[Paging Tom Friedman, again]: China’s Environment Remains ‘Very Grave,’ Officials Say - NYTimes.com

BEIJING — China’s three decades of rapid economic growth have left it with a “very grave” environmental situation even as it tries to move away from a development-at-all-costs strategy, senior government officials said on Friday.

Weather service issues chain warning for Sierra - Around the valley - Modbee.com

Snow is forecast for the Sierras over the weekend, and several inches are expected to fall above 6,000 feet in the Sierras on Monday, which is the level of several mountain passes.

In a special statement yesterday evening, the National Weather Service warned anyone traveling in the Sierra Cascade Range to carry chains and cold weather gear, "since weather this weekend and early next week will resemble February or March more than early June."

Sky News: Thousands to rally for carbon tax

Thousands of people are expected to gather in capital cities today to attend rallies in support for the planned carbon tax.

gulfnews : Frost chills outlook on Brazil coffee

With the global weather anomalies known as La Nina and El Nino in momentary balance, experts say the risk of frost in Brazil's main coffee region is at its highest since 2000, the last time a sharp blast of cold air from the Antarctic swept across Argentina and inflicted serious damage to some farms.

To be sure, there are reasons not to fear the worst. Warmer oceans and a hotter sun cycle have reduced the odds; and coffee plantations are not as greatly at risk as they were 35 years ago, with most growers having long abandoned the frost-prone Parana region further south, hit hard by frost in the 1970s.