A summary of today’s top climate and clean energy stories.
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(Pic: Mikhail Rogov)
Research: A review from the International Programme on the State of the Ocean, warns that the oceans are being heated by climate change, turned slowly less alkaline by absorbing CO2, and suffering from overfishing and pollution making conditions ripe for the sort of mass extinction event that has afflicted the oceans in the past. (BBC)
Japan: The operator of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has said another tank holding highly contaminated water overflowed, probably sending the liquid into the Pacific Ocean, in the second such breach in less than two months. (Reuters)
China: The government of China is now offering a 50% tax rebate to photovoltaic solar panel manufacturers, effective since 1 October 2013. This is a value added tax PV rebate which will end on 31 December 2015. (Clean Technica)
US: The Obama administration has released details of its 2014 Climate Action Report which significantly enhances US domestic efforts to address climate change by putting in place new rules to cut carbon pollution from the power sector, enhancing action on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies and by reducing methane and hydrofluorocarbon emissions. (Newsroom America)
Kiribati: The President of Kiribati Anote Tong says he is concerned by the new Australian government’s apparent backing away from the issue of climate change. The Tony Abbott-led Coalition has scrapped the Climate Commission, begun work repealing the carbon tax, and has given indications it is prepared to listen to those who question climate change science. (Radio Australia)
Canada: The absence of key US negotiators due to the government shutdown may ensure a more ambitious aviation emissions deal is agreed in Montreal this week say analysts. (RTCC)
Chile: French oil and gas company Total S.A. and solar power company Etrion will build a 70MW solar installation in the Atacama region which will be the world’s first to make money from selling the electricity without needing government subsidies to prop it up. (RTCC)
Australia: Koalas could suffer a “huge reduction” in numbers unless Australia changes its land management practices to help mitigate the impact of climate change, a study has found. (Guardian)