CLIMATE REPORT

Students growingly demand university endowment funds divest fossil fuel companies' stocks. Hope to bring climate change further onto national political agenda.

Senate passed defense bill that authorizes $150M for energy conservation projects and makes reforms to DOD enviro, energy policies.

House passed energy efficiency bill.

DOE: use of coal for US elgen will continue to decline over next 15 years.

Arctic ice and snow hit new record lows this year (Oct to Aug), scientists saying.

Expert says world has jumped the 2C degree "guardrail", moving to more dangerous climate.

Global emissions peaking around '20 is what is needed to stop world warming > 2C degrees.

World Bank: even if all existing pledges by nations to cut emissions are kept, there's still 20% chance world could warm 4C degrees. If we carry on as we are, temps could rise > 4C well before 2100, > 8C before 2150. (We won't be here. But our grandchildren's grandchildren will be, assuming the 2nd coming doesn't happen before. Which brings up the whole point: if the 2nd coming is near, we don't need to even bother cutting emissions or subsidizing clean energy or even discussing it. Except for the fact that pollution kills and maims now - whether from air or water or ground or from super storms, droughts, heatwaves.)

The longer we delay emissions cuts, the less difference they will make. By the time our emissions start falling, land and oceans won't be able to absorb any more carbon and will begin releasing it.

Study: methane from landfills overstated.

More companies pledging to reduce emissions.

UK called for major growth of gas-fired power plants. Green groups angry.

Japan's emissions up 3.9% since nukes shutdown.

Scientists agree on 3T metric ton CO2 emissions estimate from deforestation.

Indonesia OK'd rain forest conservation project.

Experts: climate change will lead to more malnurished children.

Years '01-'11 were all among warmest on record. '12 likely to be no exception: World Meteorological Org.

Report: wealthy nations spending 5x more - $58B in '11 - on fossil fuel subsidies than climate aid. US spent $13B in '11 on fossil subsidies, $2.5B on climate.

Happy trails, pards.