Senate will introduce Cap & Trade tomorrow

Grist (hyperlinked in the title) is covering the expected development on cap and trade legislation in the US Senate tomorrow.

more evidence the world is changing

Important new commission on tropical forests

This is an incredibly important development. Many folks are thinking Waxman/Markey was great in theory, real tough to get passed, a total landmark/line in the sand. But Cap and Trade simply ain't in the cards this year or next. A new commission like this could be instrumental to make sure interim steps on energy and climate deliver on international forest carbon.

Pictured are Lincoln Chafee and John Podesta, co-chairs of the Commission on Climate and Tropical Forests.

new reordered/consolidtaed text from UNFCCC

The UNFCCC secretariat has released the latest version of the text for a Copenhagen agreement (hyperlink in title). No new surprises, and it is still clocking in at av overweight 188 pages. The information on REDD is primarily (not only though) found 106-115.

Sobering commentary by J. Drexhage at IISD

The piece is well worth reading. It begins ominously and doesn't get lighter...
"We are at the precipice of what is supposed to be a landmark global decision on climate change at Copenhagen in less than 16 weeks, and yet anyone with his or her eyes open cannot help but come to the conclusion that we are in seriously dire circumstances."

Intense and important meetings start at State Department

For those of us who are prognosticating on the likelihood of a Copenhagen deal, the place to be is C Street in DC (that is where the State Department is). If the major emitters can hash something out, there is still hope for a deal. If this group can not produce something tangible by the end of next week, when the G20 meetings are held in Pittsburgh, then he likelihood of a Copenhagen deal goes down to extremely tiny.

Jake's blog on US position on international provisions

Jake Schmidt is again covering items important, quickly, and succinctly. In today's blog (hyperlink in title to grist.org), Jake shows how the lead US negotiator, Todd Stern, spoke in front of a House committee on the importance of the international provisions in the Waxman-Markey bill, including REDD.