China’s greenhouse emissions could double. If China continues under a business-as-usual trajectory, without seriously cutting back on its carbon emissions, then its greenhouse gas output could double — or more — by 2030. By that time, China’s emissions would be equal to nearly half of all the world’s emissions in 2007. And that estimate includes only pollution from burning fossil fuels, not from clearing forests, farming or other land uses, which can typically account for a third or more of a nation’s emissions. — The Daily Green

Conservationists buy 1.7 million acres of Australian desert. One of the significant things about this purchase is that it links two other protected pieces of land – resulting in 19 million acres of contiguous protected land. The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve lies directly to the north, and the Lake Eyre National Park is directly to the south. But what the two organizations are really excited about, is that three of central Australia’s most important rivers converge on the property. — Natural Environment (Also see Tim Winton’s latest feature in The Monthly, where he discusses The Nature Conservancy and the reclamation of the Australian landscape by conservationists. Read an excerpt here).

Bank calls for green recovery plan. Encouraging investment in renewable energy is a key focus. Energy efficiency technologies are obviously highly desirable in economies facing recession. Infrastructure stimulus can be tied directly to climate-sensitive sectors such as power grids, water, buildings, and public transport, which present a vast field for the creation of new technologies and jobs. — Switchboard

The world’s first wave farm goes live. The world’s first commercial wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, located off the coast of northern Portugal. Designed by Pelamis Wave Power, the farm employs three Wave Energy Converters – snakelike, semi-submerged devices that generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven by waves. This first phase of the new renewable energy farm is rated at 2.25 MW with 3 machines, and the the second phase will add an additional 25 machines to bring the capacity to 21 MW – enough to power 15,000 homes! — Inhabitat