Articles tagged with Climate Policy
A Texas A&M team is studying the impact of cryptocurrency mining on the state's power grid, revealing a potential for demand flexibility during times of peak energy usage. The research suggests that when the grid is stressed due to heatwaves or other factors, cryptocurrency miners can shut down, providing a buffer against strain.
New research shows that the Montreal Protocol is delaying the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years. The treaty's regulation of ozone-depleting substances has slowed global warming and preserved the ozone layer.
A new study suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save five times more people from dangerous heat than if warming reaches 2.7°C by 2100. Currently, over 60 million people already live outside the 'climate niche' where humans have thrived.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
Researchers investigated California's oil extraction impact on health and jobs, finding setbacks reduce emissions but lead to job losses. Policies like carbon taxes and excise taxes aim to curb production while minimizing economic harm.
A new study reveals that high-income countries made more progress than low-income ones in ocean conservation after the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Despite positive results on land, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, the ocean's sustainability progress slowed, causing further global inequality.
A new study highlights regions such as Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, and Central America, which are under-prepared for scorching temperatures. The research emphasizes the need for policy makers in hotspot regions to consider action plans to reduce heat-related deaths and harms.
A new study reveals that a Brazilian forest policy aimed at restoring natural vegetation has been less effective on private lands than in all conservation areas, resulting in the loss of 14.6 million hectares of agricultural land and 2.5 gigatonnes of carbon sequestration potential.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles will significantly raise the global demand for battery-grade critical metals, leading to supply chain disruptions. By mid-century, the need for lithium could more than double, while nickel demand is expected to eclipse other critical metals.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
A new study models current and future trends in heat-related mortality in the MENA region, predicting a significant increase in deaths under high-emissions scenarios. Limiting warming to 2°C may prevent over 80% of these predicted deaths, highlighting the urgent need for better adaptation policies and renewable technologies.
The new dataset provides a 'ranking' of countries contributing most to global warming, with CO2 emissions driving the most warming. Countries like Brazil and Indonesia are rising in their contribution, while industrialised nations see slight declines.
An international research team has developed a framework to evaluate government preparedness for ocean acidification, a pressing threat to marine ecosystems. The framework identifies six aspects of effective policy and specific indicators, enabling policymakers to assess their own preparedness and identify areas for improvement.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
A major conference will discuss the human cost of heritage loss due to climate change and explore how behavioural science can inform choices about what should be saved. International scholars and policy experts will examine how to measure the impact of Loss and Damage on coastal heritage.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that public acceptance of fossil fuel subsidy removal could be improved in developing countries if the revenue is invested in social and economic development. The researchers analyzed attitudes towards removing subsidies on fossil fuels in five developing countries, including Ecuador...
A recent study found that the Amazon Rainforest in southwestern Brazil has experienced a significant increase in deforestation and burning, with 4,141 km² of forest destroyed between 2003 and 2019. The region's agricultural activities and infrastructure have contributed to this trend, posing a threat to conservation units and Indigenou...
A new study finds that tax interventions needed to combat climate change will need to be larger and more effective than previously thought. Improvements in energy efficiency technology are crucial, but technological adjustments take time.
Experts call for a legally-binding treaty to govern Earth's orbit, citing the growing threat of satellite debris. With an expected 60,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, scientists warn that large parts of space could become unusable if action is not taken immediately.
Researchers used drones to map large areas of Antarctica, capturing unprecedented high-resolution imagery of vegetation and biodiversity in protected areas. The vision identified areas with moss and lichen not previously picked up by satellite, providing valuable insights into the fragile ecosystem.
A novel deep learning-based forecasting model predicts uncertain parameters related to renewable energy sources, their energy demand, and market prices. The model demonstrates improved prediction accuracy and efficiency compared to existing methods.
A team of BU School of Public Health researchers will study the cumulative impacts of chemical hazards and climate change on 21 communities surrounding the Mystic River Watershed. They aim to identify solutions that protect vulnerable populations from both chemical and climate stressors.
