Key issues

Described below are some of the most significant climate change and energy issues. For information on projects that focus on some of these issues, please see the section WRI's Work.

• A Bipartisan Approach to Global Warming. Former Vice President Al Gore outlined a comprehensive approach to solving the climate crisis and challenged America to take bold new steps to secure the nation's future.

• A Bipartisan Approach to Global Warming. Former Vice President Al Gore outlined a comprehensive approach to solving the climate crisis and challenged America to take bold new steps to secure the nation's future.

• Bringing Together Corporate Climate and Energy Leaders. A workshop in Washington, DC focuses on the intersection of clean energy technology and climate policy.

• Can Intensity Targets Actually Reduce Emissions?. A new WRI report suggests that in some cases they can -- if they are strong enough.

• Clean Car Technology in China. Harvard's Kelly Sims Gallagher says U.S. automakers aren't doing enough to push clean transport technologies.

• Climate change science and impacts. Scientists estimate that if the increases in greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, global temperatures are expected to rise between 2.5 to 10.4 degrees F (1.4 to 5.8 degrees C) by 2100.

• Climate policy in the United States. In March 2001, shortly after taking office, the Bush Administration rejected the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which is supported by almost all other countries of the world.

• Energy. The extraction, conversion to useful energy, and combustion of fossil fuels releases into the atmosphere approximately 80 percent of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

• Global Warming a Bigger Concern Than Terrorism in Australia. Despite its status as a non-Kyoto Protocol country, 87 percent of Australians surveyed are more concerned about the global environment than terrorism.

• Global Warming Legislation in the 109th Congress. Congress has been considering several bills to address global warming. But they are far from the same.

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Options in the 2007 Farm Bill. WRI Policy Note makes recommendations on how conservation programs in the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill can address climate change while benefitting farmers.

• How U.S. State GHG Emissions Compare Internationally. U.S. emissions are greater than Great Britain, Canada, Russia, India, Brazil & South Korea combined. This map shows how emissions add up.

• MTV Promotes Global Warming Awareness. MTV's new 30-second spot advances its campaign to raise awareness on global warming.

• The Costs and Opportunities of Global Warming. New reports and the summit in Monterrey shed new light on the global economics of climate change.

• The Issue of Biofuels in Federal Policy. Jonathan Pershing testifies before the Senate Energy & Natural Resource Committee on the economic and environmental impacts of biofuels.

• Transport. For the past 30 years, the transport sector’s share of CO2 emissions has increased at a faster pace than other sectors.

• U.S. Agriculture's Role in Addressing Climate Change. A WRI policy note looks at how climate change may affect agriculture in the U.S. and what role farmers can play in reducing emissions.

• U.S. Climate Change Policy. WRI provides independent, non-partisan expertise and guidance to policymakers on climate change technology, business engagement, policy design and international issues.

• What the Latest Global Warming Science Means. The UN's recent science summary from the 4th Assessment Report is getting a lot of attention. Looking for a balanced discussion? Experts from WRI and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) look at both sides.

• WRI at Climate COP-12. The UN Conference of the Parties is the annual international meeting for efforts to address global climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol. The 12th meeting (COP-12) is Nov 6-17 in Nairobi, Kenya.

• WRI COP-12 Blog. Latest insights from the 12th annual UN Conference of the Parties in Nairobi, Kenya.

• WRI, Carnegie Joint Seminar on Chinese Energy Security. October 16th. Open to the public, RSVP required, seating is limited.

We hope you will find this information helpful. We welcome your reactions and comments.