Circle of Blue

JANUARY 11, 2023

Ahead of a high-profile UN conference, political forecasters issue water warnings. The World Economic Forum acknowledged once again that ecological shocks such as these reverberate mightily in politics and society. Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, recently published its risk watch-list for 2023. Water still matters.

Politics 321

Politics Natural Resources 2015 2023 321

Real Climate

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

It is 33 years now since the IPCC in its first report in 1990 concluded that it is “certain” that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities “will enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in an additional warming of the Earth’s surface.” Is it sheer incompetence or is it politically motivated?

Greenhouse 309

Greenhouse Radiation Cooling Carbon Dioxide 309

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 26, 2023

To identify which fuels should be promoted, CARB calculates the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels. In these “carbon intensity” calculations, CARB is not allowed to count reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that are already required by law. Agricultural operations are almost uniquely unregulated.

Regulations 312

Regulations Greenhouse Clean Air Act Politics 312

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 13, 2022

The article surveys a range of criticisms of the use of carbon taxes as a tool to address greenhouse gas emissions, and criticisms of the focus of many economists on carbon taxes as the primary tool to address climate change. I think these political constraints are a key reason economists focused so long – too long – on carbon pricing.

Politics 246

Politics Climate Change Fossil Fuels Technology 246

Inside Climate News

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

By Phil McKenna NEW YORK—As scientists, policymakers and environmental advocates seek to accelerate efforts to address climate change, they’re zeroing in on a pollutant long considered the “forgotten greenhouse gas.”

Greenhouse 136

Greenhouse Climate Change Politics 136

Inside Climate News

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

But there are few signs the current round of climate talks will deliver on the only thing proven to slow global warming: rapid greenhouse gas cuts. By Bob Berwyn BAKU, Azerbaijan—If speeches and slogans could save the climate, COP29 would already be a success.

Greenhouse 132

Greenhouse Paris Agreement Climate Change Politics 132

Law and Environment

JUNE 16, 2021

While supporters of the TCI-P tout the public health benefits associated with reduced carbon emissions in from one of the highest greenhouse gas emitting sectors of the U.S. The post TCI Update: Final Model Rule Addresses EJ, but Political Will May Be Lacking first appeared on Law and the Environment.

Politics 130

Politics Carbon Emissions Clean Energy Greenhouse 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 6, 2025

Working Group 3: Mitigation of Climate Change Evaluates pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable development strategies, and the role of finance, technology, and policy in achieving net-zero emissions. Fossil fuels, which are central to mitigation discussions but were largely avoided, reflecting ongoing political tensions.

Climate Change 154

Climate Change Carbon Dioxide Technology Technology 154

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 3, 2024

The Act hands over energy planning to the Minister, marginalizing energy experts at the Independent Energy System Operator (IESO) and Ontario Energy Board (OEB)—whose mandate is to ensure decisions are based on evidence, not politics. Now, the Minister can simply “consult” with whoever they feel is appropriate.

Nuclear Power 113

Nuclear Power 2017 Climate Change Law 113

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 6, 2025

Working Group 3: Mitigation of Climate Change Evaluates pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable development strategies, and the role of finance, technology, and policy in achieving net-zero emissions. Fossil fuels, which are central to mitigation discussions but were largely avoided, reflecting ongoing political tensions.

Climate Change 147

Climate Change Carbon Dioxide Technology Technology 147

Legal Planet

JANUARY 2, 2023

As a second benefit, they claim to be engaged in political symbolism, trying to disrupt a stuck debate over effective climate responses and get people to talk about solar geoengineering – of which stratospheric aerosol injection is the most promising method being discussed.

Cooling 364

Cooling Atmosphere Regulations Government 364

Circle of Blue

AUGUST 16, 2021

As famines historically are caused by conflict or political issues, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, the famine in Madagascar–one of the lowest emitters of carbon and greenhouse gasses in the world–stands out as being heavily influenced by climate change.

