Energy and Climate Change

"Humanity has to transition away from carbon fuels to non-carbon fuels between now and 2050 or else we take the substantial risk of a planet that really can’t support life as we know it by the end of the century," Running said. "This is where Montana has this unique responsibility and opportunity to lead. We could be the state that really steps up and says, ‘You know, we’re done burning coal.’"

A company that adds electric powertrains to pickup trucks, vans and other large vehicles says it is going into production next year with a $20 million contract.

Tribal leaders, in defending their actions, linked their protest of the shipments, known as megaload transports, to the fate of indigenous people everywhere, to climate change and — in terms that echo an Occupy Wall Street manifesto — to questions of economic power and powerlessness.

"As utilities get their arms around the data, the implications for consumers could be significant," she says. The data is already speeding up repair processes, alerting customers to abnormal electricity use, and tipping off utilities to electricity theft.

"Basically the whole world is waiting for the U.S. [to act] right now."

"I know of no other document that has undergone this scrutiny," Stocker said as the meeting opened. "It stands out as a reliable and indispensable source of knowledge about climate change."

"I’m not at all surprised there was a jump upward — we’ve never set two record lows in a row," said Walt Meier, a NASA scientist who has monitored sea ice for years. "I would say I’m a little surprised the jump is as big as it is."

Scientists working on a landmark U.N. report on climate change are struggling to explain why global warming appears to have slowed down in the past 15 years even as greenhouse gas emissions keep rising.

Experts say the trend is gaining momentum, spurred by falling prices for solar panels and natural gas, as well as a fear that power outages caused by major storms will become more common.

Whether looking to establish a reputation for forward-thinking to attract residents and businesses, hoping to save money on utility bills or wishing to mitigate carbon footprints while creating local jobs, cities across Minnesota are installing green-energy projects.