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UN CLIMATE TALKS

UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records
A key UN climate meeting in Peru has opened with negotiators
attempting to advance a new global agreement.  One hundred and
ninety-five nations have committed to finalising a new climate
pact in Paris by 2015's end. The process has been boosted by
recent developments, including a joint announcement on cutting
carbon by the US and China.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30225511 

COP20 is a forum for regional green policies not just global
climate targets
The 2014 UN climate conference begins today in Latin America, a
region where climate change is already having substantial
impacts. The summit in Lima will not just be a chance to agree
global climate targets, but will also present the opportunity to
discuss regional green policies.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/dec/01/cop20-lima-climate-targets-regional-programmes?CMP=share_btn_tw


Optimism Greets New Round of UN Climate Talks
Buoyed by new climate pledges from the United States, China, and
Europe, diplomats from 195 countries will begin meeting in Lima,
Peru, on Monday to draft a new accord to curb global warming. 
Organized by the United Nations, the conference aims to lay the
groundwork for an agreement to be finalized by December 2015,
when world leaders will meet in Paris.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/energy/2014/11/141130-lima-climate-change-conference-un-cop-20-science/


Clock ticking, UN climate talks resume in Lima
Negotiators from more than 190 countries get together Monday in
Lima for the last main stop of the U.N. climate negotiations on
the road to a planned global warming deal in Paris next year. The
slow-moving talks have gained momentum in the past two months
with pledges from the world's top carbon polluters — China, the
U.S. and the European Union — to limit their emissions in the
next 10-15 years.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Clock-ticking-UN-climate-talks-resume-in-Lima-5926558.php



CAP AND TRADE

California Republicans seek cap-and-trade exemption for fuels
Returning to an issue that has divided legislative Democrats and
permeated campaigns, Republicans on Monday announced a pair of
bills preventing California’s cap-and-trade program from
expanding to cover oil and gas.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4226376.html




AIR POLLUTION

Yuba-Sutter reaches standards for clean air
After six years of writing new rules and working with state and
federal agencies, Yuba-Sutter has reached federal standards for
clean air, according to the local air quality district. "Hard
work by local residents and businesses to reduce emissions has
resulted in cleaner air for all of us," said Christopher Brown,
air pollution control officer for the Feather River Air Quality
Management District.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/yuba-sutter-reaches-standards-for-clean-air/article_b5b45a20-7925-11e4-9827-9314db690fc4.html


Pollution Is Making Us Stupider
Air pollution: If you live in Los Angeles, it's part of the
skyline; if you live anywhere else it's probably something you
either don't think about or just accept as part of modern life. 
After all, smog doesn't seem to do much harm, really, aside from
hanging there and blocking the view. 
http://www.sfgate.com/business/fool/article/Pollution-Is-Making-Us-Stupider-5924384.php




CLIMATE CHANGE

NASA airborne campaigns to tackle questions on climate
Five new NASA airborne field campaigns will take to the skies
next year to investigate how long-range air pollution, warming
ocean waters, and fires in Africa affect our climate.  
These studies into several incompletely understood Earth system
processes were competitively-selected as part of NASA's Earth
Venture-class projects. Each project is funded at a total cost of
no more than USD 30 million over five years.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nasa-airborne-campaigns-to-tackle-questions-on-climate-114120100670_1.html


EPA's proposed ozone limit faces political, cost hurdles
The Obama administration's long-awaited announcement Wednesday
that it wants to toughen limits on smog-forming ozone immediately
generated questions about whether the plan can survive the
current political climate and how much its cost will factor in
reaching the goal.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-epa-ozone-rule-20141127-story.html


Scientists say climate change means sicker world for sea life
The shellfish pathogen that hit California's Channel Islands in
the 1980s began to quickly kill one of the tideland's most
important animals black abalone.  But what unnerved scientists
was what they learned next: Whenever ocean waters grew warmer,
the deadly infection known as withering syndrome spread and
killed even more abalone.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/sns-tns-bc-sci-seastar-virus-20141130-story.html#page=1


Adjusting the Tune on Climate Change
For a week in November, people across the United States were
complaining bitterly about the cold. Record low temperatures were
experienced in 43 states; in some northern regions, residents had
to dig tunnels to get out of houses engulfed by as much as seven
feet of snow.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/us/adjusting-the-tune-on-climate-change.html


