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Archive for the ‘Climate Change’ Category

Transportation Futures: Policy Scenarios for Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014
Table 1. Fuel Economy and GHG Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks

MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE
The goal of this study was to examine various policy options that can achieve large-scale reductions by 2040, based on the current time frame of Annual Energy Outlook forecasts. Existing regulations on light-duty vehicle fuel economy and carbon emissions are leading to rapid decreases in emissions. New heavy-duty fuel economy standards will also soon take effect. These are supplemented by the renewable fuel standard. But these efforts are unlikely to be sufficient to meet what will be challenging reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 30 years. This study examined the degree to which three key travel-demand policies—road pricing, directing new population growth to more compact areas, and increasing the level of transit service—could contribute to reductions within this time frame.

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Infographic: The Climate Risks of Natural Gas

Thursday, March 13th, 2014
The Climate Risks of Natural Gas

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS

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The Clean Trillion: Closing The Clean Energy Investment Gap

Friday, February 14th, 2014
FIgUre 1: The Clean energy InvesTmenT gap

CERES
This paper refers to the necessary additional investment in clean energy as the “Clean Trillion.” Current annual investment in clean energy falls far short of this goal. In 2012, global investment in clean energy (as defined by Bloomberg New Energy Finance) was $281 billion—and in 2013 this figure is expected to be even lower. Simply put, there is a clean energy investment gap.

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Critical Issues in Transportation

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014
The freight transportation system must adapt to a projected 80 percent growth in gross domestic product in the next 25 years.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
The United States depends on transportation to compete globally and to help revive a sluggish domestic economy. Individuals depend on transportation not only to get to work but to shop, socialize, and access health care, among other goals (1). For all of its benefits to the nation and individuals, however, transportation imposes large costs—lost time in traffic congestion, deaths and injuries from crashes, demand for imported petroleum, and the release of greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution.

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Climate Change Timeline in Haiku And Watercolor

Friday, January 3rd, 2014
Greg Johnson: 19 Climate Change Watercolors and Haiku

Thanks to oceanographer Greg Johnson, you don’t have to read all 2,000 pages of this recent IPCC report to get up to speed on climate change. Outlining the full scope of climate change, from history and causes to possible solutions, Johnson’s 19 hand-painted watercolor images and haiku convey the spirit of the IPCC report in full color without the dense jargon and statistics.

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Wind Energy’s Growing Benefits for Our Environment and Our Health

Friday, December 27th, 2013
Figure ES-1. Growth in Electricity Generated by Wind Power

ENVIRONMENT OREGON
America has vast wind energy resources, and there is still plenty of room for growth. But the pending expiration of the federal renewable energy production tax credit and investment tax credit threatens the future expansion of wind power. To protect the environment, federal and state governments should continue and expand policies that support wind energy.

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Safeguarding California: Reducing Climate Risk

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Harris Fire, San Diego County, October 2007. Photo Credit: CAL FIRE - Wes Schultz

CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY
The Safeguarding California Plan provides policy guidance for state decision makers, and is part of continuing efforts to reduce impacts and prepare for climate risks. This plan, which updates the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, highlights climate risks in nine sectors in California, discusses progress to date, and makes realistic sector-specific recommendations.

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Guest on The Infra Blog: Annise D. Parker, Mayor of Houston

Tuesday, December 17th, 2013
Annise D. Parker, Mayor of Houston

Mayor Parker is Houston’s 61st mayor and one of only two women to hold the City’s highest elected office. As the City’s chief executive officer, she is responsible for all aspects of the general management of the City and for enforcement of all laws and ordinances…In addition to her duties as mayor, Parker is a member of President Obama’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, serves as a member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Advisory Council and on the boards of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium and Houston Galveston Area Council.

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Los Angeles County: Clean Energy Investment Potential

Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Arroyo Verdugo: MAP Statistics

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
Changes in energy conservation and generation began decades ago in California, but transformation will involve a sustained effort with benefits for action realized now. For one, there are state and local funding vehicles to support investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects such as rooftop solar installations.

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Time to Change the Game: Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Climate

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013
Figure 1: Fossil fuel subsidies and emissions in the E11

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
By Shelagh Whitley
Fossil fuel subsidies undermine international efforts to avert dangerous climate change and represent a drain on national budgets. They also fail in one of their core objectives: to benefit the poorest. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies would create a win-win scenario. It would eliminate the perverse incentives that drive up carbon emissions, create price signals for investment in a low-carbon transition and reduce pressure on public finances.

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