Climate Volatility Deepens Poverty Vulnerability in Developing Countries

Environmental Research Letters / by Syud A. Ahmed, Noah S. Diffenbaugh and Thomas W. Hertel v4 034004 (8pp)  ( doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/4/3/034004) http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/1748-9326/4/3/034004/ [Abstract] Extreme climate events could influence poverty by affecting agricultural productivity and raising prices of staple foods that are important to poor households in developing countries. With the frequency and intensity of extreme [...]

Two Papers Titled: A Perspective Paper on Adaptation as a Response to Climate Change

Copenhagen Concensus / by Samuel Fankhauser http://fixtheclimate.com/fileadmin/templates/page/scripts/downloadpdf.php? [From abstract] This paper sets out the case for adaptation as a core aspect of the global policy response to climate change. The paper argues that adaptation is now unavoidable. There are no realistic mitigation policies that restrict warming to a level that does not require substantial adaptation… [...]

An Analysis of Adaptation as a Response to Climate Change

Copenhagen Concensus / by Carlo Carraro, Francesco Bosello and Enrica De Cian http://tinyurl.com/mkx7ga [From a Reuters article by Alister Doyle]  Helping developing nations adapt to climate change will bring greater economic benefits than a focus on deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study commissioned by Bjorn Lomborg, the controversial Danish researcher. Spending [...]

Meta-Review of Efficiency Potential Studies and Their Implications for the South

Georgia Tech,  School of Public Policy/ by Sharon (Jess) Chandler and Marilyn A. Brown http://www.spp.gatech.edu/faculty/workingpapers/wp51.pdf [Abstract]  This paper reviews 19 separate studies published over the past 12 years that examine the potential for deploying greater energy efficiency in the South. These studies contain more than 250 estimates of the energy efficiency potential for different fuels [...]

Energy Sprawl or Energy Efficiency: Climate Policy Impacts on Natural Habitat for the United States of America

PLoS One / by Robert I. McDonald, Joseph Fargione, Joe Kiesecker, William M. Miller, Jimmie Powell http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0006802 [Abstract]  Concern over climate change has led the U.S. to consider a cap-and-trade system to regulate emissions. Here we illustrate the land-use impact to U.S. habitat types of new energy development resulting from different U.S. energy policies. We [...]

Phytosanitary Regulation of the Entry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables into the United States

Economic Research Service, USDA http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FruitVegPhyto/#2009-8-24 [Overview] Increased trade in fresh fruits and vegetables provides U.S. consumers with a variety of benefits including the possibility of improved nutrition by making these products available year-round. Imports of these products are regulated by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) to reduce the risk of inadvertent [...]

Public Health Preparedness and Response to Chemical and Radiological Incidents : Functions, Practices, and Areas for Future Work

Rand Corp. / by Tom LaTourrette, Lynn E. Davis, David R. Howell, Preethi R. Sama, David J. Dausey http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR719/index.html [Abstract] One area of public health emergency preparedness that has not been examined in depth is preparedness for incidents involving the release of chemical or radiological substances. Past experience — with chemical and nuclear plant accidents, [...]

Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area

North Pacific Fishery Management Council http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/fmp/arctic/ArcticFMP.pdf [Announcement]  This plan dated August 2009 prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce will prohibit the expansion of commercial fishing in federal Arctic waters until researchers gather sufficient information on fish and the Arctic marine environment to prevent adverse impacts [...]

More Extreme Heat Waves : Global Warming’sWake Up Call

National Wildlife Federation http://tinyurl.com/lvzknq [From press release]  This report from the National Wildlife Federation dated 2009 argues that global warming will bring more extreme heat waves. As the United States warms another 4 to 11°F on average over the next century, we will have more extremely hot summer days. Every part of the country will [...]

Electric Power Flash Estimates

Energy Information Administration, Dept. of Energy http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/flash/flash.html [General Description]  The Monthly Flash Estimates of Electric Power Data (“Flash Estimates”) is prepared by the Electric Power Division. ..The survey data is collected monthly from a statistically-derived sample of power plants and electricity retailers…The Flash Estimates is based on an incomplete sample and includes only national-level estimates. [...]