The New York Times: “An influential system overseen by retailers and clothing makers ranks petroleum-based synthetics like “vegan leather” as more environmentally sound than natural fibers. It’s soft. It’s vegan. It looks just like leather. It’s also made from fossil fuels. An explosion in the use of inexpensive, petroleum-based materials has transformed the fashion industry,… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
Employment Impacts in a Decarbonized Economy
Employment Impacts in a Decarbonized Economy. Decarb America Research Initiative. Key Takeaways. June 6, 2022 – “The Decarb America Research Initiative analyzes a suite of policy and technology pathways for the United States to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our work objectives are twofold: to improve understanding of the tradeoffs between different proposed strategies for achieving net-zero;… Continue Reading
Carbon dioxide now more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels, June 3, 2022
“Carbon dioxide measured at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory peaked for 2022 at 421 parts per million in May, pushing the atmosphere further into territory not seen for millions of years, scientists from NOAA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography offsite link at the University of California San Diego announced [June 3, 3033]. NOAA’s measurements of… Continue Reading
Russia in the Age of Climate Change
Klimat – Russia in the Age of Climate Change, Thane Gustafson: “A discerning analysis of the future effects of climate change on Russia, the major power most dependent on the fossil fuel economy. Russia will be one of the countries most affected by climate change. No major power is more economically dependent on the export… Continue Reading
Global plastic waste set to almost triple by 2060, says OECD
“The use of plastics is surging and could nearly triple by 2060, Axios’ Erin Doherty reports. The math for 2060, via a new OECD report out today: The buildup of plastics in bodies of water could triple. Plastic leakage to the environment could double. Almost two-thirds of plastic waste will be from short-lived items, including… Continue Reading
There’s an Army of Thieves Coming for Your Catalytic Converter
Popular Mechanics – One of the largest crime-waves in recent years could cost you thousands: “…According to the Universal Technical Institute, there are typically 3 to 7 grams of platinum, 2 to 7 grams of palladium, and 1 to 2 grams of rhodium in the standard converter. PGMs are rare. They form inside intrusive igneous complexes,… Continue Reading
Understanding the Russo-Ukrainian War: A Guide From War on the Rocks
“We at War on the Rocks have curated this list of articles and podcasts to help you gain a deeper understanding of the history, drivers, background, and events of Russia’s massive assault on Ukraine. Whether you are a soldier or a student, a policymaker or a pundit, a teacher or a techie, this will be useful… Continue Reading
State of the Global Climate 2021
“Four key climate change indicators – greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification – set new records in 2021. This is yet another clear sign that human activities are causing planetary scale changes on land, in the ocean, and in the atmosphere, with harmful and long-lasting ramifications for sustainable development and… Continue Reading
EU launches database to help consumers on energy efficient products
“A new EU-wide public database enabling consumers to compare the energy efficiency class and other data about different household products has been launched by the European Commission this week. With detailed information on well over 1 million products, the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) breaks new ground in helping EU consumers become more energy… Continue Reading
Pollution and health: a progress update
The Lancet Planetary Health: “The Lancet Commission on pollution and health reported that pollution was responsible for 9 million premature deaths in 2015, making it the world’s largest environmental risk factor for disease and premature death. We have now updated this estimate using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuriaes, and Risk Factors Study… Continue Reading
Revealed: the ‘carbon bombs’ set to trigger catastrophic climate breakdown
The Guardian, Exclusive: “The world’s biggest fossil fuel firms are quietly planning scores of “carbon bomb” oil and gas projects that would drive the climate past internationally agreed temperature limits with catastrophic global impacts, a Guardian investigation shows. The exclusive data shows these firms are in effect placing multibillion-dollar bets against humanity halting global heating.… Continue Reading
2022 World Changing Ideas Awards
“Every year, Fast Company’s World-Changing Ideas Awards honor the innovative ways businesses and organizations are tackling the biggest challenges of our time. Amid the seemingly endless stream of disastrous news, these awards provide more than 1,000 reasons to feel some hope. One thousand fifty-three, to be exact. That’s the total number of honorees that our… Continue Reading
