Tiempo Climate Newswatch

A study by Stanford University researcher Mark Z Jacobson has shown that, overall, biomass burning contributes to global warming. The particles that are released cause short-term cooling, but the greenhouse gases that are generated overwhelm this effect in the long-term.

The study also demonstrated that, because of the time lags between burning and full regrowth, even "renewable" energy sources such as biofuel result in a net accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere. "The control of biomass burning, particularly during permanent deforestation, is a near-certain long-term method of slowing global warming," Jacobson concludes. The study was based on a model and on emissions data.

More information

• Science Daily
• Journal of Science article (pdf)

Great Lakes United, an environmental group representing citizens of the United States, Canada, First Nations and Tribes, has called on the government of Ontario to introduce new mechanisms, such as Advanced Renewable Energy Tariffs, to promote the development of wind power. Advanced Renewable Energy Tariffs guarantee a minimum price for electricity generated over a minimum term, reducing the risks of investment.

"Germany now has over twice the wind generating capacity as the US and Spain operates as much wind generating capacity as the entire North American continent since they launched Advanced Renewable Energy Tariffs in the early 1990's," said Paul Gipe of Ontario, Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA). "Whether farmers, co-operatives, or First Nations, Advanced Renewable Energy Tariffs allow the connection of renewable power generators with the grid and provide a long-term contract with a fixed-price to the generators," OSEA said in its testimony at public hearings on changes in Ontario's electricity act in response to last year's blackout. OSEA's proposal could result in the installation of 8,000 megawatts of new wind-generating capacity in the power-short province within five years.

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• ENN

Parts of Indonesia are still blanketed by smoke from forest fires and there are warnings that the situation could worsen over coming weeks due to lack of rain during the dry season. According to the Indonesian environment department, illegal land clearing is not being controlled by the local authorities. "Our office cannot do anything but warn local administrations that it is their responsibility to seriously tackle the problem," said Sudariyono, deputy environment minister.

Illegal logging has also been held responsible for the burning. Indonesian Environment Minister Nabiel Makarim has urged Malaysia to help his country halt the smuggling of illegal timber. Relationships between the countries of maritime Southeast Asia have been stressed by the annual occurrence of haze due to Indonesian forest fires. Six ASEAN member states have signed the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Agreement, but Indonesia has not yet ratified the treaty.

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• Terra Daily