U.S. Supreme Court to Decide on Global Warming

I was shocked when I read that the United State’s supreme court is set to hear a case about global warming. Of course this obviously good because it forces some accountability on Bush’s administration, especially since he promised to curb CO2 emissions, but has failed to deliver. The court case basically concerns whether or not the government has the responsibility to ensure clean air, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency.

“The decision to hear the case sets up a legal showdown over President George W. Bush’s controversial position on global warming and his apparent reversal on the issue of regulating carbon dioxide.
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The plaintiffs believe that the environmental and economic threats from climate change merit aggressive action by the federal government.

The Clean Air Act gives the EPA ample authority to regulate any air pollutant that threatens human health, they argue, and carbon dioxide – as the leading greenhouse gas linked to global warming – clearly fits into that category.”

Spain to Donate to MDGs

The Millennium Development Goals are still being strived for and Spain will support this effort by donating 1.2 billion dollars. This is great to see that nations are still interested in promoting the MDGs, and let’s not forget that mayors are all about the MDG.

“Pajin said the agreement represents “a very important advance in quality and quantity, but there is still a long way to go.”

Herfkens said it was the first time in history that human had resources, knowledge and consensus to end poverty, but he added that not all nations were fulfilling their aid promises.

The UN official praised Spain for paying more attention to the developing nations, especially those in Africa, to help them meet the Goals.”

Mayors Will Help the UN

We’ve mentioned the World Urban Forum eariler, and it looks like the forum was a success. A group of mayors from the around the world have pledged to support the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.

“The mayors have been filmed during the Forum at the Millennium Campaign’s mobile television studio to commit publicly to the global effort to fight poverty and to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

“We firmly believe that local authorities, as the sphere of government closest to the people, can support the United Nations, both in the achievement of the MDGs and in raising awareness among citizens,” said Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Councillor in Tshwane, South Africa and co-President of UCLG. “

Computer Buyers Want Green

It looks like environmental awareness amongst consumers is growing based on a recent survey of PC buyers. People feel bad for producing so much waste from electronics, or e-trash. The BBC has a good article covering computers and waste.

“The nine-nation research found that UK computer users were willing to pay an extra £64 ($117), while people in China were prepared for spend up to £108 ($197) for a more environmentally sound PC.”

What’s more, some companies are responding to pressure.

“The environmental group has long campaigned for the sector to move to cleaner production methods.

Dell says it will eliminate the use of all brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in its products by 2009.”