National Climate Assessment from the U.S. Global Change Research Program | Union of Concerned Scientists

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/us-global-change-nca.html

Report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program details the latest science on clmate change and its impacts in the United States

As our country, and the world, increasingly experiences the impacts of global warming — from rising sea levels to extreme heat to floods and drought — it’s more important than ever that cities, towns, businesses, and citizens have access to the latest science on climate change. The National Climate Assessment (NCA) is one such authoritative resource.

What is the National Climate Assessment?

Produced on a regular basis by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), the NCA provides a comprehensive assessment of the current understanding of climate change science, including an overview of likely impacts in the United States on a region-by-region basis.http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/us-global-change-nca.html

The NCA aims to put this information into a larger context as it relates to social, ecological, and policy systems, and is designed to inform strategies and policies on global warming for federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector and citizens. The previous assessment, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, was released in 2009.

On January 11, 2013, USGCRP released a draft version of its next report — The Third National Climate Assessment Report — and will open a three-month public comment period for additional input beginning on January 14. The final report is scheduled for release in early 2014.

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120

National Climate Impacts Assessment 2013 Webinar Series | Union of Concerned Scientists

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/national-climate-assessment-webinar.html?autologin=true

Produced on a regular basis by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the National Climate Assessment (NCA) provides a comprehensive assessment of the current understanding of climate change science, including an overview of likely impacts in the United States on a region-by-region basis.

We are hosting a series of webinars with presentations from NCA authors to share key findings from the draft report and answer your questions. The first will highlight the draft report findings on a national level. The ensuing webinars will provide more in-depth information on likely impacts in specific U.S. regions: the Midwest, East Coast, Rocky Mountains region, and California……(more).

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120

The Center for Science and Democracy | Union of Concerned Scientists

http://www.ucsusa.org/center-for-science-and-democracy/

Advancing the essential role of science, evidence-based decision making, and constructive debate in public discourse and public policy

The United States has enjoyed sustained prosperity, security and health over much of its history in large part because of our strong commitment to independent and rigorous science. Sound decisions start with the best possible information, grounded in fact and tested by reason. And free inquiry flourishes best in a free society.

The Founding Fathers understood the importance of this partnership, as did leaders from Lincoln to Eisenhower, FDR to JFK. Because of our nation’s high regard for scientific expertise, the United States became recognized in the 20th century as ….(more).

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120

Nicholas Stern: ‘I got it wrong on climate change – it’s far, far worse’

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/27/nicholas-stern-climate-change-davos

Author of 2006 review speaks out on danger to economies as planet absorbs less carbon and is ‘on track’ for 4C rise

Heather Stewart and Larry Elliott   The Observer, Saturday 26 January 2013 15.24 EST

Lord Stern now believes he should have been more ‘blunt’ about threat to economies from temperature rises. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Lord Stern, author of the government-commissioned review on climate change that became the reference work for politicians and green campaigners, now says he underestimated the risks, and should have been more “blunt” about the threat posed to the economy by rising temperatures.

In an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Stern, who is now a crossbench peer, said: “Looking back, I underestimated the risks. The planet and the atmosphere seem to be absorbing less carbon than we expected, and emissions are rising pretty strongly. Some of the effects are coming through more quickly than we thought then.”

The Stern review, published in 2006, pointed to a 75% chance that global temperatures would rise by between two and three degrees above the long-term average; he now believes we are “on track for something like four “. Had he known the way the situation would evolve, he says, “I think I would have been a bit more blunt. I would have been much more strong about the risks of a four- or five-degree rise.”

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
Cyprus International Institute (CII) (Harvard School of Public Health) http://Cyprus-Institute.us

Pentagon increases Cyber command fivefold

E120, media,

Thousands flee Mozambique floods

E130, e120

PBS Drone Coverage Brought to You by Drone Makers

http://fair.org/take-action/action-alerts/pbs-drone-coverage-brought-to-you-by-drone-makers/

Lockheed’s Nova sponsorship violates underwriting rules

The PBS Nova broadcast “Rise of the Drones” was sponsored by drone manufacturer Lockheed Martin–a clear violation of PBS‘s underwriting guidelines.

