Paris climate deal hits threshold to take effect

Now the real work begins By Bob Berwyn The Paris climate agreement has reached the milestones needed to take effect, as 70 countries, representing almost 57 percent of global emissions, have formally signed on to the deal. According to the United Nations, Canada, the European and Nepal deposited their instruments of ratification with the global

Op-Ed: Paris climate deal shows value of consensus building

Reason for optimism … By Christine Scanlan This Earth Day may just represent a turning point in climate change history. On April 22, more than 130 countries will convene at United Nations headquarters in New York for the official Paris Agreement signing ceremony. While questions remain as to when and how the Agreement will be

Will Europe deliver on its Paris climate promises?

EU presents detailed ‘next-steps’ assessment By Bob Berwyn The global climate change agreement reached in Paris late last year may not be signed, sealed and delivered just yet, but the European Union is determined to maintain the momentum and goodwill generated at the summit. Earlier this month, the European Commission completed an assessment of the

Morning photo: Paris by night

Metro tour … I spent the better part of last week in Paris covering the COP21 climate talks at the Le Bourget conference center, where nearly 200 countries agreed to try and curb global greenhouse gas emissions and to shift the world to a low-carbon, sustainable future. I didn’t have a lot of time to

Travel industry backs strong Paris climate deal

Airline industry committed to cutting CO2 emissions 50 percent by 2050 By Bob Berwyn World travel leaders say they’re on board with efforts to finalize a meaningful global climate agreement at the ongoing COP21 talks in Paris. Highlighting the economic opportunities that the travel industry creates, several major international organizations reiterated the industry’s commitment to

Climate: Big banks back away from coal industry

New energy era on the horizon? Staff Report Citing concerns about climate change, major financial institutions today announced they are backing away from financing the coal industry. As the COP21 climate talks started in Paris, Morgan Stanley said its policy changes cover both lending and underwriting, with a long-term view toward ending financing for coal-fired

GOP trying to scuttle Paris climate deal

Subversive actions may limit President Obama’s options during upcoming talks Staff Report Widespread global support — including in the United States — won’t stop Republicans in Congress from trying to scuttle the deal, even if it means acting subversively, against the interest of the American people and against President Barack Obama. Politico, and other news

Global warming: Outlook for coral reefs gloomy, scientists say at Prague conference

‘We will have algal-dominated, rubble-strewn, slowly eroding limestone benches’ Staff Report FRISCO — Even if this year’s COP21 talks in Paris result in a global climate treaty, it may not be enough to save the world’s coral reefs. A global temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius — targeted by the talks — means most reefs