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Renewable Energy Can Phase Out Fossil Fuels in 40 Years

Submitted by Lou Leonard on 3 February 2011 - 9:38am

If the world continues its current trajectory for fossil fuel use, species, ecosystems and natural resources are all at risk from runaway climate change. WWF released a new report showing how the world can transition away from dirty energy sources and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Open Letter to Congress from Scientists: "Focus the Nation on What the Science is Telling Us"

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 2 February 2011 - 12:09pm

In an open letter to members of Congress on 28 January 2011, a group of distinguished scientists forcefully presents the scientific basis for action on climate change, urging Congress to "focus the nation on what the science is telling us, particularly with respect to impacts now occurring around the country." Americans must "plan and prepare" and Congress must "lead the national response."

Leaders of WWF and other Major Groups Call Upon President Obama to Back Clean Air Act in State of the Union Address

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 21 January 2011 - 6:44pm

"We urge you to use your upcoming State of the Union address to underscore the critical need for the Clean Air Act’s sensible safeguards and to oppose any attempt to block, weaken, or delay its continued implementation," said the leaders of WWF and other major organizations yesterday (20 January 2011) in a letter to President Obama.  The President's address is scheduled for 9 pm EST on 25 January 2011.  

Polar Bears to Remain as Threatened Species

Submitted by Lynn Englum on 19 January 2011 - 7:53am

The Obama Administration has declined to upgrade the polar bear’s threatened species status, listed under the Endangered Species Act, to endangered. Geoff York, WWF polar bear scientist, discusses the growing climate change threat to polar bears.

Update and Assessment of Climate Negotiations (Friday, 10 Dec, 2:30 PM local)

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 10 December 2010 - 6:39pm

Masako Konishi of WWF Japan joins Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists and Raman Mehta of CAN South Asia to evaluate the endgame roles played by key countries -- particularly the U.S. and Japan -- in the final hours of the climate negotiations in Cancun, Mexico.  Watch the briefing.

WWF President Yolanda Kakabadse Joins Other NGO Leaders in Call for Strong and Meaningful Climate Agreement

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 9 December 2010 - 3:46pm

Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International, joined leaders of three other international environment and development organizations today (9 Dec 2010)  to call upon Ministers to produce a strong and meaningful climate agreement in Cancun, Mexico.  Watch the Webcast.

U.S. Proposes to Categorize Ringed and Bearded Seals as "Threatened"

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 4 December 2010 - 7:44pm

The U.S. government proposed yesterday (3 Dec 2010) to list four subspecies of ringed seals and two populations of bearded seals -- all in the Arctic region -- as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  The primary threats cited in the proposals are rapid warming of the Arctic combined with ocean acidification -- both driven by rising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.  "We hope that governments meeting for climate negotiations right now in Cancun are paying attention,” says Geoff York, WWF arctic species expert.

Presidential Advisory Group Calls for Major Energy Policy Planning Process

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 2 December 2010 - 2:57pm
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) on Monday  (29 November 2010) issued a report to the President on accelerating the transformation of energy technology in the U.S. Among its top recommendations: a government-wide energy planning process that produces a report every four years, with the first report due in 2015. This is the right idea -- but we can’t wait until 2015.

For the U.S. in Cancun: A 3-Step Plan To Success

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 30 November 2010 - 10:44pm

NationalJournal.com's Amy Harder hosted today (30 November 2010) a panel of experts to discuss the climate summit in Cancun, Mexico.  The director of WWF's climate change program, Lou Leonard, provides "A 3-Step Plan To Success" for the U.S.

Citing Threat of Climate Change, U.S. Designates Nearly 187,000 Square Miles as "Critical Habitat" for Polar Bears

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 24 November 2010 - 4:19pm

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today (24 November 2010) designated nearly 485,000 sq km (over 187,000 sq mi) as critical habitat for polar bears under the Endangered Species Act.  Noting that "the greatest threat to the polar bear is the melting of its sea ice habitat caused by human-induced climate change," Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, said that "we will continue to work toward comprehensive strategies for the long-term survival of this iconic species."

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