fossil fuels – California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Trying to unpack California’s mystery gasoline surcharge

October 22, 2018

“To review the basics, so far this year California’s gas price has been about 80 cents a gallon above the average of all other states. Part of that difference is due to higher taxes. And part is our cleaner-burning fuel – adopted in 1996 to cut unhealthy smog – which costs more to make. But…

Top 10 US insurance companies invest $51 billion in fossil fuels

October 18, 2018

Sarina Soor

economy, fossil fuels, insurance

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“As a U.N. panel finds the world is losing the war with global warming and urgent action is needed, U.S. insurance companies have reported holding more than $50.9 billion in fossil fuel investments that exacerbate climate change, according to reporting to national insurance regulators. Consumer Watchdog’s review of public filings reveals nine of the 10…

IPCC: Radical energy transformation needed to avoid 1.5 Degrees global warming

October 10, 2018

Sarina Soor

fossil fuels, global warming, methane

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“Without a radical transformation of energy, transportation and agriculture systems, the world will hurtle past the 1.5 degree Celsius target of the Paris climate agreement by the middle of the century, according to a new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Failing to cap global warming near that threshold dramatically increases risks to…

European carbon trading drives up fossil fuel prices

August 31, 2018

Sarina Soor

carbon trading, fossil fuels, pricing

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“The price of pollution across Europe is about to rise atmospherically. And for the first time, new onshore wind and solar can compete directly with the short-term costs of generating electricity from existing coal and gas plants.” Click here to read more from Energy Transition.

Opinion: Free California of fossil fuels

August 9, 2018

Sarina Soor

clean energy, fossil fuels

No Comments

“Now, in this scariest of seasons, California is also where our nightmares collect. At the moment, the largest fire in the state’s history burns out of control; Yosemite Valley is closed indefinitely because flames lick at its access roads; and Death Valley has just registered, for the second straight year, the hottest month in American…

Should California keep its oil in the ground?

August 9, 2018

Sarina Soor

clean energy, fossil fuels

No Comments

“A few weeks ago, when California happily announced that it had met its 2020 goals for GHG reductions four years ahead of schedule, there was a disappointing part of the story that didn’t get much attention: transportation emissions. While California has made significant strides in renewable electricity generation and building energy efficiency, emissions from cars,…

See the scars that oil exploration cut across alaska’s wilderness

August 9, 2018

Sarina Soor

clean energy, fossil fuels

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“A huge grid covers the landscape just outside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, from seismic testing for oil and gas. Parts of the refuge itself could soon look the same way.” Click here to read more from NYT.

Nuclear plant closures show why, when it comes to energy, small is expensive

August 2, 2018

Sarina Soor

fossil fuels, nuclear power

No Comments

“If all of the announced nuclear closures go forward, the total number of operating nuclear reactors in the United States will decline precipitously — from 99 to 89 — by 2025. The amount of clean electricity lost from those 10 reactors would be 23 percent more than all of the solar electricity generated in the…

Ireland expected to become world’s first country to divest from fossil fuels

July 19, 2018

Sarina Soor

divestment, fossil fuels

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“The Republic of Ireland took a crucial step toward becoming the first country in the world to divest from fossil fuels. Lawmakers in the Dail, the lower house of parliament, advanced a bill requiring the Irish government’s more than $10 billion national investment fund to sell off stakes in coal, oil, gas and peat —…

Ireland expected to cecome world’s first country to divest from fossil fuels

July 19, 2018

Sarina Soor

divestment, fossil fuels

No Comments

Fossil fuels on trial: Where the major climate change lawsuits stand today

April 26, 2018

Sarina Soor

climate change, environmental sustainability, fossil fuels

No Comments

“Over the past few years: Two states have launched fraud investigations into Exxon over climate change. Nine cities and counties, from New York to San Francisco, have sued major fossil fuel companies, seeking compensation for climate change damages. And determined children have filed lawsuits against the federal government and various state governments, claiming the governments…

Climate legal paradox: Judges issue dueling rulings for cities suing fossil fuel companies

April 20, 2018

Sarina Soor

climate change, fossil fuels

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“One federal judge ruled three city cases belong in state court. Another, in the same California courthouse, says federal court is the proper home for two others. The contradictory rulings by the judges—both Democratic appointees who serve in the same San Francisco courthouse just two floors apart—were handed down in lawsuits targeting oil and gas…

Jerry Brown’s work to seal his climate legacy is only half done

April 20, 2018

Sarina Soor

fossil fuels, jerry brown

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“He’s addressed no more than half the crisis: All of California’s environmental measures have been aimed at reducing the demand for energy, and none at slowing down the production of fossil fuel. Supply and demand are two equal halves of this fight; if we don’t recognize that fact we simply will not solve the climate…

The next energy frontier: Cutting fossil fuel use in buildings

January 19, 2018

Sarina Soor

climate change, electrify buildings, emissions, fossil fuels, pollution

“While the amount of pollution from burning fuel in homes and commercial buildings is a relatively small part of total emissions today — just 11% of U.S. energy-related emissions — it is a roadblock to reaching our 2050 climate targets, according to long-term climate mitigation analyses. Collaborative global initiatives can help individual countries to reduce…