Dear Senators
An open letter to Senators Murkowski + Cantwell from former EPA Region 2 Director Enck about what's needed to help Puerto Rico get back on its feet after hurricanes' devastation
October 31, 2017
Help Wanted: Chief of Staff
The NYC Office of Climate Policy + Programs is seeking a Chief of Staff who will be a key member of the Climate Policy and Programs (CPP) team + report to the Senior Director for Climate Policy/Programs + Chief Resilience Officer
Imagine: Post-Diesel Cities
#MexicoCity, #Madrid, #Paris ban diesel vehicles - a great example of transition into #SustainableCities https://t.co/PxSbglDJfd #CitiesDay pic.twitter.com/zqmoRzQNNa
— World Bank Climate (@WBG_Climate) October 31, 2017
Australia: Mapping Renewables
This mapping resource shows the best places in Australia for renewable energy projects
Solarize Trailer Parks
For low-income mobile home residents, solar power could be on way
Climate Change Is Lethal
Climate change related heat is already taking a toll on millions of lives+ damaging public health concludes a new scientific study
Buffalo: Small But innovative Grid Deal
Power from solar power panels on a Buffalo, NY data processing center will be sold to National Grid
October 30, 2017
Film Review: Bill Nye - Science Guy
Science matters, facts matter, defending them matters, see the film
Help Wanted: Associate Editor, Climate Team
Think Progress, based in Washington DC, is seeking an Associate Editor to work directly with the team’s Senior Editor and its climate reporters
UK: Incredible, Shrinking Coal
Just 2% of UK electricity came from burning coal in the first half of 2017
There Is No Climate Sanity Clause
Carbon intensity fell 2.6% in 2016.
— brad plumer (@bradplumer) October 30, 2017
Paris pledges aim for a 3%/year drop.
Has to fall by *6.3% each year* to stay below 2°C of warming. pic.twitter.com/8Cc9nxW0O7
Do Good - Pull The Plug
A text message alerts California utility customers to unplug their devices + cut demand for dirty power while saving money
2016: Global CO2 Spikes
Atmospheric levels of CO2 a hit record high in 2016, but WMO report finds rate of increase may be leveling
Cuomo Pushes Utilities To Get Green
Governor Cuomo leans on electric utilities to invest more in REV projects to improve resiliency + reduce emissions from NY's power supply
October 27, 2017
Science At Work: The Hurricane-Climate Link
Catch up with research on the hurricane-climate disruption connection
Make Plans
What do Patti Smith, Talib Kweli, Joan Baez, and Michael Stipe have in common? If you're in NYC, find out more: https://t.co/gLVLZMZ2U6 pic.twitter.com/ocGiaCGwK5
— 350 dot org (@350) October 26, 2017
Getting More From Less
Advice for getting the right energy efficiency choices to the right customers
Ready And Willing To Pay
A survey of 1,200 households reports Americans are willing to pay a $177 annual carbon tax
Antarctica: More Melting
See + understand what's at stake in Antarctica's melting glaciers
October 26, 2017
From Big U To...
Remember the Big U barrier idea to prevent flooding from the next Sandy? dream on
Hotter Heat Is Here
Yes, Americans, there are more extremely hot summer days than 50 years ago
Amazon Does Texas Wind
Plan Ahead
NYC’s groundbreaking agreement w/ @FEMA to rework our flood maps will help New Yorkers save money on flood insurance AND account for climate change. One way we are more resilient five years after Sandy. More here: https://t.co/xEvVU8JStm pic.twitter.com/gpPHnGwQdy
— NYClimate (@NYClimate) October 26, 2017
Incandescent, Carbon-Spewing Gentrification
Think it's hip to patronize a dimly lit bar in a gentrifying neighborhood? Think again
NYC Is Number One
NYC is ranked first as the US coastal city most in danger of major floods + sea level rise risk, but second for social vulnerability
October 25, 2017
Ocean Breeze: Then And Now
Photos of one Sandy-swamped Staten Island neighborhood, see what 'managed retreat' looks like
Big Companies, Small Plans
Global corporations fall short with "unambitious" carbon cutting targets
The Time Is Now...
...for city buses to go electric, NYC, are you onboard?
No, The Poor Won't Pay More
This graphic from anti-poverty stalwarts @CSSNYorg shd end any sniping from the Left against NYC congestion pricing. https://t.co/4dCqkTAiL2 pic.twitter.com/5VTArlLvdP
— Charles Komanoff (@Komanoff) October 24, 2017
Sue The Bastards
Lawyers + scientists argue about whether fossil fuels companies can be held legally responsible for climate change
POPS Flops
Privately owned public spaces (POPS), created in exchange for zoning bonuses, are disappearing from NYC, but profits from the zoning bonuses stay
October 24, 2017
Global Solar Prospects Shine, But Not Here
Predictions of plunging solar production prices - except in the US - mean a global boom in solar power demand
Marx Brothers Park - No Comedy
The fate of a proposed housing development that would shut down the E. 96 Street Marx Brothers playground could hinge on whether it's actually on State parkland
China: Schmutz Pales Solar Power
Study: China's Air Pollution Cuts Solar Panel Effectiveness https://t.co/3ktDUdE1l1 #solarenergy #solarpower pic.twitter.com/CwXz0njvi3
— SolarCollab (@solarcollab) October 24, 2017
Rising GHG Emissions Detected
While global carbon emissions trends flatten why are other potent greenhouse gas emissions levels rising?
