Hacking NYC's Carbon Emissions
What's the techiest way to shrink the carbon footprint of NYC buildings? Climathon hackers say there ought to be an app for that
February 28, 2020
Time Is Now To Invest In Climate Action
The time for ignoring or dithering on serious climate investments is over warn 2 of Europe's most eminent economic policy makers
Ikea Walks The Carbon Footprint Walk
Ikea actually cut its carbon footprint, across its value chain, by 4.3% in fiscal year 2019, its use of renewable energy is credited
Quote Of The Day
"The climate community lives inside a green bubble, inside a green bubble, inside a green bubble. We see news articles about climate change every day. But that’s not the experience of most people, most of the time." — Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale University Program on Climate Change
February 27, 2020
Wind Whips Water
In 2019, wind outstripped hydro as the biggest source of renewable power in the US
BIg Oil Greenwashes In Women-Diversity Support
Big Oil tries to clean up its image by touting its support for women + social diversity
UK: Pivot To Pedestrians
English cities envisioning car-free centers, here's how they might look
Vietnam: Cooling On Coal
With scarcer financing for coal burning power plants + the cost of renewable energy plunging, Viet Nam might move to end its coal dependency
After Dark
How to get US city-dwellers into their parks after dark
First, 14th Street, Now, Market Street
What are the results in San Francisco of a car ban on Market Street?
Doing Something About Dirty Fuel
Meet Clean Fuels NY, learn about supporting the creation of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard to cut transportation's greenhouse gas emissions
Australia: What The Climate Crisis Looks Like Now
Australia is heating faster than the global average, and extreme heat days are on the rise. Doctors say there’s clear evidence that it’s killing people prematurely. This is the killer heat: on #TheFrontline of Australia's #climateemergency https://t.co/aNQlx6QAAk#auspol pic.twitter.com/R37kXvQKaw
— Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) February 26, 2020
Keeping Up With The Kochs
The Koch family, a perennial deep-pocket foe of climate action, fuels a network opposing a cap + trade plan to cut transportation emissions in the northeast
February 26, 2020
"Unique Entities" On Our Unique Blue Marble
"Cities are machines! Insect colonies! Ecosystems!"
— Taras Grescoe (@grescoe) February 25, 2020
None of the above.
The earth's urban spaces are unique entities.
They are among the most complex of human artifacts
—and some are the greatest things humanity has, or will ever, build. pic.twitter.com/cg8x3i84Hi
Leading To Net Zero
California + New York are national leaders on transitioning buildings to net zero carbon emitters
RGGI Rocks 30x30
9 northeast RGGI member states will tighten their power plant carbon emissions caps 30% between now + 2030
Paying For NY's Ambitious Climate Agenda
NY's proposed $33 billion climate action budget relies largely on utility customers' fees + a bond money that hasn't been raised yet
About Last Night's Candidate Debate
"Asking about personal mottos and not climate is just embarrassing," said Jamal Raad, communications director for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
NY Solar Roof Partnership Ends
Tesla + Panasonic end their partnership to produce solar roofs in Buffalo, NY
Australia: Investing In US Renewables
Citing a lack of domestic opportunities, Australian investors turn to US renewable energy projects
February 25, 2020
Connected Crises
Make the connection between rising residential flood insurance costs, cascading mortgage foreclosures + our climate crisis
Trump Threatens NY Transit Infrastructure
Throttle congestion pricing. Cut off 2nd Avenue subway expansion funds. Deny federal support for the Cross Harbor rail tunnel upgrade. See a Trump Administration pattern here?
Powering Up An EV Bus Fleet
What will it take to transform NYC's fleet of 5,700 buses to all electric?
Brooklyn Congressmember : MIA On Climate
Brooklyn Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries urged to become a climate leader +step up on the Green New Deal
February 24, 2020
Quote Of The Day
"The word 'belief' does not belong in climate change stories. You understand a fact, or not. Its factual nature doesn't depend on your belief" - Alex Steffen, Climate futurist, writer, speaker, advisor, dad
Australia: Unprecedented Forest Loss
One-fifth of Australia's forests were lost in the recent bush fires.
A Transportation Thought Experiment
What should replace the collapsing Brooklyn Heights segment of the BQE?
It's Getting Hotter, Faster, TICK, TICK...
The wide scope of the proposed Green New Deal may make it sound utopian—but it may be better to think of it as anti-dystopian. Political will + financial commitment needed, right now
Fossil Fuel Subsidies Must End
Ending decades-long subsidies to the fossil fuel industry would make a real difference for saving the climate
Community Boards Seek Curbside Reforms
A second Manhattan community board tells @nyc_dot: to get rid of "parking" to solve our currently chaotic and unsafe streets. @DaveCoIon has the story. https://t.co/vedJ9Ce2j0
— Streetsblog New York (@StreetsblogNYC) February 24, 2020
Solar Finland
Yes! That's right The sun shines on solar power near the Arctic Circle
February 21, 2020
Gastropods For Greta
🐌
— Alexander Verbeek 🌍 (@Alex_Verbeek) February 21, 2020
This is wonderful news to start the weekend. 😊
A newly discovered species of a tiny snail has been named after @GretaThunberg
Greta said she was delighted.
