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Supporters say developing hydrogen as a fuel is critical to slowing climate change. Critics are concerned that producing it with fossil fuels will prop up the oil and gas industry.

The global transport industry is always evolving. A decade ago, there was a big appetite for autonomous vehicles and cloud computing. These days, the industry is driven by a dual focus on decarbonization and automation across all layers of mobility—road, sea, rail, and air. On the decarbonization front, the broader transportation sector certainly has its work cut out for it. The marine transportation industry, for one, has been under intense scrutiny for its high pollution levels. The nonprofit Our Shared Seas found emissions from the maritime shipping sector are up to one billion tonnes of GHGs every year—the equivalent of an industrialized country like Germany or Japan. For context, that’s about 3% of total global emissions. Left unchecked, this will grow to 130% by 2050, per Our Shared Seas. The aviation industry faces a similar challenge in decarbonization due to the limitations of battery technology for long-haul flights. Now, some good news: Gartner predicts that by 2025, “20% of all new vehicles sold will be electric,” and indeed we are now at the cusp of a massive move to not just make the entire global transport industry greener, but also smarter and safer. THE RACE TO SMARTER, SAFER, AND GREENER ROADS Road transportation is seeing several innovations, as the quest to build smarter, safer, and more environmentally friendly vehicles grows stronger. Major regulatory shifts from governing bodies in the U.S. and  EU are redefining vehicle-safety standards, mandating that vehicles have built-in driver-distraction-monitoring systems that can detect drowsiness, child presence, driver impairment, and more. Some companies are responding to these regulations with cutting-edge innovations that enhance driver monitoring and detection. Although legacy automakers like Ford, Toyota, Nissan, and Tesla didn’t join CES 2024, software-defined autotech products for vehicle safety from leading companies like Cipia, Mobileye, and Smart Eye were some of the major products that headlined the show, spotlighting the race to a smarter and safer future for road transportation. However, the transition to EVs is not without its challenges. Building a robust charging infrastructure is crucial for widespread adoption, as McKinsey notes in its report on how battery makers can respond to surging demand from EVs. Additionally, ensuring the responsible sourcing and disposal of battery materials is critical for the long-term sustainability of this technology. Cipia, a publicly traded Israel-based computer-vision AI company, is helping to build toward safer mobility experiences for road transportation. The company, which uses computer-vision AI for driver and in-cabin sensing, helps “to make cars better understand, cater to, and predict people’s needs,” says Yehuda Holtzman, CEO at Cipia Vision, addomg that the company’s driver monitoring and in-cabin solutions are getting ready for a new era of driving where autonomy meets safety. For Holtzman, the future of road transportation is a combination of smarter and safer vehicular mobility. And he believes the technologies that will enable that future  are already here and getting better by the minute. “As the industry continues to evolve, we will see more iterations and newer innovations in the journey toward making road transportation safer and more enjoyable. Cipia’s technology is poised to be a key player in this transformative journey toward safer, smarter roads,” he notes. Other experts agree with Holtzman, with a report by McKinsey noting that we’ll see “a mobility ecosystem that is more intelligent, seamless, and environmentally friendly” within the next decade. DECARBONIZING THE SEAS Storms of pollution continue to rage on the high seas. Per a report from Sinay on the state of the global transport sector, “Shipping claims the third position in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, comprising 11% of the total, trailing closely behind passenger vehicles at 39%, and medium to heavy trucks at 23%.” The report further said that, if proactive measures are not taken, the maritime sector’s carbon footprint will potentially rise by 50% to 250% by the year 2050. But some companies are combating this challenge head on. One such company is Swedish manufacturer and Volvo subsidiary, Volvo Penta. A few months ago at CES 2024, the company launched a new inboard performance system (IPS) professional platform, describing it as “the industry’s most advanced technology and propulsion platform for commercial marine vessels and super yachts,” adding that the system could deliver about 30% fuel efficiency and cut down on emissions. Johan Inden, president of marine business at Volvo Penta, tells Fast Company that the IPS professional platform heralds a new era of sustainability and efficiency, offering tangible benefits for commercial and recreational vessels. “By embracing hybrid and electric solutions, Volvo Penta aims to spearhead the decarbonization of the marine industry, driving positive change on a global scale,” he says. Volvo Penta’s IPS professional platform combines an advanced propeller architecture and intelligent power-drive system to power its eco-mode feature—an intelligent solution that automatically manages vessel propulsion in real time and optimizes fuel consumption and engine-running hours. SUSTAINABLE AVIATION While the aviation industry faces a major sustainability challenge, advancements in biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) offer a promising path forward (biofuels are derived from renewable sources like plant oils and waste materials, while SAFs are synthetic fuels with similar properties to traditional jet fuel but with a lower carbon footprint). Electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems are also being explored for shorter regional flights. Although these technologies are still in their early stages of development, they are poised to elevate the future of sustainable air travel. Air traffic management systems are also undergoing modernization to optimize flight paths and reduce fuel consumption. These advancements, added to the implementation of new airspace design concepts, can significantly reduce emissions from the aviation sector, as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explains in detail. CONNECTED MOBILITY IS THE FUTURE The future of mobility lies in a connected ecosystem that combines tech advancements across road, sea, rail, and air. Imagine a world where efficient electric vehicles seamlessly connect with autonomous public transportation systems, supplemented by a network of micromobility options for short trips. A world where cleaner ships powered by alternative fuels navigate optimized routes, minimizing environmental impact and intelligent port automation systems, further streamline logistics and reduce congestion. As some experts already note, air travel will become more sustainable with a combination of biofuels, electric and hybrid-electric regional aircrafts, and optimized air traffic management. Data analytics will also play a crucial role in optimizing traffic flow across all modes of transportation, further reducing emissions and improving efficiency. The journey toward a decarbonized transport sector will be a long one, requiring continued investment in research and development, collaboration between governments and industries, and a shift in consumer behavior toward sustainable travel options. But the potential benefits are significant: A cleaner planet, a more efficient transport system, and a healthier future for all.

