Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 5, 2023

Continued flooding in California caused by severe storms called atmospheric rivers continues to shock the country. Just last week, broken river levees devastated the majority-Latino community of Pajaro, California. Human-caused climate change is expected to increase the number and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and droughts that are already ravaging communities across the United States.

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Climate Change Atmosphere 2023 Government 321

Cool Green Science

APRIL 2, 2023

Six books for Earth Day, covering topics from biotechnology to hoverflies. Yes, hoverflies. The post Earth Month Book Review 2023 appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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2023 Biotechnology Earth Day Cooling 93

Yale E360

APRIL 4, 2023

A trek through tropical forest, mud fields, and scree reveals the last remnants of the once-sprawling ice fields in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains. Their loss has profound implications for local communities, uniquely adapted species, and scientists studying the climate record.

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Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 3, 2023

When data types like electricity, water, waste, gas, supplier data, performance KPIs, and more exist in many siloed systems, the question is: Where do you even start? The post How Organizations Can Prepare Their ESG Data for Sustainability Reporting appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets.

2024

Legal Planet

APRIL 6, 2023

Most climate change projections end at the end of this century. When the IPCC issued its first report, however, 2100 was 110 years in the future. Looking that far ahead right now would bring us closer to 2150 than to 2100. We’re only beginning to get a sense of the impacts of climate change that far ahead. What happens if we get to net zero? Basically, the temperature will tend to stick at the same level for a long time.

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Sea Level Ocean Climate Change 243

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 6, 2023

Últimamente me han preguntado mucho si California sigue en sequía. Esta pregunta surgió recientemente con la medida de acumulación de nieve en California por parte del estado. Mi respuesta como defensor del Derecho Humano al Agua es que la sequía no terminará hasta que todas las personas tengan acceso a agua potable. Los impactos de la sequía no se experimentan de manera uniforme en el estado y tampoco la recuperación de sus impactos.

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2023 Climate Change 235

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 7, 2023

China and India have aggressive green energy targets — not because they want to quiet international attention; instead, they want to create smart cities and attract multinational corporations. To get there, they will need green steel -- made from wind and solar, not coal. The post Greening Steel and Smart Cities Are Critical to Net-Zero Goals appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Renewable Energy 299

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

In preparing to teach a course on climate law, I was really struck by how broad and rich the field has become. Back in the day, it was nearly all international law, but nowadays there’s a huge amount of U.S. domestic law. Most people, even those who work on the field, tend to focus on just a few elements. Cinnamon Carlarne and I have written a book that tries to give an overview of the whole subject, including U.S. and international law.

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Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 222

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 5, 2023

California conoce bien los impactos del cambio climático. Con sequías e incendios forestales, aumento del nivel del mar e inundaciones, el estado ha sentido los efectos del cambio climático de diversas maneras. Una variable del clima se está volviendo de particular interés en California: el déficit de presión de vapor (VPD por sus singlas en inglés).

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2018 2021 2022 Climate Change 222

Yale E360

APRIL 3, 2023

Scientists have filmed a snailfish five miles underwater in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench south of Japan. It is the deepest fish ever recorded.

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Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

Clean Energy

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 5, 2023

In recent years, India has rapidly increased its renewable energy capacity and is now the fourth-largest producer of hydro, wind, and solar power. The post India’s Clean Energy Transition Hinges on Domestic Manufacturing, Warns Top Energy Official appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Clean Energy Solar Power Renewable Energy 279

Legal Planet

APRIL 4, 2023

This is the last in our series of posts previewing the Emmett Institute’s 2023 Symposium , coming up on April 12. Check out the first post , introducing some of the big questions around the IIJA and IRA, the second post , on transmission infrastructure, and RSVP for the Symposium here ! Transportation is one of the most complicated and urgent areas of the clean-energy transition.

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Law Greenhouse Electricity Government 182

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included a clean hydrogen production tax credit (known as “45V”) that is one of a slew of new incentives intended to help catalyze the next and necessary phase of advancing the nation’s clean energy transition as a whole. Unless the government adopts a similarly holistic perspective when implementing the tax credit, though, the incentive could wind up doing more harm than good.

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Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 220

Circle of Blue

APRIL 5, 2023

Aerial view of Melsisi village in Vanuatu on April 13, 2020, a week after Tropical Cyclone Harold made landfall on the island nation. Photo © UNICEF/Shing YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN An oil spill in a designated area of ecological importance in the United Kingdom has drawn attention and protestors to the vulnerable habitat. Vanuatu , vulnerable to the effects of climate change and global warming, brings the question of other governments’ climate inaction to the world’s highest court.

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Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

2022

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 4, 2023

Out of the 32 corporations with substantial construction or development activities, a mere five (16%) - have a net-zero target that encompasses the in-use emissions of delivered structures. The post CDP: Building Sector Dangerously Behind on Climate Progress appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Paris Agreement 278

Yale E360

APRIL 5, 2023

Two California lakes, both drained a century ago, have been partially refilled by floodwaters from recent storms, satellite images from NASA show.

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Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Climate change is shifting so much about our world, from earlier blooms on Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms to rapid loss es of glaciers and ice sheets. Many of these shifts, such as increases in wildfire activity, are taking a growing toll on our health and wellbeing. Climate change is drying out our forests, priming them to burn. This drying is a result of many things (including higher temperatures and longer droughts ), but vapor pressure deficit (VPD)—a concept that doesn’t get much airtime ou

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Climate Change Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide 2015 217

Law and Environment

APRIL 7, 2023

On Thursday, the Office of Management and Budget released proposed revisions to “Circular A-4”. It also released a separate preamble , explaining its thinking and asking for comment on certain identified issues. Circular A-4 is almost certainly the most important document that most people have never heard of, since it governs how federal agencies conduct cost-benefit analysis of potential federal actions.

