Tiempo Climate Newswatch

The mood was optimistic at the second Major Economies Meeting on climate change, hosted by the United States in Hawaii. Given the historic attitude of the United States towards the climate negotiations, the first round of talks last year was greeted with cynicism. One reason for the change in mood was that the current talks focused on technology transfer and environmental tariffs, avoiding the controversial issue of mandatory emissions control targets.

Yvo de Boer, head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, said that he thought that people were "a lot more comfortable now given that there was an outcome in Bali establishing the issues that need to be part of both the negotiations and a post-2012 package," he said. The meeting marked a "turning of the page," according to Andy Karsner of the United States Department of Energy. "It really exemplifies how significant the Bali roadmap has been in terms of all the nations of the world beginning to signal the areas that they will concentrate on over a very limited timetable," he added.

Russia has adopted the rules and regulations governing the approval and verification of domestic Joint Implementation projects, opening the door to investment in clean technology and the acquisition of carbon credits. "The necessary framework is in place as of today," reported Vsevolod Gavrilov from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

It has been estimated that, with much old infrastructure in need of renewal, Russia could generate 300 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emission reduction units over the next five years. "Theoretically, the potential for Russia is enormous, but due to the delays in getting the regulations in place some companies have focused on developing projects in other markets," such as China and India, commented Steve Eaton from C6 Capital.

The nations of southern Africa could lose 30 per cent of their maize crop by the year 2030 as a result of climate change, according to a new study led by scientists from Stanford University in the United States. Parts of South Asia could be affected by a five per cent decline in staple crops such as millet. "We were surprised by how much and how soon these regions could suffer if we don't adapt," said Marshall Burke from Stanford University.

The researchers combined climate model predictions with data on what poor people eat and the sensitivity of regional crops to climate stress. "We still have time to avoid these impacts, but we don't have much time," warns David Lobell, also from Stanford University "It's certainly our hope not to scare people, but to show them that there is some basis for focusing efforts and trying to get things done in a relatively speedy time frame," he added. The study concludes that substantial investments by farmers, governments, scientists and development organizations will be needed to adapt to the changing climate and avert adverse consequences.