From Day 4 of COP15

A new report by 100 of Europe’s leading marine scientists was released today, with researchers warning that the Earth’s oceans are becoming acidic at a faster rate than at any time in the last 55 million years.

“The report said that the seas were absorbing high levels of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a result of human activity and that the acidity of the oceans has increased 30 percent since the Industrial Revolution. The study, an exhaustive review of existing scientific research into ocean acidification, said that coral reefs, some mollusks and the algae and plankton that are essential to the marine food web will be “severely affected” by 2050 because of the acidification problem.”

“Dr Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, which co-sponsored the report, said: “The threat to the delicate balance of the marine environment cannot be overstated – this is a conservation challenge of unprecedented scale and highlights the urgent need for effective marine management and protection.”

WILL CARBON MARKETS or cap and trade schemes repair the oceans? No, only emissions cuts will help the ocean.

Obama Calls for Carbon Dioxide Cuts

Accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, U.S. President Obama said that failing to address global warming could lead to growing conflict in the world as rising temperatures cause climate-related upheaval and an increase in natural disasters. “The world must come together to confront climate change,” Obama said in his Nobel acceptance speech, as the climate conference in nearby Copenhagen entered its fourth day. “There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine, and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades.”

At a subsequent press conference, Obama threw his support behind a plan under which industrialized nations would pay poorer nations not to cut down their tropical rainforests. Obama showed a good grasp of the details of the plan, known as REDD — Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. “I am very impressed with the model that has been built between Norway and Brazil that allows for effective monitoring and ensures that we are making progress in avoiding deforestation of the Amazon.” Obama said. “It’s probably the most cost-effective way for us to address the issue of climate change.” Developing a mechanism for REDD programs worldwide is one of the key goals of the Copenhagen climate summit.

De Boer Sees Progress on Green-Tech Plan

In Copenhagen, Yvo de Boer, the chief UN climate change negotiator, said that “good progress” was being made to create a program in which industrialized nations transfer renewable energy technologies to developing countries. He said that a proposed UN clean technology mechanism would make available solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy to poorer countries that can’t afford to develop the technologies on their own. But de Boer said that for the Copenhagen summit to be a success, wealthy nations must commit to making steeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. He said he wanted industrialized [...]