'Counterproductive' Offsets Ditched

Jets will put 1.5B tons into the air by 2025 — half of EU's current emissions total

(NEWSER) - Bad news on the climate-change front: Airplanes are emitting 20% more carbon dioxide than anyone thought. According to a newly disclosed report, they could release 1.5 billion tons a year by 2025—compared to 3.1 billion tons a year now released by all the citizens of the EU, reports Wired. The study also predicted growing airplane noise pollution. More»

Canada gov't says fines huge, no real environmental help

(NEWSER) - Countries and environmentalist groups around the world are slamming Canada for pulling out of the Kyoto climate treaty on Monday, reports the Guardian . "Preposterous" and "an excuse to shirk responsibility," was how the withdrawal was described by China, the world's largest carbon dioxide producer . The UN climate chief was more polite but just as unhappy with the move, saying, "I regret Canada's withdrawal and am surprised over its timing." Even Japan—which doesn't plan to sign the next phase of the Kyoto treaty—called Canada's withdrawal "disappointing." More»

Regulation of greenhouse gasses will have more immediate impact

(NEWSER) - No matter what happens in Copenhagen, the Obama administration is preparing to make a move to curb greenhouse gases at home that has businesses up in arms. As early as today the EPA is expected to announce that carbon dioxide has officially been classified as a dangerous pollutant, meaning that the EPA can regulate its emission even without action from Congress. More»

(NEWSER) - Global warming is real, but Al Gore’s crusade to curb carbon emissions is misguided and will squander money that could be applied cheaply and efficiently to those problems now, Danish statistician Bjørn Lomborg writes in Esquire. “Here’s the truth: There are better, more cost-effective ways to fight global warming,” Lomborg writes. And “the solutions have very little to do with cutting CO2 emissions.” More»

(NEWSER) - Carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gasses are indeed dangers to the public health and welfare and must be regulated, the EPA has concluded. The findings could result in sweeping new powers for the EPA to regulate emissions over a wide range of industries and automobiles, the AP reports. The potential new power for the EPA could give Democrats leverage in passing climate change rules now under consideration. More»