to other organizations seeking to further this goal as well.

Source:

Vestas Wind Energy Wins $ 1.5 Million Zayed Prize, Gives it Away, Environment News Service (Jan. 18, 2011), http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2011/2011-01-18-02.html.

Judge Allows National Mining Association Claim Against EPA To Move Forward

Judge Walton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has denied a motion by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the National Mining Association claiming that the EPA has exceeded its statutory authority in regards to permits required for mountaintop coal removal. The Judge has allowed the claim to move forward, finding that the National Mining Association's arguments are likely to prevail and that the EPA has exceeded authority under the Clean Water Act by strengthening the water quality standards that such mining operations must meet through s series of memoranda.

Source:

Judge Sides with Coal Industry Against EPA Clean Water Standards, Environment News Service (Jan. 19, 2011), http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2011/2011-01-19-091.html.

Climate Change Advocates Being Targeted by Fake Conference Scams

Scammers trying to cash in on the pocketbooks and heartstrings of climate change researchers have begun setting up fake climate change conferences. The scammers set up conferences using the names of real scientists and policy makers to lend credibility to contact researchers, request upfront payment for hotel and other travel expenses then disapear with the funds. These "fake conferences" are primarily being promoted at top London hotels, and are increasing in intensity.

Source:

Scammers Target Researchers with Fake Climate Conferences, Greenwire (Jan. 20, 2011), http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2011/01/20.

Arctic Ice Feeling the Heat from 2010.

With a recent publication by NOAA that 2010 has tied 2005 as the warmest year of global surface temperature on record, it has been found that the glaciers of Greenland have not escaped the heat. Greenland has experienced its hottest year on record, which caused the ice sheet to set records in surface melting. Scientists are concerned that this record melting will continue with global warming, contributing to an increase in the Earth's sea level.

Source:

Lauren Morello, Arctic: Greenland's Ice Feels The Heat in Record Setting 2010, Climatewire (Jan. 21, 2011), http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2011/01/21/1/.