The Liberals have taken the lead in the race to be the greenest party in Canada. Just when John Baird announced that while India, China and the US should join the Kyoto process, Canada would not act to cut industrial emission, Stephane Dion has come forward with a plan to match ambitious EU targets of a 20 percent cut below 1990 levels by 2020 by capping industrial emissions.

Statistics Canada reported a decrease of 2.3% between 2005 and 2006 in emissions from industries. However, analysts warn that “this positive short-term result is merely a blip in a poor long-term trend.”

“The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C. released an updated draft of their plan to cut maritime industry air pollution by 2015 on Thursday, including for the first time specific emissions reduction goals for trucks and trains.”

Source: Orion Magazine

Waste heat from industrial smokestacks is the United States’ biggest potential source of energy. “If it could be recycled into electricity, that heat would generate immense amounts of power without our having to burn any new fossil fuels.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is finally opening up to environmental issues. The “centerpiece” of his plan focuses on mandatory greenhouse gas emissions for large industrial emitters.

“The world’s top greenhouse gas polluters will try to work out ways to curb carbon emissions from industries and fund cleaner energy projects for poorer nations when they gather in Japan from Friday.”

Using graphical and written analysis, this article examines the extent to which various sectors are prepared for and at risk to coming impacts of climate change.

An analysis of the output of greenhouse gases in the United States since 1990, revealing continual increases in output until 2006. Provides useful information regarding how different sectors contribute, and to what extent.

The Guardian

Everything now hinges on stopping coal. Whether we prevent runaway climate change largely depends on whether we keep using the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. Unless we either leave it – or the carbon dioxide it produces – in the ground, human development will start spiralling backwards. The more coal is burnt, the smaller are our chances of future comfort and prosperity. The industrial revolution has gone into reverse.

The Wall Street Journal

Amid rising investor worries over global warming and shrinking natural resources, directors are keeping a closer watch on environmental issues. Boards at Integrys Energy Group Inc., Quicksilver Resources Inc., Tesoro Corp. and elsewhere recently have created separate environmental panels—joining long-established ones at DuPont Co., Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Rohm & Haas Co. Other companies cover environmental issues with an existing board committee.