August 27, 2008 Newsletter

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November 12-14, 2008

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, DC

Carbon Market Insights Americas 2008 will take place in the heart of political decision making, the week following the U.S. presidential election.

The early registration deadline [3] of September 5 is fast approaching, and those interested in attending this event are encouraged to visit the conference website to learn about the admission discounts before it's too late.

The event will involve leading decision makers in the forthcoming U.S. Administration and Congress and provide participants with a fresh analysis on climate policy and carbon markets in North America. It will offer key insights into how federal policy changes are likely to affect regional cap-and-trade schemes in North America, the global carbon market, and emissions trading around the world.

Click here [2] to register and to get more information about the conference.

Markets & Business

Offset Quality Initiative Issues Key Recommendations

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In a new white paper [5], the Offset Quality Initiative (OQI) offers policymakers practical recommendations for the integration of greenhouse gas offsets into emerging regulatory systems at the state, regional and federal levels. (July 2008)

The Pew Center is a founding member of OQI, a coalition of six leading non-profit organizations [4] established in November 2007 to provide leadership on GHG offset policy and best practices.

More on markets & business [6]

Science & Impacts

Updated Science Brief Outlines Causes of Global Climate Change

http://www.pewclimate.com/docUploads/global-warming-science-brief-august2008.pdf

Browse or download [7] this handy document featuring updated graphs and facts reflecting the most recent data related to global warming. (August 2008){C}{C}

More science & impacts information [8]

Pew Perspectives

Aspen Ideas Festival Features Discussion on Climate and National Security

Pew Center Senior Scientist Dr. Jay Gulledge participates in a panel [9]discussion addressing foreign policy impacts related to climate change and national security. Other panelists include John Podesta, R. James Woolsey, Kurt Campbell, and James Steinberg. (July 2, 2008)

See more of Pew in the media [10]

State News

New Massachusetts Global Warming Law Calls For Short-, Mid-, Long-Term Targets

On August 7, 2008, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act, S2540 [11], which requires the Commonwealth to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

The bill calls for an interim target of between 10 and 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, as well as targets for 2030 and 2040.

South Carolina Panel Releases Final Climate Action Plan

The South Carolina Climate, Energy, and Commerce Advisory Committee released its final report outlining specific recommendations [12] for state-level policies to mitigate climate change. The report recommends a voluntary, economy-wide greenhouse gas emission reduction target of five percent below 1990 levels by 2020. (August 6, 2008)

More state and regional news [13]

International

Climate Change "Wargame" Connects Environmental and Security Experts

Pew Center President Eileen Claussen joined top scientists, former lawmakers, and ex-military officers in a three-day wargame to develop strategies for dealing with the national security consequences of global climate change. The exercise focused on four major economies: the US, the EU, China, and India.

The Center for a New American Security offers project details online [14], and Nature magazine provides inside coverage on their wargame blog [15]. (July 28-30, 2008)

More international news and analysis [16]

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Donating to the Pew Center

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For ten years, the Pew Center's mission has been to provide credible information, straight answers, and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change. Today, climate change sits atop the list of global issues facing world leaders.

We are at a critical juncture in the climate change debate. While it is clear that it will take decades to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to acceptable levels, it is equally clear that we must begin now. Your financial support [18] will help us as we continue our work toward environmentally effective and economically viable solutions to this challenge.

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Speech

Opinion-Editorial

Press Release

Statement