October 29, 2020 12:49 PM EDT
In an unexpectedly less terrible turn of events, 2020 has seen several oil and gas companies announce more ambitious climate targets. Just last week, ConocoPhillips released a new “net-zero” climate ambition, becoming the first US oil and gas company to do so. While that breakthrough looks impressive at first glance, we’ve found some glaring deficiencies in the company’s recent announcement. Read more >
September 14, 2018 9:52 AM EDT
California is offering a ray of hope for a planet that is facing increasingly terrible impacts from global warming. Governor Jerry Brown has convened an international climate summit in San Francisco that demonstrates the huge number of jurisdictions both nationally and from around the world, in addition to businesses and industries, religious groups, climate justice advocates, and a lot of scientists, among many others, who are working hard for climate action. Read more >
November 13, 2016 9:06 PM EDT
I am in Marrakech, Morocco, where the second week of the annual international climate talks (or COP22) is just getting underway. Nations hope to continue the momentum created by the Paris Agreement despite concerns about the implications of the US election outcome. One big topic of conversation: how will nations increase their commitments to cut emissions, in line with the ambitious long term temperature and decarbonization goals that were agreed to last year? Read more >
September 30, 2015 4:59 PM EDT
The US Geological Survey has published the first-ever comprehensive estimate of carbon storage on federal lands under future climate scenarios. Initially, it looks like good news: federal lands are projected to store more carbon in 2050 than they did in 2005. However, a closer look reveals that a big chunk of these gains are dependent on the world staying on a relatively low-emissions pathway. The difference in net emissions from federal lands between high- and low-emissions climate scenarios has the potential to undercut the emission reductions expected under the Clean Power Plan. And going deeper, the study may not account for processes that could release much more carbon into the atmosphere.
July 29, 2015 11:17 AM EDT
Here at UCS we’ve always been bullish about a significant role for renewable energy in our power system, a view informed by careful analysis and the latest market trends. But we’re far from alone: the ever-growing list of supporters of strong renewable energy goals includes Fortune 500 companies, investment banks, utilities, presidents and presidential candidates, and the Pope. Welcome to the bright new era of the clean energy economy! Read more >
