Energy Act, Antarctic diamonds, and nuclear investigations
Climate and energy news
Antarctica may have a new type of ice –
diamonds
A kind of rock that often contains diamonds has been found in
Antarctica for the first time, hinting at mineral riches in the
vast, icy continent where mining is banned. No diamonds were found,
but researchers said they were confident the gems were
there.
China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50
years
China’s air pollution in 2013 is at its worst for some 52 years,
with 13 provinces hitting record-high levels of air pollution,
according to the ministry of environmental protection. But better
data, technology and a switch from coal to electric and gas-fired
power plants could help cities become smog-free.
Onshore wind farms face competition for
subsidies
Onshore wind and solar companies will have to compete for a finite
level of subsidy, with the money going to those prepared to accept
the least support.
Hinkley Point C nuclear subsidy plan queried by
European commission
The European commission has started an investigation into UK plans
to subsidise the construction and operation of Hinkley Point C
nuclear power station in Somerset, in a challenge to the
government’s plans to overhaul Britain’s creaking energy
infrastructure. TheFTalso has the story.
EU plans air quality laws to tackle ‘invisible
killer’
The European Commission has outlined plans for new air quality
laws that it says will save thousands of lives every year. The new
measures aim to reduce the levels of pollutants by around 20% from
current levels by 2030.
Fracking could be allowed under homes in Britain
without owners’ knowledge
Fracking could take place under thousands of homes without their
owners’ knowledge after ministers said companies would no longer
have to notify people directly about potential gas drilling in
their areas. TheTimeshas more.
Climate and energy comment:
The UN Will Try For A New Disaster Risk Reduction
Agreement
The UN General Assembly is laying the groundwork for a new global
agreement to reduce the escalating impact of natural disasters.
Last week the U.N. announced that the third World Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction will take place in Sendai, Japan in March
2015. The timing of this is significant because it comes just nine
months before the 21st United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change in Paris, which has been pegged as the date to
deliver a new international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
US report predicts CO2 emissions have peaked,
energy independence near
On Monday, the US Energy Information Administration released
an overview of a report in which it attempts to track the trends in
the energy economy of the US out to 2040. Predictions include a
huge (but brief) boom in domestic oil production, a near balance
between energy imports and exports, and a peak in carbon
emissions.
Energy personality of the year: Mr
Freeze
You don’t have to believe that freezing consumer energy
prices is good public policy to see that just three sentences in Ed
Miliband’s speech to the Labour party conference in September
transformed the energy scene in the UK. The opposition leader’s
comments sent a chill through the market, reducing the value of
utility stocks and has left the coalition government struggling to
respond to a completely unexpected outbreak of populism, writes the
FT’s Nick Butler.
Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans
money
Cheap homegrown gas is saving American consumers money on
their energy bills. But how much, exactly? Answers from experts
vary.
New climate science:
Tropical forests mitigate extreme weather
events
Tropical forests reduce runoff during storms and release stored
water during droughts, according to new research. This ‘sponge
effect’ could be a useful tool in minimising flood damage and
maximising water availability, say the scientists.
Climate change and apocalyptic
faith
A new review study examines whether discourses of ecological
crisis have parallels with the theological and philosophical
underpinnings of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic
faith.