Climate Change 290

Climate Change Rainforest 2015 2018 290

Real Climate

NOVEMBER 11, 2023

A friend asked me if a discussion paper published on Statistics Norway’s website, ‘ To what extent are temperature levels changing due to greenhouse gas emissions? ’, was purposely timed for the next climate summit ( COP28 ). All this can be explained by physical processes and an enhanced greenhouse effect.

Sea Level 326

Sea Level Greenhouse Climate Change Atmosphere 326

Legal Planet

MAY 9, 2022

As of 2021, 30 emissions trading systems were in force globally, covering 16 – 17 % of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions trading systems are often launched with relatively lenient design features, typically justified as giving the system a chance to “learn-by-doing” and to gain political buy-in for approval of a program.

Government 241

Government Politics Climate Change Paris Agreement 241

Law Columbia

MARCH 10, 2025

The UNGA requested the ICJ render an opinion on the following questions: (a) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG) for States and for present and future generations? (b)

Climate Change 90

Climate Change Paris Agreement 2024 Law 90

Environmental News Bits

AUGUST 4, 2023

Materials released under the state’s Right to Know Act underline the political balancing act facing Gov. Josh Shapiro as he solicits views on the state’s membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Read the full story at Inside Climate News. But many are unhappy with the secrecy surrounding his advisory “working group.”

Greenhouse 75

Greenhouse Politics Government 75

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Westlaw searches for “global warming” and “greenhouse effect” pick up only a handful of citations before 1985. The other article about nuclear power also observed in passing that “coal combustion may disrupt global weather patterns by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, creating a ‘greenhouse effect.’”.

Carbon Dioxide 203

Carbon Dioxide Climate Change Nuclear Power Clean Air Act 203

Legal Planet

MAY 16, 2023

As in the US, Australia’s climate policy was long a victim of a lengthy period of divided government and political upheaval. In 2022, the Labor coalition passed a law mandating that Australia cut greenhouse gas emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. More is needed, but hopefully the tide has turned.

2030 264

2030 Law 2007 2005 264

Inside Climate News

JANUARY 16, 2023

By Bob Berwyn, Katie Surma Forests managed by Indigenous peoples and other local communities in the Amazon region draw vast amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere while the rest of the rainforest has become a net source of the greenhouse gas, a new report has found.

Rainforest 103

Rainforest Greenhouse Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere 103

Circle of Blue

MARCH 1, 2022

Unless people adapt to rapid environmental change and greenhouse gas emissions are slowed, the risks to biodiversity, water security, food production, infrastructure stability, and health are much higher toward the end of the century. Warming temperatures are causing rapid shifts between wet and dry, flood and drought.

Climate Change 362

Climate Change Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels 2010 362

Environmental News Bits

JANUARY 26, 2022

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) today published the newest editions of its lists of the top corporate air and water polluters and top greenhouse gas emitters in the United States, based on the most recent data available from the Environmental… Read more →

Greenhouse 74

Greenhouse Politics 74

Vermont Law

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

For many, the future we look to depends on the person in power, and because of the constantly shifting whims of politics, that future is continuously changing. These Amendments can provide a more stable environmental future for citizens because the environment is no longer subjected to the will of shifting politics.

Climate Change 72

Climate Change Government Politics 2017 72

Legal Planet

MAY 19, 2023

For the past two decades, explicit state policy has been to transition as quickly as possible from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy sources–motivated primarily by climate change concerns and the critical need to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Law 264

Law Fossil Fuels Climate Change Regulations 264

Circle of Blue

DECEMBER 6, 2021

Instead, the biggest factors contributing to widespread hunger are political and economic. This might occur toward the end of this century, depending on how successfully countries implement promises to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The new study corrects months of pronouncements by the World Food Programme and other U.N.

Climate Change 278

Climate Change Climate Scientist Atmosphere Greenhouse 278

Legal Planet

AUGUST 15, 2023

They called expert witnesses to calculate the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by activity in Montana, a major gas and coal producing state, and connected that to tangible impacts on ecosystems and humans in the state. “Defendants’ actions contribute to climate change and harm plaintiffs.” The plaintiffs won this case on climate science.

