international

Despite intense debate surrounding the growing global food crises, the European Union today defended expanding the use of biofuels in all 27 member countries. Part of the EU’s climate change package, the current proposal sets a target of meeting 10% of transportation fuel with biofuels by 2020.

On World Water Day, as on every other day, some 2.5 billion people are "doing their business" somewhere other than in a toilet or latrine. Thatis not a statistic many people want to examine too closely, but it is crucial data for efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals on improving global sanitation and reducing child mortality.

The National Academies Summit on America's Energy Future, which will inform the upcoming study "America's Energy Future: Technology, Opportunities, Risks,and Tradeoffs." China's demand for fuel and energy technologies will likely continue to rise and the nation also faces energy challenges, including difficulty in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

High-level officials participating in the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference wrap up the meeting and discuss pledges made at the event.

Gavin Hudson gives us a glimpse of some of the world's most interesting public transit options. Upside down monorail? Sign me up.

 Dr. John Marburger, Science Adviser to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), outlines the planthe Bush Administration is pursuing to minimize climate change and achieve energy security, emphasizing the development of newtechnologies like carbon sequestration and the importance of an international framework that holds all countries accountable.

Panelists in this session argue that global crises related to the escalating demand and inadequate supply of fresh water are as urgent as - yet more vexing and complicated than - efforts to tackle climate change. There is broad recognition today that water stress poses a risk to economic growth, human rights, health, safety and national security.

Traditionally viewed as separate issues, the discussion will explore the interrelations between the climate crisis and extreme poverty and solutions common to both.How should international efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and to solve the climate crisis be coordinated to improve the chances for success in both efforts? Former Vice President Al Gore and activist/rock star Bono discuss.

James Connaughton, Chairman, White House Council on Environmental Quality, describes how success in Bali climate change negotiations came down to the placement of punctuation.

Drew Kodjak, Executive Director, The International Council on Clean Transportation, is interviewed about pollution and greenhouse gases emitted from the world's oceangoing ships, particularly cargo vessels. He discusses what industry and others are doing to address the problem.

The World Bank says any global warming agreement reached must curb greenhouse gas emissions without burdening developing countries.

The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presents the U.N.Secretary General with the IPCC's Synethesis Report. The Chairmanand Secretary General deliver remarks and take questions at a press conference.

In the wake of a high-level United Nations meeting on climate change, Rep. Ed Markey - Chairman of the Select Committee on EnergyIndependence and Global Warming - makes the case for action.

Pew's climate experts describe the trends of global greenhouse gas emissions, outline the historical background for ongoing international climate negotiations and describe where they want to see further talks
move in the future.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat presents their report on investment and financial flows to address global warming.