UK highlights – Clean Energy Ministerial
Energy Ministers from 23 of the world’s leading economies gathered together in London last week for the third Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM3) to help accelerate the transition to clean energy technologies. A joint press release was released from Energy Ministers outlining commitments made on energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy access, and other cross-cutting initiatives. Under pressure from green groups, UK Government Ministers were keen to demonstrate their renewed commitment to be the “greenest government ever” and give a clear vision to investors in renewable energy.
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/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.
UK highlights – birds counts, renewable energy and Rio+20
This weekend kicks off the Big Garden Birdwatch, set aside an hour, make yourself a cup of tea and count the birds in your garden or local park. The RSPB have even provided a handy counting sheet to help! In other ESTH UK highlights, Ministers have been busy with the UK’s first marine energy park, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, preparations for the Green Deal, the Rio+20 Conference and a legal battle over cuts to solar tariffs. MPs have warned the smart meter rollout faces challenges, the UK Carbon Price will outsource emissions, and there is renewed opposition to health reforms. Green charities are concerned about ‘Boris Island’ and give their thoughts on the year ahead. And you need to count your hedgehogs too.
Weekly highlights of U.S. Government news
Please allow me to introduce myself, Michael Wautlet, the new Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) Officer at the U.S. Embassy in London. I encourage all of our readers to post comments and ask questions about blog posts, announcements, or events related to ESTH topics.
Climate Change. Today’s “U.S. Government highlights” cover a range of issues from the past two weeks. I begin with the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban, South Africa. Jonathan Pershing, the Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State and head of the U.S. delegation for the first week of the Read more
Weekly highlights of UK news
This week the Prime Minister was questioned on his Government’s green credentials, DECC published details of their proposals to reduce solar subsidies, and the independent Climate Change Committee published a report on the UK’s share of international shipping emissions.
Weekly highlights of UK news
This week, MPs published a report on preparations for the Rio+20 Earth Summit next year and Ministers sought to counter accusations that the Cabinet is at odds over its environmental commitments. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne made the case for renewable energy while Climate Change Minister Greg Barker warned that solar subsidies must be reviewed to remain sustainable. In other news, if you are carving pumpkins this weekend, scroll down for some green Halloween tips.
NFL Returns to London, and Goes Green Back Home
In honor of yesterday’s thrilling American football showdown between the National Football League’s (NFL) Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we thought we would highlight a great article from last month’s National Geographic on efforts to make some of the NFL’s stadiums greener. The article highlights a number of efforts underway around the country to help bring renewable energy sources to some of the most visible sports stadiums in America. Read more
Weekly highlights of U.S. Government news
Since we happened to post a bit late last week, this week’s highlights are a bit shorter than usual. However, they include a solar breakthrough at the Naval Research Laboratory, a chance to chat live with a senior advisor at the Department of Energy, and very cool new 3D maps of the globe from NASA. Read more
Weekly highlights of U.S. government news
Every Tuesday, we aim to provide quick highlights of some of the U.S. Government’s announcements from the last week. Each week, we’ll try to pick a mix of topical and interesting stories from a wide range of Departments and Agencies, providing a view into the full array of ESTH efforts under way. This week includes announcements from the Department of Energy, NASA, Environmental Protection Agency, State Department, and the White House. Read more