This is Part 2 of a three-part series examining the controversies and conflicts surrounding the future of the California Air Resources Board's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Read Part 1 . Michael Wara is worried that a key California climate regulator is about to lock the state into the mistakes of the past. And it’s…

Ferry ridership took a hit during the pandemic. But new terminals, additional routes and faster, smaller boats are driving a new era of water transportation and development.

Past Presentation | Based on six years of intensive research and devoted exclusively to solutions to man-made global warming, Deep Green cuts through the clutter to bring new clarity to an increasingly-urgent situation. The best applications worldwide in energy efficiency, green building, decarbonizing transportation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and smart grids, and forest restoration. Some profoundly personal and practical— like what one person can do to lower their carbon load in their own house, with their own Lifestyle, on their own land. Others necessarily complex, such as Southern California Edison’s quest to find the best batteries to electrify transportation.

The U.S. doesn’t need massive truck charging depots on every major highway to meet federal climate goals. It just needs enough on the right highways — the ones where electric trucks are poised to take off the earliest — at the right time. That’s why the Biden administration has launched a national strategy to…

A U.S. EPA rule would require car manufacturers to increase sales of electric vehicles while cutting carbon emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles.

Oregon’s third largest district has the largest electric school bus fleet in the state, with 28.

California's failure to build important infrastructure is at the heart of our overreliance on cars. It was once estimated that 50% of the land in American cities is devoted to vehicular infrastructure, and nearly one-quarter is dedicated to parking lots. The solution is right under our noses.

A closely watched lawsuit could block or upend the city’s new tolling program, which will charge most vehicles for entering the busiest parts of Manhattan.

Past Presentation | In a country where one liter of 95 grade car fuel costs less than 25 cents, a man rides a tricycle to get through traffic.

Past Presentation | They want to build a road here! Music and images over a beautiful part of the world where the City People want to build a road, to expand the City into the Country.

