The Climate Emergency
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Study Shows Coral Deaths Continue to Rise
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A newly published international report confirms global warming has damaged coral reefs throughout the world’s oceans. The Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020 published by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), stated, the world has lost about 14% of its coral reefs since 2009. This report, the…
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Crisis in Cape Town: A Global Warning
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“We are now in Phase 1 of the disaster plan.” Issued by the Safety and Security department of Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2017, this grim warning indicated that the city’s freshwater dam capacity was at 25% and dropping. At 13.5%, the city would have reached “Day Zero,” triggering…
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Decarbonize Housing: Centering Equity While Phasing Out Natural Gas
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As federal climate action falters, America’s mayors have a new plan to stop global warming: ban the use of natural gas in homes. While roughly 58% of American households use gas-powered stoves or heaters, research suggests that doing so is bad for our health and the environment. In use, gas stoves release nitrogen oxide, a…
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China Launches its Long-Awaited National Emissions Trading Scheme
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China just launched a long-awaited national emissions trading scheme (ETS). As the largest current emitter accounting for more than a quarter of world’s total carbon emissions, this move can potentially have major repercussions. The official commitment to the scheme was initiated in 2015 as part of China’s plan to peak…
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Do Carbon Offsets Work in Reducing Overall Emissions? Numbers Say No.
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The Clean Development Mechanism is central to the global movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) allows countries with emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Through these projects, high-income countries earn…
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Disaster Relief in the U.S. Often Depends on Your Race
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One of the first Executive Orders from President Biden’s Administration reads, “We must deliver environmental justice in communities all across America.” Amongst the many, many moving parts in climate and environmental policy, one of supreme importance is environmental justice and its nexus with racial and economic disparities. Certain communities have…
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Coal, Cash, Cars, and Trees: Cliff-Notes From the Glasgow Climate Summit
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In November, the United Nations convened its 26th global climate summit, the Glasgow Climate Change Conference, or COP26. Held in Glasgow, Scotland from Oct. 31-Nov. 12, 2021, COP26 saw attendance and discussion from delegates representing almost 200 countries, while 21,000 representatives from observer organizations, host city volunteers, and the general…
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A Quick-Reference Guide to Climate Change Terminology
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In November the United Nations held the 26th global climate summit, the Glasgow Climate Change Conference, or COP26. Delegates from almost 200 countries discussed items ranging from membership in the UNFCCC and compliance with the Paris Agreement to Green Finance. If you have difficulty keeping the terminology straight, check out…
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Advancing Energy Equity and Climate Solutions in Chicago
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Briana Parker works at Elevate, a community-centered organization focused on fighting for policies that help people keep the lights and heat on. For 4.8 million American households facing energy insecurity in the country, cost surges – up to 30% this winter for gas-powered heat – are a growing crisis. Nationwide,…
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Who Participates in Small-Scale Urban Agriculture? And Why?
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As urbanization increases across the globe, it is important for policymakers and local leaders to ensure that urban residents find affordable, sustainable produce that positively impacts local and global ecosystems. One solution is community gardening and private at-home gardens, otherwise known as “small-scale urban agriculture.” Community gardens are often run…
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Put a Socket in It: Getting EV Charging into Multi-Unit Buildings
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Combatting climate change is an all-hands-on-deck emergency. To fully eradicate emissions by 2050 – the path that scientists agree will keep warming below 1.5ºC and mitigate the worst warming-induced catastrophes – the world needs to electrify practically everything and power the grid with carbon-free electricity. It’s an enormous task, and…