If the past is any indication, expect US to withdraw a second time from the Paris Climate Accord

I’m fairly confident I’m not sharing information here that you don’t already know. And, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there aren’t certain (meaning some) United States Environmental Protection Agency protections in a second Trump presidential term, that get watered down; some protections maybe even eliminated. So where does that leave air quality? Here … Read more

Dramatically increased action, ambition needed now to help normalize a changed climate, experts say

Cali/Nairobi, 24 October 2024 –Nations must collectively commit to cutting 42 per cent off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57 per cent by 2035 in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – and back this up with rapid action – or the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal will be gone within a … Read more

Progress on lawn-care electrification shown via new interactive map, corporate disclosure

DENVER – As leaves fall – and leaf blowers roar – in neighborhoods across the United States, U.S. PIRG Education Fund unveiled a new interactive map Wednesday [Oct. 16, 2024] showing nationwide progress on transitioning away from highly polluting, noisy, gas-powered lawn equipment. The map highlights policies and programs in 26 states plus D.C., ranging from restrictions on leaf … Read more

Importance-wise, when it comes to environmental issues, Californians say electricity, GHGs rank high

This year, back on July 17th, shared were the results of a statewide survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California. Among the survey’s findings: • Californians today are saying the most important environmental issue the state is faced with is global warming or climate change or greenhouse gas emissions. Among California adults and … Read more

Air fare extraordinaire revisited

On Feb. 13, 2017 I introduced the “Air fare extraordinaire” idea. The “idea” was to present fare (information) about air that’s “extraordinary,” meaning, that which is out of the ordinary or not your typical fare, in other words. I thought it was time for an “Air fare extraordinaire” revisit. So today’s “idea” has to do … Read more

On fifth annual Int’l. Day of Clean Air, investments in clean-air solutions called for

Nairobi, 7 September 2024 – The world marked the fifth annual International Day of Clean Air for blue skies today with calls for investment in clean air solutions now, as air pollution causes increasing public health, environmental, and economic harms. More than 99 percent of humanity is now breathing polluted air, leading to more than 8 million annual deaths, … Read more

To accelerate switch to zero-emissions school buses, California launches a $.5B funding effort

‌SACRAMENTO – California is launching a new statewide funding program that will put 1,000 new, zero-emission school buses on the road, furthering the state’s lead in having the most clean buses in the nation. “California is showing the nation and the world how to move from ambition to action,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This is … Read more

In fiscal year 2024, MTS ridership jumped by 10 percent

San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) today [Aug. 22, 2024] announced that ridership increased more than 10% over the past year as more and more residents opt to use the transit system to get around. During the last fiscal year (July 2023 – June 2024), the transit agency logged 75,663,343 passenger … Read more

New Caltrain electric trains make their debut; first passengers given tour

Today [Aug. 10, 2024], Caltrain debuted its cutting-edge electric fleet, hosting a VIP tour where participants boarded the trains for its historic inaugural service. After nearly a decade of construction, these new trains signify a landmark shift towards a faster, more frequent and environmentally friendly public transportation network along the San Francisco Peninsula. The event … Read more

Outcome of Wabtec/BNSF Railway battery-electric-locomotive pilot-test protocol and the road ahead

Over the past several years I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the goings-on in the locomotive-and-train-propulsion-power-development-progress arena. There have been numerous postings here at the Air Quality Matters blog since day 1 that have dealt with this area. Here is just a small sampling of those. American high-speed rail building on a roll – … Read more