We’ve found a few helpful articles and short publications we thought you might find interesting.
Goldman School of Public Policy – University of California Berkeley, June 2020
2035 Report
“Global carbon emissions must be halved by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C and avoid catastrophic climate impacts. Most existing studies, however, examine 2050 as the year that deep decarbonization of electric power systems can be achieved—a timeline that would also hinder decarbonization of the buildings, industrial, and transportation sectors.
In light of recent trends, these studies present overly conservative estimates of decarbonization potential. Plummeting costs for wind and solar energy have dramatically changed the prospects for rapid, cost-effective expansion of renewable energy. At the same time, battery energy storage has become a viable option for cost- effectively integrating high levels of wind and solar generation into electricity grids.
This report uses the latest renewable energy and battery cost data to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of achieving 90% clean (carbon-free) electricity in the United States by 2035. Two central cases are simulated using state-of-the-art capacity- expansion and production-cost models: The No New Policy case assumes continuation of current state and federal policies; and the 90% Clean case requires that a 90% clean electricity share is reached by 2030.”
Union for Concerned Scientists, November 10,2019
by Kristy Dahl, Senior Climate Scientist
US Military on the Front Lines of Extreme Heat
The Guardian, November 5,
Climate crisis: 11,000 scientists warn of ‘untold suffering’
Statement sets out ‘vital signs’ as indicators of magnitude of the climate emergency. Read more here
Warning of ‘Untold Human Suffering,’ Over 11,000 Scientists From Around the World Declare Climate Emergency
“Scientists have a culture of reticence when it comes to making statements like this, but the emergency is rapidly accelerating, and the scientists are very clear: this is an existential emergency.” Read more here
Green New Deal
House of Representatives: H. RES. ll – Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal. Read the Resolution here: Green-New-Deal-FINAL
A Green New Deal Policy Report by Data for Progress GreenNewDeal_Final_v2_12MB
The Green New Deal Explained, By Vox.com
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
Review the H.R.7173 – Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018
The Bipartisan Climate Solution explained by our Partners At Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Senate version of Energy Innovation Act introduced, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Posted on December 20, 2018 in Legislative Updates, Press Releases
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report 2018 — GLOBAL WARMING OF 1.5 °C
An IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty
Other articles about IPCC Report/quick summaries:
- IPCC 1.5°C Report: Planet Nearing Tipping Point by Staff, Climate Nexus,Oct 8, 2018
- Experts React to Historic IPCC Report on Limiting Warming to 1.5°C by Staff, Climate Nexus, Oct 8, 2018
- Response to the IPCC 1.5°C Special Report Opinion by Kevin Anderson, Manchester News, Oct 8, 2018
- 37 things you need to know about 1.5C global warming by Megan Darby & Sara Stefanini, Climate Home News, Oct 10, 2018
- How to Understand the UN’s Dire New Climate Report by Robinson Meyer, Science, The Atlantic, Oct 9, 2018
- In-depth Q&A: The IPCC’s special report on climate change at 1.5C by Staff, Carbon Brief, Oct 8, 2018
- Individual action won’t achieve 1.5℃ warming – social change is needed, as history shows by Matthew Adams, The Conversation US, Oct 10, 2018
- Final call to save the world from ‘climate catastrophe’ by Matt McGrath, BBC News, Oct 8, 2018
- With the world on the line, scientists outline the paths to survival by Eric Holthaus. Grist.org, Oct 4, 2018
About the Government’s Reaction to the Report
- GOP shrugs off dire study warning of global warming by Miranda Green & Timothy Cama, The Hill, Oct 10, 2018
- Senators concerned as Trump official disputes UN climate change warning by Michael Burke, The Hill, Oct 14, 2018
- ‘It’ll change back’: Trump says climate change not a hoax, but denies lasting impact by Emily Holden, Guardian, Oct 15, 2018
James Hansen — American Geophysical Union + Chinese Academy of Sciences
“I was privileged to give one of the keynote talks at the first joint meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS). The meeting was timely and propitious. Both of these nations and the world as a whole need increased cooperation between the United States and China, cooperation in science and technology, cooperation based on facts and mutual interests, cooperation upon which the future of young people and other life on the planet depend.” Read More
Vox.com
The 5 most important questions about carbon taxes, answered: A carbon tax can lower emissions, but it needs to be pretty damn high.
