-
The NY Times reports G-8 nations fail to agree on climate change plan. Big surprise there. “In the end, people close to the talks said, the emerging powers refused to agree to the limits because they wanted industrial countries to commit to midterm goals in 2020 and to follow through on promises of financial and technological help in reducing emissions.”
“They’re saying, ‘We just don’t trust you guys,’ ” said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists, an advocacy group based in the United States. “It’s the same gridlock we had last year when Bush was president.”
Spiegel reports on How the U.S. is blocking progress on climate change. “The latest information coming from the scientific world suggests that the consequences of climate change could be far worse than previously predicted… The latest information coming from the scientific world suggests that the consequences of climate change could be far worse than previously predicted.”
“A majority of Americans do not consider the climate crisis to be particularly important: According to a poll carried out in January by the Pew Research Center, only 30 percent of Americans rated global warming as a top priority for President Obama. The issue came last on the list of priorities, far below the economy and terrorism.”
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports NASA satellites reveal extent of Arctic sea ice loss.
“A new study has revealed that the Arctic Ocean’s permanent blanket of ice around the North Pole has thinned by more than 40% since 2004. Scientists said the rapid loss was ‘remarkable’ and could force experts to reassess how quickly the Arctic ice in the summer may disappear completely. They blame the loss on global warming, which has driven temperatures in the Arctic to record highs and summer ice extent to recent lows.”
Four at Four continues with a U.S. Guantanamo ‘terrorist’ advocating on the behalf of Afghans, U.S. Marine commander calling for more Afghan troops in Afghanistan, House Democrats want to undo Congressional insider trading shield, and an art museum secures future by leasing land for wind farm.