Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 26, 2024

This June, I had the opportunity to testify at the Pennsylvania House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee’s hearing on “Hydrogen Hubs and Climate Change.” My name is Julie McNamara, and I am a senior analyst and deputy policy director for climate and energy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Climate Change 275

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 275

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2023

Many of these disasters—including floods, storms, wildfires and droughts—were worsened by climate change. . Climate change is not the sole causative factor, of course. That’s why the long-waited climate bill that the U.S. Source: NOAA [link]. It’s an emergency !’ (You You can watch her powerful speech here ).

Climate Change 285

Climate Change 2022 Fossil Fuels Sea Level 285

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 30, 2024

Policy drivers State leadership has been important in driving the development and adoption of clean energy for decades, and remains key to accelerating the move toward clean energy and away from fossil fuels.

Clean Energy 278

Clean Energy 2024 Wind Power Renewable Energy 278

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 7, 2023

Attribution science , which is about understanding the role of climate change versus natural weather patterns and climate variability, can help us better understand the connections between extreme weather and climate change, provide new insight into what specific emissions are driving the worst impacts, and help shape climate solutions.

Climate Change 328

Climate Change Sea Level Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide 328

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

Some estimates suggest they could disappear by 2030 due to the climate change triggered by human fossil fuel use, which began less than 200 years ago. Glaciers, once thought of as static, timeless icons, have become a fleeting phenomenon, highlighting the urgent need for action on climate change.

Climate Change 244

Climate Change 2030 Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 244

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 23, 2024

Prompted by a state law, California’s utility regulator has proposed to change the way electricity is billed by adding a fixed monthly charge to all rate plans and making a corresponding reduction to the cost for each unit of electricity used. Making sure that EVs are cheaper to recharge will help make that possible.

Electricity 298

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2026 Climate Change 298

Circle of Blue

MARCH 1, 2022

In summarizing its report on the consequences of climate change, the scientific body described a society running out of time to prevent unbearable damage to the planet’s lands and waters — and to the people and creatures that depend on them. Climate change is a threat to human well-being and the health of the planet.

Climate Change 362

Climate Change Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels 2010 362

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 30, 2024

Replacing gasoline with electricity greatly reduces the carbon emissions from driving. Based on where electric vehicles (EVs) have been sold, driving the average EV in the US produces global warming emissions equal to a hypothetical 94 mile per gallon gasoline car, or less than a third of the emissions of the average new gasoline car.

Electricity 336

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2012 Climate Change 336

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 26, 2022

Today marks one year since the precedent-setting court ruling in the Netherlands, which ordered Shell to cut its activities’ carbon emissions by 45 percent compared to 2019 levels to align with the Paris climate agreement. N ovel Approaches to Climate Litigation. The Importance of Climate Litigation.

Fossil Fuels 264

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Paris Agreement Carbon Emissions 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 1, 2022

Though the case caught fewer headlines, it, too, threatened Earth-shifting implications all its own by thrusting into question a critical EPA lever for addressing climate change. First and foremost, despite some fossil fuel interests swinging for the fossil fuel-favored fences, the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Clean Energy Greenhouse 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Communities and ecosystems continue to suffer the consequences of human-caused climate change , primarily from the burning of fossil fuels across our economy. The case for phasing out of fossil fuels and making a just and equitable transition to clean energy has never been more clear. Sources of PM 2.5

Fossil Fuels 288

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution 288

Legal Planet

MAY 5, 2022

This being Cinco de Mayo, it seems like an appropriate time for a look at Mexico’s climate challenges. Mexico’s carbon emissions are about the same as those of Texas, the highest-emitting US state. Per capita emissions, however, are far lower, given Mexico’s much larger population.

Paris Agreement 264

Paris Agreement Carbon Emissions Climate Change Rainforest 264

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Trading in disinformation In its climate lobbying report, ExxonMobil deemed 52 associations “aligned” for acknowledging the risks of climate change, publicly backing the Paris Agreement goal of limiting average global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and taking steps to reduce carbon emissions.

Fossil Fuels 302

Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Climate Change Paris Agreement 302

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 30, 2022

Fossil fuels are the root cause of climate change, of long-standing environmental injustices, and are also frequently connected to geopolitical strife and violent conflicts. Other countries are dependent upon these fossil fuels, they don’t make themselves free of them. This is a fossil fuel war.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Energy 2030 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 13, 2024

As electric vehicle charging stations sprout like mushrooms along our roads and clusters of new wind turbines come online, these two clean energy solutions to the climate crisis are becoming more commonplace. Also more commonplace are the obvious , dangerous , and destructive effects of climate change on people and communities.

Fossil Fuels 273

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Electricity Climate Change 273

Legal Planet

JUNE 4, 2021

Some events last week sent a strong signal that the tide is turning against fossil fuels. To paraphrase Churchill, this may not be beginning of the end for fossil fuels, but at least it is the end of the beginning of the campaign against them. Each of the events standing alone would have been noteworthy.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Paris Agreement Climate Change Carbon Emissions 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Minnesota’s current goal is to reduce statewide carbon emissions 30 percent by 2025 compared to 2005 levels and 80 percent by 2050.

