Diesels Better for Society Than Hybrids, Study Finds | Autopia from Wired.com

Diesels Better for Society Than Hybrids, Study Finds | Autopia from Wired.com

Diesels get a rough ride in North America although they are very popular in Europe (where hybrids have not done as well). There is a good case for saying that hybrids are a great technology with room for improvement and they certainly perform well for urban taxi's. But North Americans should look more closely at diesels as Mercedes and VW bring a wider range of models to the market. Honda has developed an advanced diesel system in Europe that would also be popular over here.

Climate Change Pollution Rising—Thanks to Overwhelmed Oceans and Plants: Scientific American

Climate Change Pollution Rising—Thanks to Overwhelmed Oceans and Plants: Scientific American

Oceans play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 70-80% of the carbon dioxide will end up in the oceans. Oceans are far more important than terrestrial systems such as forests, which may not even be a net sink for carbon in temperate regions. So evidence that the rate of absorption is slowing down is a real cause for concern. The rate of decline is much faster than anyone might have anticipated, so this study is going to be subject to very close scrutiny. The backdrop is that emissions have risen from 8.4 to 9.9 billion metric tonnes between 2000 and 2006.

It's rip-off Britain, even when it comes to climate change | Climate Change | Guardian Unlimited

It's rip-off Britain, even when it comes to climate change | Climate Change | Guardian Unlimited

The challenge for the UK is that as gas prices and oil prices have risen, there is more incentive to use coal as a fuel source. So emissions have risen because coal is cheaper, even when companies have bought emissions rights. Its one of the paradoxes of climate change that expensive oil could increase overall emissions as suppliers switch to coal.

globeandmail.com: Greenhouse gases already beyond 'worst-case,' scientist says

globeandmail.com: Greenhouse gases already beyond 'worst-case,' scientist says

Respected Australian climate change expert, Tim Flannery, has announced that the IPCC will soon announce that economic growth has pushed greenhouse gas emissions beyond even the worst case scenario. All the evidence one needs that intensity-based targets such as those proposed by Alberta and other jurisdictions are ineffective in achieving real reductions.

Announcing North America's First Carbon Neutral Airline

Harbour Air Ltd, the world’s largest all-seaplane airline, announced today that it has pledged to become completely carbon neutral by the end of 2007. Effective October 1, 2007, Harbour Air will purchase high quality carbon offsets to mitigate the climate impact of all scheduled service, charter and tour operations. This will make Harbour Air the first air carrier of any variety in North America and the only seaplane airline in the world to make all of its flight services 100% carbon neutral.

Harbour Air is further pledging to offset its corporate emissions to become the first carrier in the world to become completely carbon neutral in all aspects of its business. Harbour Air Seaplanes will institute a policy to track, reduce, and offset its corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by January 1, 2008.

This program was launched in partnership with Offsetters Climate Neutral Society.

For more details, see www.harbourair.com

North-West Passage is now plain sailing | Environment | Guardian Unlimited

North-West Passage is now plain sailing | Environment | Guardian Unlimited

In case you needed more evidence of why governments of Canada, the US, and Russia that are otherwise climate change skeptics are all of a sudden so interested in sovereignty issues in the north. For the first time since records began, the Northwest Passage is ice free.

WP: Cost of Saving the Climate Meets Real-World Hurdles

The voluntary offset market has grown to a $55 million/year industry, prompting increased scrutiny of offset projects and companies. A look at the challenges faced in participating in an unregulated industry.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081502432.html?hpid=moreheadlines