China: Shutting Down Polluters
Thousands of polluting factories face temporary shutdowns + managers are doing jail time in China
Do Nothing, Pay More
Projected costs of climate disruption are huge, while there's real money to be made in switching to renewable energy
October 23, 2017
Northeast Offshore Wind News
Listen to the podcast featuring Offshore Wind Energy, there's so much happening
London: Surcharge For Dirty Diesel
Owners of older diesel-engine cars will soon pay about $13 a day to drive in London
Sandy Five Years Later: Everything Else
From tall towers to subways, from offshore reefs to social resilience, is NY better prepared for a Sandy-scale storm now?
Sandy Five Years Later: The Electricity Grid
Has the electric power grid in the northeast been made resilient since Sandy?
Technical Terms
in economic terms, over the last 5 years wind and solar prices have fallen by a 'shitload'. pic.twitter.com/ymq8lv1GhH
— simon holmes à court (@simonahac) October 22, 2017
Resilient Power
Distributed renewable energy + utility policy changes allowing the power to stay on in the wake of hurricanes would make us safer
Mayor's Rx For Congestion
Mayor de Blasio releases a 5-point plan for decongesting NYC traffic. Critic calls it meager
Transit Options, 1910
With no congestion in sight, an old postcard image of Columbus Circle shows how New Yorkers got around town
October 20, 2017
Meet The New EPA Chief
Pete Lopez, the new head of EPA Region 2 that includes NY, NJ Puerto Rico + the Virgin Islands, doesn't get a thumbs down from environmentalists
Go Grannies
Grandmamas + other 'vintage-age' women make a stand against fossil fuels
Iceland: Undoing Viking Damage
If Iceland succeeds at restoring the tree population decimated by the Vikings, its air pollution problem might get solved
Climate Change, What A Nuisance
San Frannciso's climate law suit against fossil fuel firms could pivot on the power of public nuisance law
Art For You
Celebrate 50 years of public art in NYC parks
Benchmarking Pays Off
Established in 2009, NYC's building energy + water benchmarking law has a lot to tell us now
Science At Work: What Satellites See
Some power plants pollute more than volcanos + other fascinating findings from NASA satellite data
October 19, 2017
Weird Weather And Credit Ratings
Cities at risk of weird weather disasters should worry about taking a hit on their credit ratings + ability to borrow for recovery
Guangzhou: Cleans Up Its Act
The south China region of Guangzhou is a leader in cutting urban pollution, will Chinese leadership follow?
EU: Shield Carbon Markets From Brexit
Plans to prevent the Brexit from destabilizing EU Emissions Trading Scheme prices
Don't Inhale The Grim Reaper
#AirPollution isn’t just a haze in the distance its the silent cause of some of our most common illnesses https://t.co/RPlA4GjokF @WHO pic.twitter.com/nUDBtZYfz7
— #ActOnClimate 🌻 (@1o5CleanEnergy) October 5, 2017
New Mexico: Teaching The Fundamentals
After vigorous public outcry, climate change + evolution have been restored to the New Mexico science curriculum
Regional Mass Transit Plans...
Leaving Diesel In The Dust
Electric buses are starting to appear on city streets, could this be the end of dirty diesel?
Rx For NY Congestion
What is congestion pricing + how could it help NY?
October 18, 2017
Canada: Too Gassy
Methane leaks 20-25% higher than expected resulting from Canadian natural gas + oil extraction
Madrid: Cleaning The Air
Traffic restrictions are in development to cut air pollution in Madrid
Help Wanted: Carbon Lighthouse
San Franciso-based Carbon Lighthouse, an actively managed energy services innovator, is hiring across every team in the company
Offshore Wind For Delaware
A Governor-appointed working group will make recommendations for fast tracking Delaware offshore wind project development
SEC Probes Failed Nuke Project
The Securities + Exchange Commission subpoenas a South Carolina electric utility in the wake of a failed nuclear power project
Ontario: Strategy For A Just Transition
8 steps on the path to a just, green, economy
Get Your Feet Wet
What's the #flood risk where YOU live? Search by city, state or zip on this @SurgingSeas map https://t.co/8VNaOFzOty via @ClimateCentral pic.twitter.com/5oqh3xKpHq
— Allan Margolin (@AllanMargolin) October 18, 2017
October 17, 2017
Coal Gets Lonelier In the Lone Star State
The shut-down of 3 coal-burning power plants is not the only energy surprise coming from Texas
Trump's Climate Falsies
A Call For Projects
BEEx wants you to help Celebrate NYC: Building a Sustainable City, an exhibit showcasing leadership in building energy efficiency + effective climate action
5 Things Wrong With EPA's Plot To Kill The CPP
Looking for a summary of what's wrong with EPA's move to off the Clean Power Plan? Read this
October 12, 2017
Renewables: Driven By Tax Policy
Tax policy, not the Clean Power Plan, will determine the fate of US renewable energy
October 11, 2017
Solar Prices Declines Vary
Compare the speed at which the cost of residential rooftop solar power will be competitive with fossil-fueled power in cities around the globe
Today's Top Headline
Bloomberg, on Department of Energy plan to subsidize coal: "The Trump administration wants taxpayers to pay more for an earlier death.". Commits $64 million to boost Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign
Ireland: Offshore Wind News
GE to build 37 MW offshore wind farm with battery storage off Irish coast and Microsoft will take all the power https://t.co/ifkdKSxf9b
— George Parker (@George_F_Parker) October 11, 2017
Intro To Environmental Impact Bonds
What are environmental impact bonds + how are they different from conventional municipal bonds?