Past Presentation | Plastic is choking our planet, don’t dwell on it, let’s act. Embark on an odyssey as two Aussies and a bunch of eco guardians ride bicycles from Hanoi to Bangkok meeting proactive locals tackling plastic pollution. Our foe is strong, lightweight, greater in numbers and cheap, but we will prevail!

Now Playing | What started as one man's Quixotic dream has turned to reality. For the past three years the 65-foot"Schooner Apollonia" has been delivering goods up and down the Hudson River by sail -- sans fossil fuels -- a throwback to a day when there were 1,200 such boats on the river each day. It turns out buyers prefer the non-polluting, anti-Amazon way of making deliveries.

Now Playing | Michael Bauch, a Long Beach resident and independent filmmaker, noticed that many of his local errands involved short rides which were less than three miles. In the summer of 2007 he and his family went to Amsterdam, to document the biking and walking culture that is so natural to the Dutch people. The film suggests that we in the U.S. re-examine our view of bicycles.

Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici on Friday stopped by the offices of Albina Vision Trust.

Automakers back the tighter emissions regulation, which climate advocates welcome but feel "falls far short of what is needed."

Now Playing | Moved by the lack of opportunity for women and youth in her community in El Salvador, Reina Molino ventures to Guatemala to study bici-maquinas—bicycle pedal-power technology. Leaving everything she knows behind, Reina embarks on an inspiring journey of self-empowerment and problem solving. Through the mentorship of Carlos, founder of the social enterprise Bici-Tec and the friendship of Geovany, Reina seeks to find her life purpose and change the lives of people in her community. For more information visit http://bicitec.org/ This video was produced on location by an Actuality Abroad student crew and shot primarily with Canon cameras.

The study, sponsored by the freight truck industry, adds to concerns over government mandates. But government officials say the move away from fossil fuels will have economic benefits.

How can $20 billion in federal funding unleash hundreds of billions of dollars in private-sector financing for clean energy, transportation and housing — and expand access to all of those things for disadvantaged communities across the country? Jessie Buendia, vice president of sustainability for nonprofit Dream.Org…

Past Presentation | Truck Farm is about the urban farms taking root in America’s biggest city. The Truck Farm film will carry viewers from a self-sustaining Staten Island barge to a 6,000-square-foot market garden atop a Brooklyn roof to the elaborate Window Farms of two Manhattan artists. Along the way, we’ll see how far today’s city-dwellers are willing to go to grow food on whatever land they’ve got. According to the National Garden Association, 7 million new gardens were planted in 2009, everywhere from White Houses to schoolhouses. Truck Farm is the story of how these gardens are breathing new life into old cities––and helping one old pickup find meaning in its last years on the road.

Past Presentation | 1928, 81st parallel North, the Italia Airship, under the command of general Umberto Nobile, crashes into the North Pole icepack. Nine crew members survive. One dies on impact. Six crew members are trapped inside the airship envelope. They will never be found, and, as of today, their destiny is unknown. Paola Catapano, director of audio-visual communications at the CERN center in Geneva, begins to seek the relic of the Italia airship, and to put together an international team of scientists, explorers and science communicators to pay homage to a lost past and give hope to a future which is in serious danger because of humanity’s irresponsible behavior. In the most remote seas lies the memory of the wreck of the Italia airship, rediscovered and remembered through a voyage which is driven by the need for discovery, commemoration, and knowledge, against the backdrop of a present characterized by uncertainty and nostalgia for a lost past, an alternative present, and a future which may be lost.

Now Playing | Silent Skies follows the groundbreaking journey of three Pennsylvania college students who orchestrated and piloted the first ever fully electric airplane stadium flyover. Stunning fans with a whisper-quiet show, this event signaled the dawn of America's transition to electric aviation. The students completed a record breaking trip flying the airplane from its base in Hartford, CT to the stadium in Easton, PA, recharging at enroute airports directly from a fleet of electric F-150 trucks. The air travel industry faces an unprecedented challenge: decarbonization. Historically, new aviation technologies are met with consumer skepticism. Demonstrating electric aircraft today, ahead of widespread adoption, is key for building consumer trust, political support, and sustained investment. The flyover was witnessed by 10,000+ attendees, thousands more on ESPN+ and created a precedent for the FAA to approve manned electric aircraft demonstrations over populated areas. Textron eAviation and Ford amplified the event through their social media channels and the film premiered at San Francisco Climate Week.

