Drought in parts of the UK
The Environment Agency has declared that East Anglia, the south east of England and parts of Yorkshire are in drought, following prolonged dry weather in parts of the UK. Several water companies are to impose hosepipe bans on April 5.
UK – New Planning Framework
On Tuesday March 27, the Government published its new National Planning Policy Framework for England to largely positive reaction. Steps have been taken to placate conservation groups, who had launched a vigorous campaign against draft plans issued last summer amid concerns that the Government was putting short-term economic gain ahead of other local interests. Ministers claim the new “simplified” planning guidelines will support growth, create jobs and homes, give local communities greater power, and protect the countryside. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said “local communities have the responsibility and the power to decide the look and feel of the places they love.”
World TB Day: Stop Tuberculosis in My Lifetime!
Each year, U.S. Embassy London recognizes World TB Day on March 24, commemorating the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). World TB Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about TB-related problems and solutions, and to support worldwide TB-control efforts. Read more 
UK Budget – Green Issues
World Water Day
Today is World Water Day, and this year’s theme is Water and Food Security: The World is Thirsty Because We are Hungry. In honor of this, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will announce a new U.S. water public-private partnership (USWP) that will share U.S. knowledge, leverage and mobilize resources, and facilitate cross-sector partnerships to find solutions to global water accessibility challenges in the developing world. Watch her remarks here. Read more
UK/US State Visit; Obama Energy Agenda; America Doubles Renewable Energy Capacity; Wind up 27%; Nevada Solar; Ohio’s Green Button; New China Tariff
Broadly covered by news outlets last week, President Obama hosted Prime Minister Cameron for a state visit to Washington, DC. During the joint press conference, the President praised US/UK efforts toward improving maternal health and preventable deaths of children in Africa, and the increased support for the Global Fund on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Today is World Water Day. March 24 is World TB Day.
I will post separate blog entries describing U.S. and partner country efforts in both of these efforts. Covered in this week’s U.S. government news are the President’s campaign for an All-of-the-Above energy strategy and a progress report from six federal agencies showing significant gains in U.S. renewable and clean energy over the last three years. President Obama visited four states to showcase such energy efforts, and the U.S. Energy Information Agency’s (USEIA) opened a web portal showing state renewable energy portfolios. I provide specific examples from Wisconsin and Oregon of initiatives at the state and local level. Finally, there is a discussion of a new tariff on Chinese solar panels, Energy Star’s twenty year anniversary, a bacteria-engineered source for biofuel, scientific efforts to locate dark matter in space, and a light-hearted video showing how the White House prepared the Prime Minister’s state dinner.
All-of-the-Above Approach to Energy. The White House released a new energy agenda for gasoline in America. It reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil and increases fuel efficiency standards for light trucks and passenger vehicles. In his weekly video address, the President called for continued investment in new clean energy technologies. “We’ve got to develop every source of American energy,” said the President, “not just oil and gas, but wind power and solar power, nuclear power, biofuels.” Watch the address below. Read more
UK Climate Week
This week is Climate Week! Dubbed “Britain’s biggest climate change campaign” climate week is a “supercharged national occasion” showcasing activities, innovations and ideas to help combat climate change. An independent campaign, it has the backing of the Prime Minister and supported by a number organizations. Businesses, schools, charities and local authorities are holding events from March 12-18 and whether you are acting as an individual or as part of an organization everyone is encouraged to get involved. See a map of events for activities happening across the country from low carbon meals to pub quizzes and building retrofits.
UK preparations for Rio+20 Earth Summit
The UN conference on Sustainable Development will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20-22 June, 20 years after the original Earth Summit. With just three months to go, the UK Government has been setting out its priorities, building on the conferences’ two main themes: the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development.
Earth Day Photo Contest
What inspires you to act green? In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, the U.S. Embassy is holding a photo contest to recognize individual action that promotes environmental sustainability. We invite you to submit your photos starting today through April 16. The winner will win an Amazon Kindle with solar charger. Check out the Public Affairs Facebook page and website for more information. Good Luck!
UK/US Space Weather Collaboration; $1 Billion Clean Vehicle Challenge; 2012 Energy Innovation Summit; Cal, Wisc, Okla Initiatives; Other U.S. Gov’t News
As many media outlets have begun reporting on an upswing in solar flares striking the Earth’s magnetic field possibly causing damage to global communications and electric grids, I begin this week by highlighting US/UK collaboration on space weather. You will also find highlights on a Senate bill that if passed would create a national clean energy standard, a $1 billion White House program to spur deployment of clean vehicles to local communities, and an Energy Department Electric Vehicle challenge. There is a video of Energy Secretary Chu having a fireside chat with Bill Gates during the 2012 Energy Innovation Summit, and examples of new clean technology start-ups in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and California. I finish with ozone pollution research, wildlife and wetland preservation efforts, U.S. collaboration with Mexico and the Caribbean on hurricane preparedness, and a new USAID/OXFAM partnership seeking to empower women on health issues.