China

Energy Factory II

No Good News for Climate Stabilization From a New Worldwide Energy Report

Last month, the Paris-based International Energy Agency released its annual "Global Energy & CO2 Status Report." Energy consumption grew 2.3 percent with fossil fuels accounting for 70 percent on the increase. CO2 emissions jumped 1.7 percent.

April 5, 2019 - The Washington Post

recycling

An Illustrated Explanation of the Crisis in Recycling

A global shift in the market has upended the recycling industry. The story of recycling's past provides direction for the future.

April 4, 2019 - The Nib

CRRC train

Congress Intends to Ban Chinese Rail Cars

The U.S. is an expensive place to build transit resources. A move from Congress to ban Chinese rail cars over espionage fears may exacerbate that problem.

March 25, 2019 - Governing

Chenzen Bus Stop

Chinese Cities Build Big Despite Shedding Residents

More than 900 Chinese cities are continuing to plan for growth even as their populations shrink.

March 21, 2019 - South China Morning Post

Cans

Recycling Is Cancelled

Trouble in the global market means trouble at home when it comes to recycling. Municipalities are having trouble paying the extra cost for recycling programs as China stops accepting U.S. waste.

March 19, 2019 - The New York Times

Los Angeles River

Concrete’s Contribution to the Rise and Decline of Civilization

As the world becomes more encased in concrete, the detrimental effects of its widespread use are increasing in scale and severity.

March 17, 2019 - The Guardian

Electric Charging Stations

U.S. Risks Becoming Backwater for Electric Vehicle Sales

Auto analyst John Voelcker discusses the electric vehicle market in the U.S. on NPR. Ominous clouds belie the excellent sales figures for last year, and policies pushed by Trump only ensure that motor vehicles will continue to gulp more gasoline.

March 11, 2019 - NPR

Multi-Family Building

Buildings Full of Empty Apartments Pose Problems in China

Failed investments and buildings with no tenants sit on the outskirts of Beijing and Shanghai.

March 4, 2019 - CityLab

recycling

Recyclables Headed to Incinerators or Landfills

China's decision to halt imports of most recyclables from the United States has caused turmoil. With few markets for their recyclables, Philadelphia is sending half of them to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Chester not designed to burn them.

March 1, 2019 - The Guardian

Power Plants

The New World Leader in the Fight Against Climate Change

With the Trump administration's abdication of its predecessor's position on fighting climate change, a void has been left in global climate change leadership. One expert believes that China may have already filled the leadership role.

February 8, 2019 - PBS NewsHour

Tesla

Banner Year for Electric Vehicle Sales

U.S. sales of plug-in electric vehicles, including those with internal combustion engines, increased by 81 percent in 2018 over 2017. But if you remove the best-selling Tesla Model 3 from the mix, the increase drops to 11 percent.

January 16, 2019 - Greentech Media

Skyscrapers

The Year in Skyscraper Construction

China continues to lead the world in the construction of skyscrapers.

January 15, 2019 - Dezeen

Hong Kong High Rises

Asian, Australian Property Markets Begin to Cool

Markets for residential property income of East Asia's most expensive cities are slowing down. The U.S.-China trade war is one factor, along with local controls and a mainland Chinese economy applying the brakes.

January 11, 2019 - The Vancouver Sun

Ofo Bikes

Bikeshare Startup Ofo’s Future Is Looking Dim. What Went Wrong?

The Chinese company seemed to be dominating its corner of the shared mobility market—until its dramatic downfall.

January 2, 2019 - The Globe and Mail

Carbon Tax

Major Increase in Global Carbon Emissions Projected for 2018

The report from the Global Carbon Project, an international group of scientists who track greenhouse gas emissions, comes as a surprise as emissions had been relatively flat for the last four years. Global emissions this year will increase 2.7%.

December 7, 2018 - The New York Times

Pacific Northwest Shipping

Pacific Northwest Gears Up for Another Fossil Fuel Export Fight

Just two years after killing what would be the world's largest methanol plant at the Port of Tacoma, the project has reemerged at the Port of Kalama. According to the EIS for the plant, global CO2 emissions will be reduced, though increased locally.

November 19, 2018 - The Daily News

Shenzhen Crumbling Buildings

Speculation Leaves 50 Million Homes Empty in China

Experts say China has the highest vacancy rate on residential units of any country in the world. The roots of the problem lay in housing speculation, according to China's leaders.

November 14, 2018 - Bloomberg

Coal Mine

Global Coal Consumption Grows After Three Years of Decline

The rise is attributed to Asian nations, particularly India and China, where coal-power plants are newer than in the West. It shows a growing disconnect between energy and climate goals, warned the International Energy Agency.

November 6, 2018 - Financial Times

Hurricane Sandy New York City Flooding

As Temperatures Increase, Maps Show Sea-Level Rise Will Devastate Cities

Data visualizations illustrate the catastrophic consequences of single-digit global temperature increases.

October 29, 2018 - The City Fix

Old Car Batteries

The Most Carbon-Intensive Component of Electric Vehicles Deserves Attention

It's well known that an electric vehicle is only as clean, from a greenhouse gas perspective, as the electricity it consumes to power it. A new study finds that the electricity used in the manufacturing of car batteries also must be considered.

October 24, 2018 - Bloomberg News

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