➡️ RT if you want to congratulate Greta (as well as the snail :-)#AlexNote #ClimateChange #FridaysForFuture
. pic.twitter.com/SDOvhfd1fm
If Congestion Pricing's At Risk...
...what is the future for funding big subway system improvements?
Scotland: 'Climate Positive' Gin
BlackRock Sounds Climate Investor Alarm
When BlackRock, a top global investment firm warns of rising climate risks to its industry - not to mention the planet. I t's not alone
Turning Up The Heat On Methane
2 new studies add fuel to the debate about the role of natural gas extraction + permafrost methane emissions in heating the planet
February 20, 2020
Hey Mr. Mayor -- Attention Must Be Paid
Wondering how cities are doing on their climate goals? New report shows which cities made the A List: https://t.co/XxPAkPX62X
— EDF Energy Program (@EDFEnergyEX) February 20, 2020
Big, Hairy Climate Disruptions
The "overabundance of 'unpriced risk' in the energy market – representing a failure to take into account factors which could have significant impacts on the future value of a business." Translation: The climate crisis could cause super-disruptive economic woes
Another Way To Put A Price On Carbon
NY's electric grid operator, NYISO, proposes putting a price on carbon, linked to the social cost of carbon emissions, in the electricity it buys on the wholesale market
Climate Dog-Bites-Person News
Polling finds climate change + environmental protection are among the most politically polarized issues in the US, but polls don't explain why or how
February 19, 2020
Mapping Climate Opinions
A detailed US map of what Americans think about climate change, climate risk + climate action
NYC Capital Project Tracker
Good news for climate mitigation + resilience project trackers. Soon, New Yorkers will be able to search on-line for costs + progress updates about municipal construction projects
Plastics Recycling - Back From The Dead
New processes + new products could energize a rebirth of plastics' recycling. Fossil fuel opponents unlikely to rejoice
Not Your Grandpa's Texas
Texas is becoming a capital of renewable energy
A Weaker Plastic Bag Ban
NY environmentalists are not happy with the State's rules + regs to carry out its plastic bag ban. Industry groups are unhappy too, but for different reasons
They're Back
Citi E-Bikes return to NYC streets after a redesign, are more on the way?
February 18, 2020
Global Temperature: Still Setting Records
2019 was the second hottest year on record. @nytclimate uses graphics to visualize heat trends of the past 100 years: https://t.co/QWwwNDkmuP
— Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (@YaleClimateComm) February 18, 2020
The Latest In Solar Tech - Quantum Dots
University researchers say a new flexible solar skin technology could be deployed on personal gear shortly
Carbon Budgeting - There's An App For That
Is carbon rationing a workable/fair way to cut society's carbon footprint?
Truth In Labeling
Many plastics with a recycling logo actually aren't recyclable. Greenpeace finds "plastic #3 through 7 waste across the country 'is being sent to landfills or incinerated.'"
February 14, 2020
Banking On Climate Change
In the Climate Crisis Era this report adds up lending + underwriting from 33 global banks to the fossil fuel industry
Climate Change And Americans' Diet
A survey of 1,043 US adults finds people say they're willing to eat less meat, but concerned about cost, taste + convenience
Resiliency Roll-Out In Red Hook
More than 7 years after Superstorm Sandy, City government starts the Red Hook community engagement part of its flood protection design process
Citi Bike Advances In The Bronx
Rolling out Citi Bike access in the Bronx gets into first gear
Amber Light For Zapping Fuel Efficiency Rule
Trump's drive to zap progress on vehicle fuel efficiency rules could hit a dead end
February 13, 2020
Australia: Climate Crisis Victim
Insurance company profits getting burned in Australia
Faking The Facts
The (un)making of federal fuel economy rules for cars, light trucks + SUV's
21st Century Mortal Sin: Food Waste
We're wasting more food than we thought and the rich are probably to blame https://t.co/W8lUc1HSRs
— Bloomberg Green (@climate) February 13, 2020
Election Prediction
Trump's active climate denialism could be his biggest re-election vulnerability
Renenwable Power Charges Ahead
10 years of trends reveal the insurgency of US renewable energy
February 12, 2020
Ain't It The Truth
Climate panels don’t get more badass than this: @DrKateMarvel, @KendraWrites, @DrKWilkinson, & @MaryHeglar speaking to a packed audience at @Columbia about reframing climate narratives. pic.twitter.com/sARiXxPwdR
— Geoffrey Supran (@GeoffreySupran) February 11, 2020
Emissions Matter
How companies define the 'scope' of their carbon emissions matters a lot for cutting them
Tools For Ending Climate Silence
Inventory the new media tool box for climate journalists
Feds Undermine Offshore Wind Project
Want to kill a green energy project? Tie it up in red tape
February 11, 2020
Federal OK Needed For Congestion Pricing
Chances are the Federal Highway Administration will OK NY's congestion plan, but in time to cover the MTA's capital plan?
