European carbon trading scheme will not cut power sector emissions, MPs told | Environment | guardian.co.uk

The European carbon trading system is a 'failure' and will not help the UK to meet its emission reduction targets, electricity generator EDF warns a committee of UK MPs

ScienceDirect - Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics : Episodes of relative global warming

Solar activity is regulated by the solar dynamo. The dynamo is a non-linear interplay between the equatorial and polar magnetic field components. So far, in Sun–climate studies, only the equatorial component has been considered as a possible driver of tropospheric temperature variations. We show that, next to this, there is a significant contribution of the polar component. Based on direct observations of proxy data for the two main solar magnetic fields components since 1844, we derive an empirical relation between tropospheric temperature variation and those of the solar equatorial and polar activities. When applying that relation to the period 1610–1995, we find some quasi-regular episodes of residual temperature increases and decreases, with semi-amplitudes up to [about] 0.3 °C. The present period of global warming is one of them.

Weather News - Minus 13 degrees - the coldest it's been in April

A new Australian record was set early this morning, a temperature of minus 13 degrees, at Charlotte Pass on the Snowy Mountains.

This is the lowest temperature recorded anywhere in Australia in April and is 13 below the average. Nearby at Perisher it dipped to minus 11 degrees and at the top of Thredbo it dipped to minus 10.

Alarmist Hansen takes fossil-fueled trip to Utah

Though it would take significant changes from today's standards, Hansen said it is possible to begin the process of reducing the amount of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. He suggested pushing research and development of energy-efficient technology, renewable energy and an improved electric grid to facilitate a more proactive flow of energy.

Hansen acknowledged that these investments aren't feasible in the current political climate, saying coal and gas money have tainted the reasoning skills of elected leaders. To bring about the necessary investments and regulation to preserve the climate, Hansen said, more fruitful dialogues with elected leaders have to begin. After that, if long-term solutions aren't being considered, public protests and the courts may be the best road to legislation, he said.

Government CO2 Pricing and Protectionism: Two Peas in a Pod (trade wars and worse as potential costs of GHG mitigation) — MasterResource

But what is bad news for global economics and prosperity is good news for the anti-growth wing of the party in power for several reasons. One, it creates a business constituency for carbon caps of some kind–tax or cap-and-trade. Two, it increases government dependency for business and labor to keep the party in power in power. Third, it is likely to incite a trade war that will reduce international trade and world economic activity, thus reducing carbon emissions further.

Do not think for a moment that the Malthusians do not see this perverse dynamic as their best hope for a fundamental reordering of society. The fact that economic decline, or at least foregone economic growth, and even militarism, might complicate the equation is not of concern to them now.

Is Climate Change the “Defining Challenge of Our Age”? Part 1 of 3 « Watts Up With That?

Specifically, climate change is easily outranked by threats such as hunger, malnutrition and other nutrition-related problems, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, indoor air pollution, malaria, urban air pollution. And had I included other risks to public health beyond environmental, food and nutritional factors (e.g., HIV/AIDS, TB, various cancers, etc.) then climate change would have ranked even lower than 13th.

With respect to biodiversity and ecosystems, today the greatest threat is what it always has been - the conversion of land and water habitat to human uses, i.e., agriculture, forestry, and human habitation and infrastructure. See, e.g., here.

Climate change, contrary to claims, is clearly not the most important environmental, let alone public health, problem facing the world today.

Climate scam nets more money

A five-year, £11million study into the effects of climate change on Britain's seas has been announced as scientists warn of more acidic seas affecting the food chain.

Real-world economic considerations for taxi drivers

And Yellow Cab hasn’t bought any hybrids yet because it’s unrealistic, Hill says. It’s the same when it comes to upgrades to the computer system or anything the company considers. Numbers have to be crunched.

Ordinary Chevy Caprice cabs only get 16 mpg, but they cost $10,000 and can carry five people and their luggage in a large trunk. Camry hybrids (which Yellow has looked into) cost $25,000, are crammed for three passengers and have little to no storage space.

“Believe me, I’d love to have the fuel bill that comes with hybrids,” Hill says. “But if I put hybrids on right now, not only would it drive us under, we’d need to double our vehicles.”

No current hybrid model is big enough and cheap enough to make it a viable option for a company his size, he says.
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Missoula’s Yellow Cab only has eight vehicles, and Hill worries better gas mileage will pale in comparison to expensive repair costs for hybrids.