The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already profoundly altered the world, with significant implications for the globe’s ability to transition to clean energy and stave off climate change. While countries scramble to meet their energy needs without relying on Russian gas, the United States has been dealt a critical choice: double down on fossil fuel...
Category: United States News Brief and Action Alert
United States: Climate Progress Report
HIGHLIGHTS – Clean Versus Fossil Energy Consumption (Monthly) – Carbon Dioxide Emission from Energy Consumption (Annually) – Wildfire Year-to-Date Statistics (Annually) Clean vs. fossil energy consumption Source: EIA monthly energy review, Topic 1.3, “Primary energy consumption by source” The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) updates its analysis of U.S. energy trends monthly, including comparisons...
Climate Justice in the United States
HIGHLIGHTS Lack of access to disaster preparedness and relief programs Coastal relocation programs that can either exacerbate risk and create inequalities, or, when done well, reduce communities’ vulnerability Unequal Extreme Heat NARRATIVE The United States has not traditionally been thought of as being on the frontlines of climate injustice globally, as countries including low-lying...
The United States: The 2021 Climate Year in Review
HIGHLIGHTS Rejoined the Paris Agreement A New NDC Pledge to the Paris Agreement to Reduce Emissions by 50-52% by 2030 and reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Established a National Climate Task Force to Support Integration of Climate Policies in All Federal Agencies Committed to Conserving 30% of US Lands and Oceans by 2030 Committed...
Climate Mitigation Strategic Priorities for the United States
Image: Metronome’s clock in Manhattan shows the artists’ interpretation of the amount of time left before the effects of climate change are irreversible. Source: The New York Times.PRIORITIES Speed up the Transition to Clean Energy Decrease Fossil Fuel Production Just Transition of the Workforce Funding Mitigation Efforts NARRATIVE After years of inaction, the United States...
Climate Scorecard Progress Report for the United States of America
This report is in the form of memos from Climate Scorecard Country Managers to Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework to Combat Climate Change (UNFCCC). Below is a description of the progress the country has made made in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and the...
Methodologies for Measuring Emissions in the US are Improving
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard US Country Manager Nathan Holman Best Organizational Source: “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks” published by the US Environmental Protection Agency Inventory of GHGs The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes an annual report on greenhouse gas emissions, called the “Inventory of U.S....
US Sees Increase in Severe Storms and Billion Dollar Weather Events in 2021
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard United States Country Manager Nathan HolmanAs the climate changes, so does the weather. Flooding, storms, and other extreme events are perhaps the most visceral marker of the danger we face as global average temperature continues to near 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.Billion-Dollar Weather Events Since the start...
Nuclear Power Supplies 20% of the Energy Generated in the U.S.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard U.S. Country Manager Nathan Holman Generation of electricity is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases in the United States. Combating climate change will inevitably require cleaner methods of generating power. Although slightly controversial, nuclear power provides a clear answer as it is the only zero-emission form...
Politics Stands in the Way of a Green America
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard United States Country Manager Nathan HolmanBackground In the first six months of his presidency, President Biden has made substantial progress undoing the damaging environmental policies of the Trump administration. The new President has re-instated science experts on review boards, reneged the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and...