Today’s Climate: April 23, 2010

People’s Climate Summit Seeks to Halve Emissions by 2020 (AFP)

A "people’s conference" on climate change agreed in Bolivia Thursday to call for the halving of CO2 emissions by 2020 at the next UN climate meeting in Mexico in December.

Senators Struggling Over Climate Compromise (Reuters)

U.S. senators writing a massive climate bill struggled on Thursday over how to reduce CO2 pollution in the transportation sector, Sen. Lindsey Graham said, adding that he did not yet know whether a measure would be ready by Monday.

Massey Board Again Defends Don Blankenship (Coal Tattoo)

While at least one member of the Massey Energy Board of Directors has resigned in the wake of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, the board continues to issue statements of support for Massey CEO Don Blankenship.

City Dwellers Cite Climate as Top Concern: Poll (Reuters)

Residents of major world cities cite climate change as the most pressing global issue, except residents of large U.S. cities who list the economy as the bigger problem, according to a survey by HSBC Bank.

Wisconsin Renewable Energy Bill Dies on Earth Day (AP)

State lawmakers in Wisconsin pulled the plug on a climate bill that was two years in the making and would have set a 25% by 2025 renewable energy standard.

Green Auction Nets $2 Million for Environment (Reuters)

Art collectors, environmentalists and celebrities packed the salesroom at Christie’s on Thursday, the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and spent nearly $2 million at the Green Auction benefiting the environment.

Oil Rig Blast Prompts Environmental Concerns (AP)

As hope dimmed for the lives of 11 crew members missing since a drilling rig exploded in flames in the Gulf of Mexico, authorities turned their focus to controlling an oil spill that could threaten the ecosystem of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

Biofuels Cause Four Times More Carbon Emissions (Telegraph)

A new report commissioned in Brussels found some biofuels can lead to four times more global-warming emissions than equivalent fossil fuels.

German Coalition Agrees on Solar Power Cuts (Reuters)

Parliamentary experts in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right administration agreed that feed-in tariffs for new rooftop solar installations will be cut by 16% from July as planned, sources told Reuters.

Climate Scientist Sues Newspaper for ‘Poisoning’ Global Warming Debate (Guardian)

One of the world’s leading climate scientists has launched a libel lawsuit against the National Post, a Canadian newspaper, for publishing articles that he says contain "grossly irresponsible falsehoods" on global warming.

Commission Approves Polish CO2 Plan after Lengthy Legal Tussle (EU Observer)

The European Commission this week gave the green light to Poland’s plan for handing out CO2 emissions permits to its power and industrial sectors, following a long battle between Brussels and Warsaw.

UK Offshore Wind Power Reaches 1 GW as E.ON, Dong Farms Start Up (Bloomberg)

UK offshore wind power now has 1 GW of generating capacity after projects by E.ON AG and Dong Energy A/S began producing electricity, the industry group RenewableUK said.

California Considers Delaying Diesel-Emission Rules (AP)

California air regulators took steps Thursday to delay the nation’s toughest rules to slash emissions from diesel-powered construction equipment, saying the poor economy has left many of the vehicles sitting idle.

Whale Feces Could Help Oceans Absorb CO2 (Reuters)

Whale droppings have emerged as a natural ocean fertilizer which could help combat global warming by allowing the Southern Ocean to absorb more CO2, Australian scientists have found.

China: Beijing Debut for Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept (Automotive World)

GM has unveiled its Chevrolet Volt MPV5 hybrid concept at Auto China in Beijing. The five-passenger crossover is based on the OEM’s upcoming Volt extended range hybrid, due for launch next year.