Policy
Supreme Court Decision Hinders EPA but Leaves Avenues Open for Climate Regulation
The agency can still impose stronger limits on other air pollutants that coal plants produce, which could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions
"Coal"
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Is Surging, but Trouble Looms
The International Energy Agency projects that spending on renewables in 2022 will exceed the record $440 billion invested last year
Climate Change
Sweltering India Turns to Superheating Coal for Cooling
The need to use coal to boost power supplies illustrates the challenge of quickly increasing renewable energy to avoid bigger climate impacts
Fossil Fuels
What the EPA’s New Plans for Regulating Power Plants Mean for Carbon
Administrator Michael Regan argues regulation of mercury, ozone, water and coal ash will also curb greenhouse gases
Fossil Fuels
Methane Emissions from Energy Production Are Massively Undercounted
A new International Energy Agency report says emissions are 70 percent higher than governments have officially reported
Climate Change
The Supreme Court Could Block Climate Change Protections
West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency could have far-reaching impacts for health and the environment
Climate Change
How Biden Could Close Coal Plants without Carbon Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency is looking at achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions by targeting other pollutants
Climate Change
As Biden Sets Ambitious Climate Agenda, U.S. Emissions Rise
Greenhouse gas emissions rose 7 percent in 2021, as high natural gas prices buoyed coal use
Climate Change
Why India Defended Coal at the Close of the COP26 Climate Summit
The third-largest carbon emitter argues it is balancing phasing out fossil fuels with meeting growing energy needs
Climate Change
U.S. Agrees to End Fossil Fuel Financing Abroad
The move could shift funding toward renewable energy projects in low-income countries
Climate Change
Fossil Fuel Development to Exceed Global Climate Targets
Planned oil, gas and coal production is not in line with countries’ pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
EARTH
Geologists Have an Incentive to Be Naughty
Why you should never try to get a geology buff to behave by threatening them with coal in their stocking
Environment
Indian Railways and Military Go Solar
There's been no shortage recently of big companies going big on solar, nor of middlemen trying to pave the way for bulk buying of solar power, but when the beast that is national procurement gets involved, the ante is upped...
Can Chinese Cities Turn Around Pollution in Time?
China became a mostly urban country in 2011, the service sector became the biggest in 2013, and in 2015 Chinese cities will try to reverse negative trends of sprawl and pollution.
Environment
Modern Day Alchemists Turn Toxic Runoff Into Valuable Pigments
Artists have long used odd things in their work – Marcel Duchamp’s urinal on a pedestal comes to mind – but even when unusual ingredients are less obvious, they can be present...
Environment
The Real Outcome of Global Warming Talks in Lima: A Future for Coal
“There will be coal burning.” Negotiators from around the world produced a four-page climate-change accord (pdf) after some sleep-deprived haggling over the weekend in Lima, Peru, but the agreement could be summed up in those five words...
Environment
Can China Cut Coal?
On a visit to China a few years back, I asked a local official about pollution controls after enjoying my first sour, gritty taste of the country’s air.
Environment
India Nixes Coal Plant Following Inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment
A panel of judges has struck down the environmental clearance for a proposed 3.6 GW coal-fired power plant in Tamil Nadu, India. The decision by the National Green Tribunal responded to an appeal by local villagers who cited concerns about water and air pollution in this already polluted area...
Energy
Fracking Woes Stem from Oil Addiction Not Hydraulic Fracturing
Flaming tap water comes from bad wells, and not the drinking-water kind. Folks who live closest to natural gas wells in Pennsylvania suffer ill health.
Map Monday: 50+ Shades of Air Pollution
In today's installment of Map Monday, I wanted to focus on air pollution as mapped by Hsu et al and The Atlantic. Go to this link to see the full interactive map, which details air pollution by country and city...