As Kevin Gosztola reported (FireDogLake, 1/24/13),

the January 23 broadcast was a mostly upbeat look at surveillance and weaponized drones. “Discover the cutting edge technologies that are propelling us toward a new chapter in aviation history,” PBS urged, promising to reveal “the amazing technologies that make drones so powerful.”

Some of that technology, unbeknownst to viewers, was created by the company described as giving Nova “additional funding” at the beginning of the broadcast. Lockheed Martin, a major military contractor with $46 billion in 2011 sales, is a manufacturer of drones used in warfare and intelligence, including the Desert Hawk, the Falcon, the Stalker and the Tracer. In December 2012, Lockheed bought AME Unmanned Air Systems, maker of the Fury drone (New Times, 12/19/12). ….(more).

Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120

Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant Rakes in $3 Million from Shares As Biotech Giant Continues Destroying Planet | Alternet

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/monsanto-ceo-hugh-grant-rakes-3-million-shares-biotech-giant-continues-destroying
AlterNet / By Alex Kane

Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant sold 30,000 shares of stock in Monsanto in January, netting over $3 million.

Members of Occupy Wall Street Maui protesting at Monsanto in Kihei.
Photo Credit: Viriditas/Wikimedia Commons

January 28, 2013 |

The head of agribusiness giant Monsanto is raking in cash while his company continues to help destroy the environment.

Barron’s reports that Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant sold 30,000 shares of stock in Monsanto on January 22. That sale netted over $3 million. “Grant’s direct holdings now stand at 423,382 shares, a stake of less than 1% of Monsanto. He also holds 120,000 shares through a trust alongside 6,689 shares through a 401(k),” reports Barron’s. ….(more).

Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
Food-Matters http://Food-Matters.TV

Thoughts On Energy And Climate Policy In Obama’s Second Term

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/01/28/1503541/thoughts-on-energy-and-climate-policy-in-obamas-second-term/

By Climate Guest Blogger on Jan 28, 2013 at 11:05 am

 

by Robert Stavins, via Harvard

In his inaugural address on January 21st, President Obama surprised many people – including me – by the intensity and the length of his comments on global climate change. Since then, there has been a great deal of discussion in the press and in the blogosphere about what climate policy initiatives will be forthcoming from the administration in its second term.

Given all the excitement, let’s first take a look at the transcript of what the President actually said on this topic:

We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But American cannot resist this transition. We must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries. We must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure, our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.

Strong and plentiful words. Although I was certainly surprised by the strength and length of what the President said in his address, I confess that it did not change my thinking about what we should expect from the second term. Indeed, I will stand by an interview that was published by the Harvard Kennedy School on its website five days before the inauguration (plus something I wrote in a previous essay at this blog in December, 2012). Here it is, with a bit of editing to clarify things, and some hyperlinks inserted to help readers. …(more).

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120

Changing with the climate

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/changing-with-the-climate.html

MIT researchers, Massachusetts officials highlight strategies to adapt to climate change.
Vicki Ekstrom
MIT Energy Initiative/Joint Program on Global Change

http://mit.tv/VhFKqW

January 28, 2013

Just days after President Obama called for action on climate change in his second inaugural address, members of Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration joined energy and environment researchers at MIT to discuss strategies for adapting to climate change. The panel discussion on Jan. 23 fostered a continued partnership between MIT and the Commonwealth to advance energy and environment innovation.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to utilize one of the Commonwealth’s greatest intellectual resources — MIT — to tackle this global challenge,” said Massachusetts Undersecretary for Energy Barbara Kates-Garnick, the moderator of the panel.

MIT professors Kerry Emanuel and Michael Greenstone kicked off the event with a discussion on the clear realities of climate change.

“When we’re talking about global climate change, no one really cares if the temperature goes up a few degrees. On a day like today it would seem to be a good thing,” said Emanuel, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Atmospheric Science. “What we really care about … is the side effects of that global warming.” (more)

Global Climate Change http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre130
Environmental Justice http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre145
Environment Ethics http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120