Today’s Climate: April 19, 2010

World Bank Says East Asia Can Stabilize CO2 by 2025 (Reuters)

China, the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter, and five other Asian nations need an additional $80 billion per year to get on to a sustainable energy path, the World Bank said on Monday.

Dems Warn of ‘Devastating’ Offshore Drilling Revenue Plans in Climate Bill (The Hill)

Three senior Democrats on Monday launched a battle to ensure climate legislation does not steer a hefty share of revenues from expanded offshore drilling to coastal states, warning of “devastating” financial consequences.

Scientists Call for Research on Climate Link to Geological Hazards (Guardian)

Scientists today called for wide-ranging research into whether more volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis could be triggered by rising global temperatures under global warming.

Global Warming Reduces Grain Output in Inflation-Ridden India (Bloomberg)

Rising temperatures and inadequate rainfall are causing grain output to stagnate in India, threatening food security in the world’s second-most populous nation, according to a weather scientist.

Mine Blast Means New Realities for West Virginia Democrats in Congress (Washington Post)

The explosion that killed 29 miners in West Virginia has only worsened the uncomfortable spotlight on the state’s Democratic senators, who have criticized White House policies on curbing climate change and mountaintop removal mining.

Utah Oil Lease Sales Continue to Plunge (The Salt Lake Tribune)

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will offer six Utah parcels totaling just under 5,000 acres during a quarterly oil and gas lease auction May 25 — two more parcels than the last sale, but far fewer than any other auction since 1998.

Gas Drilling Debate Rages in Delaware River Watershed (AP)

A coalition of sporting groups, conservationists and anti-drilling neighbors is standing in the way of gas drilling boom in the wild and scenic Delaware River watershed.

Green Diplomacy at Its Most Basic Level (New York Times)

Efforts are quickly gathering momentum, particularly in European countries and the U.S., to make embassies more environmentally friendly in climate-conscious times.

Head of UK’s Liberal Democrats Sets Out £3B Green Jobs Plan (Press Association)

Nick Clegg, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, has set out a £3 billion green jobs plan to "serve the interests of the 100,000 square miles of the UK" rather than just the City of London.

Australia: Renewable Energy Sector to Seek $4B (The Australian)

The renewable energy sector in Australia is calling for an extra $4 billion of commonwealth funding in the May budget to foster growth in geothermal and wave and tidal power ventures.

Hyundai Heavy, LG Invited to Join $1B U.S. Solar Project (Bloomberg)

Matinee Energy Inc., a U.S. based renewable energy company, said it invited Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and LG Electronics Inc. to become partners in a $1 billion solar project.

Sky May Not be the Limit for First Solar (Wall Street Journal)

First Solar’s biggest market in recent quarters has been Germany, where lush subsidies have fueled a huge build-out of solar plants. But politicians, now uncomfortable with solar’s high costs, are cutting those subsidies.

Coal India Defers Plan to Import 10 Million Tons of Fuel (Bloomberg)

Coal India Ltd., the nation’s monopoly producer of the fuel, has deferred its first-ever tender to import 10 million metric tons of coal, which was to be issued in April, an official said.