The retreat of Antarctic ice shelves is not new according to research published this week (24 Feb) in the journal Geology by scientists from Universities of Durham, Edinburgh and British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

A study of George VI Ice Shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula is the first to show that this currently ‘healthy’ ice shelf experienced an extensive retreat about 9500 years ago, more than anything seen in recent years. The retreat coincided with a shift in ocean currents that occurred after a long period of warmth. Whilst rising air temperatures are believed to be the primary cause of recent dramatic disintegration of ice shelves like Larsen B, the new study suggests that the ocean may play a more significant role in destroying them than previously thought.

The University of Durham’s, Dr Mike Bentley, one of the leaders of the project said,
“We know that rising air temperatures can break up ice shelves but there has been a suspicion for some time that the role of the ocean may have been underestimated. This is some of the first evidence that a shift in ocean currents can actually destroy ice shelves. In this case it’s possible that a preceding warm period may have primed the ice shelf to disintegrate when the ocean currents shifted.”

The scientists analysed sediments from the bottom of a freshwater lake close to the edge of the present George VI Ice Shelf. The results revealed that about 9500 years ago the ice shelf retreated, allowing the sea to flood into the lake. The ice shelf didn’t reform until 1500 years later, and has been present ever since.

The findings are particularly relevant for other studies on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet where scientists have found that a relatively warm current, Circumpolar Deep Water, is causing high melt rates on the underside of an ice shelf in Pine Island Bay*. The gradual removal of this ice shelf may be causing the glaciers inland to flow faster, which could lead to enhanced drainage of part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and a consequent rise in sea level.

Original press release: Antarctic ice shelf retreats happened before (BAS)

Under a law enacted in 2002, communities in California were alllowed to aggregate electric utility customers and take control over their electric system. Two years later, implementation plans are being developed or under consideration by about two dozen California cities.

A “community aggregator” is allowed to take over the responsibility of negotiating electric services and rates on behalf of a block of ratepayers. Individual ratepayers are able to “opt out” of the program if they wish. The aggregator was also granted the authority to administer cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation programs using funds that are being collected from ratepayers in California.

In May 2004, San Francisco adopted an Energy Independence Ordinance using California’s Community Choice Aggregation law (Laws of California 2002 Chapter 838) as a purchasing and ratesetting authority, and will issue revenue bonds, called H Bonds, to finance a 360 MW public works project. The energy projects would be equivalent to more than a third of the city’s electrical capacity needs and on average would supply about 14 percent of the city’s electric consumption (MWhs) without a rate increase. The new energy projects are expected to be a combination of energy efficiency, solar photovoltaics, wind energy and other distributed generation technogies.

Oakland-based Local Power, which has worked with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors since 1998, is now preparing an implementation plan in parallel with city agencies. The plan is expected to be submitted to the CA Public Utilities Commission in May 2005 with competitive bidding for the demand-side and supply-side resources to follow later in the summer of 2005.

According to Paul Fenn, author of the Energy Independence ordinance and the community aggregation state law, there are another 22 California cities and counties that have agreed to similar goals to develop a 40 percent renewable power portfolio, double the levels required by California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard law, a 28% increase over current statewide levels of renewable energy as opposed to a required 8% increase.

Local Power is providing assistance and encouraging the California cities to complete their community aggregation and self-generation implementation plans in time to ward off a massive push for power plant construction by California’s bailed out electric utilities, PG&E, Southern California Edison and Sempra (San Diego Gas & Electric). Local Power is also suggesting that the cities move quickly so that they can lock-in the current exit fee levels for any departing loads - set at around 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

On March 15, 2005, the Berkeley California city council voted to spend $100,000 to prepare and file their Community Choice Implementation Plan with the CA PUC. The plan will propose that Berkeley aggregate their ratepayers and seek to acquire 40 percent of their electricity from renewable resources.