Climate Change 246

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 246

Circle of Blue

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

One is strengthening commitments to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep the planet from dangerously overheating. In the Nile River basin last week, a political power shift in Sudan could turn up the heat on a long-simmering dispute over a major dam in the region.

2021 278

2021 Electricity Environmental Protection Politics 278

Circle of Blue

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

It’s also an essential consideration as countries plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris agreement. As Henk Ovink, the Netherlands’ special envoy for international water, put it, “The moment you want to bring water to a political table, there is no political table.”. There are other hurdles as well.

2021 306

2021 Climate Change Paris Agreement Biofuels 306

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

In one podcast segment titled “The Real Cause of Climate Change, ” he says he’s been trying to convince friends and family that natural “solar cycles” are behind global warming, not greenhouse gas emissions from humans.

Climate Scientist 364

Climate Scientist Climate Change Renewable Energy 2016 364

Legal Planet

JULY 12, 2023

As I outlined here , Montana state law prohibits the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions or climate impacts–– inside and outside the state’s borders––when reviewing projects and approving permits. The admission says a lot about political will. This is not supposed to be a town hall or a popularity contest,” he said.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Greenhouse Clean Air Act 246

Energy and Climate Law

OCTOBER 7, 2020

It has not even been a month ago that the President of the European Commission Urula von der Leyen in her state of the Union speech announced plans of the Commission to sharpen the 2030 climate goals for the reduction of European Greenhouse Gas Emmissions (GHGs) to 55% compared to 1990 levels. The European Commission partly admitted this (p.13

Law 246

Law 2030 Biofuels Greenhouse 246

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

Moreover, even a delay in the implementation of the standards delays cleaning up our air and cutting greenhouse gasses. Once the landmark ACF and CHC standards are opened up for revision, they instantly become vulnerable to further degradation as lobbyists demand additional exemptions, concessions, and delays.

Clean Air Act 338

Clean Air Act Electricity Clean Energy 2023 338

Inside Climate News

OCTOBER 29, 2023

EPA’s annual greenhouse gas report for large emitters show some facilities slashed their emissions while others polluted more than ever. By Phil McKenna Emissions from the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S. By Phil McKenna Emissions from the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S.

2022 145

2022 Greenhouse Environmental Protection Fossil Fuels 145

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 26, 2024

. -- WSJ: Americas Big Natural Gas Footprint Is About To Get Even Bigger: Build Baby Build [ PDF of Article ] -- ChesterCounty.com: Environmental Group Partners With Penn State On Kennet Townships Greenhouse Gas Emission Report -- Pittsburgh Business Times: Eos Starts 2025 With More Utility-Scale Zinc-Battery Orders -- Post-Gazette: Congress Passes (..)

Natural Resources 83

Natural Resources Natural Gas 2025 Recycling 83

Legal Planet

JULY 29, 2021

Wang is a leading expert on environmental governance and the law and politics of China. William serves as project lead for the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force , a unique subnational collaboration of 38 states and provinces that is working to develop regulatory frameworks to reduce emissions from deforestation and land use.

Law 246

Law Climate Change Carbon Dioxide Deforestation 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

In the study, we found that political power dynamics shape international negotiations, that the Paris Agreement temperature goal doesn’t fully account for the dangers of sea level rise, and that climate justice requires fully considering diverse views and experiences of climate change.

Sea Level 270

Sea Level Paris Agreement Climate Change Fossil Fuels 270

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 23, 2022

It’s a political compromise with some simple changes to gun laws and some new investment in mental health services. . The Inflation Reduction Act makes some serious investments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming. But if you try sometime, you might get (some of) what you need. Small steps indeed. .

Renewable Energy 57

Renewable Energy Government Greenhouse Politics 57

Inside Climate News

AUGUST 1, 2022

By Bob Berwyn As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, some climate scientists say it’s time to start paying more attention to the most extreme, worst-case outcomes, including the potential for widespread extinctions, mass climate migration and the disintegration of social and political systems.

Climate Scientist 111

Climate Scientist Greenhouse Politics Climate Change 111