Carbon Brief weekly update 24/01/2013
Leaders speak up on climate change
The leaders of two of the world’s greatest economies made statements about climate change this week. Barack Obama, President of the United States, wowed weary environmentalists with a commitment to tackle climate change in his inaugural speech. The New York Times says the campaign will be an “aggressive campaign built around the use of his executive powers to sidestep Congressional opposition” – a point CNN also notes. According to the Guardian, Obama said more about climate change in the speech than he has for a very long time.
Meanwhile, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, wrote a comment piece for the Telegraph explaining why the recent snow in the capital meant he was keeping an open mind on whether the UK was heading for a new ice age. Carbon Brief asked scientists why fringe views don’t shake mainstream science. The Guardian and New Statesman also picked up on the story.
Andean glaciers
A new scientific study suggests Andean glaciers are melting faster due to climate change. Some smaller glaciers are at risk of disappearing altogether in the next few decades, with serious implications for local water supply, as the BBC notes. After we covered the story, The Times, Guardian, Telegraph and Independent also picked it up.
Also on our blog
Can the Green Deal make energy efficiency the next big thing in home improvement?
The government’s is launching its flagship energy efficiency scheme, the Green Deal, on Monday. But the media have picked up on some teething problems.
Greenland ice sheet probably more stable than we thought
The ice covering Greenland may be less sensitive to rising temperatures than previously thought, according to a new study. But it’s not all good news – it could mean ice in Antarctica is more vulnerable.
What’s the future of climate coverage?
The BEST study is finally peer reviewed (and basically confirms what scientists already knew)
The Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature study is finally out in a peer-reviewed journal. But after much commotion and with BEST study now coming to a close, do we know anything now that we didn’t already?
Does DECC predict a post-2020 renewable slowdown?
According to the Times, official figures show that the number of new wind farms and other renewable energy projects constructed in the UK is going to slow down significantly after 2020.
How much would an energy revolution save consumers?
How much would the average family save in energy bills if the government instituted a nationwide programme to insulate the UK’s draughty homes?