Putting An End To Plastic
Today’s the day—we’re introducing the #BreakFreeFromPlastic Pollution Act. Tune in now: https://t.co/QYQW5e50BW
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) February 11, 2020
Australia: Climate Denialism Lingers
Not every Australian whose lived through recent bush fire disasters sees the climate changing
Here's A Solar Surprise
Cincinnati will be home to the biggest municipal solar farm in the US
Demark: Energy Company's Carbon Goal
Danish offshore wind leader, Orsted, pledges to be carbon neutral by 2025
2019: GHG Emissions Hold Steady
After a 3-year rise, global GHG emissions stayed flat in 2019, a sustainable trend or a hiccup in the climate crisis?
After The Wildfires
The environmental + health impacts of wildfires don't end when the flames are doused
February 10, 2020
World Isn't Running Out Of Oil But...
...the oil industry is running low on economic rationales to keep drilling + fracking
How To Cope With An Inconvenient Truth
Some Florida coastal home owners just ignore flood maps' handwriting on the wall
February 07, 2020
Mayor's Climate Agenda
Mayor De Blasio makes 7 climate action pledges in his 2020 State of the City address
If You're Feeling Blue...
...Clothes shopping is not a sustainable pick-me-up. Why is it so hard to resist?
NY's Top Environmental Protector
Basil Seggos, Commissioner of NY's Department of Environmental Conservation, has a lot on his plate
A New Composter In Town
NYC-based Re-Nuble takes food distributer + processor waste + converts it into compost for use at hydroponic farms
February 06, 2020
Broadcasting An End To Climate Silence
Climate people, rejoice! @vanessahauc, a veteran Latina climate journalist, will co-moderate the Feb. 19 Democratic presidential debate https://t.co/9gfBDJP2xH
— Emily Atkin (@emorwee) February 6, 2020
An Environmental Win
Permeable pavements make snowy streets safer while cutting environmental harm + costly infrastructure corrosion caused by the use salt for de-icing
The Latest In Transit Controversies
Sparks fly over an MTA proposal to pay for ride-hailing services for commuters during late night hours whose destinations are remote from mass transit
NYC: 100 x 40
100% of NYC's municipal vehicles will be all-electric by 2040, per new executive order. That's up from 8.5% now
Coming On Fast - Big Oil v Big Battery
The zero-emissions race is on. The global battery storage industry is challenging the oil industry in terms of investment + market growth
Microsoft Makes Big Climate Moves
Pledging a $1 billion investment to suck carbon directly from the air is the headline, but not the whole story, of Microsoft's climate action campaign
February 05, 2020
RIP - Shortly
Coal-fired electricity generation in New England and New York has... diminished? More like died... 😬https://t.co/F1WbfAzKop pic.twitter.com/TnpUmVg1FO
— Joshua Rhodes (@joshdr83) February 4, 2020
Iowa: Candidates on Climate
Both Buttegieg + Sanders spoke with Iowa Democrats about the impacts of weird weather + a proposed oil pipeline
Scotland: Climate Action Pioneer
To meet it's 2045 net-zero carbon goal, Scotland is taking its climate future into its own hands
Science At Work: Clouds
With growing insight into clouds climate scientists project an even hotter future
Ceaseless Sea Level Rise
Worried about seal level rise? You're right.
The Middle East: Climate Is The Looming Threat
Climate crisis, not political canoodling will be the major force shaping the future of the Mid East
February 04, 2020
2019: Another Year Of Smashed Records
20219 offered no let up from the escalating realities of global climate chaos
.8 C Warming Translates to 1.44 F
January 2020 was the warmest January on record in the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis dataset, beating out 2016 by a hair. Januaries have warmed by around 0.8C over the past 40 years. https://t.co/WYN2ygztG1 pic.twitter.com/bAhTfV72mm
— Zeke Hausfather (@hausfath) February 4, 2020
Street Fight
Manhattan's Community Board 7 will discuss a resolution supporting a study to examine limits on free street parking for private vehicles. Expect a rumble.
Coal Blooded
A report issued by the NAACP finds
"Nearly six million Americans live within three miles of a coal power plant....coal power plants tend to be disproportionately located in low-income communities + communities of color" Where's the justice in that?
Utrecht: Up With Feet/Bikes, Down With Cars
Urban design for walking + biking, not driving, takes shape in the Dutch city of Utrecht
The All-Electric Race Scramble
Insurgent urban climate policy calls for all-electric buildings, how are developers, contractors + industry associations coping?
February 03, 2020
Sanders Urges Public Utility Ownership
Sanders calls for 100% federal ownership of the electric power supply to fast-forward national renewable energy goal