Stuck In Denial
Why are online climate denial myths so hard to debunk?
October 10, 2017
Map It
Visualize how the US generates electricity, state by state
The Best Reason For Offshore Power
Wrong Way Corrigan
The US coal industry has been declining for decades, time to support what's next
UK: Different Shades Of Green
Who is the greenest of them all?
— Prof Peter Strachan (@ProfStrachan) October 10, 2017
Scotland, England, Wales or NI?
New Researchhttps://t.co/CBgRu7aaxa#SustainableEnergy Transitions pic.twitter.com/W1syQA44dJ
Affirming the Clean Power Plan
Gina McCarthy, Obama's EPA chief, explains how the law requires the Clean Power Plan + dismisses EPA's current rationale for overturning it
October 09, 2017
4-Letter Word For Climate Action Impact
Rotterdam: Wrong Way On Carbon
What did Rotterdam get wrong in its climate action policy? Hint: answer starts with "c"
Trump Strikes Again
The EPA formally announces its effort to rescind a key Obama era climate action policy
October 06, 2017
Prospect Park Gets Goats And Greenery
Goats are just part of the Prospect Park restoration project
Tokyo: Dig Deep For Flood Control
Facing rising risks of devastating coastal inundation, Japan has immense underground cisterns to protect Tokyo, but can they do the job?
GHG Emissions Down
Led by the power generating sector, US greenhouse gas emissions down 2% in 2016
Cuomo Advances Decongestion Agenda
A congestion pricing/mass transit funding panel is announced by Governor Cuomo, de Blasio not moved
October 05, 2017
Denmark: Wind Turbine Logistics
Dramatic video of transporting a giant wind turbine blade, now how about building blades close to where they'll be deployed?
$231 Billion Energy Efficiency Investment
Global investment in #EnergyEfficiency increased by 9% to $231bn in 2016, maintaining upward trend of recent years https://t.co/FvZuRutnBW pic.twitter.com/VP8QD1QZyw
— IEA (@IEA) October 5, 2017
Science At Work: Stilling
Scientists are asking if the worldwide slowdown in wind speeds -- stilling -- is linked to climate change
Getting Solar Power To Puerto Rico
A group of mainlanders is organizing a shipment of solar gear to power generators in Puerto Rico
October 04, 2017
Climate Changing Airports
From flooded air strips to hotter runways, climate change will bring some big changes to airport structure + operations
Gina Says
While confident courts will uphold protections EPA created during her tenure, Gina McCarthy is frustrated that so much progress “feels up for grabs.”
We're Still In
No Friend Of Renewables
Why would renewable energy be a loser in the tax code changes under consideration in Congress?
October 03, 2017
Wind Turbine Price Plunge
Wind turbine prices dropping faster in the US than globally
The Climate-Alcohol Connection
More CO2 in the atmosphere means more alcohol in grapes, is that a good thing?
Oceans Of Climate Change
The Most Powerful Evidence Climate Scientists Have of Global Warming https://t.co/v2A6j98Xit
— InsideClimate News (@insideclimate) October 3, 2017
Nutty Energy Ideas
DOE's proposal for propping up coal and nuclear power is like a squirrel hoarding nuts, but more systemically risk
RGGI To NJ - Come Back
When New Jersey elects a new Governor, chances are good the state will rejoin the multi-family-state greenhouse gas cap + trade program
Melbourne: Grouping For Renewables
Renewable energy growth needs a reliable customer base, Melbourne, Australia is creating one
October 02, 2017
Climate Action: More Than Carbon
Methane + HFC's pose clear + present dangers to the global climate, curb them now
London: Zero Waste Starts Here
This is London's first packaging free shop https://t.co/vJND35qWji #environment pic.twitter.com/EtBmPjQxO0
— World Economic Forum (@wef) October 2, 2017
Fight Asthma With Facts
Collecting asthma numbers + demographics would become a NYC requirement with passage of two new City Council bills
Australia: Climate Deniers Are Data Deniers
Rescue US Energy Innovation
Under threat from the Trump administration, investing federal dollars in energy research, development + demonstration make good dollars + good sense for the nation
Help Wanted: Senior Director of Programs
Urban Green Council seeks someone responsible for guiding its policy, research + education initiatives as part of the Executive Team