Last week I wrote broadly about the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and how it has caused an ugly collision of private companies, politicians, regulators and lobbyists. One week later, as the oil gushes on, little has improved both …
Last week I wrote broadly about the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and how it has caused an ugly collision of private companies, politicians, regulators and lobbyists. One week later, as the oil gushes on, little has improved both …
Last Monday, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon named Costa Rica’s Christiana Figueres to be the organization’s top official on climate change. The appointment comes after the resignation of UN climate chief Yvo de Boer, last February, considered to be a severe blow …
As someone who follows global climate issues for a living, the past month has been a whirlwind of incremental progress, speculation and literal explosions. Following the daily – make that hourly - ticker has been valuable in understanding the current climate position of the U.S. and …
While many of us are looking towards the sea, wondering how the oil mess will get cleaned up, I thought I’d direct reader attention up from sad waters.
James Fallows at the Atlantic has been adding to a useful series on his blog (
The photo above was taken in a U.S. Senate hearing room on April 21, 1970. It shows (left to right), Senator Edmund Muskie (D-ME) and Senator William Proxmire (D-WI) talking with Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel, during a hearing on water pollution. Muskie …
Loosely defined, a climate shock is a deviation from typical regional climate conditions that often results in unfavorable conditions. From floods, droughts and cyclones to hurricanes and tsunamis, these episodes affect livelihoods in many ways. They wipe out crops, reduce opportunities for employment, …
In recent months, I’ve addressed the range of environmental anecdotes, U.S. climate “scandals” and the larger debate over the legitimacy of climate science. Generally speaking, it’s obvious to me that no matter your stance on the issue, waiting for …
Treat yourself right and watch this remarkable TED video, featuring the charming and enlightening Dan Barber. Owner of the famous Pocantico Hills farm, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Dan is an expert in sustainable farming and an accomplished chef. …
A good report, from the Current Science Journal, passed over my desk this week.
From 2009, the paper looks at the issue of climate change from a developing country perspective and provides a climate strategy suited to their unique priorities. The …
The March 1st issue of Newsweek magazine has a good article outlining how climate science has become a bruised, intensely politicized issue that is negatively impacting public support for environmental causes.
“The battle between “alarmists” and “deniers” has …
With the health care debate kicked forward, various post mortems are speculating whether the bill passing makes a cap-and-trade legislation more or less likely.
On the one hand, Obama’s win on contentious health reforms may have boosted the momentum to now …
Though I tend to stick to climate related topics, new-to-me OECD foreign aid data (via William Easterly’s blog) seemed particularly relevant to draw attention to here.
Below is a graph showing all U.S. aid, by recipient, from 2004-2008.
It’s like an ugly joke, rendered useless …
Many exciting opportunities are popping up from the U.S. Foreign Policy Association. Readers may find it useful to see these in one place and so, voila:
1. The U.S. FPA wants more bloggers. Apply here!
Take it from one who knows, blogging for the FPA is an …
1. On March 3rd, the Obama Administration announced its support to declare the bluefish tuna endangered and to ban international trade of the fish. Japan is not happy …
A quick post to direct readers to the new climate change portal website, run by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.
Launched earlier this month, the site is intended to be a one-stop-shop for all U.S. climate related information. According …
