Global Climate Change


Paris Agreement Soon to Be in Force

"Passing the threshold for the Paris Agreement's entry into force is a historic moment, marking a new era of global consensus on climate change action. This agreement will further accelerate development of a multi-trillion dollar market for clean energy technology solutions that reduce heat-trapping emissions," Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said.

Eight new pumps will be in place by mid-October sufficient to protect York if rivers rise to the record levels seen last winter. (UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs photo)

New Pumps Strengthen Foss Barrier's Power Against Floods

UK Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom announced new state-of-the-art pumps for the York barrier, saying they providing a 66 percent increase in capacity. Major flooding a year ago caused significant damage after the UK Environment Agency raised the barrier to prevent damage to it.

Winners Announced for 2016 Climate Leadership Awards

U.S. Green Building Council and Second Nature select Arizona State University and Johnson County Community College as 2016 winners of higher education climate leaders competition due to their ongoing commitment to climate leadership.

Climate Change Causes Pika Mammals to Disappear from American West

A recent U.S. Geological Survey study discovered that Pikas, small herbivores that live in mountain ranges in the American West, are disappearing from the areas due to climate change.

All employers, employees, and contractors within all three segments of the oil and gas industry (upstream, midstream, and downstream) are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful work sites.

LDAR Programs Continue to Evolve

LDAR programs are shifting from reactive to proactive, evolving from mere compliance to actively seeking and repairing leaks to using the best available control technology and practices to prevent leaks from occurring in the first place. Mandated use of preventive technologies and programs could be next.

EPA and DOT Finalize Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks

EPA and DOT Finalize Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks

In terms of emissions and energy use, trucks are the second-largest segment in U.S. transportation.

NASA

NASA Maps Thaw Areas Beneath Greenland Ice Sheet

The research team combined four different approaches to investigate the thermal state at the bottom of the ice sheet, including recent computer models of the ice sheet, radar data, and ice surface speed measured by satellites.

NOAA Developing New Weather Forecasting Model

The agency has selected a new dynamic core, which is the "engine" of a numerical weather prediction model. It will be used as a basis for all U.S. weather forecasts.



EPA Takes Aim at Commercial Aviation's Emissions

EPA expects the International Civil Aviation Organization will adopt its environmental committee's agreement on international aircraft CO2 standards in March 2017. EPA anticipates moving forward on standards that would be at least as stringent as ICAO's standards.

Federal Highway Administration Invites States to Designate 'Zero-Emission' and 'Alternative Fuel' Corridors

The initiative will help drivers find alternative fuels and contribute to smart city development.

U.S. Vehicles' Fuel Economy Progress on Track, EPA and DOT Announce

The National Program was developed jointly by the EPA and DOT, in coordination with CARB. It applies to passenger cars and light-duty trucks through model year 2025 and requires manufacturers to improve average fuel efficiency and reduce average greenhouse gas emissions over time.

The time is right to begin looking beyond the tailpipe and instead consider the full life cycle emissions of vehicles.

North America's Leaders Announce Clean Power Generation Goal

They also committed to accelerated deployment of clean vehicles in government fleets; working with industry to encourage the adoption of clean vehicles; and encouraging public and private infrastructure investments to establish ‎North American refueling corridors for clean vehicles.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication promises to prevent thousands of collisions and injuries annually, DOT and NHTSA believe. (Image downloaded from NHTSA August 2014 report)

Columbus Wins Smart City Challenge

Columbus plans to deploy three electric self-driving shuttles to link a new bus rapid transit center to a retail district and use data analytics to improve health care access in a neighborhood where the infant mortality rate quadruples the national average.

PG&E Agrees to Shut Down Diablo Canyon

The Joint Proposal would replace power produced by two nuclear reactors at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant with a cost-effective, greenhouse gas free portfolio of energy efficiency, renewables and energy storage, according to the utility, which has committed to a 55 percent renewable energy target in 2031.

Report Warns of Arable Land Losses

The International Resource Panel's report says erosion, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinization, compaction and chemical pollution have left 33 percent of the world's soils moderately or highly degraded.

EPA recognizes DFW Airport for its leadership in Greenhouse Gas Management.

DFW Airport Becomes First U.S. Airport to Receive EPA Climate Leadership Award

EPA recognizes DFW Airport for its leadership in Greenhouse Gas Management.

Large designs are available to cover as much as 280,000 square feet with a single machine. (Dust Control Technology photo)

Southwest Business Juggling Act: Droughts, Dust, and Water Regulations

Controlling dust while eliminating the use of high-pressure hydrants and reducing the amount of visible runoff can help reduce the number of complaints to local and state environmental authorities. Methods that both conserve water and suppress dust carry multiple benefits beyond compliance.

DFW International Airport Wins Greenhouse Gas Management Award

The airport management indicated it plans to achieve additional reduction goals by increasing renewable energy and alternative fuel use; by integrating best available energy-efficient technology; and by expanding partnerships with airlines, regulatory agencies, academia, nongovernmental organizations, business associations, and other stakeholders.

Paris Agreement Signed at UN Headquarters

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the participation by so many countries, including the United States, leaves "no doubt" that the international community is determined to take climate action.

Why the Ocean Matters More than We Realize

Why the Ocean Matters More Than We Realize

Ocean advocate says those watery depths hold solutions to Earth's most alarming challenges.