Energy wonks have a meltdown over the US going 100 percent renewable. Why?
How fast can the US transition to clean energy and with what energy sources? Here's why an impassioned debate among energy wonks matters to the rest of us.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Environment + Energy – Articles, Analysis, Opinion
Displaying 1 - 25 of 573 results
Government action isn’t enough for climate change. The private sector can cut billions of tons of carbon
Without the private sector cutting carbon emissions – rather than just lobbying the government for action on climate – the world will never reach the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement.
Even ugly animals can win hearts and dollars to save them from extinction
Must the money raised to save wildlife always aid the most popular animals? New research suggests that marketing can persuade donors that northern hairy-nosed wombat lives matter too.
Once at the vanguard of national policy, California plays defense under Trump
Defiant against Trump's policies on immigration and environment, California finds itself defending its way of life – the California Dream itself.
Silent partners: Are earthworms creating pathways for invasive plants?
Most of the earthworms in the US Northeast and upper Midwest are nonnative species. Scientists are finding increasing evidence that invasive worms and invasive plants may help each other.
Climate change is shrinking the Colorado River
The Colorado River supplies water to millions of people and irrigates thousands of miles of farmland. New research warns that climate change is likely to magnify droughts in the Colorado Basin.
Cities can jump-start climate progress by plugging in their vehicles
More than 200 mayors have committed their cities to stick with the Paris climate deal no matter what the US does. Electric vehicles offer a promising route to making good on that pledge.
When politicians cherry-pick data and disregard facts, what should we academics do?
Scientists typically stay out of public policy debates, but an academic makes the case that they need to push back against politicians who distort research.
To slow climate change, India joins the renewable energy revolution
India, the world's fourth-largest carbon emitter, long resisted calls to fight climate change. Now it is investing heavily in clean energy and expects to meet its Paris climate accord target early.
US exit from Paris climate accord makes discussing how and whether to engineer the planet even harder
It's increasingly likely that at some point, the world's nations will need to broach the fraught discussion of geoengineering. The UN climate accord was a natural forum to do it.
The other reason to shift away from coal: Air pollution that kills thousands every year
Coal-fired power plants produce air pollution that kills thousands of Americans every year. President Trump's embrace of coal energy will delay a shift to cleaner fuels that is saving money and lives.
Can ocean science bring Cuba and the United States together?
Cuban and US scientists are forming partnerships to protect coral reefs and fisheries in both countries. But President Trump may soon announce steps to slow or reverse the US opening to Cuba.
What if several of the world’s biggest food crops failed at the same time?
Climate change, rising food demand and globalization are putting pressure on world food production. New research explores the risk of failures in several of the world's breadbasket regions at once.
Trump’s exit of Paris climate accord strengthens China and Europe
Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement strains international relations further and strengthens the resolve of other countries to move forward on climate without the US.
Are we overreacting to US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate?
The Trump administration has already sought to reverse several Obama-era climate change policies. Pro-environment people should now focus on threats to state climate actions.
How bad could Trump’s Paris Agreement withdrawal be? A scientist’s perspective
A climate scientist and policy scholar sees three possible scenarios following Trump's plan to pull out of the Paris Agreement –
ranging from a small uptick in emissions to a global recession.
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris accord cedes global leadership to China
As President Trump pulls the US out of the Paris climate accord, China is cutting pollution and dominating clean energy manufacturing. Now it can claim global leadership for those actions.
Why Trump’s decision to leave Paris accord hurts the US and the world
A panel of academics and scientists explain the damages to the Earth, the economy and US moral standing in the world by Trump's decision to abandon the Paris climate accord.
Cutting Superfund’s budget will slow toxic waste cleanups, threatening public health and property values
President Trump's budget would cut funding for Superfund, which cleans up the nation's most toxic sites, by nearly one-third. An economist explains how Superfund cleanups benefit local communities.
Saving Javan rhinos from extinction starts with counting them – and it’s not easy
Javan rhinos are among the most endangered mammals in the world: They live on one island in Indonesia, in the path of tsunamis. Saving them will ultimately require establishing additional populations.
Why killing coyotes doesn’t make livestock safer
The US Department of Agriculture kills thousands of predators yearly, mainly for attacking livestock. A conservation biologist explains why this policy is ineffective and ecologically harmful.
Scientists at work: Forecasting the Atlantic hurricane season
Two atmospheric scientists explain how they weigh evidence such as ocean temperatures, wind speeds and other climate patterns to predict how many Atlantic hurricanes are likely to form this year.
Getting ready for hurricane season: 6 essential reads
Major hurricanes threaten millions of people and billions of dollars in property along the Atlantic coast. Here experts advise on preparing, understanding forecasts and recovering after a storm.
With a tight federal budget, here’s where to focus clean energy research funding
President Trump's budget reportedly will slash funding for clean energy research and development. An energy expert explains the importance of government support and spotlights some key opportunities.
Understanding tornadoes: 5 questions answered
More tornadoes occur in the United States than in any other country, mainly in the Great Plains, the Midwest and southern states. Two meteorology professors explain what causes these dangerous storms.