The assumption that cutting carbon will increase the costs of energy simply doesn’t hold true. Read more >
Global Warming
Learn about the science and impacts of global warming from our scientists and experts—and explore the solutions we have at hand to address this critical issue.
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Latest Global Warming Posts
Will Cutting Carbon Emissions Increase MY Energy Bill? It doesn’t have to.
Joseph Daniel, Senior Energy Analyst
November 27, 2018 9:33 AM EDT
What is the Fourth National Climate Assessment?
Rachel Licker, senior climate scientist
November 23, 2018 1:57 PM EDT
The report is a scientific assessment that provides decision-makers with objective information that they can use to decide how to best protect their constituents from heavy rainfall, hurricanes, wildfires, rising seas and other impacts of climate change. Read more >
U.S. Army Sgt. Brad Chambers of the California Army National Guard's 649th Engineer Company, 579th Engineer Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade, from Chico, California, conducts search and debris clearing operations, Nov. 17, 2018, in Paradise, California. Photo: U.S. National Guard.
New National Climate Assessment Shows Climate Change is a Threat to our Economy, Infrastructure and Health
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director and Lead Economist, Climate & Energy
November 23, 2018 1:57 PM EDT
The Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II, was released today. The much-anticipated report, prepared by a consortium of 13 US federal government agencies, makes clear that climate change is already here—as evident from the worsening flooding, wildfire seasons, droughts, and heatwaves the nation has been experiencing. What’s more, the report highlights that as climate change worsens, risks to our economy, infrastructure, health and well-being, and ecosystems will grow significantly. Urgent action is needed to lower heat-trapping emissions and invest in making our economy and our communities more prepared to withstand climate impacts. Read more >
Photo: Bob Dass/Flickr
Winds and Wildfires in California: 4 Factors to Watch that Increase Danger
Brenda Ekwurzel, senior climate scientist
November 16, 2018 4:27 PM EDT
Santa Ana influenced fires, which occur between October and April, are different from the warm and dry season fires, that typically occur between June and September. Scientists have found the main reasons why Santa Ana influenced fires contribute the vast majority of cumulative economic losses in California compared to other wildfires that typically occur in the summer. From 1990-2009, Santa Ana influenced fires spread three times faster, occurred closer to urban areas, and burned into areas with greater housing values. Over the same years, other fires often occurred in higher elevation forests, were more sensitive to how old the vegetation was, lasted for extended periods, and accounted for 70% of total suppression costs. In other words, other fires burned in remote forests, often with plenty of mature vegetation or ‘fuel’ for long-lasting wildfires. Whereas Santa Ana influenced fires scorched with greater speed through areas that were typically closer to more people. Read more >
7 Things People Got Wrong with our Recent ‘Nuclear Power Dilemma’ Report
Steve Clemmer, director of energy research, Clean Energy
November 16, 2018 1:29 PM EDT
On November 8, UCS released The Nuclear Power Dilemma: Declining Profits, Plant Closures, and the Threat of Rising Carbon Emissions, which found that more than one-third of existing nuclear plants, representing 22 percent of total US nuclear capacity, is uneconomic or slated to close over the next decade. Unfortunately, some of the media coverage and statements by the nuclear industry and other groups have mischaracterized our report and our past work. Here are seven points to correct the record. Read more >
