Satellite to track carbon dioxide levels

The Guardian

NASA is launching the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), Earth’s first carbon dioxide tracking satellite.  The OCO will measure greenhouse gas concentrations throughout the Earth’s atmosphere, at a rate of 8 million measurements every sixteen days, for at least two years.  Scientists hope this will help us to understand where these emissions come from, where greenhouse gases are concentrated and what “sinks” are absorbing greenhouse gases.  This knowledge is valuable in modelling climate change and in assisting policy makers to set targets and monitor greenhouse gas emissions.

UPDATE: NASA’s planned Orbiting Carbon Observatory has crashed into waters near Antarctica after a failed launch.

posted by kirsty on February 24, 2009 at 11:41 am · filed under

Who is responsible for China’s emissions?

The Guardian

China recently overtook the US as the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, however, new research has found that half of the recent rise in carbon dioxide emissions is due to the manufacturing of goods for export, especially to developed countries.

Currently, under the Kyoto Protocol, emissions are allocated to the country where they are released, not where the products are consumed.  Under this system, many developed countries clearly have an advantage.  For example, the UK can claim to have reduced emissions by 18% since 1990, but if imports and international transport are taken into consideration, the Stolkhom Environment Institute has estimated the UK has actually increased emissions by 20%.  By comparison, 15% of China’s total emissions comes from mafacturing goods exported to Europe and the US.

It is widely viewed that, in order to mitigate dangerous climate change, China must commit binding emission cuts at the upcoming Copenhagen negotiations, which may be difficult if these unfair discrepencies continue to exist.

posted by kirsty on February 24, 2009 at 11:11 am · filed under

Cane toads close in on WA border

ABC News

Cane toads are now just four kilometres from the Western Australian border, and it is predicted they will cross into the state within weeks. Scientists have laid blame on successive governments for failing to prevent the spread of cane toads, with inadequate funding and poorly organised efforts to control the pest. The WA Department of Environment and Conservation is completing its Cane Toad Strategy for the state.

posted by anna on February 23, 2009 at 12:10 pm · filed under

Anti-whaling ship ‘Steve Irwin’ raided by Australian Federal Police

ABC News

A complaint lodged by the Japanese authorities has initiated a raid on Steve Irwin by the Australian Federal Police who boarded the anti-whaling ship last Friday, confiscating a log book and footage by Animal Planet showing hundreds of hours of whales being killed. “Australians will be outraged by the appearance that the Australian police are doing the bidding of the Japanese whaling authorities,” says Greens Leader Bob Brown, who has written to the Rudd Government expressing his disapproval and the need for justification over the exploit. The captain of Steve Irwin says should the raid lead to charges against his crew and himself, he would willingly go to court.

posted by cecie on February 22, 2009 at 4:09 pm · filed under

CSIRO trials printable solar cells

CSIRO

CSIRO Researchers have commenced trials aimed at the future production of flexible, large area, cost-effective, reel-to-reel printable plastic solar cells. The aim of the project, still in its infancy, is to eventually create solar cell technology that is cheap to produce and easier to install than current PVC solutions.

posted by patrick on February 20, 2009 at 11:52 am · filed under

ACF welcomes Senate-amended stimulus package

Australian Conservation Foundation

The Australian Conservation Foundation sees good things in the Government’s economic stimulus package, passed by the Senate last week. It welcomed measures in the plan to increase Australia’s energy efficiency and the health of the Murray-Darling Basin. ACF executive director Don Henry said more could still be done to improve energy efficiency standards.

posted by seamas on February 17, 2009 at 8:00 am · filed under

Wildlife deaths could exceed 1 million

Herald Sun

Wildlife expert and rescue worker Gayle Chappell says the number of animals killed in Victoria’s devasting bushfires could exceed 1 million. Endangered owls, gliders and lizards are believed to be among the populations affected. At least four of the state’s wildlife shelters were destroyed in the blazes.

posted by seamas on February 17, 2009 at 7:50 am · filed under