EU commits to new year-end climate change deadline
USA Today, March 14, 2008
The European Union has set a deadline to complete, by the end of the year, the drafting of its new rules to cut carbon emissions 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Blair to lead campaign on climate change
The Guardian, March 15, 2008
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, backed by the US nonprofit The Climate Group, will lead an international team that aims to get global agreement on tackling climate change including buy-in from the US, China, and India.

WA Legislature passes climate change blueprint
The Seattle Times, March 6, 2008
The State of Washington approved a measure to develop a statewide plan to reduce GHG emissions. It includes interim targets to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2035; and to 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 (or 70 percent below what is currently predicted for 2050). It also calls for the state to set up a reporting system and develop a strategy to create 25,000 green jobs by 2020.

Southern Baptists Back a Shift on Climate Change
NY Times, March 10, 2008
Signaling a significant departure from the Southern Baptist Convention's official stance on global warming, 44 Southern Baptist leaders have decided to back a declaration calling for more action on climate change, saying its previous position on the issue was "too timid." The new declaration states, "Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed."

New Castle adopts steps to reduce global warming
The Journal News, March 2, 2008
New Castle was the first town in NY state to adopt a global warming resolution under a new program of the NYS Office of Climate Change, that aims to reach every town in the state. Under the resolution the Town commits to 10 key steps to respond to climate change including to inventory and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use and support renewable energy, improve recycling programs, integrate energy and land use policy into local planning and economic development, and consider ways to adapt to climate change.

Solar power saves local governments money, says comptroller's audit
Mid-Hudson News, March 6, 2008
The NYS Comptroller's Office audited three towns' use of solar power in Ulster County: Rosendale, Woodstock and New Paltz. All three were found to save money and reduce emissions over the long term. The estimated return on investment over a 50 year term was $30,700 in New Paltz, $104,685 in Woodstock, and $84,340 in Rosendale.

A City by the Sea -- or Under It?
The Gotham Gazette, March 10, 2008
New York City faces enormous risks related to climate change over the next 50 to 100 years, particularly those associated with sea level rise and the threat of extreme storms. Areas in several boroughs, including the World Trade Center site, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, and many transportation hubs and corridors, are in low lying areas already prone to flooding. This article summarizes some of the best efforts to better understand and address these risks including an interview of Columbia University research scientist and Hudson Valley Climate Network member, Dr. Klaus Jacob.

Skeptics on Human Climate Impact Seize on Cold Spell
NY Times, March 2, 2008
The return to cold weather this winter has climate change skeptics abuzz. But, according to climate experts, even those that question the extent and risks of global warming, this winter's weather pattern is nothing out of the ordinary, only the cyclical La Niña phase bringing a chill from the tropical Pacific Ocean. Last year the pattern was in the opposite warm El Niño phase. Regardless, scientists say the long term warming trend on Earth is clear and warmer temperatures will prevail.

The Energy Challenge:Turning Glare Into Watts
NY Times, March 6, 2008
A new type of energy generation technology, solar thermal, is taking off. Solar thermal involves covering acres of desert with mirrors that focus intense sunlight on a fluid, heating it enough to make steam. The steam then turns a turbine and generates electricity. Over 10 new power plants, which can produce the same amount of energy as 3 nuclear reactors and can be built in as little as two years, are planned for the desert southwest.

Climate Change Will Have a Significant Impact on Transportation Infrastructure and Operations; Research, Tools, Action Needed to Pinpoint Vulnerabilities
Press Relase from The National Academies, March 11, 2008
The National Research Council has just completed a report on the impacts of climate change on national transportation systems. Five climate changes were found to be of particular importance to U.S. transportation; 1) increases in very hot days and heat waves; 2) increases in Arctic temperatures; 3) rising sea levels; 4) increases in intense precipitation events; and 5) increases in hurricane intensity. The Committee's recommendations include the creation of a clearinghouse for information on transportation and climate change; the establishment of a research program to re-evaluate existing design standards and develop new standards for addressing climate change; creation of an interagency working group on adaptation; changes in federal regulations regarding long-range planning guidelines and infrastructure rehabilitation requirements; and re-evaluation of the National Flood Insurance Program and updating flood insurance rate maps with climate change in mind.
Link to full report: www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8794 .