BBC News: “”Mining” for the cryptocurrency is power-hungry, involving heavy computer calculations to verify transactions. Cambridge researchers say it consumes around 121.36 terawatt-hours (TWh) a year – and is unlikely to fall unless the value of the currency slumps. Critics say electric-car firm Tesla’s decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin undermines its environmental image. The… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
Supreme Court Preview of 2020-2021 Environmental and Energy Law Cases and Review of 2019-2020 Rulings
CRS Report – Supreme Court Preview of2020-2021 Environmental and Energy Law Cases and Review of 2019-2020 Rulings, Updated February 11, 2021: “The Supreme Court 2019-2020 term, which started on October 1, 2019, was historic in unexpected ways. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in the Court indefinitely closing its building to the public, postponing… Continue Reading
#BuildBackFossilFree Week of Action
#BuildBackFossilFree Week of Action – February 8th – 13th – “Thank you for joining the Build Back Fossil Free week of action! We’re calling on President Joe Biden to protect and invest in the Black, Indigenous, Brown, and working-class communities, to end the era of fossil fuel production, and to launch a national climate mobilization… Continue Reading
We use 6.8 billion face masks a day. Researchers want to turn them into roads
Fast Company – And the roads could be even stronger than traditional roads, according to new research in the journal ‘Science of the Total Environment: “The disposable masks you see every day have to go somewhere. Many, if not most, end up in a landfill. Researchers have developed a new material that turns all those… Continue Reading
Visualizing the Benefits of Electric Cars
“The New York Times: “Electric vehicles are better for the climate than gas-powered cars, but many Americans are still reluctant to buy them. One reason: The larger upfront cost. New data published Thursday shows that despite the higher sticker price, electric cars may actually save drivers money in the long-run. To reach this conclusion, a… Continue Reading
Who Joe Biden picked to fill his Cabinet
Washington Post – “President-elect Joe Biden has made his selections for his incoming Cabinet and top White House positions. Cabinet positions — with the exception of the vice president and White House chief of staff — will require Senate approval, which may face significant delays. Biden promised to be “a president for all Americans” and… Continue Reading
How to mine precious metals in your home
BBC Future: “Our modern world is dependent upon natural resources extracted from the ground, but there could be another source of rare and valuable metals by giving our houses a spring clean. With so many of us now stuck in our homes during the pandemic, long-postponed jobs such as clearing out the loft or attic… Continue Reading
Here’s how the U.S. can lead the world on climate change innovation
Bill Gate – It’s time to create the National Institutes of Energy Innovation. “…There is a better way. To reduce duplication, focus the government’s efforts, and get the most innovation out of every dollar of funding, we should create a new organization: the National Institutes of Energy Innovation. This the most important thing the U.S.… Continue Reading
WMO Provisional Report on the State of the Global Climate 2020
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) – “Climate change continued its relentless march in 2020, which is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record. 2011-2020 will be the warmest decade on record, with the warmest six years all being since 2015, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Ocean heat is at record… Continue Reading
This website gorgeously illustrates whether your investments are ruining the planet
Fast Company – “All investment platforms will show you the financial value of your portfolio. But a new visual platform made by Dutch design firm Clever Franke for Swiss bank Globalance goes a step further: It maps your portfolio’s macro-level social and environmental effects. The interface, called Globalance World, makes it easier to figure out… Continue Reading
Google launches new tool to help cities stay cool
The Verge: “Google unveiled a tool today that could help cities keep their residents cool by mapping out where trees are needed most. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding areas because buildings and asphalt trap heat. An easy way to cool metropolitan areas down is to plant more trees in neighborhoods where they’re sparse.… Continue Reading
The Climate Transparency Report 2020 – Climate Change Has Hit the U.S. Harder Than Any Other G20 Country
“The Climate Transparency Report (previously known as “Brown to Green Report”) is the world’s most comprehensive annual review of G20 countries’ climate action and their transition to a net-zero emissions economy. The review is based on 100 indicators for adaptation, mitigation and finance and aims to make good practices and gaps transparent. The summary report… Continue Reading
