Climate Climate & Energy
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How the world can (and will) stabilize at 350 to 450 ppm: The full global warming solution
In this post I will lay out “the solution” to global warming. I have argued that stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide at 450 ppm or lower is not politically possible today, but that it is certainly achievable from an economic and technological perspective (see Part 1). I do, however, believe humanity will do it […]
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An introduction to global warming impacts: Hell and High Water
In this post, I will summarize what the recent scientific literature says are the key impacts we face in the second half of the century if we stay anywhere near our current emissions path. I will focus primarily on: Staggeringly high temperature rise, especially over land — some 10°F over much of the United States […]
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Lowering income taxes while raising pollution taxes reaps great returns
As economic decisionmakers—whether consumers, corporate planners, government policymakers, or investment bankers—we all depend on the market for guidance. In order for markets to work and economic actors to make sound decisions, the markets must give us good information, including the full cost of the products we buy. Unfortunately, markets largely ignore the indirect costs of […]
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Fire ants, poison ivy, deer ticks: Global warming’s big winners
HEAR the buzz of dread! FEEL the rash of terror! SEE the creatures of despair! WATCH … They Came From Climate Change! The National Wildlife Federation created the Climate Invaders report & accompanying video to bring attention to a very real problem — global warming is giving a boost to some very unsavory critters, helping […]
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Do coal companies put profit over human life?
All coal mining safety laws have been written in miners’ blood. My grandfather, who barely survived an explosion in a coal mine in southern Illinois, taught me this phrase. He also taught me about the 150-year-old battle in the coalfields over reckless production at the cost of responsible safety measures. As our prayers and condolences […]
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Can a book on geoengineering change the climate conversation?
Editor’s note: We are very pleased to welcome author Jeff Goodell, who will be blogging for Grist while on tour with his new book, How to Cool the Planet: Geoengineering and the Audacious Quest to Fix Earth’s Climate. For a writer, publishing a book is like letting an animal out of a cage — you […]
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One more blow to the ailing Great Barrier Reef
The Shen Neng 1 in a plume of heavy oil in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.Australian Maritime Safety AuthorityUgh. Everything about this is bad: A Chinese freighter crashed into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Saturday, running aground and spilling heavy fuel oil into the water. The ship is stuck, and while the flow of oil has […]
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Why climate realists and skeptics talk past each other
Courtesy Nemo’s great uncle via FlickrTruth be told, I’m more interested in people who are overcoming barriers to progress than in the endless “does global warming exist?” debates. When your house is on fire, at some point you stop arguing with someone who says there’s no fire, and you focus on getting your family out. […]
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Rachel Maddow takes on denial-funding Koch Industries
Rachel Maddow takes a look at Koch Industries, the private conglomerate that pumps more money into climate-denial campaigns than Exxon Mobil does: [vodpod id=ExternalVideo.1012185&w=425&h=350&fv=launch%3D36126598%26width%3D400%26height%3D320]
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The future of freezing
Cross-posted from Climate Central. In many parts of the U.S. March went out like a lion this year. But a new interactive map of high-resolution climate projections from Climate Central promises much tamer, warmer Marches in the future. In fact, freezing March temperatures will retreat northward this century like a routed army. (The retreat would […]
