Global warming

MADRID - Global climate talks lurched to an end here Sunday with finger pointing, accusations of failure and fresh doubts about the world's collective resolve to slow the warming of the planet - at a moment when scientists say time is running out for humans to avert steadily worsening climate disasters. After more than two weeks of negotiations, punctuated by raucous protests and constant reminders about the need to move faster, bleary-eyed negotiators barely mustered enthusiasm for the comprise they had patched together, while raising grievances about the many issues that remain unresolved. At a gathering where the mantra "Time for Action" was plastered throughout the hallways and on the walls, the talks failed to achieve their primary goals. Central among them: convincing the world's largest carbon-emitting countries to pledge to more aggressively tackle climate change beginning in 2020. "We are not satisfied," the chair of the meeting, Chilean Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt … [Read more...] about U.N. climate talks end with hard feelings, few results and new doubts about global unity

Saturday Night Live took aim at President Donald Trump, noting that he’ll win reelection after Democrats impeach him, and trotted out actress Kate McKinnon as teen environmental alarmist Greta Thunberg who ordered the president to “grow up.”The various dinner conversations take place in San Francisco, Charleston, and Atlanta, with families discussing whether it is right that Trump should be impeached. In one of the conversations, Kenan Thompson’s character disputes a suggestion that the American people will not re-elect Trump in 2020 because he has the support of “everybody,” and particularly “white people.” “What people? White people?” Thompson asked. “If white people tell you, ‘I might not vote for Trump this time,’ you know what that’s called, right? A lie! Nobody was gonna vote for Trump in 2016 either, and guess who did? Everybody!” Played by McKinnon, Thunberg crashes the dinner … [Read more...] about ‘SNL’ Tackles Impeachment, Kate McKinnon’s Greta Thunberg Warns Global Warming will Destroy Christmas

When Suncor Energy’s oil refinery north of Denver — which emits more than 800,000 tons of air pollution a year — broke a 12.8-ton limit for one invisible toxic gas last summer, the event went practically unnoticed. Neither Suncor nor state health officials alerted nearby residents or county emergency managers about the July test that estimated hydrogen-cyanide emissions at a level of 14.1 tons a year. Ten months after Suncor reported that violation, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has not penalized the company, though officials in recent weeks said they’re still considering enforcement. Now state officials are weighing a request from Suncor — Colorado’s only refinery and one of the state’s largest polluters — to raise its hydrogen-cyanide permit limit upward to 19.9 tons a year, giving the fossil fuels refinery a greater buffer.The state health department and the Environmental Protection Agency say … [Read more...] about Suncor’s hydrogen-cyanide emissions exceeded permit last year; Colorado now weighing refinery’s request to increase limit

MADRID (AP) — Marathon international climate talks closed Sunday with negotiators postponing until next year a key decision on global carbon markets.After two weeks of negotiations on tackling global warming, delegates from almost 200 nations passed declarations calling for greater ambition in cutting planet-heating greenhouse gases and in helping poor countries suffering the effects of climate change. But despite holding the longest climate talks ever in 25 nearly annual editions they left one of the thorniest issues for the next summit in Glasgow, in a year’s time.Environmental groups and activists accused the world’s richer countries of showing little commitment to seriously tackling climate change.This year’s meeting broke the record for longest climate talks ever in 25 nearly annual editions. After more than 40 hours of overtime, sleep-deprived delegates began holding a closing plenary Sunday morning in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Advertisement Among … [Read more...] about Longest UN climate talks end with no deal on carbon markets

FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2016, file Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. As Johnson prepares to step down after 11 years leading the group, he's well aware of the many challenges facing its members: A painful trade war, issues of climate change and the march of farm consolidation. But Johnson, a North Dakota native, says smaller operators can still find a way to carve out a living. less FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2016, file Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. As Johnson prepares to step down after 11 years leading the group, he's well ... more Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 FILE - In this Sept. … [Read more...] about Retiring Farmers Union president: Family farms still viable