A report released yesterday by international conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said the world could be powered with renewable energy by 2050.

The Energy Report compiled by the NGO took two years to prepare and takes a global view of the issue and also includes (more…)

Late in January, cyberthieves stole about 30 million euros’ worth of carbon allowances from several national registries of the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). As a result, EU carbon offset trading, “a cornerstone of the European Union’s policy to combat climate change,” according to the ETS site, has been shut down for over a week. (more…)

The Guardian has produced a new graphic showing the relative size of CO2 emissions by nation, with China and India experiencing significant growth in 2009, while emissions dropped in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Russia. With its CO2 emissions rising 13.3 percent from 2008 to 2009, China is by far the world’s leading (more…)

Have you ever wondered exactly how scientists track climate change and the warming of the world at a global level? Estimating the overall surface temperature of the Earth isn’t easy when you have to account for seasonal variations across six continents and four oceans. It requires compiling data from satellites positioned high up in the atmosphere and from (more…)

(Reuters) – Japan said it aims to propose an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol in coming months, after criticizing the international climate framework as neither using effective technology nor including major emitters.

Tokyo will come up with a set of proposals to fight global warming beyond 2012 (more…)

Yes, you read that correctly.

In an assessment eerily similar to one delivered by Mark Delucchi and Mark Jacobson (and broken down here) less than a week ago, BP – the energy company that we all love to hate – says that the diversification of energy resources by 2030 will see renewables leaping ahead of fossil (more…)

The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency—and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full “life cycle” of gas production—is casting doubt on the (more…)

Surprising and disturbing news coming out of China indicates that the nation is having difficulty feeding its growing population.

The news is surprising for several reasons. First, China has a one-child rule in place, so the population shouldn’t be rising that fast (or so one would think).

Second, China – at 9,326,410 square (more…)

Director Michael Nash has traveled the world collecting evidence demonstrating the human face of climate change from Tuvalu to the Pentagon, addressing the grim reality of the challenges we face.  Whether man made or natural climatic shifts are causing the most recent temperature shifts, extreme climatic events and a rise in sea levels are visibly affecting people across the world, today.

In fact we have witnessed the strain of merely 300,000 climate refugees from Hurricane Katrina in the United States first hand; one can only imagine how 50 million climate refugees would strain governments across the country.  Not yet an officially recognized status by the UN, it is estimated that there will be 50 million climate refugees by 2011.  Due to increased flooding, storm events, drought and desertification, civilizations are again engaging in nomadic type movements for survival.

The documentary focuses on underdeveloped and third world countries where climate change serves as a threat multiplier for their already stressed populations.  South Pacific countries are already looking to purchase land to migrate their populations to higher ground.  It is estimated that Tuvalu will be the first country to disappear from the map.  The conflict in Darfur, labeled by most as an ethnic battle, may actually be our first major climate conflict as water scarcity in the region adds to the fight for resources after the drying of Lake Chad.

What will happen when Asian rivers, serving as the primary clean water source, fed by disappearing Himalayan glaciers begin to dry.  Food scarcity from drought, flooding, freezing or salt water intrusion will drive food prices up.  Displaced residents, again primarily third world residents, may not be accepted by many nations.  Who will take them in?  Depletion of water, arable land, non-renewable energy sources will all lead to more conflict.  Who will fight?

Climate Refugees is truly a must see for both new and old to the environmental movement, or maybe better phrased a movement to save human race.  Climate Refugees serves as a resounding call to press for attention by world leaders and as soul food and inspiration for those fighting the good fight to keep advancing the mission of the sustainability.

Not yet commercially available, if you are interested in viewing Climate Refugees, look for a screening near you on their website.  Over the next two weeks (Jan 20-Feb 2) US Green Building Council Chapters, led by the Emerging Professional committees, are participating in a nationwide screening effort with over 20 locations.  Miami and New York City were the first locations and kicked-off at packed theaters in both cities.

Last month, The Economist told us that changes on the scale necessary to prevent even a two-degree rise in global temperatures are a “wishful dream.”  The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2007 Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability concluded that the poorest regions in the world were going to suffer the most.  And as the world keeps (more…)