Top Stories
Probabilistic assessment of sea level during
the last interglacial stage.—reliability high.
"With polar temperatures ~3–5 °C warmer than today, the last
interglacial stage (~125 kyr ago) serves as a partial analogue for
1–2 °C global warming scenarios." "We find a 95% probability that
global sea level peaked at least 6.6 m higher than today during the
last interglacial; it is likely (67% probability) to have exceeded
8.0 m but is unlikely (33% probability) to have exceeded 9.4 m. . . .
The results highlight the long-term vulnerability of ice sheets to even
relatively low levels of sustained global warming." From
Nature (abstract only, unless you pay). [Scientists write
very non-scary headlines. But what this science-speak abstract says is
"be afraid". Last time global temperatures were in the range of the
current "2 °C above pre-industrial levels" scenario, sea levels were
probably 8 to 9 meters higher than they are today. Such sea levels
would have horrendous impacts on global civilization. This site is one of the few that
even allows viewing an 8-m-rise scenario.]
Climate legislation will reduce budget
deficit: CBO.—reliability high.
The analysis of the budgetary impact of the Kerry-Boxer climate change
bill, S. 1733, by the Congressional Budget Office says it would reduce
the federal budget deficit over the period 2010-2019 and would not
increase the federal deficit in any of the four 10-year periods
following 2019. See
NRDC blog. PDF of report here.
[Report also
points out that the legislation asks states, municipalities and the
private sector to spend hundreds of millions of non-federal money.
Impact on their budgets not revealed.]
VC Investment In Cleantech Is Quickly
Recovering.—reliability high.
"VC investment in cleantech shot up sequentially in the third quarter
of 2009, almost fully recovering from the go-go days of 2008 after a
collapse earlier this year. Venture capital investment rose last
quarter to $897.5 million, up 89% from $474.8 million in the previous
quarter". From
Business Insider.
Companies,
Industries, Markets and Supply Chains
Eko launches new two-wheelers.—reliability
high.
India's EKO Vehicles has launched two new products: "Strike" is a
battery-powered two-wheeler that will sell for around Rs. 22,000 ($470)
and is low-powered, not incurring road tax or requiring registration.
U.S.-based Emerging Vehicle Technologies Inc. has partnered with Eko
for the development of a hybrid two-wheeler, with both battery power
and a 70cc gasoline engine, which will sell for around Rs. 40,000
($850). See
The Hindu. Related articles here
and here.
P&G targets sustainable future.—reliability
high.
Interview with Rick Hughes, vice president of global procurement at
Procter & Gamble. "'We’re working with our own manufacturing
operations and laboratory/office sites to ensure that we’re making
progress against internal environmental metrics,' he tells Sustainable
Sourcing. 'We’re bringing innovative, more sustainable energy sources
to feed manufacturing needs; utilizing external supply capability to
reduce or reuse unshippable by-product streams; and reducing our energy
usage and consequently our carbon footprint.'" Hughes represents
purchasing on the company’s Corporate Sustainability Leadership Council
– "a body that takes responsibility for the firm’s broader
sustainability program." "'We've established a Supplier Sustainability
Council – which engages closely with a cross-section of some of our
leading external business partners,' Hughes says. 'This Supplier
Council advises P&G so we can fully leverage the perspective of our
leading suppliers to drive more complete solutions.'" From
Sustainable Sourcing.
'Green' wine needs clearer definition,
experts say.—reliability high.
"Wines made with environmentally sensitive methods in the vineyard or
winery are increasing in number in the marketplace, but also increasing
are consumer sensitivity to the price of such wines, confusion over
their greenness and claims of sustainability, according to experts this
morning at a large conference on green wine." "Ann Thrupp, manager for
sustainability and organic development for Fetzer and Bonterra
Vineyards in Mendocino County, said the wine industry must be cautious
in the desire to display its efforts to consumers. 'There’s a lot of
competition on who can be more green,' she said. 'Hopefully, we can
improve without being seen as greenwashing.'" More comments and info on
the subject. See
North Bay Business Journal.
Government and
Regulation
Biden Supports $5 Billion in Tax Credits for
Energy.—reliability high.
The White House is urging Congress to enact "a $5 billion expansion of
a tax-credit program to encourage manufacture of wind, solar and other
energy technology. The credit, which builds on a $2.3 billion program
that is part of this year’s $787 billion economic stimulus, may benefit
companies that expand production in the U.S." "the administration is
working with Congress to pass the new tax credits by early next year." See
Bloomberg.
Geek Corner
Top 7 Best Green iPhone Apps.—reliability
medium.
Poster picks top seven, including Good Guide app, Kindle App, a pet
tree, 3rdwhale’s FindGreen app, Locavore, and the native map app and
compass functions. See
Inhabitat.
[Crossposted from HaraBara.com courtesy of HaraBara, Inc. Copyright © 2009 HaraBara, Inc.]