Now Playing | "Can Hydroponic Farming Help Reduce the Effects of Climate Change?" is an entertaining and educational short film. Rachel and her remarkable robot companion, Rex, witness the dire consequences of climate change through news reports of devastating natural disasters. When Rex encounters an alien emissary, he embarks on a journey to a ruined world where pollution and climate change led to the collapse of an entire civilization. Returning to Earth the three main causes of global warming are reveal—electricity production, transportation, and wasteful agriculture—and stress the importance of transitioning to clean energy sources, electric transport, and hydroponic farming. Rex takes on the mission of educating robots and humans alike about combating climate change. The film ends with a global commitment to address the crisis and a poignant celebration of Rex's role in this vital endeavor, reminding us of the urgency to protect our planet from climate catastrophe.

A new study finds sustained pattern changes — with a lot of regional variation.

Tourism to Yellowstone National Park produces 1.03 megatons — more than 1.03 billion kilograms, or 2.3 billion pounds — of carbon dioxide emissions each year, a new study has found. Almost 90 percent of these emissions can be linked to transportation to and from the destination, according to the study, published on Wednesday in PLOS Climate....

Buyers worldwide are going for bigger cars, erasing gains from cleaner tech.

Titan Freight Systems is making a significant shift to electric trucks on the West Coast, showcasing both environmental and economic benefits.Peter Fairley reports for The Tyee.In short:Titan Freight Systems in Portland, Oregon, transitions its fleet from diesel to electric, tapping into federal and state subsidies to offset costs.Electrification of Titan's fleet is deemed profitable, with savings on maintenance and fuel costs leading to substantial financial benefits.The move towards electric trucks is part of a larger effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution, with heavy-duty trucks being a primary focus due to their significant environmental impact.Key quote: "Look at my return on investment. Holy cow! It’s a 52 per cent cost reduction versus a diesel vehicle. That just takes your breath away."— Keith Wilson, owner of Titan Freight Systems.Why this matters:Switching to electric trucks is not just an environmental imperative but also an increasingly viable economic choice. This shift is crucial for reducing emissions and pollution from one of the most significant contributors: the transportation sector. Titan's successful transition serves as a model for others, signaling a pivotal change in how goods are transported, aligning economic incentives with ecological sustainability.Diesel trucks are causing environmental injustice across US cities.

Organizers of the Games promise to slash greenhouse gas emissions by re-using historic buildings, adding bike lanes, even putting solar panels on the Seine. Will it work?

In a country where the pickup truck is a symbol of the working class, Australia's move toward fuel emissions standards signifies a major policy shift, reflecting global environmental concerns.Michael E. Miller reports for The Washington Post.In short:Australia's lack of fuel emissions standards has placed it alongside countries like Russia and Turkey, contributing to higher pollution levels from older, less efficient vehicles.The proposed regulations aim to align Australia with international standards by 2028, allowing high-emitting vehicles but offsetting them with cleaner models or facing penalties.Critics label the initiative as a "ute tax," predicting price hikes for cars, though the government and some think tanks argue the impact on prices will be minimal.Key quote:"It’s astounding that we haven’t done it until now. It’s the lowest of low-hanging fruit."— Matt Grudnoff, economist at the Australia InstituteWhy this matters:Fuel emissions standards are essential for reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector, which is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. By enforcing stricter regulations, governments can compel automotive manufacturers to innovate and develop more fuel-efficient and less polluting vehicles, such as hybrids and fully electric cars.A children's health expert, seeing our kids imperiled by fossil fuels and climate change, calls for a kids-first revamp of energy policies.

