BRUSSELS—Europe's energy-intensive industries scored a victory this week in being largely let off the hook in footing the bill for the transition to an economy that uses less carbon dioxide. The European Commission watered down some key parts of new rules on government aid aimed at encouraging production of energy from renewable sources, lessening the
The 5 crops endangered by climate change — all California ag economy mainstays — according to this new National Geographic study: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/04/140406-climate-change-ipcc-report-foods-chipotle-guacamole/
California’s historic drought and shrinking water supplies are putting a spotlight on hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” and its thirst for freshwater. In other states, the controversial technique is a heavy water consumer, using millions of gallons of freshwater to extract oil or gas from each well. In California, fracking uses less water on average than
Or so the governor said during a fracking discussion with journalists. See last paragraph: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2014/03/in-climate-change-fight-jerry-brown-calls-himself-missionary-to-oil-executi.html
To supplement the water bond being debated now in the Legislature, California will need to find billions of dollars annually to improve its water system, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California report. The report's authors are generally optimistic about local entities that perform such services as providing drinking water and managing wastewater or stormwater. User
Darrell Steinberg, the president pro tem of the state Senate who will leave the position and the Legislature later this year, proposed Thursday that gasoline taxes be increased sharply to fight global warming and provide new financial support for low- and middle-income families. But his plan could be dead on arrival, given the Capitol’s political
There is a growing view among American business leaders and mainstream economists who see global warming as a force that contributes to lower gross domestic products, higher food and commodity costs, broken supply chains and increased financial risk, according to the New York Times. Their position is at striking odds with the longstanding argument, advanced
Climate change will play havoc with farming, and policy makers and researchers aren’t fully aware of the significance on food supply, according to the World Bank. “Significant damage and destruction is already happening,” Kyte said. “It isn’t a benign and slightly warmer world. It will be a volatile warming of the planet, with unpredictable impact.”
National Academy of Sciences Examines Climate Change Impact on Ag Water A warmer world is expected to have severe consequences for global agriculture and food supply, reducing yields of major crops even as population and demand increases. Now, a new analysis combining climate, agricultural, and hydrological models finds that shortages of freshwater used for irrigation
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) mobilized a new drought management effort to prepare for and reduce potential impacts of what is expected to be a third straight dry year in 2014. DWR Director Mark Cowin appointed Bill Croyle to lead the effort as department drought manager. Croyle has 30 years of experience in water