Leading by example: California shows continued, strong commitment to state emissions reduction
California can be credited with many air-quality-improvement firsts. Listed among these is a waiver granted by the fed that allowed the state to establish its own more stringent light-duty vehicle tailpipe-emissions standards, that is, apart from those prescribed for the rest of the U.S. In an Oct. 19, 2020 news release, meanwhile, the California Environmental […]
And, by the way, what does climate have to do with it all, anyway?!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the word “sustainability” come up in conversation lately. The word seems to be all the rage. That straightforward construct here undoubtedly needs no elaboration, no explanation. Not so with climate, another buzzword, catch-phrase of this modern era we’re living in. While the number of times I […]
‘Scorecard’ highlights building, transportation energy efficiency progress in 100 large U.S. cities in 2020
It is no secret that all across the world in the past couple of decades the area of clean energy has experienced leaps-and-bounds growth. One organization, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), annually compiles what it calls a “City Clean Energy Scorecard.” The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) in “Scorecard: Leading […]
A critical look at surface-air-temperature change: Influencing ground-level ozone or not is the question
Ozone (O3) is a colorless but not odorless gas. When ignited, ozone gives off a chlorine-bleach-like odor. So, obviously, based on this, there is a point at which ozone ignites, and it is when this ignition point is reached that the chlorine-bleachish smell from the ozone is produced and released. It is in this sense […]
The Clean Air Act turns 50 and what that means for me, should mean for US
In “The three commonalities of air pollution and climate change,” posted here on the Air Quality Matters blog on Sept. 22, 2020, the passage having to do with polluted air expressly and that just about says it all, reads: “Air pollution is a disrupter in how it affects people’s lives. Depending on concentration, amount, type […]
Report findings: U.S. ‘off track’ in regard to meeting 2030 climate goals
The below Dec. 8, 2020 press release is from the Environmental Defense Fund. A new report from Environmental Defense Fund using emissions data from Rhodium Group finds that U.S. states with climate commitments are not on track to bring their emissions down consistent with science-based trajectories for 2030. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate […]
Montgomery County, MD releases action-plan-draft for meeting climate goals
The below Dec. 14, 2020 press release is from Montgomery County (Maryland) Government. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has released the Draft Climate Action Plan for public review. The Climate Action Plan is the County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035. [Note: […]
2020 to be among three warmest years in recorded history
The below Dec. 2, 2020 press release is from the World Meteorological Organization. Climate change continued its relentless march in 2020, which is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record. 2011-2020 will be the warmest decade on record, with the warmest six years all being since 2015, according to the […]
And speaking of concerns getting high honors …
If ever there is news that qualifies as super uplifting, that which is detailed below most definitely qualifies. It comes courtesy of CDP, an environmental non-profit. “Over 300 companies including AstraZeneca, Danone, Firmenich, HP Inc, KAO Corporation, Klabin S/A, Mars, Symrise AG and Mitsubishi Electric have today [Dec. 8, 2020] been named on this year’s […]
Calif. high-speed rail: Recognized for sustainability efforts, receives award
The below Dec. 8, 2020 news release is from the California High-Speed Rail Authority. California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced today it has received national recognition with the Envision Platinum rating for its sustainability efforts. The Envision Platinum rating is the highest-level award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, and the award is the first […]
