clair031

Summary . China announced it will invest US$372 billion in energy conservation projects by 2015, involving both terminating inefficient power plants and factories, and installing efficient new facilities.   This is part of its program to lower the energy intensity of its economic production, and its carbon intensity as well.   Even so, since China ’s overall energy use is still growing rapidly, mostly powered by fossil fuels, its rate of emitting CO 2 will continue growing sharply.   The increase in atmospheric CO 2 level worsens global warming and the number and severity of extreme weather events.   These cause major damage and suffering to humanity.   All the nations of the world should unite behind the common objective of reducing emissions, as close to zero as possible, as soon as can be agreed to.   Introduction . China ’s economy has been expanding rapidly in the past several decades.   This growth necessarily is powered by a corresponding i...

Summary .     We are experiencing an increased perception of extreme weather events in recent years.   Here we discuss two new research papers confirming, by rigorous statistical analysis, that recent heat waves are unprecedented in history.   With a very high probability, these events are attributed to long-term global warming .   Extreme events such as heat waves and heavy precipitation inflict severe damages on affected communities and lead to emergency needs for relief and restitution.   As an alternative the nations of the world should undertake preventive investments that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the need for future relief expenses. Introduction .   There have been many news items describing various weather- or climate-related catastrophes, seemingly with increasing frequency and increasing severity, and having increasingly serious human and economic consequences.   Many of us readily suspect that the long-term increas...