New research suggests that rationing could help states reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and fairly. By allocating resources based on needs, rather than market forces, policymakers can create a more equitable approach to climate change mitigation.
A study finds that governments could help millions of people and save a lot of money with targeted energy subsidies. The research quantifies the impacts of the energy crisis on households worldwide, revealing that indirect energy costs impose the biggest burden on both high- and low-income countries.
Researchers identified 27 amplifying feedbacks, 7 dampening feedbacks, and 7 uncertain feedbacks, including permafrost thawing, peatland drying, and forest dieback. The study calls for more ambitious emissions drawdown plans and nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis.
A new study by Jonas Peisker found that favorable economic contexts, such as high income levels and low inflation, foster environmental concern. Social cohesion also played a significant role in prioritizing environmental issues. Regions with greenhouse gas-intensive industries had lower environmental concerns among locals.
A new method assesses decision importance under uncertainty, suggesting that best decisions still pay off even when success is low. The study applies the method to a stylized greenhouse-gas emission problem, indicating that an early transition to a decarbonized society is rational despite low probability of success.
A new study suggests that current coal exit efforts are unlikely to succeed without stronger policies, including carbon pricing and phase-out of coal mining. China plays a critical role in achieving this goal, as it produces and consumes over half of global coal, and its swift action can help propel Paris-aligned momentum.
Researchers found that electric car adoption in California was associated with real-world reductions in air pollution and asthma-related emergency room visits. The study also highlighted an 'adoption gap' between low-resource zip codes, pointing to opportunities for environmental justice.
Researchers conclude that social changes, such as consumption patterns and climate protests, are crucial in meeting the 1.5-degree goal, but current efforts are insufficient. A new approach to adaptation is necessary to address the impacts of global warming.
A recent study reveals that the UK severely underestimates its greenhouse gas emissions from offshore oil and gas production by as much as five times. The researchers suggest alternative methods for calculating methane emissions, which could also apply to other countries.
A new study identifies a high-risk area in Qatar's Gulf as the most vulnerable to oil spills, which could disrupt global gas supply and cause unprecedented water shortages, compromising containment efforts.
A new study suggests that producing the same amount of steel with zero emissions is unlikely, and that reducing demand through material efficiency and upcycling could be key. The research highlights the need for a more strategic approach to decarbonization, rather than relying on technological innovations alone.
A new study analyzes carbon dioxide removal quotas for developing countries, considering issues of equity and fairness. The allocation methods were based on extended equity principles and assessed the implications for these seven tropical developing countries.
A research team investigated NPF events in Beijing's atmosphere, discovering regional transport plays a vital role in creating 'polluted' NPF events. These events significantly impact air quality, climate, and human health, highlighting the importance of joint air pollution control measures.
A study suggests that subsidies for carbon dioxide removal should be higher than the price on carbon emissions due to economic leakage. This is because ambitious countries reducing emissions can lead to other countries increasing their emissions, reducing overall emissions reduction. In contrast, carbon dioxide removal does not affect ...
A QUT study found that climate change believing southeast Queensland residents are more divided by socio-economic factors than political views. Climate change deniers predominantly have right-wing perspectives and are older and less educated.
Research shows that even optimistic temperature targets can lead to catastrophic sea-level rise, disproportionately affecting low-lying nations. An interdisciplinary team highlights the need for justice-focused policies to minimize impacts of sea-level rise.
Leading researchers in ecological economics propose a strategic policy framework to enable wealthy countries to reduce materials and energy while improving social outcomes. The approach, known as degrowth, aims to secure human needs and well-being by abandoning aggregate growth as an objective.
Mountains host half the world's biodiversity hotspots, but lack corresponding policy attention. International action is needed to invest in mountain ecosystem restoration and formulate effective climate change policies.
Research found that widespread electric vehicle adoption will significantly reduce air pollution and associated mortality in US metropolitan areas, with Los Angeles projected to see 1,163 fewer premature deaths annually. Electric vehicles could bring up to $12.61 billion in economic health benefits by 2050.
