North America

The White House on Friday (10 May 2013) released a National Strategy for the Arctic Region, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that daily average atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) had on 9 May surpassed for the first time on record 400.00 parts per million (ppm) at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. The rise in CO₂ concentrations, largely driven by the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, is rapidly warming the Arctic.  The strategy acknowledges that “the current warming trend is unlike anything previously recorded” and that “there may be potentially profound environmental consequences of continued ocean warming and Arctic ice melt.” The document recognizes the Administration’s “global objective of combating the climatic changes that are driving these environmental conditions.” But the strategy also invokes U.S. security interests to argue that that “[c]ontinuing to responsibly develop Arctic oil and gas resources aligns with the United States `all of the above’ approach to developing new domestic energy sources.” In the absence of a U.S. low-carbon development strategy, is not clear how the U.S. ultimately will reconcile expanded fossil fuel production in the region with its commitment to combat climate change.

Today (23 April 2013), Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced the launch of the Chicago Cleanweb Challenge, a year-long competition to accelerate sustainability and technology in Chicago through community engagement and entrepreneurship.  “By using big data to engage the public about the impacts of climate change, Chicago is leading the charge among U.S. cities, preparing residents for a future with more extreme weather events,” said Keya Chatterjee, World Wildlife Fund’s Senior Director for Renewable Energy and Footprint Outreach. “Across the country, these types of innovative approaches are critical to protecting local communities and moving our cities toward a renewable energy future.”

Earth Hour has just concluded another record sweep around our planet from Samoa on one side of the International Date Line to the Cook Islands on the other, with hundreds of millions again uniting to send a clear message - we are determined to create a sustainable future for our planet.

For the very first time, Russia’s Kremlin, the residence of the President, and Red Square will switch off for Earth Hour tomorrow at 8:30PM to celebrate Earth Hour’s largest conservation outcome so far.