Wednesday, 07 Feb 2007

D, None of the Above

Nations squabble over who's responsible for solving climate change

Last week, more than 100 countries approved a report saying humans are causing climate change and it's time to find solutions. Remember that show of harmony? Well, cherish the memory, because now some of those countries are rushing to explain why they can't be the ones to find a fix. As U.S. officials publicly balk at emissions caps and Germany shies away from vehicle regulations, leaders from developing countries are pointing fingers at the rich. Climate change "has been caused by the long-term historic emissions of developed countries and their high per capita emissions," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu, who said such nations "bear an unshirkable responsibility" for leading the charge. And Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized wealthy countries' tendency to "[approve] protocols, [hold] big speeches" with few results, saying he would lead a campaign to spotlight the need for rich countries to cut emissions. Hey, world: go ahead and posture. We've got time.


In a decidedly red state, Rocky Anderson is a decidedly green mayor -- and a popular one at that. His innovations have turned Salt Lake City into a sustainable hub with thriving public transportation, businesses clamoring for energy efficiency, and one of the few governments that can claim they're exceeding their goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Kate Sheppard reports on a press tour with hizzoner, and David Roberts picks Anderson's mind about how he's managed to bring the city so far -- and why he plans to leave it all behind.

The Lobby Lobby

Protesters shut down public energy hearing at Thailand hotel

How many protesters does it take to stop a public hearing? About 200, if a fracas at Bangkok's Siam City hotel is any indication. Thailand expects its power needs to more than double by 2021, and officials are scrambling to approve a plan for feeding the beast. Faced with the need to add generating capacity of some 32,000 megawatts, the Energy Ministry has outlined two scenarios that use a combination of coal and natural gas, and a third that adds nuclear power to the mix for the first time. The plans are unpopular with some residents of the France-sized country; a group of villagers traveled 190 miles from Prachuab Khirikhan province to voice their disapproval. "You build, we burn," they chanted, and the protest leader promised, "Whenever there is a hearing, we all will go." Similar protests in 2002 cancelled plans for two coal-powered plants in the province. But this time it was hotel staffers, not officials, who halted the hearing, worried that the crowd was keeping customers away.


When chestnuts roast on an open fire, is the coziness and ability to pursue home cookery worth the inefficiency? A concerned reader asks advice maven Umbra Fisk for her take on fireplace inserts. From pellet stoves to natural-gas flamethrowers, Umbra runs down the options. But the real answer, she says, might lie in another part of the room entirely.

Cleaner by the Dozen

Green group produces list of top 12 eco-friendly vehicles

American autos are drowning their sorrows in foreign oil after not making the 2007 Green Book list of the top 12 eco-friendly vehicles, released yesterday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Honda's natural-gas-powered Civic GX (available only in California and New York) regained its top spot for the third time in four years; the Toyota Prius was the first runner-up, followed by Honda Civic and Nissan Altima hybrids and the subcompact Toyota Yaris. The ACEEE, which based its calculations on fuel economy and emissions, also put out a bottom 12 list, chock full of diesel-powered European models that will soon face stricter diesel standards. Also heartening: four new models made the clean dozen, and a bunch more just missed the cut. "It used to be the case that the greenest vehicles were a select number of models that stood far above the pack," says Green Book author James Kliesch. "Today, the eco-friendly field has become much more crowded, and that's good news for consumers."