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We Need an Agreement to Phase out Fossil Fuels at COP28

Union of Concerned Scientists

Beyond the climate harms of fossil fuels, they also impose a terrible toll on human health, as numerous recent studies show—including the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change , a BMJ study on global deaths from air pollution caused by fossil fuels, and a study on US deaths attributable to coal-fired electricity generation.

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A 100% Renewable Energy Future is Possible, and We Need It

Union of Concerned Scientists

And we’re still trying to recover from a pandemic that has made even more clear the disproportionate impacts of air pollution on overburdened communities, making them even more vulnerable to the negative impacts of COVID 19. And we’re already seeing the prominent role that renewables are starting to play in our electricity mix.

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California Must Extend Zero Emission Vehicle Funding from “AB 8 Fees”

Union of Concerned Scientists

For California to achieve its climate goals and federal air quality obligations, the state legislature must approve the extension of a modest portion of vehicle registration fees (called “AB 8 Fees”). To make the stakes even higher, if these fees are not extended this year, they will likely be gone forever.

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Too Many Gas Power Plants are the Problem Not the Solution

Union of Concerned Scientists

cranks its air conditioners to get through historic high temperatures , the need for energy that slows, not hastens, climate change is more apparent than ever. Yet, in 2022, almost 40% of electricity in the US was generated by power plants fueled by natural gas. States remain widely varied on their reliance on gas for electricity.

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Why UCS Supporters Are Pressing EPA to Let California Enforce Its Truck Pollution Rules

Union of Concerned Scientists

California’s leadership on reducing truck pollution has been on full display the past few years, passing critical regulations requiring 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions from diesel trucks and requiring manufacturers sell an increasing share of electric trucks to move away from fossil fuels altogether.

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Don’t Believe the Lies: Five Facts to Consider as the UN’s COP27 Comes to a Close

Union of Concerned Scientists

Earlier this year, UCS experts worked with community groups to produce a report, On the Road to 100 Percent Renewables , which shows that two dozen states can reliably meet 100 percent of their electricity needs with renewable energy. degrees goal is threatened by political inaction. Why not just start with renewables?

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Good News—and Bad—about Fossil Fuel Power Plants in 2023 

Union of Concerned Scientists

With the clean energy transition already under way, the US electricity mix is set to continue changing this year. Solar power is expected to make up about half of all additions of US electric generating capacity in 2023, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). I’ll start off with the good.