Costa Rican authorities seized eight tons of cyanide in the north of the country, near the border with Nicaragua, in a “historic” seizure, according to the Ministry of Public Security on Friday. “It would be the largest seizure of this chemical made in the northern border and possibly in the history of the country”, commonly […] The post Costa Rica Seizes 8 Tons of Cyanide appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

The Biden administration is looking to place charging infrastructure for electric freight trucks in high-traffic corridors, under a new plan it released on Tuesday. The plan calls for electric freight truck chargers to be deployed initially along key stretches of highways. This includes parts of I-95 in the Northeast, sections of I-5 in California and...

The new rule is not a ban on gas cars. Here’s how it works.

A class action suit accusing Norfolk Southern of negligence over the train derailment that released toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio last year can go forward, a federal judge determined Wednesday. Judge Benita Yalonda Pearson rejected the railroad’s arguments that claims in the suit were protected by federal law regulating railroads, instead ruling that the...

This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Joe Biden marked Monday’s Earth Day by announcing a $7 billion investment in solar energy projects nationwide, focusing on disadvantaged communities, and unveiling a week-long series of what the White House say will be “historic climate actions.” The president was […]

The secret to success? Build affordable housing next to transit.

The regulations would require automakers to produce more electric vehicles and hybrids by gradually tightening limits on tailpipe pollution.

The Biden administration finalized a rule on Wednesday that’s expected to make a significant amount of the new car market electric or hybrid. An administration official told reporters Tuesday that under the new rule, 56 percent of the new vehicles on the market in 2032 could be battery electric, while an additional 13 percent could...

Canary Media’s Charging Up column chronicles gender diversity in the climatetech sector. Part one is a short Q&A with an industry role model about their career path. Part two features updates on career transitions. Please send feedback and tips to wesoff@​canarymedia.​com. Canary thanks FischTank PR for its…

The Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast features the stories, research and big ideas from past and present program fellows and other environmental justice leaders.Below are archived episodes from 2021. To see the most recent podcasts, click here or subscribe at iTunes or Spotify.Year in review Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Year in reviewGavin Rienne Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Gavin Rienne on children's health and natural disastersRead the transcript. Lariah Edwards Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Lariah Edwards on hormone-altering chemicalsRead the transcript. Daniel Carrión Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Daniel Carrión on the heat stroke or go broke dilemmaRead the transcript. Max Aung and Tracey Woodruff Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Max Aung and Tracey Woodruff on shaping environmental chemical policyRead the transcript. Carlos GouldAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Carlos Gould on global energy poverty and indoor air pollutionRead the transcript. Pallavi PantAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Pallavi Pant on decolonizing global air pollution researchRead the transcript.Azmal HossanAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Azmal Hossan on the sociology of climate crises in South AsiaRead the transcript. Tatiana Height Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Tatiana Height on the importance of cultural perspectives in environmental educationRead the transcript. What Netflix's "The Chair" says about diversity in scienceAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Ami and Yoshi discuss what Netflix's "The Chair" says about diversity in scienceDeniss Martinez Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Deniss Martinez on Indigenous science and cultural fire practicesRead the transcript. MỹDzung ChuAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · MỹDzung Chu on healthy housing and social justiceRead the transcript. Brian Bienkowski Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Brian Bienkowski on amplifying diverse voices through podcastingRead the transcript. Adrift in the diasporaAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Adrift in the diasporaKartik Amarnath Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Kartik Amarnath on community empowermentRead the transcript.Misbath DaoudaAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · Misbath Daouda on centering equity in energy transitionsRead the transcript.Regan PattersonAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · LISTEN: Regan Patterson on transportation justiceRead the transcript.Reginald Tucker-SeeleyAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · LISTEN: Reginald Tucker-Seeley on how racism is a threat to public healthRead the transcript. Jamaji Nwanaji-EnweremAgents of Change in Environmental Justice · LISTEN: Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem on healing with medicine, research, and policyRead the transcript. Shanna Swan and Annie Hoang Agents of Change in Environmental Justice · Fertility & Environmental Justice: A conversation with Shanna Swan and Annie HoangRead the transcript. Abrania MarreroAgents of Change in Environmental Health · Abrania Marrero on dietary colonialism in Puerto RicoRead the transcript. Veena SinglaAgents of Change in Environmental Health · Veena Singla on turning science into policyRead the transcript.April BallardAgents of Change in Environmental Health · April Ballard on the importance of empathy in public health researchRead the transcript.Yoshira Ornelas Van HorneEHN · Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne's trailblazing journey in environmental healthRead the transcript.Krystal VasquezEHN · Krystal Vasquez's push for disability inclusion in STEMRead the transcript. OreOluwa BadakiEHN · OreOluwa Badaki on intergenerational learning and food justiceRead the transcript. Brianna VanNoy Environmental Health News · Brianna VanNoy’s plan to integrate medicine and health justiceRead the transcript. Dana WilliamsonEnvironmental Health News · Dana Williamson on bringing communities to the forefront of environmental justice researchRead the transcript.

Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors or electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), are advanced energy storage devices with unique characteristics. Unlike traditional batteries, supercapacitors store energy through...

The California Air Resources Board finds more than 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of pollution at some point each year, and lead is among the most common air toxics. California phased out lead in gasoline for cars and paint decades ago, so what is producing newlead air pollution? One of the main contributors is leaded aviation fuel still used in small, piston engine aircraft. A 2021 study found children who lived less than a mile away from an airport had 21% higher lead levels in their blood compared to children who lived farther away. The study also states young children who are exposed to lead can suffer from long-term negative health, behavioral and cognitive consequences. Select airports and counties in California are attempting to move toward unleaded alternatives, ahead of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended goal for lead-free aviation by 2030. In 2022, Santa Clara County banned the sale of leaded aviation fuel at their airports. Yet, there is a crucial loophole. Banning the sale in one county’s airports does not stop people from purchasing leaded fuel elsewhere. Long Beach City Council approved a $200,000 subsidy for their airport. Long Beach Airport has offered unleaded aviation fuel since 2023, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed them as the second-highest lead polluting airport in the nation. The subsidy was necessary because the higher price tag of unleaded fuel dissuaded many from choosing to use it. This step by the city is commendable but, not only is use optional, the subsidy will expire in 2025. Similarly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed LA County Public Works to provide unleaded aviation fuel at all five LA County-operated airports by June 1, 2024. It was included in the announcement that unleaded alternatives will be available at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, which is one of the three airports in my Senate district. I applaud the Board of Supervisors for taking action, though leaded fuel will still be available and leaves the decision up to the consumer on whether or not to purchase it. Ubiquitous lead air pollution cannot be remedied by simply offering alternatives or discontinuing the sale at certain locations. The daily impacts of leaded aviation fuel on our communities requires statewide action.This year, I am authoring Senate Bill 1193 to phase-out the sale of harmful leaded aviation fuel in California. No one should be okay with the harm it inflicts on our children, especially when there are impending viable unleaded alternatives. One intent of the tiered approach is to speed up market production and availability of unleaded alternatives at all airports. It also sets a legal deadline in 2030 for complete discontinuation of leaded aviation fuel sales throughout California. We cannot stand by and wait for the federal government to take action when many ofthe highest lead polluting airports in the nation are in our state. The bill will ban the sale in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities by January 1, 2026; urban growth boundaries by January 1, 2028, and everywhere else in California by January 1, 2030. The FAA has already approved a lower octane unleaded fuel (UL 94), currently available at approximately 35 airports in the U.S., as well as a 100 Octane unleaded fuel (G100UL), which is not yet commercially available. This bill delivers on a key campaign promise to my San Fernando Valley constituents and Californians - to fight for cleaner air and hold polluters accountable for the harm they inflict on the people of our beautiful state. Senate Transportation Committee will hear SB 1193 on April 9, 2024, at 1:30 PM. Location: 1021 O Street, Room 1200, Sacramento

We need to fight for environmental justice until all marginalized communities have access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. It's a matter of life or death, writes contributor Russell Armstrong.

