Air Pollution News & Alerts - November 27th, 2011

News & Information; Every Sunday
(Last on November 20th, 2011)

The Guardian, November 27th, 2011
Wood fires fuel climate change – UN.

Climate-L News, November 25th, 2011
Ozone COP/MOP Does Not Address HFCs Phase-Down.

BBC, November 25th, 2011
Climate sensitivity to CO2 probed.

Science Daily, November 25th, 2011
Fifth of Global Energy Could Come from Biomass Without Damaging Food Production.

EEA, November 24th, 2011
Industrial air pollution cost Europe up to €169 billion in 2009.

Science Daily, November 24th, 2011
Climate Sensitivity to Carbon Dioxide More Limited Than Extreme Projections.

China Daily, November 24th, 2011
China punishes power plants for pollution.

The Guardian, November 24th, 2011
Industrial pollution 'costs UK billions each year'.

ABC News, November 24th, 2011
EU Agency: Air Pollution Costs Exceed $134 Billion.

China.org, November 24th, 2011
WWF to promote low-carbon innovation in China.

Policy Shop, November 24th, 2011
Bad Energy: The High Price of Coal.

Huffington Post, November 23rd, 2011
The Foul Air Outside My Window.

Mongolia News, November 22nd, 2011
Ulaanbaatar managing officials discuss winter preparation.

UN-HABITAT, November 22nd, 2011
Cities and Climate Change Policy Note 2.

The Sunday Independent, November 21st, 2011
Climate cash deals are killing us.

The Times of India, November 21st, 2011
A moveable feast.

Science Daily, November 21st, 2011
Algae Biomass Increased by More Than 50 Percent.

Science Daily, November 21st, 2011
Second-Generation Ethanol Processing Cost Prohibitive.

BBC, November 21st, 2011
Climate concerns as ‘ozone-friendly’ HFCs use grows.

BBC, November 21st, 2011
No let up in greenhouse gas rise.

NY Times, November 21st, 2011
New Delhi, Now More Polluted Than Beijing.

Mongolia News, November 18th, 2011
National Committee reports on anti-pollution efforts.

Biofuels Digest, November 18th, 2011
Bioenergy Critical Success Factors.

Bicycling for an Aging America

today..
From Mr. Lalloobhoy Battliwala

Two thoughts on bicycles and similar non-motorized transport options:

1. America is greying, and no telling when the grey would return to cities rather than in outer suburbs (or that suburbs with high grey densities would appear). The numbers for people aged 15-54 and 55+ for 1980 were 145 and 52 m; for 2011 are 172 and 91 m; for 2040 will be 190 and 149 m respectively. As % of total population, 57 and 21 in 1980; 53 and 28 in 2011; 46 and 36%.

If you take 15-40 as the bicycling age, 95, 106 and 98 m respectively.

Today's bicyclists (15-40) will be in the 45-70 age group then and 106 m strong in 2040.

An older population can also use bicycles and enjoy the health benefits. Keeping roads safe for them as well, not just the next younger generation, is an important consideration.

Besides, retirees may find gas cars much more expensive as their incomes decline and gas prices go up.

The 45-70 age cyclist group of the future will ride at lower speeds, and may well compete with the younger age for the cycle lanes and parking spaces. Since not all bicycling regulations can be age-separated, the best is to accommodate as much of both groups as possible in the planning and regulatory process.

2. For US locales, where distances are longer, a large market potential lies in electric and hybrid (pedal-battery) scooters and tricycles for the seniors. (Seniors would ride slower but may brake more often, hence a hybrid.)

Air Pollution News & Alerts - November 20th, 2011

News & Information; Every Sunday
(Last on November 13th, 2011)

Down to Earth, November, 2011
Diesel: when bad policy makes for toxic hell.

Mongolia News, November 20th, 2011
"Nature" publishes article of Mongolia Scientist.

China Daily, November 18th, 2011
Car owners return extra subsidies.

NPR, November 18th, 2011
Climate Panel: More Extreme Weather On The Way.

CNN, November 18th, 2011
China air pollution: 'Slightly polluted' or 'hazardous'?

Times of India, November 18th, 2011
Project for better monsoon forecast to be launched in Jan that will enable better forecast of monsoon in country to be launched in January 2012.

Eur Activ, November 17th, 2011
Air pollution 'hot potato' for London Olympics.

Pakistan Today, November 17th, 2011
Unnaturally yours.

IEW News, November 17th, 2011
IEA Warns of Irreversible Climate Change in 5 Years if Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Remains Unchanged.

BBC, November 17th, 2011
China morning round-up: US Asia policy under fire.

Triple Pundit, November 17th, 2011
Beijing’s EPA: The Air Quality is Just Fine.

Manila Bulletin, November 17th, 2011
DENR seeks improved air quality.

EurActiv, November 17th, 2011
MEPs push for strong EU role in climate talks.

Xinhua Net, November 17th, 2011
Pollution measures for public feedback.

