Support for InfrastructureUSA.org
has been provided by these organizations and individuals:

John Hennessy III,
P.E.

Archive for the ‘Climate Change’ Category

New Technologies and Strategies to Cut Down Emissions

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Figure 2. Share of Ride-Sharable Trips Relative to Total Trips by Scenario

MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE Executive Summary It is widely recognized that new vehicle and fuel technology is necessary, but not sufficient, to meet deep greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions goals for both the U.S. and the state of California. Demand management strategies (such as land use, transit, and auto pricing) are also needed to reduce passenger vehicle […]

View this complete post...

Lights Out? Storm Surge, Blackouts, and How Clean Energy Can Help

Monday, November 2nd, 2015
FIGURE 1. U.S. Electric Grid Disruptions

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
To maintain our present and future access to reliable electricity—and all the health, safety, and economic benefits such access allows—we must prepare our electric grid for increased coastal flooding. One necessary approach is adapting electricity infrastructure. However, it is also critical to simultaneously pursue solutions that go beyond intervening with specific pieces of equipment. For that, we can look to bolstering the overall electricity resilience of critical facilities and vulnerable populations.

View this complete post...

Climate Change and the U.S. Energy Sector: Regional Vulnerabilities and Resilience Solutions

Thursday, October 29th, 2015
Projected Climate Impacts on U.S. Energy by Region

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Changes in climate create diverse challenges across the U.S. energy system. Some energy infrastructure assets have already suffered damage or disruption in services from a variety of climate-related impacts, such as higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and more severe weather events. In the absence of concerted action to improve resilience, energy system vulnerabilities pose a threat to America’s national security, energy security, economic wellbeing, and quality of life.

View this complete post...

The Decisions We Make Today Will Shape Tomorrow

Monday, October 26th, 2015
Figure 1: Business-as-usual urban contribution to the remaining carbon budget

C40 CITIES CLIMATE LEADERSHIP GROUP
The world is becoming ever more urban, with 1.5 million people moving into towns and cities every week, all requiring infrastructure like homes, roads, electricity and water supplies. As a result, the approach taken to urban infrastructure construction, renewal and refurbishment will play a substantial role in avoiding or locking in future emissions. For example, hundreds of millions of new homes will either produce large quantities of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through poor energy performance, or avoid emissions through sensible and efficient design.

View this complete post...

Ensuring New Infrastructure is Climate-Smart

Thursday, October 8th, 2015
Global investment requirements 2015–2030, US$ trillion, constant 2010 dollars

THE NEW CLIMATE ECONOMY
THE GLOBAL COMMISSION ON THE ECONOMY AND CLIMATE

View this complete post...

ASCE: Engineering Resilient Cities

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

In “Engineering a Resilient Community,” watch experts discuss what it means to be resilient, why it’s important and how sustainability and resiliency are interconnected.

View this complete post...

Accelerating U.S. Clean Energy Deployment

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015
Table 1: Ways for Institutional Investors to Finance Clean Energy

CERES
Institutional investors, and the corporations they invest in, are playing a growing role in financing the clean energy infrastructure needed to meet international climate goals. These investors and companies must support policymakers who seek an international agreement that will provide clearer market signals and greater certainty for needed clean energy investments.

View this complete post...

Accelerating Low-Carbon Development in the World’s Cities

Tuesday, September 15th, 2015
Figure 1 The net present value (NPV) of the urban mitigation scenario in the transport, buildings and waste sectors between 2015 and 2050

THE GLOBAL COMMISSION ON THE ECONOMY AND CLIMATE
Cities are engines of economic growth and social change. About 85% of global GDP in 2015 was generated in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of the global population will live in urban areas. Compact, connected and efficient cities can generate stronger growth and job creation, alleviate poverty and reduce investment costs, as well as improve quality of life through lower air pollution and traffic congestion. Better, more resilient models of urban development are particularly critical for rapidly urbanizing cities in the developing world.

View this complete post...

Natural Gas & Pipeline Infrastructure: Impacts of the Clean Power Plan

Friday, September 4th, 2015
Figure 1. Projected U.S. Natural Gas Demand in AEE Institute Scenarios

ADVANCED ENERGY ECONOMY INSTITUTE (AEE INSTITUTE)
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) establishes state-by-state carbon emissions rate targets that it projects will reduce U.S. electricity sector carbon emissions 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Some stakeholders, including the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), have raised concerns that states might rely heavily on natural gas generation for CPP compliance, creating stress on gas pipeline capacity and ultimately affecting electric system reliability. While it is likely that states will pursue a diverse portfolio of emission reductions, examining the infrastructure implications of gas use scenarios helps with risk management.

View this complete post...

Cool Solutions: New Technology to Fight Climate Change in Massachusetts

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015
Figure ES-1. Historical Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Trajectories Needed to Achieve 2020, 2030 and 2050 Emission Reduction Targets

ENVIRONMENT MASSACHUSETTS
To ensure that the Commonwealth stays on track to meet its target under the Global Warming Solutions Act of cutting emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050, Massachusetts should adopt a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030…Achieving that goal will require Massachusetts to fully implement previous commitments to reduce global warming pollution. It will also require us to take full advantage of a new wave of game-changing opportunities – from cutting-edge technologies to emerging societal trends – that can help Massachusetts build on its position of national leadership in the fight against global warming.

View this complete post...

Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.


Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure