Autumn rain down 90 percent in China rice belt – Reuters. “Large areas of south China are suffering from serious drought, with water levels on two major rivers in rice-growing provinces dropping to historic lows.”

Africa “Forgotten Continent” in Climate Fight – Reuters. “The UN’s top climate change official said on Sunday … that damage projected for Africa by the UN climate panel would justify tougher world action to slow global warming even without considering likely disruptions to other parts of the planet.” [One reason why it’s crucial that we pay attention to developing countries as we negotiate international steps.]

Japan plans to buy carbon credits from Hungary to achieve Kyoto Treaty goal – International Herald Tribune. “Japan is falling far behind its Kyoto commitments to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 6 percent below its 1990 by 2012. Emissions in 2006, for instance, were 6.4 percent above 1990 levels…. Tokyo, which is putting together an action plan to meet the Kyoto requirements, currently plans to use carbon credits bought overseas to lower its emissions by 1.6 percent below 1990 levels. The additional 4.4 percent must be cut by other methods.”

Japan Sets Asian Benchmarck for Energy Efficiency – Voice of America. “Technology is one of Japan’s greatest strengths in conserving energy…. And yet, for all its good intentions, the country is falling far behind in its promise to cut its own emissions.” Wait, you mean technology by itself won’t solve the global warming problem? Who knew?