Slump May Doom Clean Energy Initiatives

We need real green solutions, not just 'feel-good' movements: Bjorn Lomborg

(NEWSER) - This Saturday night, environmental activists are calling on the world to dim the lights for “Earth Hour”—a nice idea, but one that may actually be counterproductive. Look at it this way: "If everyone in the world participated in this year's Earth Hour, the result would be the same as turning off China's carbon emissions for roughly 45 seconds,” writes author and activist Bjorn Lomborg in USA Today . It’s “symptomatic of an environmental movement that has become too focused on hollow, feel-good actions that at best only inch us in the right direction." More»

Blame industry as well as ideology if US shirks Copenhagen

(NEWSER) - As the world turns to Copenhagen this December, the US, which never ratified the Kyoto Protocol, may once again fail to sign up to save the world from serious climate change. Ideology plays a part, Jeffrey Sachs notes, as many Republican senators are "intent on derailing any Obama initiative." But the bigger problem is economic: No fewer than 25 states produce coal, and the odds of winning even Democratic senators' votes from those states are daunting. More»

He's also creating advisory group for policy-makers

(NEWSER) - George Soros is putting his vast resources—or at least $1 billion of them—behind his passion for the environment. Soros plans to invest that amount into developing technology to create clean energy. He's also starting an organization called the Climate Policy Initiative, which will be based in San Francisco, to help policy makers figure out programs to fight climate change. “We will be part advisory service, part policy developer, and part watchdog,” says a Stanford professor who will run it. More»

The president may face tough questions on N. Korea, Iran, and climate change

(NEWSER) - President Obama will get a respite from America’s rancorous political scene when he appears at the United Nations next week, but he may find international squabbles just as heated, Economist writes. An enthusiastic multilateralist, Obama is loved by leaders around the world. But topics like North Korea, Iran, and climate change could blow a little chill into their international love-fest. More»

(NEWSER) - A group of Greenpeace protesters were cited yesterday after draping a 2,300-square-foot banner over Mount Rushmore, the Argus Leader reports. The banner sported Barack Obama's face and read: “America honors leaders, not politicians: Stop global warming.” The 11 protesters scaled up and rappelled down the mountain using existing rock anchors. They were all cited for unlawful climbing and trespassing, misdemeanors carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison. More»