Greenhouse Gas Emissions

residential downtown in Singapore

So Much for the Environmental Benefits of Urban Density

For urbanists who have reduced their carbon footprints by driving less and living more densely in smaller homes, researchers from UC Berkeley have some bad news. Your reduced emissions are canceled out by those in the suburbs ringing your city.

January 16, 2014 - Los Angeles Times - Science Now

Jerry Brown's Hail Mary Pass for High Speed Rail

California's embattled high speed rail, which appears to be on life support following a Nov. court ruling, will receive funds from the state's carbon cap & trade program in Gov. Brown's budget to be released Friday. But will it make a difference?

January 7, 2014 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert

Supreme Court to Consider EPA's Ability to Regulate Emissions Beyond Cars and Trucks

Though the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside a more aggressive challenge to the EPA's climate regulating authority, it has agreed to hear arguments on the agency's ability to limit emissions from stationary sources.

October 16, 2013 - The Washington Post

Synthetic Natural Gas will be China's (and the World's) Climate Nightmare

China's drive to reduce urban air pollution and increase energy security will unleash massive carbon and toxic emissions, almost tripling its current emissions over 40 years. The plan is to build 40 plants to convert coal to synthetic natural gas.

September 27, 2013 - Quartz

Cut Emissions to Save Lives, If Not the Planet

Even if our warming planet wasn't threatened with environmental catastrophe, the case for reducing fossil-fuel use is an easy one to make. A new study shows that reduced air pollution from cutting emissions would save millions of lives by 2100.

September 24, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Study Finds Food Waste Is Third-Largest Greenhouse Gas Source

A new study from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization found that the 1.3 billion tons of food wasted every year make it one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

September 12, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

What Grade Would You Give Obama's Climate Action Plan?

Two very different grades are assigned, one from David Hawkins, Director of Climate Programs at NRDC; the other from a college senior working on a fossil fuel divestment campaign. Michael Brune of the Sierra Club differs with Hawkins on natural gas.

July 1, 2013 - Living on Earth

Another Reason to Dislike Huge Suburban Homes: They're Warming the Planet

A new research study out of Switzerland quantifies the disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas emissions made by large homes and relatively long commutes. In one Swiss town, twenty-one percent of households create 50 percent of the emissions.

June 28, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Can Small Steps Prevent Massive Change? Obama Unveils Long-Awaited Climate Plan

It doesn't involve cap-and-trade or a major international protocol, but the sweeping climate plan unveiled by President Obama today is 'the most far-reaching effort by an American president' to address climate change. Best of all, it skirts Congress.

June 25, 2013 - The New York Times

By Urging Action on Climate Change, Kerry Ruffles Feathers in India

At the beginning of a two-day trip to India, the world's third largest emitter of carbon dioxide, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made solving climate change a focus of his public remarks. The U.S.'s own failures elicited skepticism from locals.

June 24, 2013 - Grist

Momentous Climate Plan Being Development by Obama

An historic plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions is being covertly developed by the Obama administration, reports Neela Banerjee. The plan could for the first time set limits on the country's biggest emitters: power plants.

June 18, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Visualizing Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new infographic shows in elegant detail exactly how much individual sources and sectors contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Brad Plumer parses the data.

June 1, 2013 - The Washington Post

A Canadian Rendezvous for California Cap-and-Trade

California's cap-and-trade program is barely five months old, and already it's expanding its horizons. Officials announced last week that the program is merging with one operated in the Canadian province of Quebec.

April 24, 2013 - The Los Angeles Times

IEA: No Progress in Cleaning World's Energy Sources

According to a newly released report by the Paris-based International Energy Association (IEA), "Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013", notwithstanding some bright spots, there is little progress in reducing the carbon content of energy sources.

April 19, 2013 - The Hill's Energy & Environment Blog

IMF: Cut Subsidies to Cut Emissions

A new IMF report recommends cutting energy subsidies globally to reduce overall fossil fuel emissions, reports Brad Plumer.

March 31, 2013 - The Washington Post

Setback Reported in Landmark Effort to Limit U.S. Power Plant Emissions

Juliet Eilperin reports that the Obama administration's much lauded proposal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants will miss an upcoming deadline for finalization, and will likely be revisited.

March 17, 2013 - The Washington Post

5 Cities Leading the Effort to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Claire Martin examines research conducted by engineering firm Arup and the Clinton Climate Initiative into the actions that cities are taking to reduce their emissions and identifies five cities, including one surprise, that are leading the charge.

March 15, 2013 - Smithsonian

For California, Success as Environmental Pioneer Means Others Must Follow

Although California has long been a pioneer in protecting the environment, for its most innovative policies - from mandating renewable energy to limiting greenhouse gas emissions - to succeed, it will need other states, and countries, to follow.

March 6, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

What Can NASA Learn About Fighting Climate Change By Observing L.A.?

In the mountains surrounding L.A. stand some of the most advanced environment analyzing technology in the U.S. The result of this analysis could be "a groundbreaking development in the worldwide fight against global warming."

March 1, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

China Announces Plan to Tax Carbon

Part of a larger strategy to address its numerous environmental ills, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases will begin taxing carbon emissions, possibly as early as 2015.

February 21, 2013 - Quartz

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