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
climate action
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
Plastic-Free Holidays
Beyond Plastics has a handy reminder Plastic-Free, Zero Waste Holiday Giving Guide. A lot of it is common sense, of course — but the reminders are welcome! Beyond Plastics is a nationwide project based at Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont. It's a vibrant and effective movement to end plastic pollution to save our planet — and ourselves — from the negative health, … [Read more...] about Plastic-Free Holidays
Electric buses far superior to propane or natural gas
Did you see the pathetic column on LehighValleyLive / Express Times the other day? ['A different approach to cleaner school buses could save Bethlehem Area tax dollars'] It is full of distortions and outright lies, but this is not too surprising coming from a propane-industry trade group. Electric buses are far superior to propane (and natural gas) both from a … [Read more...] about Electric buses far superior to propane or natural gas
‘I don’t have a future!’
The latest action by JustStopOil. It's hard to watch, but watch it anyway! … [Read more...] about ‘I don’t have a future!’
GHG Emissions continue to increase — immediate action is essential!
The Emissions Gap Report 2022 was issued last week, and the situation continues to follow the most serious trajectory envisioned in the IPCC reports. I says that countries are not on track to reduce emissions, and will set a record high this year. (The 'emissions gap' is the amount by which emissions exceed the level needed for a stable climate.) UN Secretary General … [Read more...] about GHG Emissions continue to increase — immediate action is essential!
Just Stop Oil campaign news
[This post has been deleted] For the latest, search for the JustStopOil tag on this website or go directlyto the JustStopOil website. … [Read more...] about Just Stop Oil campaign news
Phoebe Plummer on Just Stop Oil’s Van Gogh action
As world-renowned playwright Bertolt Brecht once said, ‘Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.’ Also see: An Interview With Just Stop Oil … [Read more...] about Phoebe Plummer on Just Stop Oil’s Van Gogh action
How electric vehicles can actually undermine a sustainable future
EVs support and require the mindset that it's OK to expand mineral extraction at the expense of poor people in other countries to supply whatever 'we' want for out lifestyles. The following blurb is taken from Marx's book, but you may want to read Ian Morse's review of three recent books on this. Morse's Green Rocks newsletter focuses on the potential (and real) conflict … [Read more...] about How electric vehicles can actually undermine a sustainable future