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Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

The legislation committed nearly $400 billion to support, among other things, wind and solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies that will make a significant dent in US heat-trapping emissions. Over those 15 years, US global warming emissions declined about 17 percent.

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In Climate Talks, Plans to Keep Planet from Overheating Should Not Ignore Water

Circle of Blue

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Plans to reduce carbon emissions should take water into account. Some low-carbon energy options require significant amounts of water. But other low-carbon technologies do not tread as lightly. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

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Solar device generates electricity and desalinates water with no waste brine

Physics World

A device that can generate electricity while desalinating seawater has been developed by researchers in Saudi Arabia and China, who claim that their new system is highly efficient at performing both tasks. The device uses waste heat from the solar cell for desalination, thereby cooling the solar cell.

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Enbridge Gas Caught Lying About its Home Heating Costs and Impacts

Enviromental Defense

The company is falsely claiming that “natural” gas, better described as fossil gas, is the most cost-effective way for people to heat their homes, when in reality electric heat pumps are a significantly cheaper option. Natural Gas vs Electric For a long time, fossil gas was the cheapest way to heat buildings.

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What’s Up With Water – December 6, 2022

Circle of Blue

The report’s authors claim that success in lowering carbon emissions will be determined by how well the world manages its water. Freshwater ecosystems like marshes and wetlands store carbon, protect biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality. Nuclear plants, for instance, require enormous volumes of water for cooling.

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Enbridge Gas Caught Lying About its Home Heating Costs and Impacts

Enviromental Defense

Natural Gas vs Electric For a long time, fossil gas was the cheapest way to heat buildings. But now, electric heat pumps are a much cheaper option. Upfront equipment costs can also be lower because heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in one unit and they qualify for a number of government rebate programs.

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Chicago Commits to Bold Climate Action

Union of Concerned Scientists

Chicago’s new CAP aims to remedy those problems and chart an equitable path to cut the city’s carbon emissions by at least 60 percent by 2040. Residential, commercial and industrial buildings account for nearly 70 percent of Chicago’s carbon footprint. Building Retrofits. Building Decarbonization.