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Houston’s low-key mayoral candidates pitch planning, mass transit for city reinventing itself

HOUSTON — The nation’s fourth-largest city, once dominated by Big Oil, is warming to greener options as it chooses a new mayor.

Climate activists in Copenhagen protest use of fossil fuels, around 100 people detained

COPENHAGEN — Hundreds of climate activists protested Saturday against the use of fossil fuels, but were blocked from entering a coal-firing plant they had hoped to shut down by chaining themselves to conveyor belts.

Climate activist stage Copenhagen protest, plan to shut down coal-firing plant

COPENHAGEN — Hundreds of climate activists in white suits protested Saturday in Copenhagen against the use of fossil fuels and marched to a coal-firing plant, which they planned to shut down by chaining themselves to conveyor belts.

China’s current growth path could exceed energy resources of the planet by 2050

BEIJING — If China’s economy continues to expand rapidly and rely heavily on coal and other fossil fuels until the middle of the century, its power consumption would be unsustainable, according to a study by government think tanks released Wednesday.

Obama administration strengthens NW salmon protection plan but views original plan as sound

PORTLAND, Ore. — Calling it an “insurance policy” for Pacific Northwest salmon, the Obama administration on Tuesday offered up a tougher conservation plan for the fish that includes climate-change monitoring and the “last-resort” possibility of removing dams.

A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world

A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday:

France’s Sarkozy calls for ‘revolution’ in measuring economic growth to account for well-being

PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked world leaders to join a “revolution” in the measurement of economic progress by dropping their obsession with gross domestic product to account for factors such as health-care availability and leisure time.

EU offers billions to poor nations to persuade them to sign climate change accord

BRUSSELS — The European Union proposed Thursday to offer up to euro15 billion ($21.8 billion) a year in aid to poor developing countries to persuade them to sign a new global climate change agreement.

EU proposes euro15 billion in climate aid to entice poor countries

BRUSSELS — The European Union proposed Thursday to offer up to euro15 billion ($21.8 billion) a year in aid to poor developing countries to persuade them to sign a new global climate change agreement.

EU proposes €15 billion in climate aid to entice poor countries

BRUSSELS — The European Union proposed Thursday to offer up to €15 billion ($21.8 billion) a year in aid to poor developing countries to persuade them to sign a new global climate change agreement.

Japan’s incoming gov’t vows to cut emissions by 25 percent _ among most ambitious targets

TOKYO — Japan’s incoming prime minister promised Monday to aim for a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 — among the most ambitious cuts proposed by an economic power and significantly more aggressive than the current plan.

Japan’s likely next PM pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020

TOKYO — The man expected to become Japan’s next prime minister said Monday his government will follow through on a campaign pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.

Survey: Economists happy with Fed, skeptical on spending, emissions and health care policy

NEW YORK — Economists are pleased with the Federal Reserve’s policy on interest rates but skeptical of the government’s ability to rein in spending, curb greenhouse gases or overhaul health care, a new survey finds.

India seeks to bar US trade sanctions against countries that don’t accept climate policy

BONN, Germany — India wants the new global climate change agreement to ban trade barriers targeting nations that refuse to accept limits on their carbon emissions, the chief Indian climate negotiator said Friday.

Senate report says US and China need urgent progress on climate change for ‘global solution’

WASHINGTON — The United States and China should use high-level meetings between the two countries next week to negotiate improved cooperation on curbing greenhouse-gas emissions, says a new report by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Three Democratic governors say climate bill will create jobs; Republican governor disagrees

WASHINGTON — Three Democratic governors told a Senate panel Tuesday that efforts to curb global warming and spur the development of cleaner sources of energy have created jobs and new businesses in their states, a trend that could expand nationwide if Congress passes federal legislation.

Obama sets out to reshape US relations in Russia, meet Pope Benedict XVI, make mark in Africa

WASHINGTON — Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father’s birthplace.