Climate Change
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All Dried Up: Drought Variability Modeling and the Megadroughts to Come
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A study of past megadroughts and predicted climate change indicate that the Southwest and Central Plains could face decades-long droughts in the coming century.
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Tick Tock: Three Minutes to Midnight, and Time to Act on Climate Change and Nuclear Weapons
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An interview with Dr. Kennette Benedict of the Atomic Bulletin of Scientists about the recent Doomsday Clock announcement, nuclear weapons, climate change, and why now is the time for real leadership and action.
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The Uphill Battle to Reduce CO2 Emissions May Be Twice as Steep as Previously Thought
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A new study examines the role of uncertainty in modeling the social cost of carbon use. Its conclusions indicate that the optimal carbon dioxide tax and abatement level may be double the estimates of a widely used model.
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Food for Thought: Quantifying agricultural intensification using indicator crops
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Researchers look at the worldwide production efficiency of agriculture’s four most important indicator crops and use the information to interpret global sustainability trends.
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Are Water Markets Effective? Despite implementation challenges, water markets hold promise
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An analysis of water markets around the world indicates significant challenges of implementation. In spite of the difficulties, water markets may be a promising means of improving water sustainability.
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Renewable Energy Policy – Not Just a Domestic Issue
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Supportive renewable energy policy has a significant effect on international trade for solar energy technology components, where early investment is the key to large growth for exporting countries.
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Opt-In, Opt-Out Options Vie for Top Billing in Efforts to Reduce Electricity Use
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A 2011 pilot program found that when customers opted-in to electricity rates that vary by time of day, they reduced their peak-hour electricity use.
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Raise the Roof: Comparing Cost Savings from Efficient Roof Upgrades
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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers compare the 50-year net savings for white and “green” (vegetated) roofs, which are displacing conventional black roofs in the US building sector.
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It’s Getting Hot in Here, Now I’m a Climate Change Believer
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A series of studies demonstrates why people use trends in local weather and temperature, rather than statistically relevant global climate patterns, to construct their beliefs about climate change.
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Behind Public Opinion: What Makes Hydraulic Fracturing Controversial
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Understanding individual perceptions can help explain public opinion polls about hydraulic fracturing.
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Developing Efficiency: Why energy efficiency gains in China may not be fully realized
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The rebound effect, which measures the increased demand for energy from increasing energy efficiency, is found to be strong in Chinese urban residential electricity use.