The Nation, November 17th, 2011
Fed Govt backs $100m Lagos transport project.

Times of India, November 17th, 2011
Delhi four times more polluted than Pune on Diwali night.

China Human Rights, November 17th, 2011
Air quality standards to cover PM2.5 by 2016.

Science Daily, November 17th, 2011
Nanoparticles Used as Additives in Diesel Fuels Can Travel from Lungs to Liver.

Science Daily, November 16th, 2011
Acid Pollution in Rain Decreased With Emissions, Long-Term Study Shows.

BBC, November 16th, 2011
UN warns Chinese pollution has dire health implications.

Reuters, November 16th, 2011
Analysis: China climate role could be to corner U.S.

Io9, November 16th, 2011
Why the U.N.’s Development Index is destroying the future.

Earth Justice, November 16th, 2011
35,700 Deaths Could Be Prevented Annually by Strong Soot Standards.

Progress Illinois, November 16th, 2011
New EPA Rules Target Coal Plant Emissions.

Nature, November 16th, 2011
Time to stop celebrating the polluters.

Shanghai Daily, November 15th, 2011
Wind expected to clear air pollution.

Xinhua Net, November 15th, 2011
China eyes green growth, vows to curb pollution.

Deccan Herald, November 15th, 2011
Tata Hispano unveils its hybrid CNG-Electric bus.

Euractiv, November 14th, 2011
Bulgaria’s killer air exposes wider EU problems.

Science Daily, November 13th, 2011
Climate Policies Can Help Resolve Energy Security and Air Pollution Challenges.

NPR, November 11th, 2011
Air Pollution: Bad For Health, But Good For Planet?

Science Daily, November 10th, 2011
Woodsmoke from Cooking Fires Linked to Pneumonia, Cognitive Impacts.

Climate-L News, November 10th, 2011
ADB Approves US$100 Million for Low Carbon Growth, Climate Resilience in Indonesia.

CNN, September 21st, 2011
New climate study deals blow to skeptics.

Air Pollution News & Alerts - November 13th, 2011

News & Information; Every Sunday
(Last on November 6th, 2011)

The Jerusalem Post,
OECD officials commend Israel on environment.

The Financial Express, November 13th, 2011
CNG-consuming assocs threaten to go on indefinite strike.

The Atlantic, November 12th, 2011
How Walmart Is Changing China.

Reuters, November 11th, 2011
China official says air pollution rules too lax.

NPR, November 11th, 2011
Air Pollution: Bad For Health, But Good For Planet?

The Huffington Post, November 11th, 2011
The Arctic and Responsible Adaptation to Climate Change.

The Telegraph UK, November 11th, 2011
China concedes it underestimates air pollution levels.

The City Fix, November 10th, 2011
Embracing the Opportunity for Sustainable Urban Development in China.

Times of India, November 9th, 2011
10 yrs on, CNG advantage lost.

People's Daily Online, November 9th, 2011
Market blow away 'special air' rumors.

New York Times, November 9th, 2011
The Developing World, Leading on Climate Change?

People's Daily Online, November 9th, 2011
Expert: Heavy fog different from air pollution.

China Daily, November 9th, 2011
Beijing's air-quality center opens to public.

TG Daily, November 9th, 2011
Climate disasters costing billions in health costs.

NDTV, November 9th, 2011
Environment Ministry gives conditional clearance to Lavasa.

EBRD, November 8th, 2011
EBRD, World Bank join forces to cut emissions from gas flaring in Russia and Central Asia.

Hindustan Times, November 8th, 2011
Toxic Capital air killing like never before.

Shanghai Daily, November 8th, 2011
Air in many China cities remains highly polluted.

Global Times, November 8th, 2011
Beijing environmental agency shows the city recorded 239 days of good air.

Wall Street Journal, November 8th, 2011
The Hidden Toll of Traffic Jams.

NRDC, November 8th, 2011
Health Costs from Extreme Weather Events $14 Billion, We're Workin' On It.

China.Org, November 8th, 2011
Beijing environmental authority responds to public scrutiny.

Tehelka, November 8th, 2011
Blame pollution, truck overloading for haze in city.

China Dialogue, November 8th, 2011
US car fumes: a call to arms for China.

Live Mint, November 7th, 2011
Soot blamed for rising cyclone strength, drop in rainfall.

Washington Times, November 7th, 2011
China moves, haltingly, to clean up environmental mess.

Railway Gazette, November 7th, 2011
Ambitious plans in Kathmandu for Metrorail.

Inhabitat, November 7th, 2011
Uganda’s First Electric Car Built by Makerere Students.

Huffington Post, November 7th, 2011
Many Americans left behind in the quest for cleaner air.

China Daily, November 7th, 2011
Tighter air quality monitoring in Beijing.

International Business Times, November 7th, 2011
China Urged To Implement Stricter Air Monitoring Standards.

China Daily, November 6th, 2011
Electric taxis to triple in Beijing next year.

Times of India, November 5th, 2011
Haze in Delhi sets off air pollution alarm.