Climate funds for coal highlight lack of UN rules
The sprawling power station that hums and coughs along this coast
in Indonesia is labeled as a Japanese contribution to the global
fight against climate change.  But the Cirebon plant, built with
Japanese financing two years ago, is not powered by the sun, the
wind or any kind of renewable energy. It's fueled by the biggest
source of carbon pollution in the energy system: Coal.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Climate-funds-for-coal-highlight-lack-of-UN-rules-5926595.php


Clean fuels standard: questions and answers
Gov. Jay Inslee is exploring a mandate for cleaner transportation
fuels — much like California's first-in-the-nation standard — as
part of a broader effort to tackle climate change. He has said he
could use his executive power to pass a rule, which has angered
some Republican lawmakers. Some questions and answers about a low
carbon fuel standard…
http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Clean-fuels-standard-questions-and-answers-5925577.php




DIESEL EMISSIONS

Old buses turned into green machines
An old Indianapolis bus looked more like a skeleton than a
mass-transit workhorse as it sat in the workshop of a Riverside
bus re-manufacturing company.  Gone were the seats, windows,
floorboards as well as the diesel engine.
http://www.pe.com/articles/bus-755333-buses-electric.html 



GREEN ENERGY

Energy Efficiency May Be the Key to Saving Trillions
Compared with eye-catching renewable power technologies like wind
turbines and solar panels, energy efficiency is nearly invisible.
But advocates say doing more with less power may be an even more
critical weapon in the fight against climate change and offers
big economic benefits, too.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/business/energy-environment/energy-efficiency-may-be-the-key-to-saving-trillions.html?_r=0




OPINION

Time for a Real Debate on the Cost of Climate Programs 
Finally, it’s here. A spirited, inclusive, and extremely critical
debate over the true costs of California’s climate programs to
our economy, small businesses, and working families.  On the
heels of an abysmal voter turnout in this month’s election, the
emergence of a growing chorus of diverse voices on a vital public
policy issue should be welcomed news. 
http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/2014/12/time-real-debate-cost-climate-programs/




BLOGS

A realistic approach to linking carbon markets
Three weeks ago, the U.S. and China announced a landmark
bilateral agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.  Secretary
of State John Kerry heralded the agreement as a key step toward
reinvigorating international negotiations on climate change.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/12/01/a-realistic-approach-to-linking-carbon-markets/


World’s Most Polluted City Urged To Close Schools On Bad Air
Days
While the smog-shrouded skyline of Beijing has received
considerable attention in recent years, the rapidly worsening air
quality in the Indian capital of Delhi has officials calling for
drastic measures to address the growing public health emergency.
In a new report submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday, the
country’s Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control)
Authority urged the court to order all schools in Delhi closed on
days when air pollution levels pose a threat to public health.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/30/3597632/delhi-air-pollution/


United Nations Climate Talks Resume In Lima As Pressure For
International Agreement Mounts
Negotiators from more than 190 countries get together Monday in
Lima for the last main stop of the U.N. climate negotiations on
the road to a planned global warming deal in Paris next year. The
slow-moving talks have gained momentum in the past two months
with pledges from the world's top carbon polluters — China, the
U.S. and the European Union — to limit their emissions in the
next 10-15 years.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/united-nations-climate-lima_n_6245912.html?utm_hp_ref=green


Let's Clear The Air
When someone mentions the phrase “air pollution,” visions of
traffic jams and smog advisories probably spring to mind. But
have you ever thought about the air pollution right inside your
home?  The folks at Berkeley Lab have given it quite a lot of
thought. Researchers there helped to bring awareness to the issue
of “sick buildings,” and have done much to warn people about the
danger of radon exposure. Their current focus is on the hazards
found in your kitchen.
http://www.popsci.com/lets-clear-air 

Everyone Likes to Breathe
This past week, at President Obama's direction, the EPA continued
to use its extensive powers under the Clean Air Act (thank you,
1970 U.S. Congress) and announced a new, tighter regulation on
ozone pollution. As one might expect, these rules are being
described by some in the new Republican Congress as
anti-business, job-killing regulation. They are in fact
pro-business and job-creating rules, as are most regulations that
make our way of life safer and healthier.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-cohen/everyone-likes-to-breathe_b_6247780.html?utm_hp_ref=green





California is in a drought emergency.
Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.