All articles tagged with #climate solutions
Originally Published 5 months ago — by The Washington Post
The Transportation Department plans to lift its freeze on federal funds for highway charging stations, promising more flexibility for states after losing a court case, in a move seen as a shift from Biden-era policies during the Trump era.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by NPR
Amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles over ICE raids, the Trump administration deployed Marines and National Guard troops, sparking controversy and legal challenges. Meanwhile, the CDC's vaccine advisory committee was dismissed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raising concerns about vaccine policy. U.S. drug overdose deaths among youth have significantly declined, possibly due to better healthcare and harm reduction efforts. Additionally, NPR highlights climate resilience in communities like Earthaven Ecovillage, and cultural figures like Sly Stone have passed away.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The White House
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $20 billion in awards to fund climate and clean energy projects across the U.S., with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. This investment, part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aims to combat climate change, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and create jobs. The program will ensure that communities have access to capital for a cleaner, more sustainable economy. The awards will be deployed through two programs, the National Clean Investment Fund and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, with a focus on supporting projects such as clean power generation, net-zero retrofits, and zero-emission transportation. Additionally, the administration has implemented various innovative tools and programs to empower communities to participate in building the clean energy economy.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by U.S. EPA.gov
The U.S. EPA has announced $20 billion in grant awards under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, to finance clean energy and climate solutions across communities. The selections will mobilize private capital to reduce climate and air pollution, improve public health, and create clean energy jobs, with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. The selected applicants have committed to reducing or avoiding up to 40 million metric tons of climate pollution per year and dedicating over $14 billion of capital to benefit these communities. The grants will fund projects such as energy-efficient home renovations, sustainable building rehabilitation, and investments in solar power and clean energy, with a goal of achieving significant impact toward the program’s objectives.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Scientists in South Korea have achieved a new world record by sustaining temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds in a nuclear fusion experiment using the KSTAR "artificial sun" device, marking a significant step forward for fusion energy technology. The goal is to sustain these temperatures for 300 seconds by 2026, which could pave the way for scaling up fusion operations. This achievement, along with other recent breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, brings hope for the potential commercialization of fusion energy as a clean and limitless energy source in the latter half of the century.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Slashdot
Scientists are proposing the idea of deploying a giant sunshade in outer space to counter global warming by blocking a small portion of solar radiation. Various approaches, such as scattering dust into space and creating shields made of "space bubbles," are being explored. Researchers are now ready to build a prototype shade to demonstrate the concept, seeking funding for a 100-square-foot model. While a full-size version would cost trillions, it could potentially reduce Earth's temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius within two years, offering a potential solution to the climate crisis.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates expressed his optimism and "big hope" for the COP28 climate conference, emphasizing the need for collaboration between policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to scale up promising climate solutions. Gates defended the conference as a platform for driving progress and innovation, acknowledging that while there is room for improvement, there are encouraging developments in clean technologies that can help address the climate crisis. He highlighted the decreasing costs of solar electricity and electric vehicle batteries as examples of the potential for invention and scale-up to drive progress in combating climate change.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
The 5th National Climate Assessment, a major report from the federal government, highlights the growing threats of climate change to various aspects of American life, including food, health, safety, and the environment. The report emphasizes that human-driven global warming is intensifying wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, and hurricanes in the United States. However, it also points out that cost-effective tools and technologies to reduce America's contribution to global warming already exist, such as shifting to renewable energy sources. The report calls for deeper changes in how Americans work, manage their environments, and adapt to climate conditions. It also highlights the economic costs of climate change and the need for increased funding and coordination in climate adaptation efforts.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NPR
House Republicans are searching for a new House speaker after Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the role, with Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, and Kevin Hern among the potential candidates. Over 2,500 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe this year. Researchers have found that the virus that causes COVID-19 can infect plaque cells in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. More than 75,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals went on strike to address a staffing shortage. NPR is dedicating a week to stories and conversations about climate solutions, including the use of wind-powered cargo ships. Lastly, Traci Thomas shares tips for finding your next great read, and President Biden's dog Commander is no longer staying at the White House after biting a Secret Service officer.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Daily Mail
Prince William visits New York to announce the finalists of the 2023 Earthshot Prize and learn about the Billion Oyster Project, which aims to clean the waters around New York by using oyster shells as natural filters. He flew commercial and traveled without the Princess of Wales, and there are no plans to meet his estranged brother, Prince Harry. William is also scheduled to visit a fire station, meet with first responders to discuss mental health, and meet the UN Secretary General during the week.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
Bill Gates highlights agriculture, specifically methane emissions from livestock and fertilizers, as one of the major contributors to climate change that people are often unaware of. Gates, who has invested in various climate tech solutions, including plant-based food startups, emphasizes the need to address the significant greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural industry. He suggests that transitioning to plant-based foods and synthetic meats can help combat climate change, although he acknowledges the challenge of convincing enough people to make the switch. Gates remains optimistic about the future of plant-based meat companies and their potential to improve their products and reduce costs.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Guardian
The US energy department has allocated up to $1.2 billion to two projects aimed at directly removing carbon dioxide from the air, a technology known as direct air capture. While some experts believe this investment is necessary to combat climate change, others fear it is a "fig leaf" used by the fossil fuel industry to distract from efforts to phase out fossil fuels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized the need for carbon capture to remove greenhouse gases, but warned that it is not a substitute for reducing emissions. Critics argue that the funds would be better spent on immediate climate solutions such as energy efficiency and reducing emissions from various sectors. The Biden administration's commitment to climate action has been questioned due to its support for oil and gas drilling projects.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
The Biden administration is set to invest $1.2 billion in two direct air capture projects in Texas and Louisiana, marking the first major investment to kickstart the US carbon removal industry. These projects aim to remove over 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking nearly 500,000 gas cars off the road. The machines will use chemicals to suck carbon dioxide out of the air, storing it underground or using it in industrial materials like cement. The projects are expected to significantly increase global capacity for direct air capture technology and are seen as a crucial step in reducing planet-warming emissions.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
Recent alarmist headlines suggesting that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025 have been criticized for miscommunicating climate science and fueling climate anxiety. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has consistently stated that while the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation may slow down, there is no evidence of an imminent collapse. Sensationalized reporting and unfounded predictions have been a recurring issue in climate science communication, leading to misinformation and a sense of helplessness among the public. Climate scientists have a responsibility to communicate responsibly and avoid sensationalism to promote effective climate solutions and risk reduction.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Conversation
Recent alarmist headlines suggesting that the Gulf Stream could collapse by 2025 have caused unnecessary climate anxiety and do not accurately reflect the scientific consensus. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has consistently stated that while the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation may slow down, a large abrupt transition is unlikely. Sensationalized media framing of impending doom only intensifies climate anxiety and hinders efforts to raise public awareness and support climate solutions. Climate scientists have a responsibility to communicate responsibly and avoid sensationalism in discussing climate futures.