Latest climate change news
Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather
Heatwaves force plants and trees to focus on their own well-being and stop absorbing harmful gases, causing wider levels of pollution to rise
UN climate science body IPCC condemns AR5 report leak
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change dismisses reports in Economist that climate change will be less severe than once thought
Arctic could be ice-free by 2058
Arctic icecap melt now so fast and certain researchers can confidently predict when the ocean will become ice-free
Germany accused of “nasty pressure” in blocking EU green car laws
Morning summary: Reports suggest “threats, intimidation and blackmail” have been used to sideline green cars legislation
Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar sectors
South African’s main energy company Eskom is planning to add renewables to its coal portfolio with investments exceeding $1.8 billion
Evangelicals tackle US Congress on climate change
Over 200 Evangelicals write to Congress about the religious imperatives for acting on climate change
June 2013 fifth warmest since 1880 – NOAA data
US drought continues to afflict 46% of country as NOAA record one of the hottest months of June since records started
Urine-powered mobile phones could soon be in the shops
British scientists have developed a new way to charge electrical appliances by spending a penny or visiting the loo
New EPA chief Gina McCarthy faces tough challenges
Barack Obama’s nominee as Environment Protection Agency chief starts work today – and her inbox is likely to be full of tough choices
China finance minister backs carbon tax
Support for a carbon tax within China appears to be growing after reports Lou Jiwei said this could take place “in some time”
US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report
Federal data from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reveals wind, solar and natural gas steadily displaced coal as energy sources
China ratchets up solar trade war with USA
China has imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties on solar products from the US and South Korea following an eight month investigation
UK hands fracking firms “most generous tax breaks in world”
Morning briefing: George Osborne has infuriated environmentalists by announcing big tax breaks for the shale gas industry
EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle pollution
Environmental Sustainability Project set to target heavy metals, water pollution, and waste treatment alongside pair’s existing climate strategy
Comment: the World Bank’s coal ban is just a start
Writing for RTCC, WWF’s Global Climate & Energy Initiative Samantha Smith says financial institutions need to cut their backing for coal, oil and gas
80% of Malaysian Borneo’s rainforests destroyed by logging
New research shows rainforests on Borneo have been ravaged by logging companies and palm oil plantations
India unveils plans for massive concentrated solar power
100MW concentrated solar power (CSP) installation accredited by UN’s Clean Development Mechanism set to be constructed in Rajasthan
Fossil fuels tax to fund climate efforts proposed at UN talks
Climate mitigation and adaptation funds worth US$ 600 billion could be raised by targeting monies paid to the coal, oil and gas sectors
London Stock Exchange set for ‘carbon bubble’ protest
Campaigners to hand out bottles of “carbon bubbles” to highlight problem of unburnable fossil fuel reserves
Major economies open climate change talks in Poland
Morning summary: Major economies open climate change talks in Poland