Search Climate Insights Directory
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Cradle to Grave: The Environmental Impacts from Coal
The report argues that coal is the 'dirtiest of all fuels' and that its entire lifecycle—mining, preparation, transport, combustion, and waste disposal—causes extensive damage to human health and ecosystems. It highlights the failure of regulatory enforcement and the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
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Document type: Report
WHY GAS IS DIRTY AND DANGEROUS
The document asserts that natural gas is not a clean energy source, detailing how its production, transport, and combustion cause significant environmental degradation and health issues. It highlights the potency of methane leaks and the high carbon emissions from LNG and gas-to-power plants, particularly in the South African context. The author recommends a holistic lifecycle impact assessment to counter the misconception that gas is a viable strategy for reducing emissions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
STRENGTHENING ZONING REGULATIONS ON LAST-MILE WAREHOUSES
The document highlights how the lack of specific zoning definitions for last-mile warehouses in New York City allows developers to build facilities "as-of-right" in manufacturing and C8 districts without public input or environmental review. This has led to a concentration of warehouses in low-income, predominantly Black and Hispanic/Latinx neighborhoods, exacerbating air pollution from diesel trucks and increasing asthma rates. The Last Mile Coalition proposes a city-wide text amendment to require special permits, ensure setbacks from sensitive sites like schools and public housing, and mandate mitigation measures such as the use of electric vehicles or waterways.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Advanced Clean Cars II: Electric vehicles can pave the way for clean air and a growing U.S. economy
The document argues that the adoption of California's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule by all 16 '177 States' would significantly increase electric vehicle (EV) market share, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide substantial public health and economic benefits. Modeling suggests that while federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits provide a temporary boost to EV sales, the ACC II mandate is necessary to sustain growth, potentially leading to 81 percent EV market share by 2050. The report highlights cumulative reductions of 1,310 million metric tons of CO2e, the prevention of 5,000 premature deaths, and the creation of 300,000 new domestic jobs by 2050.
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Document type: Fact sheet
The cost of consuming red and processed meat
The report by Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA) highlights the severe health and economic costs associated with the overconsumption of red and processed meats. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease study, ZCA finds that processed meat caused 295,000 deaths and red meat caused 334,000 deaths globally in 2021. The economic impact reached USD 285 billion in 2020. The analysis reveals a 'treatment-over-prevention' trend in wealthy nations—specifically in Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia—where robust healthcare systems spend heavily to manage preventable chronic diseases rather than investing in dietary prevention. For example, Switzerland may spend up to USD 99,000 to avert one disability-adjusted life year (DALY) from processed meat. The report argues that a 30% reduction in the disease burden from processed meat could save billions annually in the US, Germany, UK, and France, allowing for the redirection of funds toward other health priorities, such as nursing staff.
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This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report