Ahead of COP29, WHO demands urgent integration of health in climate negotiations

The view of Earth from Apollo 17

Ahead of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29), the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for an end to reliance on fossil fuels and advocates for people-centred adaptation and resilience. Launching the COP29 special report on climate and health and a technical guidance on Healthy Nationally Determined Contributions, WHO urges world leaders at … Read more

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

West Texas pumpjack at sunset

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

In advance of UN Climate Conference, Ocean Pavilion Partners release COP29 Baku Ocean Declaration

Woods Hole, Mass. (Oct. 24, 2024) — Partners of the Ocean Pavilion, led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, are calling on world leaders to make robust, long-term investments in ocean observations, research, and mapping to support efforts that will help meet key objectives of UN … 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

Hydraulic fracturing banned in California as of October 2024

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s fracking ban went into effect today [Oct. 1, 2024], officially ending the dangerous, highly intensive method of oil and gas extraction in the state. As of today [Oct. 1st], the state oil and gas regulator is prohibited from issuing fracking permits for oil and gas wells, bringing a multi-year regulatory process to … 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

Rule to accelerate American leadership in lowering climate-damaging HFCs used in air conditioning, refrigeration equipment finalized by EPA

WASHINGTON – Today, Sept. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to establish a new program to better manage, recycle, and reuse climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The final rule includes provisions that will reduce wasteful leaks from large refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and will … Read more

Most economic sectors across California see decline in greenhouse gas emissions

SACRAMENTO – A report released today for 2022 greenhouse gas emissions shows a drop across most sectors that is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline-powered cars off California’s roads for one year. The biggest drop came from transportation, due largely to the increased use of renewable fuels in addition to the growing strength … Read more