Renewable Energy 363

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 363

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

In a recent column , Paul Krugman argued that cutting carbon emissions doesn’t have to mean an end to economic growth. Carbon emissions and growth aren’t joined at the hip. The numbers are really clear about the disconnect between the trajectories of GDP and emissions. He’s right about that.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels 2007 Air Pollution 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

All told, they represent 56 percent of the US population, generate 62 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, and are responsible for 43 percent of the country’s annual carbon emissions. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants in alliance states drop 88 percent and 77 percent respectively by 2040.

Electricity 279

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 279

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

Standards for carbon and methane emissions from new sources Permitting requirements for carbon emissions from new stationary sources of major sources of existing pollutants. Standards for existing stationary carbon sources (focused on power plants to date). Standards for emissions from new vehicles.

Law 246

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 246

Vermont Law

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

The Substitution Effect: Could Reducing Fossil Fuel Sales Truly Have No Impact? By Shekhar Pathak Climate change is an extremely complex and difficult issue. A Dutch appellate court (Court) reflected similar reasoning in a recent ruling concerning Shells climate obligations.

Fossil Fuels 40

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Carbon Emissions Deforestation 40

Legal Planet

MAY 23, 2022

The Liberals had done as little as possible to address climate change. So the change in government is more than welcome. The outgoing Liberals weren’t helped electorally by their foot-dragging about climate change. Polling showed broad public support for more aggressive cuts in carbon emissions.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Climate Change Fossil Fuels Politics 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 10, 2023

We are at the height of Danger Season , the time of year when extreme weather events driven by climate change are most prevalent across North America. The power sector is the second highest source of climate pollution in the U.S. thus, it is crucial that we address carbon emissions from power plants.

Air Pollution 245

Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Climate Change 245

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

The bad news is that we’re not yet on track to avoid dangerous climate change. climate policy. New California legislation will require corporations to disclose their carbon emissions. Climate policy has been boosted by dramatic changes in the economics of clean energy.

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 279

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Carbon-reduction plans, if not well designed, can worsen water scarcity and pollution. Plans to reduce carbon emissions should take water into account. Some low-carbon energy options require significant amounts of water. Water can also be a climate solution. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

Carbon Emissions 363

Carbon Emissions Biofuels Cooling Fossil Fuels 363

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

At the evening seafood reception that year, in a corner near the fresh oysters, a board member of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association remarked to me, “Everyone blames everything on climate change, but they blame the Right Whale on lobstering.” His remark has remained with me ever since.

Fossil Fuels 245

Fossil Fuels Ocean Sea Level Carbon Dioxide 245

Legal Planet

JUNE 13, 2022

In terms of climate policy, however, it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as China. That’s understandable in terms of India’s current carbon emissions, which are now only a quarter of China’s. But given the growth of the economy, carbon emissions were projected to continuing growing steadily through 2030.

2030 246

2030 Carbon Emissions 2027 Sea Level 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

CO 2 emissions remain mostly level through 2050—nowhere close to meeting US climate goals. Carbon emissions remain high. These projections show that without additional policies or incentives, the US is very much in danger of not meeting our climate goals.

Natural Gas 290

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 290

Clean Energy Law

MARCH 11, 2021

In December 2018, after having successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 53.3%, a majority of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) jurisdictions announced plans to design a program to address carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels.

Carbon Emissions 130

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Regulations Greenhouse 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 29, 2022

DO: Pay your fair share of the costs of climate change. Companies are spending millions fighting lawsuits that would hold them accountable for the costs that fossil fuel extraction has imposed on people and the planet. Chevron alone is facing a $9.5

Fossil Fuels 279

Fossil Fuels Coastal Erosion Carbon Dioxide Biofuels 279

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

It’s not surprising to see companies lobbying to try to optimize this lucrative credit for their profits rather than ensuring the produced hydrogen is genuinely low-carbon, but it is astounding to see regulators at risk of following suit. And this isn’t just hypothetical.

Clean Energy 263

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 263

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 20, 2023

Through the Clean Air Act , and as affirmed—and reaffirmed—through multiple legal sagas, EPA is statutorily obligated to address carbon pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. Indeed, EPA still retains the ability to set strong standards that curtail carbon pollution at the scale, speed, and rigor required.

Clean Air Act 237

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Clean Energy 237

A Greener Life

JUNE 2, 2021

Judge Larisa Alwin ordered Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. “The court orders Royal Dutch Shell, by means of its corporate policy, to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 with respect to the level of 2019 for the Shell group, and the suppliers and customers of the group.”

Climate Change 98

Climate Change Fossil Fuels 2030 Carbon Emissions 98

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 30, 2023

The state-specific fact sheet, On the Road to 100 Percent Renewables for Minnesota , outlines how it could meet its electricity needs completely and equitably with renewable energy by 2035 and dramatically reduce fossil fuel use in vehicles and buildings.

Electricity 262

Electricity Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 262

Scientific American

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

Fresh data released at the COP27 climate summit show global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are soaring despite an energy crisis.

Carbon Emissions 98

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Climate Change 98

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

It’s not an environmental law case, but the ruling could impact the authority of states to address climate change. Many state climate change regulations have impacts on other states. For example, the Ninth Circuit upheld California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard against a similar legal attack.

Regulations 246

Regulations Climate Change Law Fossil Fuels 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 18, 2024

This included a bill that would have started a statewide conversation about the diminished role fossil fuels should play in Maine’s energy system as the state strives to meet its climate and clean energy commitments. Gas is primarily composed of methane—a fossil fuel with extremely high global warming potential.

Fossil Fuels 172

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 172