Island issues... Climate change talks continue

From: Franklin McDonald (fmcdonald@igc.org)
Date: Fri Nov 17 2000 - 16:16:33 EST

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    Island issues... Climate change talks continue

    A HAGUE-Y SHADE OF WINTER
    The European Union is unhappy with two proposals being pushed by
    the U.S. at the international climate change talks underway in
    The Hague, Netherlands. One would allow countries to count the
    ability of their forests and farmlands to absorb the greenhouse
    gas carbon dioxide toward their targets for cutting greenhouse
    gas emissions. Another would allow countries to skip significant
    emissions cuts at home and meet their commitments by providing
    funding and technology to help other countries reduce emissions.
     
    The head of the U.S. delegation at the climate talks, David
    Sandalow, said the proposals, if accepted, would lead to the most
    cost-effective emissions cuts and help the Kyoto treaty on
    climate change pass the U.S. Senate. The EU argues that at least
    half of emissions cuts should occur within each country's own
    boundaries. Environmental groups say the U.S. is seeking
    loopholes to avoid taking serious action against climate
    change. Meanwhile, the G77 group of developing countries, which
    includes island nations that are most threatened by the rising
    sea levels caused by global warming, is accusing the
    industrialized world of failing to do its part.

    straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Matt Daily and
    Robin Pomeroy, 15 Nov 2000
    <http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=8946>

    straight to the source: USA Today, Associated Press, 14 Nov 2000
    <http://www.usatoday.com/weather/science/climate/climeet111300.ht
    m>

    straight to the source: MSNBC, 14 Nov 2000
    <http://www.msnbc.com/news/489253.asp>

    5.
    THUNDER, THE CIRCUMSTANCES
    Against the backdrop of the international talks on climate change
    occurring in The Hague, Netherlands, scientists said yesterday
    that January through October in the U.S. this year saw the
    highest average temperature on record. The country averaged 58.1
    degrees Fahrenheit over those months, said the National Oceanic
    and Atmospheric Administration, the top temperature since records
    started being kept in 1895. Meanwhile, the Inuits of the
    Canadian Arctic are experiencing something not recorded in their
    oral history: thunder and lightning. Electric storms are just
    one of the changes in the Arctic attributed to climate change in
    a new study by the Winnipeg-based International Institute for
    Sustainable Development. Others include melting permafrost,
    thinning ice, mudslides, and skinny wildlife.

    straight to the source: Las Vegas Sun, 14 Nov 2000
    <http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2000/nov/14/11
    1400735.html>

    straight to the source: Toronto Globe and Mail, Alanna Mitchell,
    15 Nov 2000
    <http://www.globeandmail.ca/gam/National/20001115/UARCTN.html>

    straight to the source: ABCNews.com, Associated Press, 15 Nov
    2000
    <http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/arctic_thun
    der00
    1115.html>

    Kyoto Protocol Could Accelerate Forest Destruction

    Following is excellent additional information regarding concerns
    that efforts being pursued to promote forest plantations as
    carbon sinks at the soon to commence Hague climate meeting may
    speed up global warming while increasing native forest
    destruction.

    Read More...
    http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/974227299/index_htm
    l

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