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Regulations Climate Change 2023 Government 130

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Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

Sustainable Development

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 7, 2023

During Earth Month (April), consumers can learn about and support the regenerative agriculture farmer-led movement. The post Consumer-Facing Initiatives: General Mills’ Latest Push for Regenerative Agriculture appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Energy & the Law

APRIL 6, 2023

MIECO, LLC v. Pioneer Natural Resources presented a challenge to a force majeure defense in a dispute arising from Winter Storm Uri. The defense carried the day. MIECO agreed to purchase 20,000 MMBtu/day of natural gas from Pioneer. Pioneer delivered residue gas from the tailgate of a Targa processing plant to two points near the border of Arizona and California.

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Natural Gas Natural Resources 2021 Law 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) sets a bold goal for the state—no carbon pollution from electricity generation by 2045, which means zero global warming emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. Along with interim goals and priorities for pollution reduction in environmental justice areas, the law provides authorization and resources for state agencies to enable the transition to clean, renewable energy.

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Electricity Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Waste 216

Enviromental Defense

APRIL 4, 2023

Statement from Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – Yesterday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney criticized the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act review of the proposed Highway 413.

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Government 2018 2021 Law 143

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 7, 2023

AeroFarms will transfer its New Jersey commercial production to its state-of-the-art commercial farm in Danville, Virginia. The post AeroFarms Expands R&D Operations to Address Agriculture Challenges appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

Renewable Energy 245

Renewable Energy 245

Inside Climate News

APRIL 5, 2023

New research of seafloor formations near Norway includes findings that keep climate scientists awake at night. By Bob Berwyn A new study of the seafloor near the coast of northern Norway brings an ominous warning from the past, showing that some of the planet’s ice sheets retreated in pulses of nearly 2,000 feet per day as the oceans warmed at the end of the last ice age.

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Climate Scientist Ocean Climate Change 143

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 6, 2023

On March 28th, North Korea unveiled a new type of nuclear warhead—a smaller, more compact tactical warhead with battlefield advantages. The news comes days after North Korea unveiled an underwater attack drone it says is capable of generating a “ radioactive tsunami.” North Korea continues to conduct military exercises. Last year alone, it tested 70 missiles, including short-, medium- and long-range missiles.

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Ocean Conservancy

APRIL 7, 2023

Although both isolated and intensely ice-laden, Antarctica is bursting at the seams with biodiversity, and each species found there is uniquely adapted to flourish in this polar ecosystem. Let’s learn about some captivating creatures that can be observed in this chilly and secluded part of the world. See more wonderful ocean animals! Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list.

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Ocean Fossil Fuels 2005 Conservation 142

Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 7, 2023

Over the past decade, ABB has allocated $14 billion towards expanding its US manufacturing facilities. Currently, the company employs more than 20,000 individuals, working in over 40 manufacturing and distribution sites. The post ABB Invests $170M in US Electrification & Automation Businesses appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Inside Climate News

APRIL 1, 2023

The short film “Haulout” forces audiences to confront the horrifying reality of what climate change means for Pacific walruses. By Kiley Bense There’s a moment about five minutes into the critically-acclaimed 2022 documentary short “Haulout,” which was nominated in January for an Oscar, that feels like a scene from a horror movie. The screen snaps from a shot of wild landscape into total black; floorboards creak under the weight of solitary footsteps; and wind howls as if through a tunnel.

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Climate Change 2022 137

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 4, 2023

NOTE: This post has been updated to remove the mention of a marker bill that had not yet been introduced at the time of publication. Hello, UCS blog readers! My name is Melissa Kaplan and I joined the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as senior manager of government affairs back in January. I’m excited to publish my first-ever blog post at UCS on the food and farm bill, and tell you a bit about myself, my background, and—most importantly—how UCS hopes to shape this important legislation to hel

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2023 Climate Change Conservation Government 205

Scientific American

APRIL 5, 2023

With millions of people affected and at least $1 trillion of economic value at stake, long COVID is our next national health emergency

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Environment + Energy Leader

APRIL 4, 2023

The urgency for transparency in the carbon market is driving the need for data-driven forest carbon management. Linda Planet eliminates the uncertainty and subjectivity associated with forest carbon assessments by providing a scientific and data-driven approach. The post CollectiveCrunch Launches Linda Planet, the AI-Powered Tool for Sustainable Forestry appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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NRDC

APRIL 7, 2023

A proposed crude-by-rail project in Northeastern Utah envisions five fully loaded unit trains traveling daily along the headwaters of the Colorado River on their lengthy journey to Gulf Coast refineries. Its backers want taxpayer support to the tune of $2 billion. And it would unleash a carbon bomb potentially larger than the controversial Willow Project.

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Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 6, 2023

The failure of gas-burning power plants to provide energy in cold weather is back in the news. In the latest development, gas power plant owners are now facing performance penalties levied by the grid operator PJM and they are attacking PJM for enforcing the rules designed to ensure reliability. An added irony here is that the penalties—a total of more than $1 billion—are meant to pay incentives to the plants that over-performed their obligations, and that includes windfarms.

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