Original press release: Aggregating Communities to Advance Energy Self Reliance (Democratic Energy)

TRIMONT, Minnesota - Construction is expected to begin in May on the 100-megawatt Trimont Area Wind Farm in southwestern Minnesota. The project, expected to be commercially operating by the end of the year, will provide enough energy for 29,000 homes each year.

“This is the result of almost three years of work by local landowners to bring wind power to Jackson and Martin counties,” said Neal VonOhlen, chief manager of the Trimont Area Wind Farm (TAWF) and a local landowner, “and we are delighted to be at this stage in the process.”

Traditional landowner easement payments for the project are expected to total approximately $300,000 each year and the revenue participation by the landowners is expected to be more than double the traditional easement payment.

Trimont selected PPM Energy (PPM) of Portland, Ore., one of the largest providers of wind power in the United States, to develop and build the project on its behalf. “Trimont is a great opportunity to bring a large-scale community wind project online in 2005 in order to meet Great River Energy�s needs,” said Raimund Grube, director of Midwest development for PPM.

“We are delighted to buy clean, renewable energy from Trimont to meet our renewable commitments,” said Rick Lancaster, vice president of corporate services for Great River Energy (GRE). “This project is a model for community wind power and a good fit for GRE based on its competitive pricing, access to transmission, ability to serve the members of our cooperative and location inside our service territory.”

Production tax revenues from the project for Jackson and Martin counties are expected to range from $350,000-$400,000 annually. “This project is a win for all parties involved,” said Jack Potter, Fifth District Martin County Commissioner. “Everyone from the TAWF landowners through electrical system ratepayers will see a benefit from this project. We are proud to be a hosting county for this project.”

Loren Tusa, Second District Jackson County Commissioner echoes Potters comments, adding, “It is absolutely refreshing to see a grassroots effort like this become a reality.”

Great River Energy is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity to 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is the second largest power supplier in the state of Minnesota, and the fourth largest cooperative of its type in the nation.

Portland, Oregon-based PPM Energy, is part of the Scottish Power group of companies. With a portfolio of more than 830 MW of wind power currently in operation in seven states, PPM Energy has a goal of bringing 2,300 MW of new wind power to market by 2010. PPM Energy balances its supply portfolio with sales to wholesale customers, placing almost all of its output in long-term contracts. Major customers include the cities of Seattle, Sacramento, Pasadena, Anaheim as well as investor-owned utilities such as Alliant Energy and Xcel Energy and the federal Bonneville Power Administration. PPM Energy also has about 800 megawatts of clean gas resources under its control to give customers a wide range of options for adding environmentally responsible energy to their portfolios. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Center for Resource Solutions honored PPM recently for significantly advancing development of the green power market.

Original press release: First Landowner-developed Wind Farm To Start Construction (PPM Energy)

European Climate Exchange (ECX) and the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) today announced that the first day of trading for ECX Carbon Financial Instrument (ECX CFI) futures contracts will be 22nd April 2005. The ECX CFI futures contract, which is listed for electronic trading on the IPE, will be the first exchange-traded futures contract for the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme. ECX CFI futures will allow users to lock-in prices for ECX CFIs delivered at set dates in the future and will be a useful alternative to over-the-counter forward contracts, allowing users to secure transparent prices and reduce counterparty risk. Trades will be cleared through LCH.Clearnet.

The ECX and IPE today also released details of the ECX CFI futures Contract.

Key features of ECX CFI futures contracts:

• Contract size: 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
• Price quotation: Euros and euro cents.
• Contract fees: Per lot, per side execution fees are �2.00 for IPE members and �2.50 for non-IPE members
• CFIs eligible for delivery: ETS CO2 emission allowances issued by specified EU Member States and other related instruments as specified by IPE rules.
• Listed contracts, expiration cycle: Quarterly contracts (March-June-Sept-Dec) listed from December 2005 through March 2008; annual expirations listed for 2008 through 2012.
• Delivery procedure: Delivery of eligible allowances to Member State registry accounts in accordance with the IPE rules.
• Applicable regulatory authorities: ECX products are listed by and traded on the IPE which is recognised as an investment exchange by the UK Financial Services Authority.