The “Claiborne Corridor” tore through the heart of one of the nation’s oldest Black neighborhoods

The Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism showcased its global advocacy for plastic transformation and accessible tourism at the Pacific Leaders Summit “Rapa Nui 2024” in Chile. The DONATAPA project, boasting over 185 tons of plastic collected, 477 meters of wooden plastic walkways built, 14 donated amphibious chairs, and the facilitation of 13 accessible beaches, […] The post Costa Rica Advocates for Plastic Transformation appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Would the house be around to bequeath to our children, or would it be underwater?

The Biden administration on Wednesday published a rule that’s expected to drive a significant shift away from gas-powered car sales and toward electric vehicles. For consumers, this is expected to mean more available and affordable EVs. Some analysts say it could also have the opposite effect on gas-powered cars, making them pricier and less available. “Purely gas-powered vehicles...

Scientists at Tufts University state that soil, which contains 80 percent of the Earth’s carbon, emits more greenhouse gases as droughts cause soils to crack...

A massive tri-county heat mapping project has confirmed that summer temperatures vary widely across the metro region – with the hottest temperatures experienced by people living in suburban areas near highways.

More than 90% of new cars sold in Norway are electric. And it all started with some pop stars driving around in a jerry-rigged Fiat PandaI’m kneeling on the snow outside the king’s house, impersonating a 1980s heart-throb, with a man named Harald and an electric car. It’s a situation that probably needs some explanation.Harald isn’t the king, although the king of Norway is also called Harald; we just happen to be outside the monarch’s residence, a handsome red manor. I’m in Stavanger to find out how, in a world where transport contributes about 20% of CO2 emissions, Norway came to lead the world in electric car take-up. In 2023, 82.4% of private vehicles sold in the country were electric. In January, the figure was 92.1%. The goal is to hit 100% by next year. Continue reading...

This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. When researchers at the United Nations published a bombshell report in 2006 called “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” the livestock industry soon realized it had a major public relations challenge on its hands. Media outlets around the world covered the report and its […]

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard encourages use of renewable diesel from biomass. But it could encourage deforestation for energy crops such as soybeans and canola.

The EPA’s final rule on car emissions will result in far fewer battery-powered electric vehicles than what the agency envisioned last year

In an important election year, more than 70 high school students across California called on candidates seeking office to back a variety of climate solutions as part of CalMatters’ Earth Day op-ed contest. These are few excerpts from finalists.

These Black environmentalists dedicated their lives to advocating for environmental justice.

A new report finds wildfire smoke from Canada tipped the scales.

We love hearing it all! And sometimes we even seek out experts to address a topic we think deserves more analysis or a fresh take. In all cases, we’re delighted to provide a platform for a wide range of ardent, intelligent contributors. Here are some of our favorites from a long list of opinion and […] The post Our Best Op-eds and Commentary of 2022 appeared first on Civil Eats.

The Biden administration is marking Earth Week with announcements of solar power funding for lower-income communities, an expansion of the Climate Corps and Clean Air Act rules