CNTN, November 5th, 2011
Public scrutiny pushes air quality monitoring.

C-Net, November 2nd, 2011
USDA awards $44.6 million for biofuel projects.

The Hindu, November 2nd, 2011
Bengal headed for a power crisis.

Speigel Online, October 26th, 2011
Chinese Scientists Warn of Significant Glacier Melt.

Introduction to Black Carbon by NOAA

Transcript

NARRATOR: Black carbon is the fancy name for soot. And like carbon dioxide, it’s causing changes in the Arctic climate.

Black carbon comes from the burning of fossil fuels, like coal and diesel, and from forest fires, and cookstoves. The majority reaching the Arctic comes from North America and Eurasia.

Studies suggest that black carbon is contributing to the acceleration of sea ice melting in the Arctic. Loss of this ice would lead to more rapid warming and possibly irreversible climate change.

Black carbon is dark in color and warms the Earth in two ways: When it’s in the air, the particles absorb sunlight and generate heat in the atmosphere. This can affect cloud formation and rain patterns. When it covers snow and ice, the sun’s radiation is absorbed instead of being reflected back into the atmosphere. This again generates heat and speeds up melting.

It’s like wearing a black shirt on a sunny day. You’re going to feel hot. To stay cooler, you would wear a light-colored shirt that would reflect the sun’s warmth.

Scientists from around the world are studying black carbon from all possible angles. They’re using ships, snowmobiles, weather balloons, as well as manned and unmanned aircraft to collect data.

The instruments on board measure the total numbers of particles in the atmosphere, including the number of soot particles, and chemicals that can identify where the soot comes from. They also measure incoming radiation from the sun and the reflectivity of snow and ice covered surfaces. Newly fallen snow is also analyzed to trace where the black carbon is coming from.

The bad news is that black carbon is contributing to the acceleration of sea ice melting in the Arctic. The good news is that since black carbon is a particle and not a gas, it doesn’t last very long in the atmosphere. This means reducing the amount people produce can have immediate effects on the rate of climate change.

Scientists are hopeful that their research findings from the Arctic will help world leaders develop strategies for change, so that black carbon can no longer leave a dirty footprint on our world.

Link to the video on NOAA.

Air Pollution Alerts - November 6th, 2011

News & Information; Every Sunday
(Last on October 30th, 2011)

The Hindu, November 6th, 2011
Gone in 50 seconds.

The Hindu, November 6th, 2011
Road ahead for urban renewal in India.

The Hindu, November 6th, 2011
Nuclear power is our gateway to a prosperous future, former President of India.

Bhutan Daily, November 6th, 2011
It’s no surprise – the air is polluted!

The Daily Star, November 5th, 2011
Can we save Dhaka city?

Times of India, November 5th, 2011
Haze in Delhi sets off air pollution alarm.

Times of India, November 5th, 2011
Vroom boom adds pollutants to Lucknow's air.

The Guardian, November 4th, 2011
China to phase out incandescent light bulbs.

The New York Times, November 4th, 2011
The Privileges of China’s Elite Include Purified Air.

The Guardian, November 4th, 2011
Incandescent lightbulb phase-outs around the world.

The Week, November 4th, 2011
Can white roofs really reduce global warming?

Hindustan Times, November 4th, 2011
With petrol price rise, majority prefer diesel cars.

AFP, November 3rd, 2011
Beijing accuses US embassy of pollution 'hype'.

The Guardian, November 3rd, 2011
How I cut my energy bills to £100 a year.

Science Daily, November 3rd, 2011
Hybrid Power Plants Can Help Industry Go Green: Affordable Solar Option for Power Plants.

CNN, November 2nd, 2011
U.S. readings challenge China's smog claims.

Mongolian Economy and Finance, November 2nd, 2011
Standing committee discusses air pollution.

Science Daily, November 2nd, 2011
Link Between Air Pollution and Cyclone Intensity in Arabian Sea: Disruption of Wind Shear Enables Stronger Storms.

The Guardian, November 2nd, 2011
Pollution makes powerful cyclones more likely, claim scientists.

India Today, November 2nd, 2011
Fumes, noxious gases choke Central Delhi.

AFP, November 2nd, 2011
Beijing vows better pollution data after smog anger.

Mongolia News, November 2nd, 2011
Do Not Pollute Air and Get Discount.

The Guardian, November 2nd, 2011
UN calls for universal access to renewable energy.

New York Times, November 2nd, 2011
Climate Change Imperils Global Prosperity, U.N. Warns.

Info Mongolia, November 2nd, 2011
The Incentive Policy for Reducing the Air Pollution in Mongolia.

China Daily, November 2nd, 2011
Weather debate shrouded in fog.

BU News, November 1st, 2011
Boston University Launches Urban Health Initiative.

The Guardian, November 1st, 2011
Wild weather worsening due to climate change, IPCC confirms.

Daily Times, September 30th, 2011
Study on growth of 2-wheelers presented in Karachi.