A carbon reduction incentive could neutralise the current opposition to carbon taxes while reducing carbon-intensive activities in a much more targeted and fair way

The accomplishments of carbon taxes over the last decade have been underwhelming. What if, instead of making fuel and other commodities and services more expensive, we used a financial incentive to make technologies that help reduce emissions – such as solar, wind and geothermal energy – more affordable? Sumedha Basu, PhD Candidate in Sustainability at … Continue reading A carbon reduction incentive could neutralise the current opposition to carbon taxes while reducing carbon-intensive activities in a much more targeted and fair way →

Chevron plays race card trying to undermine Green New Deal

A public affairs company working for Chevron accidentally let slip that the oil company is behind a messaging campaign to accuse environmentalists of hurting black communities. Corbin Hiar explains in an article on the E&E News website. What are your views? Slip-up reveals Chevron ties to architect of climate attack It was an audacious … Continue reading Chevron plays race card trying to undermine Green New Deal →

New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics

Extending the lifetime and delaying obsolescence of electronics can significantly reduce their environmental and climate impacts and contribute to meeting the European Union’s (EU) environment, climate and circular economy objectives. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, smartphones, televisions, washing machines and vacuum cleaners all are used on average for shorter … Continue reading New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics →

As the world confronts a changing climate, India is a crucial unknown, and its decisions could either doom efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions — or jump-start them

Joanna Slater writes on the Washington Post website about the crucial role India plays in our global low-carbon future. What do you think? Can India chart a low-carbon future? The world might depend on it. Dusk was falling as Sadanand Jha drove his electric three-wheeler through the streets of this north Indian city, passing … Continue reading As the world confronts a changing climate, India is a crucial unknown, and its decisions could either doom efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions — or jump-start them →

French citizens of the citizens’ convention for the climate propose a new model to “profoundly change society” in order to respond to the climate crisis

150 volunteers participated in the Citizens’ Convention on the Climate in France. They must now debate and vote on each of their proposals, which include amending the Constitution and the allowing use of referendums, as well as deciding on how to fund their measures. Audrey Garric and Rémi Barroux explain latest developments in an article … Continue reading French citizens of the citizens’ convention for the climate propose a new model to “profoundly change society” in order to respond to the climate crisis →

Efforts to undermine climate change science in the US federal government now increasingly driven by midlevel managers trying to protect their jobs and budgets and wary of the scrutiny of senior officials

Lisa Friedman writes on the New York Times website that federal workers have internalised President Trump’s antagonism for climate science. This has to be a concern. What are your views? A War Against Climate Science, Waged by Washington’s Rank and File Efforts to undermine climate change science in the federal government, once orchestrated largely … Continue reading Efforts to undermine climate change science in the US federal government now increasingly driven by midlevel managers trying to protect their jobs and budgets and wary of the scrutiny of senior officials →

“If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water”

Stanley Reed writes on the New York Times about recent developments in offshore wind power. The wind power industry sees an opportunity in allowing wind turbines to be pushed into deeper water. A New Weapon Against Climate Change May Float A strange-looking contraption that could represent a new frontier in clean energy wallowed in … Continue reading “If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water” →

“Very few countries still have stringent confinement. We expected emissions to come back, but that they have done so rapidly is the biggest surprise”

There was a lot of cheering when we saw CO2 emissions dropping as we all faced a lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis. But they are suddenly rebounding as countries loosen the confinement conditions. Fiona Harvey discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. 'Surprisingly rapid' rebound in carbon emissions post-lockdown Carbon … Continue reading “Very few countries still have stringent confinement. We expected emissions to come back, but that they have done so rapidly is the biggest surprise” →

While Germany’s transition to clean energy has had successes one major failure is the nation’s decades-long unwillingness to cut emissions from cars and trucks

A world leader in cutting emissions from electricity production, the German government, in thrall to the auto industry, ‘overlooked’ pollution from cars and trucks. Dan Gearino explains in a detailed article on the InsideClimate News website. Love is Blind: How Germany’s Long Romance With Cars Led to the Nation’s Biggest Clean Energy Failure The … Continue reading While Germany’s transition to clean energy has had successes one major failure is the nation’s decades-long unwillingness to cut emissions from cars and trucks →

International aviation emissions must be included in the government targets to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050

International flights taking off from the UK must be taken into account in the government’s calculations on reaching net zero emissions as part of a “green” recovery for the airline industry, a transport thinktank has urged. The thinktank, Transport and Environment, also believes that the airline industry bailout should have green conditions attached. Sandra Laville … Continue reading International aviation emissions must be included in the government targets to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 →