INTERLAKEN, Switzerland, March 20, 2023 —There are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today. “Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce … [Read more...] about Urgent climate action can secure a liveable future
Climate
Although many climate topics are intertwined with energy use, this category may include some posts that relate to both. The climate category can also include discussion of how the climate is changing, causes other than energy, such as releases of methane, nitrous oxides, and most refrigerants; also deforestation and agriculture that is not organic/regenerative.
Plastics — a ‘toxics crisis’ from cradle to grave
We knew plastics are harmful, but a new report by the Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health makes clear just how much harm plastics do at every step of their lifecycles. As reported in Inside Climate News, "…global plastic production, use and disposal patterns are responsible for significant harm to human health, the environment, and the economy, and are … [Read more...] about Plastics — a ‘toxics crisis’ from cradle to grave
Will Democrats shape real climate action?
On Christmas Day, a natural gas processing plant in southwest PA caught fire, and several sources said that anyone calling the DEP emergency line to report the incident got only a voicemail. DEP denied these claims. DEP critics said the agency is ineffective in dealing with industry and communicating with the public. “They could have provided a much more detailed and … [Read more...] about Will Democrats shape real climate action?
A Template for Climate Action and Community Energy
While this story is set in San Diego, the strategies and actions used there are equally applicable here. Please take a few minutes to read this — and then see what you can do to bring about the needed changes here. (With respect to Community Choice Aggregation [CCA], our challenge here might include enabling legislation at the state level.) Here's an excerpt that introduced … [Read more...] about A Template for Climate Action and Community Energy
Global warming outstrips predictions
An environmental writer said that worst-case climate scenarios are now obsolete, since “if countries achieve the net-zero pledges that they have already put on the table, warming will stay under 2°C.” What are the chances that countries will meet their pledges‽ So far, the worst GHG emitters, including the US, are nowhere near being on track with their pledges. According to … [Read more...] about Global warming outstrips predictions
No Miracles Needed
How wind, sun, and water can power the world Mark Stanford, who teaches civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, makes the case that existing technologies for renewable energy and energy conservation can meet all our energy needs. A January 23 article in The Guardian gives a brief recap: “ ‘No miracles needed’: Prof Mark Jacobson on how wind, sun and … [Read more...] about No Miracles Needed
Obscene treaty symbolizes what’s wrong
The Energy Charter Treaty referred to in the story is obscene — putting corporate profits over the lives of future generations and punishing governments that try to protect their people. (Although most governments today also seem to put corporate profits ahead of people.) Whether it's coal, oil, or natural gas, we need to keep it in the ground! No elaborate — and often bogus … [Read more...] about Obscene treaty symbolizes what’s wrong
Nuclear industry tries again
Another attempt by the industry to keep nuclear power in play, despite its inherent dangers. … [Read more...] about Nuclear industry tries again
Plastic Pollution — In Our Stores
I think this graphic makes the point. Stores are filled with their products — and people need to stop buying them! … [Read more...] about Plastic Pollution — In Our Stores
Summer internship possibility
We are planning a project on the food system for the summer of 2023. Possible components include exploring ways to develop food sovereignty; expand use of regenerative organic growing to reduce in GHG emissions; increasing awareness of health impacts of food; and improving institutional food at schools, colleges & universities, and hospitals. (More information on any of … [Read more...] about Summer internship possibility