Europe's holiday spirit, shopping disrupted by global warming

Monsieur Heat Miser

In the worst consequence of global warming yet, European retailers are fretting that consumers may be too warm to do their holiday shopping. "Christmas business lacks impetus as there is no Christmas spirit in warmer weather," laments Hubertus Pellengahr, a German retail association spokesperson. "Retail sales are far more weather-related than one might assume." Following an autumn that many believe was the warmest in 500 years, Europe is experiencing a record mild winter, leading to artificial snow at ski resorts and sightings of daisies and butterflies. German asthmatics are complaining of pollen; Swedes have experienced rare flooding. Among the few reveling in the new holiday spirit are golfers and builders, whose pursuits are usually set back by cold weather. "If you look at trends, then you can say that [the 2006 record] is a signal of global warming," said Dutch atmospheric researcher Rob van Dorland, who added that his hopes for a Red Ryder, carbine-action BB gun are swiftly melting.

straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Laura MacInnis, 13 Dec 2006

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Prevent TXU Equity Funding

The Rainforest Action Network is urging private banks around the world to reject solicitations by utility company TXU Corp. for $11 billion in debt and equity to finance 11 coal-fired power plants in Texas. Rainforest Action has issued formal letters to 54 financial institutions, asking them to withhold financing for TXU's project. The letters, from RAN's Executive Director Michael Brune, described the TXU project as a "risky transaction" and warned that in addition to the significant climate concerns, the expansion of the coal industry "is associated with destructive and unsafe methods of extraction, as well as the harmful local impacts of mercury and nitrogen oxide pollution." The project's three leaders of the financing deal are are Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch. Via Dallas Business Journal.

by jetsongreen at 12:08 PM on 14 Dec 2006

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