The UK's Low Carbon Diet

The UK's tough new climate bill is designed to move the nation to a low-carbon economy. According to Nuclear Engineering, key points of the draft bill include:

• Legally binding targets of a 26 to 32% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 and a 60% reduction by 2050.
• Legally binding five year "carbon budgets", set at least 15 years ahead, to provide long-term clarity for investment in low-carbon technologies.
• New powers to enable the government to more easily implement emissions reduction policies.
• A new statutory body, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide independent advice to government.
• Annual reporting to parliament with a Climate Committee progress report to which the government must respond.
• A requirement for government report at least every five years on current and predicted impacts of climate change.

IREJN is Connecticut's Light and Power. Visit us at www.irejn.org.

Climate Change Security Issue?

That's the contention of Britain, which is taking over the presidency of the UN Security Council. According to Earth Times,

Normally, the Security Council takes up issues relating to international peace and security and climate change is largely seen as an issue outside the ambit of the council's mandate. However, according to news reports, British leaders, including prime minister Tony Blair and environment secretary David Miliband, are increasingly coming to hold the view that climate change could be a matter within the ambit of international security as droughts, famines and increasing sea levels could lead to large scale migration of people and contribute to international disputes relating to borders and use of resources.

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at www.irejn.org.

Will Bush Do a 180 on Climate Change?

Senior government officials in Britain have leaked the news that President Bush plans to reverse his previous position on global climate change. The Blair administration hopes this will lead to a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, according to the Mail and Guardian.
Visit us at www.irejn.org.