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Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

The legislation committed nearly $400 billion to support, among other things, wind and solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies that will make a significant dent in US heat-trapping emissions. Over those 15 years, US global warming emissions declined about 17 percent.

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In Climate Talks, Plans to Keep Planet from Overheating Should Not Ignore Water

Circle of Blue

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. But other low-carbon technologies do not tread as lightly. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

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Five Things the “Nuclear Bros” Don’t Want You to Know About Small Modular Reactors

Union of Concerned Scientists

SMRs are nuclear reactors that are “small” (defined as 300 megawatts of electrical power or less), can be largely assembled in a centralized facility, and would be installed in a modular fashion at power generation sites. What are SMRs? Some proposed SMRs are so tiny (20 megawatts or less) that they are called “micro” reactors.

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What’s Up With Water – December 6, 2022

Circle of Blue

The report’s authors claim that success in lowering carbon emissions will be determined by how well the world manages its water. Freshwater ecosystems like marshes and wetlands store carbon, protect biodiversity, and improve soil and water quality. Nuclear plants, for instance, require enormous volumes of water for cooling.

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Solar device generates electricity and desalinates water with no waste brine

Physics World

A device that can generate electricity while desalinating seawater has been developed by researchers in Saudi Arabia and China, who claim that their new system is highly efficient at performing both tasks. The device uses waste heat from the solar cell for desalination, thereby cooling the solar cell.

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Why Energy Conservation Will Remain Crucial

Legal Planet

One reason to save energy is to limit carbon emissions from the energy we use. But energy conservation is important for reasons that go beyond the direct effect on emissions. If cooling your house gets cheaper because you’re more energy efficiency, you might decide you can afford to keep your house even cooler.

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Chicago Commits to Bold Climate Action

Union of Concerned Scientists

Chicago’s new CAP aims to remedy those problems and chart an equitable path to cut the city’s carbon emissions by at least 60 percent by 2040. Residential, commercial and industrial buildings account for nearly 70 percent of Chicago’s carbon footprint. Building Retrofits. Building Decarbonization.