To clarify how this report marries with Citizens’ Climate Lobby analysis, ECA Policy Committee Chair, Steve Simon emailed Topher Anderson from Citizens’ Climate Lobby for future explanation. Here is Topher’s breakdown and response.“This is a fantastic article, and I’m glad that the Elders Climate leaders are reading it. It confirms our assertion that returning dividends to the American people is slightly progressive. And in regards to the concerns on carbon fee size, I think that ours is one of the most aggressive. Let me explain how I reached this conclusion.
- The three scenarios they run (and ours in purple)
- $14 (rising 3 percent a year)
- $50 (rising 2 percent a year)
- $73 (rising 1.5 percent a year)
- $15 (rising $10 a year)—(CCL’s)
- It is true that ours begins much lower than their projections. This is important to our desire to make this a clear price signal to businesses that they need to find a way around carbon use. Slapping a high fee on out of the blue can be a punitive rather than incentivizing action. We believe that this time for the free market to react is important to our plan.
- The carbon fee 10 years from implementation (color coordinated with projections above)
- $18.50/ton
- $60.95/ton
- $84.72/ton
- $115/ton – CCL’s
- The thing about our plan is that it raises the fee rate at a much faster rate than these other plans. 10 years down the road, our plan is hitting that $100/ton number that Vox claims is imperative to achieve results. But again, its taken 10 years to get there, so businesses and the free market have had the time for innovation to occur. Its very politically unlikely that we’ll see something start with $100/ton, but ours gets there much quicker than any other plan. Plus, this rate increase continues, so we’ll see $200/ton in 19 years!”
Watch the Citizens’ Climate University: Carbon Tax Economic Modeling
GMO White Paper
The Race of Our Lives Revisited
by Jeremy Grantham August 2018
This report was recently referenced by Dr. James Hansen. Introduction: It was always going to be difficult for us – Homo sapiens – to deal with the long-term, slow-burning problems that threaten us today: climate change, population growth, increasing environmental toxicity, and the impact of all these three on the future ability to feed the 11 billion people projected for 2100. Read the full report with expert data and analysis.
Yale Climate Connections
How a climate doubter became a climate advocate
Check out the recent interview and article from our friends at Yale Climate Connections, “How a climate doubter became a climate advocate.” Alex Bozmoski’s interview discusses the change in his view of climate change. Bozmoski joined former South Carolina congressman Bob Inglis to form “RepublicEn“ to encourage conservative action on climate change.
The New York Times. (highlighting our Partner Organization, the Environmental Voter Project)
Taking On Climate Change: Trying to solve the problems that are affecting our world, and believing that they can make a difference.
Read about the work of the Environmental Voter Project and Nathaniel Stinnett in the article “Environmentalists Turned Into Voters” in the NY Times – Special Visionary Section.
Washington Monthly (highlighting our Partner Organization, the Environmental Voter Project)
Green thumb on the scale: Nathaniel Stinnett quit his job at a law firm to focus on nudging more environmentalists into the electorate. Read the full article to find out how he’s using data to engage voters.
Wired.com
MEET THE AMATEUR SCIENTIST WHO DISCOVERED CLIMATE CHANGE
Eighty years ago, Guy Callendar built the first climate change model to predict the effects of greenhouse gases. Now his successors are plotting ways to reengineer the air. SCIENCE
Globalchange.gov
Climate Science Special Report Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4), Volume I
This report is an authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, with a focus on the United States. It represents the first of two volumes of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990.
Citizens Climate Lobby
Top Concerns Members of Congress Have About Carbon Fee & Dividend and Best Responses
Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health
Medical Alert – Climate Change is Harming our Health
Reducing Indoor Air Pollution to Combat Climate Change (submitted by Jennifer Dawson)
Learn what you can do to reduce indoor air pollution
Gina McCarthy, EPA
6 Things Every American Should Know About the Clean Power Plan
