Climate Change

In Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, opportunity to alter fundamental climate and economic priorities is being squandered

Southwest Harbor, Maine (Special to Informed Comment) – How to assess the infrastructure package? Lots of big numbers, but budgetary appropriations are moral statements, and this package disappoints. An opportunity to alter fundamental climate and economic priorities is being squandered. Perhaps no aspect of the American political economy is more iconic that the auto. Not […]

Climate Change

Will the move to Solar-Wind-Battery Accelerate as Natural Gas Spikes 1000% in Europe with long term price rises expected?

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Anna Shiryaevskaya, Stephen Stapczynski and Ann Koh at Bloomberg.org report that natural gas prices have risen 1,000 percent in Europe since the pandemic crash of May, 2020. Other parts of the world with more natural gas of their own also saw price increases over the past year, though not on […]

Climate Crisis

3 Lessons of Climate-induced Dixie Wildfire as it Destroys Historic Gold Rush Towns

The Conversation

By Bart Johnson and David Hulse | – A wildfire burning in hot, dry mountain forest swept through the Gold Rush town of Greenville, California, on Aug. 4, reducing neighborhoods and the historic downtown to charred rubble. Hours earlier, the sheriff had warned Greenville’s remaining residents to get out immediately as strong, gusty winds drove […]

Climate Crisis

A Really big Deal: The New IPCC Climate Report Focuses on Extreme Events and how Coal, Gasoline are Causing them

The Conversation

By David Karoly | – On Monday, an extremely important report on the physical science of climate change will be released to the world. Produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the report will give world leaders the most up-to-date information about climate change to inform their policies. It is an enormous undertaking, […]

Climate Crisis

Scientists: Slashing Methane Emissions key to avoiding Horrifying Frankenclimate Tipping Point

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Fiona Harvey at The Guardian reports that the new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report due out Monday will stress the need to slash methane emissions if we have any hope of keeping extra global heating to 3.6 degrees F. (1.5C). Scientists worry that as we get above that […]

China

What electric vehicle manufacturers can learn from China – their biggest market

The Conversation

By Youlin Huang, David Tyfield, Didier Soopramanien, and Lixian Qian | – Despite the pandemic, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increased by 43% in 2020. Total EV sales in China were 1.3 million, an increase of 8% compared to 2019, and 41% of all EVs sold worldwide. Though Europe sold more than China for […]

Climate Crisis

Climate Emergency hits Mideast as Massive Wildfires In Turkey destroy livelihoods

Global Voices

By Doga Celik and Arzu Geybullayeva | – ( GlobalVoices.org) – Since July 28, a total of 125 forest fires have raged through 21 provinces of Turkey with 8 still raging as of August 2. The first fire was reported on July 28. So far, the death toll has reached 8 people, including two firefighters. […]

Climate Crisis

Top Four ways extreme heat hurts the economy

The Conversation

By Derek Lemoine | – Summer 2021 will likely be one of the hottest on record as dozens of cities in the West experience all-time high temperatures. The extreme heat being felt throughout many parts of the U.S. is causing hundreds of deaths, sparking wildfires and worsening drought conditions in over a dozen states. How […]

Climate Crisis

Top 5 Ways Coal and Gasoline-Driven Ocean Change can Threaten Human Health

The Conversation

By Tiff-Annie Kenny, Malaya Bishop and Mélanie Lemire | – Humans have a deep and complex relationship with the sea. It provides food and essential nutrients, medicine and renewable energy. People swim, surf and scuba dive in this “blue gym.” It’s even an important part of therapeutic recreation, like surf therapy for war veterans and […]