Takeout containers from restaurants on the side of the road. Discarded coffee cups floating in rivers. Packing peanuts shipped off to landfills. Plastic foam products are ubiquitous. Now, a proposed congressional bill seeks to reduce this waste.In December 2023, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett jointly introduced the Farewell to Foam Act in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill would ban single-use expanded polystyrene food packaging products, coolers and loose-fill packaging products like packing peanuts by January 2026. The legislators cited plastic foam’s environmental and health harms as driving the bill. Though it’s uncertain whether it will move forward, experts and advocates say its introduction is a significant step toward establishing national single-use plastic bans, none of which currently exist in the U.S.Expanded polystyrene, or EPS—erroneously referred to as Styrofoam, a trademarked material used in construction—is a fossil-fuel-derived plastic comprised of approximately 98% air and 2% plastic beads. This airiness makes EPS desirable for packaging: it insulates food, cushions products and costs little.However, Van Hollen and Doggett claim the consequences of plastic foam pollution outweigh its convenience. “As trash clutters our waterways, roadsides, and greenspaces, foam doesn’t fully disintegrate. Instead, it ever so slowly degrades into microplastics that pollute our bodies and our planet,” the Texas Rep. said in a statement.Plastic foam takes hundreds of years to break down. Within that lifespan, it can make a mess.“Foam is particularly challenging because it’s lightweight and easily breaks up into tiny, tiny pieces, like micro- and nanoplastics,” Christy Leavitt, the plastics director at the ocean advocacy group Oceana, told EHN. These pieces spread across terrestrial and aquatic habitats, leading to massive deposits that animals can mistake for food.Currently, 11 states, Washington D.C. and hundreds of cities across the U.S. have passed similar plastic foam bans. The Farewell to Foam Act, though, is the first national motion to prohibit EPS foams across the country.“It is a great time to build off of what the cities and states have been doing and to have federal action on reducing foams,” Leavitt said. Recycling challenges Some of the bill’s critics argue that bans are not the best way to keep plastic foams out of the environment. In a statement to EHN, Matt Seaholm, the president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, acknowledged plastic pollution as an issue but said the proposed bill was “misguided” and that time would be better spent on policies that prioritize “improving our recycling infrastructure, increasing the market for post-consumer recycled content and creating well-constructed extended producer responsibility programs.” However, while more than 10 million tons of plastic foam are produced globally each year, in the U.S., less than 10% is recycled. Most recycling stations do not accept it because it breaks into beads and cannot be processed using standard machinery. Since the material is mostly air, it’s also more expensive to recycle than to produce new materials. “I really hunger for an effective way to recycle polystyrene and upcycle polystyrene,” Guoliang “Greg” Liu, a polymer chemist and chemical engineer at Virginia Tech, told EHN. Scientists like Liu have found ways to recycle plastic foam into products with applications in manufacturing and medicine. However, the economic incentives aren’t yet widespread enough to make these processes commonplace. “We can’t just consider very cool chemistry and science. We must consider if we can do this in a realistic and scalable manner,” he said. Though recycling could help divert EPS from the polluting water and land, it wouldn’t solve the problem of its potential health risks. Microplastics, styrene exposure concerns In a press release, the legislators referenced expanded polystyrene’s tendency to leach microplastics into their contents as a human health concern. There’s also concern over the presence of styrene in it. Styrene, its resinous building block, is categorized as possibly carcinogenic by the International Research Agency on Cancer. People typically come into close contact with styrene in manufacturing workplaces, where exposure can irritate their eyes, lungs, skin and nervous systems.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upheld plastic foam as a safe packaging material because the trace amounts of styrene leached into food tend to stay under the recommended daily limit and don’t necessarily exceed the amounts of styrene found naturally in foods like strawberries and nuts. However, some researchers and advocates worry about the effects of repeated exposure to styrene in EPS-packaged food. Processing styrene into expanded polystyrene tends to minimize exposure, but the amount of leached styrene can increase if the material is damaged or improperly manufactured or if the edible contents are very hot and oily. It’s unclear whether styrene leached into foods impacts human health, since most research focuses on workplace exposure. Regarding microplastics, current research suggests potential links between microplastics and increased inflammation. An important step on plastic waste Michelle Nowlin, co-director of Duke’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, told EHN she believes a national plastic foam ban is sound. “You think about all the other risks and threats that it poses and the difficulties with recycling it, and it just doesn't make sense to continue using the product, particularly for food ware,” she said.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have the power to enforce this ban and would give warnings and fines to violators. The ban would apply to food distributors who use plastic foam packaging, while manufacturers, retailers and distributors would be held responsible for loose fill and coolers. Single-use medical supplies would not be affected. As of March 2023, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate and the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce in the House. The committees have yet to review the bill, but 86 congresspeople (all Democrats except for 2 independents) across both chambers have signed on as co-sponsors. However, it appears unlikely that the bill will pass by January 2025, when the current Congress ends, as it has been one of the least productive legislative bodies in American history. Nowlin added that the political polarization of the 118th Congress has stymied many bills from passing. However, Nowlin still believes that this bill’s proposal is an important step. “Introducing these types of provisions is really important to elevate the national consciousness, to get these conversations started,” she said. “We’ll get there eventually.”