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Failure is not an option, they say. But Polish veto threats, Italian resistance, and German insistence that it will not jeopardise jobs to help save the planet, suggest that the action plan will be diluted. The risk is the EU will draw withering criticism from climate campaigners and signal weakness and indecision to the US, China, India and other key players in the global warming fight.

Everyone contributes to carbon dioxide emissions, but some more than others. Reducing global CO2 emissions requires that we have a good understanding of the current picture. Serious progress can be made if we develop a renewable source of electricity that is cheaper than coal.

Wind accounted for 35% of all new capacity additions in the US and 40% of new capacity in Europe in 2007. Wind generating capacity in China grew by 127% in 2007 compared to 2006.

Wind Power Growth Surpasses Projections Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Global wind power capacity rose 27 percent in 2007 to more than 94,100 megawatts (MW), led by capacity additions in the European Union, the United States, and China, according to the latest Vital Sign Update from the Worldwatch Institute.

Utility bikes or “work bikes” are very efficient vehicles for transporting cargo (and children too). They are quite popular in bike-friendly places like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and China. Bikes can tow a remarkable amount of weight. Loads in excess of 880 pounds (400 kilograms) have been hauled behind bikes along flat surfaces. Generally though, 300 pounds (140 kilograms) is considered the upper threshold for hauling. Full-sized refrigerators or couches that won’t fit in a car can comfortably be pulled behind a bicycle with the right kind of trailer.

it's clear that the role renewable energy plays in China's future will continue to increase.

the new international forum links up the EU Commission and seven member states (France, Germany, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal) with eleven US and Canadian regional states (the likes of New York, Maine, California and British Columbia) to exchange information and best practices about their efforts to create carbon markets through a cap-and-trade system. The bad news: where are the other 20 EU member states? And what about other federal governments such as the US, Russia, China or India?

23% of China’s CO2 emissions in 2004 were due to demand from the West for manufacturing products made in the new economic giant. This 23% is as much as the combined emissions from Germany and Australia and more than twice the national emissions of the UK.

The “Chinadependence” report shows that a big part of greenhouse gases attributed to China are the result of products that are made for our Western consumers market. So, in fact, these CO2 emissions should be included in our own greenhouse stats.

the European Commission decided to retain its duties on energy-efficient light bulbs imported from China for one more year