In The News

China’s Green Ambition, US Sees Red

Michael Richardson January 5, 2011
As factory to the world, China is hungry for energy. The nation secures traditional sources of energy – as the largest producer and consumer of coal, ranking second in oil consumption and imports, fifth for oil production – and is also intent on dominating the global renewable-energies industry. Recognizing that the rapidly-growing industry creates jobs, China devotes a growing pile of investment...

UK Snow

David Millward December 22, 2010
Fast, low-cost travel fuels modern globalization. During the busy winter holiday season, schedules are tight and seats few. So a few inches of snow, unusual for Europe, have paralyzed travel in the United Kingdom and some neighboring nations. Reports suggest that Heathrow Airport – managed by BAA, controlled by Ferrovial, a Spanish firm – has a need for additional snow plows and de-icing...

Asking China to Act Like the US

Helene Cooper December 6, 2010
US leaders show little understanding as to why China balks at acting against its own national interests on democracy, currency, trade surpluses, climate change and many other issues, notes Helene Cooper for the New York Times. Complete acquiescence from China on US policies would serve American interests, not necessarily China’s or the world’s. Cooper focuses on the two nations’ responses to...

Nations That Debate Coal Use Export It to Feed China’s Need

Elisabeth Rosenthal December 3, 2010
Pollution from burning coal has no borders. Yet wealthy developed nations that limit construction of coal-fired plants within their borders do not hesitate to ship loads of coal to China and other nations in Asia, reports Elisabeth Rosenthal for the New York Times. The article lists numerous trade deals, and China now uses about half of the coal burned globally, or 3 billion tons. The rush to...

Merkel Leads on Climate Change

Hakan Altinay December 2, 2010
The vast majority of climate researchers contend that failing to take immediate steps to control emissions could ruin the world as we know it. They urge today’s generations to sacrifice, sharing the cost burden with future generations. But preventive steps taken today won’t take effect for 30 years or more. Politicians whose power depends on comforting citizens deny that change is underway or...

Leaking Siberian Ice Raises a Tricky Climate Issue

Arthur Max November 24, 2010
Climate change could be unfolding at a faster pace than predicted by most scientists. New research suggests that rapidly thawing permafrost in remote regions like Siberia and Alaska is expected to release methane and tons of carbon into the atmosphere, reports Arthur Max for the Associated Press. “As the Earth warms, the summer thaw bites a bit deeper, awakening ice-age microbes that attack...

Russia Hosts Summit to Save Tiger

November 23, 2010
Fewer than 5000 wild tigers roam Asia’s shrinking wilderness, but the large, powerful cats inspire awe around the globe. Russia hosted a conference of 13 nations to plan raising hundreds of millions for establishing preserves and protecting the remaining animals. The Global Tiger Initiative, launched by World Bank President Robert Zoellick, states that the tiger’s extinction would represent...