A circular bioeconomy can reduce plastic sector's climate impacts, but meeting Paris Climate Accord goals may lead to more plastic landfilling. A fully circular plastic sector is only possible if demand for plastics is curbed, presenting opportunities for negative emissions via biogenic carbon storage.
A new study published in AGU Advances found that post-lockdown auto emissions rebounded in some California areas, with affluent neighborhoods experiencing less pollution drop. The researchers used mobile laboratory data and analyzed grass samples to track CO2 levels and found significant differences between regions.
A study by Marta Antonelli and colleagues highlights the pressing challenges in the Mediterranean region, including worsening water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and nutritional imbalances. The gap between North and South countries is expected to grow, with climate change exacerbating environmental pressures and threatening food security.
A new study found that 39 out of 43 California's coastal airports have assets exposed to projected flooding by 2100. Sixteen airports have assets within their boundaries, while 23 have assets outside their jurisdiction at risk from flooding. The study highlights the need for collaborative climate adaptation plans to address this issue.
Researchers at the University of Bern have developed a new method to determine necessary emission reductions on a continuous basis. The AERA algorithm adjusts CO2 emissions according to latest temperature data, enabling more precise calculations.
A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports reveals that social media engagement with climate policy events can increase the focus of the building sector on environmental justice. The researchers found a strong environmental justice discourse among public concerns, which can foster positive sentiments and inspire innovative emis...
Researchers at Cornell University found that FEMA's federal home buyout policies are inaccessible and inequitable due to bureaucratic hurdles. By studying regional and state programs, the team suggests that coordinating local strategies can make these buyouts more effective and equitable for all communities.
A recent study by University of Cologne researchers found that the public is more willing to support costly climate policies if other countries contribute as well. This increased willingness is due to individuals expecting these efforts to be fairer and more effective. The team surveyed over 10,000 citizens in four countries and discov...
A new Concordia University study reveals that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, have failed to drive government climate action. Despite the devastating economic and human costs of these disasters, governments have remained slow to enact meaningful reforms.
Climate change is exacerbating health crises among migrant workers in the US agriculture sector, with extreme heat and chemical exposure posing significant risks. The Lancet report highlights the unequal burdens of climate change, particularly on vulnerable populations.
A new study published in Nature found that globalized supply chains for the solar industry saved countries $67 billion in production costs between 2006 and 2020. The study also estimates that strong nationalistic policies could increase solar panel prices by 20-25% by 2030, hindering efforts to meet climate targets.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) releases a position paper emphasizing the need for policy actions to address climate change, reduce hazardous substance exposure, and promote environmental justice. ACP calls for immediate action to limit global temperature rise and comprehensive efforts to achieve environmental justice.
Researchers found that companies with high CSR ratings decreased charitable giving by 25% due to concerns about investor displeasure. The study's findings highlight the need for rating systems to consider societal values.
The proposed SEC rule would require all US publicly traded companies to report their climate-related financial risks, including transition risk and liability risks. This disclosure is crucial for the stability of the financial system, as seen during the Great Recession.
The ForestPaths project will co-design, quantify and evaluate forest-based solutions to meet the EU’s Climate Targets for 2030 and 2050. The project will work with practitioners, policymakers, and regional authorities to determine climate- and biodiversity-smart forest management options.
A new report highlights the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' knowledge systems to address climate change. The authors argue that these knowledge systems bring alternative ways of understanding and addressing complex global problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
The EU aims to regulate electric vehicle batteries and stationary batteries with more than 2 kWh storage capacity. Researchers warn that design options may fall short of expectations and do harm.
A new study by Cornell University researchers suggests that green policy incentives for carbon capture and renewable energy can help reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. States with lower electricity prices and a higher share of renewable energy in their grids are best suited for this approach.
Researchers from Hiroshima University developed a comprehensive framework to improve carbon-cutting policies in China. The model takes into account various factors, including behavior, land use planning and energy consumption, to provide a fuller picture for policymakers.