Category: Climate change
Media reaction: Texas ‘deep freeze’, power blackouts and the role of global warming
This week, a blast of Arctic air has engulfed much of the central US, bringing freezing conditions and record low temperatures to many states. by Josh Gabbatiss, Robert McSweeney, Carbon Brief Texas, in particular, has been…
Fossil fuel exec brags of ‘Hitting the Jackpot’ as natural gas prices surge amid deadly crisis in Texas
The GOP is erroneously blaming frozen wind turbines for power outages because the Green New Deal is “the biggest legislative threat against the corrupt powers responsible for (and benefiting from) the suffering unfolding now,” said Rep….
New study finds sea level rise projections ‘are on the money’
“If we continue with large ongoing emissions as we are at present, we will commit the world to meters of sea level rise over coming centuries.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Tuesday, February 16, 2021 A…
Global outrage after India arrests climate activist over farmer protest toolkit shared by Greta Thunberg
#ReleaseDishaRavi Ravi’s arrest “is an unprecedented attack on democracy,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “Supporting our farmers is not a crime.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Public figures within and beyond India are demanding the…
After court rules Dakota Access Pipeline operating illegally, Dems demand Biden it shut down
“You can continue to show your administration values the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities more than the profits of outdated fossil fuel industries.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Friday, February 5, 2021 Five Democratic…
#TheWorldIsWatching: youth activists direct ire over climate inaction at WEF elite
“If only leaders were as good [at] taking real action as they were giving speeches,” said Greta Thunberg. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, January 29, 2021 Young activists on Friday issued fresh warnings about the…
New study shows earth now warmer than any time in last 12,000 years
Climate Campaigners Say ‘Listen to the Science’ The study “changes the baseline and emphasizes just how critical it is to take our situation seriously,” its lead researcher said. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Friday, January 29,…
Denouncing ‘handouts to Big Oil,’ Biden calls on Congress to end $40 billion in taxpayer subsidies for fossil fuels
“Biden campaigned on eliminating fossil fuel giveaways, and voters agree by a huge margin,” said one climate activist. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, January 28, 2021 In a speech Wednesday outlining his new executive actions…
Biden praised for pause on drilling leases
“Let’s Turn This ‘Temporary Halt’ to Permanent Ban” “The federal oil and gas program is nothing but an injustice,” said Jeremy Nichols of WildEarth Guardians. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Thursday, January 21 President Joe Biden…
Trump’s big gamble to gut US power plant emissions rules fails in court, opening door for powerful new climate rules
by Daniel Farber, University of California, Berkeley Wednesday, January 20, 2021 The day before Joe Biden’s inauguration, he got a big judicial win for his climate agenda. The case involved plans for cutting power plant emissions…
Federal Court Strikes Down Trump Coal Power Plant Rule
‘Major Win for the Planet’ “This decision frees up the new Biden administration to begin working immediately on the science-based greenhouse pollution rules we desperately need to make up for lost time.” by Andrea Germanos, staff…
Arrests in Minnesota after Water Protectors chain themselves inside pipe section to halt Line 3 construction
“Enbridge’s last-ditch effort to build fossil fuel infrastructure is killing people and the planet.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, January 14 Water protectors were arrested Thursday after halting construction at a Minnesota worksite for Enbridge’s…
Indigenous women urge Biden to stop pipelines and respect Treaty Rights
“Joe Biden, we are asking you to stand on the right side of history and humanity by putting an immediate end to the deadly pipelines destroying our Earth, our communities, and all life.” by Jessica Corbett,…
Climate Emergency persists as 2020 ties for earth’s hottest year on record
“It took over 200 years for [atmospheric CO2] levels to increase by 25%, but now just over 30 years later we are approaching a 50% increase.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, January 8, 2021 Highlighting…
John Kerry, Biden’s Climate Czar, talks about saving the planet
In the months before the election, Joe Biden’s most influential voice on the issue of our age shared his views on climate migration, open borders, the threat of nationalism, and the challenge posed by China. by…
‘Can anybody still deny that we are facing a dramatic emergency?’ Asks UN Chief at Climate Summit
“If we don’t change course,” he warned, “we may be headed for a catastrophic temperature rise of more than 3 degrees this century.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Sunday, December 13, 2020 World leaders aren’t doing…
5 years after Paris: How countries’ climate policies match up to their promises, and who’s aiming for net zero emissions
Even if every country meets its commitments, the world will still be on track to warm by more than 3 degrees Celsius this century, a new UNEP report shows. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images by Morgan Bazilian, Colorado…
The Marshall Islands could be wiped out by climate change – and their colonial history limits their ability to save themselves
The Marshall Islands and other small island nations are urgently threatened by rising seas. Stefan Lins/Flickr, CC BY by Autumn Bordner, University of California, Berkeley and Caroline E. Ferguson, Stanford University Sunday, December 13, 2020 Along…
Climate movement takes on big oil at the Hague
‘Historic Moment’ Friends of the Earth vs. Shell “This is actually ‘the People versus Shell,’ a company that has got away with greenwashing for too long.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Representing…
Trump Admin rushes to auction off Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling rights before Biden inauguration
The pristine reserve is home to the Gwich’in people, who call it “Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit,” or, “the sacred place where life begins.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Monday, November 16, 2020 In what critics are…
Humans may have passed the ‘point of no return’ in climate crisis, says study—but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost
In order to roll back catastrophic carbon emissions, humans must “start developing the technologies for large-scale removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere,” says one of the study’s lead authors. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Friday,…
Climate change will make parts of the U.S. uninhabitable. Americans are still moving there.
Instead of moving away from areas in climate crisis, Americans are flocking to them. As land in places like Phoenix, Houston and Miami becomes less habitable, the country’s migration patterns will be forced to change. by…
5 Reasons to rethink the future of dams
The United States must grapple with a legacy of 90,000 dams, many unsafe or unwanted. by Tara Lohan Wednesday, October 28, 2020 The tide has shifted on dams. Once a monument to our engineering prowess, there’s…
Six days before election, Trump finalizes plan for opening up largest national forest to logging and mining
‘One word for this: Vandalism‘ “Destructive development in the country’s largest national forest—such as extractive logging and expansive road building—will be catastrophic for generations to come,” warned Greenpeace. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Wednesday, October 28…