The words "clean coal" have been uttered a lot on the campaign trail this year. A number of countries are in the race to come up with the technology, but as The World's Jason Margolis reports, an American company may be in the lead.
The World's Jason Margolis and Julia Kumari Drapkin take a look at clean coal:
A Chinese company that says it's developed a hybrid car with a longer-lasting battery. Investor Warren Buffet seems believes it. He's taken a 10-percent stake in the company. The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing.
French mogul touts electric car (3:30) October 8, 2008 download |permalink
Electric cars are the stars of this year's Paris Auto Show. And a French billionaire who's showcasing his own electric model claims he'll be mass-producing it next year. Correspondent Genevieve Oger has the story.
Scientists from across the globe have compiled a major new study of the world's mammals, and it paints a bleak picture. More than 25-percent of mammal species are in danger of extinction. Gerry Hadden reports from the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona.
The World's Jason Margolis tells us what presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have said about their respective positions on energy reform and how they plan to address global warming.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says industrialized nations have to cut emissions by 80-95% by 2050 to avoid severe climate change.
Emissions target: 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
- Supports mandatory cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions
- Co-sponsored several climate change bills in the Senate
Emissions target: 60% below 1990 levels by 2050
- Supports mandatory cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions
- Sponsored several climate change bills in the Senate
EXPERT CHECK: CARBON TARGETS
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
A term originally used during the oil crisis of the 1970s promoting domestic oil production.
Obama wants to eliminate US imports from the Middle East and Venezuela in 10 years.
McCain calls for the US to be energy independent by 2025
EXPERT CHECK: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Regarded as the fastest and cheapest way for the US to save on energy. Over half of America's energy production is wasted through transfer and use in the national grid and domestic consumption..
Obama calls for the US to be the most energy efficient country in the world. Wants to weatherize one million homes every year.
McCain wants higher standards for the federal government, the largest electricity consumer in the world. Calls for precise metering to encourage cost-efficient consumption.
EXPERT CHECK: ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
DRILLING OFFSHORE
With higher gas prices, the federal moratorium on offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf has come under scrutiny. Both Democrats and Republicans have proposed the ban be lifted.
Has revised previous stance against offshore drilling. Not opposed to domestic oil and gas exploration.
Calls for expansion of domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production.
EXPERT CHECK: TO DRILL OR NOT?
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
FUEL ECONOMY
The average mileage traveled by an automobile per gallon of gasoline.
Raise fuel economy standards by 4%.
Focus on enforcing current fuel economy standards.
EXPERT CHECK: ARE FUEL STANDARDS PRIORITY?
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
RENEWABLES AND THE GREEN ECONOMY
Solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy technologies have yet to become commercially viable in the US. Experts say investments in renewable energy and infrastructure could help stimulate the economy and create jobs.
-Would spend $150 billion on new technologies.
-Wants 10% of the grid to come from renewables by 2012.
-Says he can create 5 million "green jobs."
-Supports renewables and the green economy but no set targets.
EXPERT CHECK: CAN RENWABLES AND A GREEN ECONOMY DELIVER?
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: RENEWABLES
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:THEGREEN ECONOMY
BIOFUELS
Demand for corn-based ethanol and biofuel last spring contributed to a global spike in food prices.
-Wants tax breaks for ethanol.
-Against ethanol subsidies.
EXPERT CHECK: ARE BIOFUELS GREEN ?
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
COAL
Forty percent of the world's electricity comes from coal. Coal burning power plants are one the biggest threat to the earth's atmosphere.
Supports “clean coal.â€
Against new “dirty†coal plants from being built.
Strong supporter of coal and wants “cleaner coal."
Pledges 2 billion and government support to develop new clean coal technologies.
EXPERT CHECK: DOES CLEAN COAL EXIST?
Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:
NUCLEAR
More than 300 nuclear power plants in the world produce 15% of the world's energy. The US has not built a nuclear plant in 30 years.
Supports nuclear but says it's not a great option.
Wants 45 nuclear power plants by 2030 and "government support" for the industry.
Wants 100 new nuclear power plants to be built in the US.
Sharks may be fearsome predators, but over fishing threatens their survival. The World's Julia Kumari Drapkin profiles an unusual pair of shark researchers. One has always wanted to protect sharks. The other used to kill them.
A bright spot in depleted fisheries (3:00) September 18, 2008 download |permalink
Conservationists say the world's fisheries are in danger of collapsing from rampant over fishing. But a new study suggests it may be possible to head off this calamity by changing how fisheries are managed. The World's Lisa Mullins speaks with study co-author Christopher Costello of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Solar energy slump in Spain (2:45) September 11, 2008 download |permalink
Spain is a world leader in solar energy production. But now the Spanish government says it will have to reduce funding for solar-generated power. The World's Gerry Hadden reports.
ICUN Red List of Threatened Species 
How would you overcome America's dependency on foreign oil?
