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by Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer New data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that the planet is trapping almost double the amount of heat in the atmosphere than it did fifteen years ago. The study, published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, reveals that the Earth’s energy imbalance (the […]
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To meet the goals of the Paris agreement, experts say the world must invest in removing carbon from the atmosphere in addition to cutting emissions. But that can be a tall task as crucial carbon sinks fall victim to human activity and rising temperatures. The U.K. is facing this challenge head-on and has launched a series of carbon sequestration trials using trees, peat, rock chips, and charcoal.
Why This Matters: Carbon sinks are declining worldwide.
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On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first rule of the Biden administration to combat climate change. EPA Administrator Michael Regan has announced that the rule implementing the 15-year phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) passed by Congress last year.
Why This Matters: Although HFCs have an atmospheric lifetime of about 15 years, which is less than any other GHG, and the most common type is 3,790 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.
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Using a rare procedure that allows Congress to reverse rules made late in a President’s term, the Senate has approved a bill restoring methane rules that were previously rolled back by President Trump. The old rules targeted methane leaks from new wells and pipelines and reduced a huge percentage of methane emissions.
Why This Matters: The Trump administration’s rollbacks cost the U.S. much-needed time to cut its carbon emissions.
Continue Reading 526 wordsBy Ashira Morris, ODP Staff Writer
Soon it will be possible to precisely track carbon emissions anywhere on the planet by satellite. Carbon Mapper, a new nonprofit, plans to launch its first two satellites in 2023, which they hope will be joined by a “constellation” of other satellites two years later.
Why This Matters: These satellites would be able to detect methane and carbon emissions, giving people a potent tool to hold emitters accountable — just like pollution monitors on the ground might.
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Today, four House Democrats — Matt Cartwright (PA) Yvette Clarke (NY), Diana DeGette (CO), and Jan Schakowsky (IL) — reintroduced a package of five bills that would hold oil and gas companies accountable to meet national water and air protection standards, plugging loopholes and undoing many of the anti-environment policies of the Trump administration.
Why This Matters: President Donald Trump rolled back 28 air quality and emissions regulations and 8 water pollution regulations — these bills would reverse those rollbacks and close loopholes in current law.
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