Peter Koster, chief executive of ECX outlined the key benefits of ECX CFI futures contracts: “We have created a standardised futures contract on a highly regulated market, with low transaction costs, transparent prices, central counterparty services provided by LCH.Clearnet and ready access to the IPE’s electronic marketplace. The specifications of our contracts have been established with the help of our industry and financial committees, who comprise most of the key emitters and potential traders and with whom we have been consulting over the past six months.”

Access to the IPE for the trading of ECX CFI futures contracts can be secured by becoming an IPE Member or order-routing as a client of an IPE Member. Further information about gaining access to ECX CFI futures contracts can be found at www.ecxeurope.com or www.theipe.com/emissions.

Original press release: Launch date set for first EU ETS futures contracts (Chicago Climate Exchange)

The 2005 World Exposition is taking place in Aichi, Japan from 25 March to 25 September 2005.

EXPO 2005 represents a determined effort by Japan to develop new modalities of life for the 21st century. It is an ambitious attempt to rediscover ‘Nature’s Wisdom’ - science and technology inherent in our surroundings that together foster a sound balance between human life and the environment. It is also an amazing showcase of cutting-edge technologies, which give us solutions to myriad global issues and enable the sustainable development of the world economy.

The organizing committee expects this exposition will give impetus to the establishment of programs for the development of nature, technology, and culture as well as new and well-balanced relationships among them, with the goal of bettering our lives and our planet. This will be achieved through collecting and presenting both traditional and new aspects of ‘Nature’s Wisdom’ from each nation and its people.

One of the focuses of EXPO 2005 is the development of Eco-Communities. New energy and new recycling technology will be utilized to demonstrate a model recycling society. ‘The ideal balance between social development and environment is pursued and the restoration of environments is attempted.’

UNEP’s involvement in EXPO 2005 focuses on the following areas:

1. An exhibition of winning photographs from the ‘Focus on Your World’ photo competition jointly organized by Canon and UNEP is being held at the Art Gallery of the United Nation Pavilion. The Award Ceremony will take place at the Theatre of the United Nations Pavilion.

2. The 2005 Children’s World Summit for the Environment will take place this July in Aichi, Japan. The Summit, organized by UNEP and hosted by JOC, will focus on Energy, Recycling, Water, Forests, and Biodiversity.

3. A publication to mark the 20th anniversary of the UNEP Sasakawa Prize was launched today in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. “This publication is a substantive record of an historic event that brought together some of the most respected environmental experts from around the world,” said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer, speaking at the launch ceremony.

Original press release: EXPO 2005 to spotlight Nature�s Wisdom, Aichi, Japan (UNEP)

This November, Australian and international scientists will meet in Melbourne aiming to set a new benchmark in how industry and government can respond to climate change research.

Greenhouse 2005: Action on Climate Change will be the largest climate change conference held in the Southern Hemisphere this year.

“At Greenhouse 2005 we will draw together the current knowledge of climate change to present as complete a picture as possible of the known impacts of climate change in Australian cities and the natural environment, and how we need to proceed to respond to these changes,” says CSIRO Climate Director, Dr Bryson Bates.

“There will be strong representation from industry and government leaders, highlighting the actions that are being taken to address climate change.”

“Climate changes will affect primary and coastal industries, insurance, and the natural systems. Some of these impacts are already being felt today.”

“Essentially Greenhouse 2005 is a unique opportunity for industry, government and science to come together and share their skills and expertise,” Dr Bates said.

“This will include options for adaptation as well as regional approaches to reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. The conference will also cover international issues, policy development, communication and education.”

Greenhouse 2005 is being organised by CSIRO in collaboration with industry, government and universities. Major sponsors include the Australian Greenhouse Office, the Victorian Government, CSIRO Climate, the Bureau of Meteorology and NewScientist.

Original press release: International Climate Change Conference � Melbourne (CSIRO)