Search Climate Insights Directory

The report details a 90-minute tabletop exercise simulating a nuclear maritime accident in the Bering Strait in 2050. The exercise identified critical gaps in Arctic infrastructure, including the fact that only 6% of Arctic waters are charted to modern standards and a lack of predictive atmospheric and ocean circulation models for winter conditions. Key findings emphasize the need for integrated indigenous emergency response infrastructure, the establishment of 'Confidence Building Measures' (CBM) with Russia to manage high-level nuclear contingencies, and the necessity of a common, multi-agency observation network to track changing Arctic storm patterns. The document argues that proactive research into radionuclide transport and the creation of an Arctic operations center are essential to avoid catastrophic failures in situational awareness and operational response.

The report finds that while 70% of registered U.S. voters believe global warming is happening, there is a significant partisan divide in beliefs about its causes and the urgency of action. Despite this, there is broad cross-party support for renewable energy investment, pollution regulation, and carbon taxes. The Green New Deal is supported by a majority (69%) of voters, though opinions on its economic impact and funding are split. Global warming is a high priority for Democrats but ranks low for Republicans as a 2020 voting issue.

The document argues that the United States, as a top fossil fuel producer with a resilient economy, must phase out extraction faster than the global average to meet Paris Agreement goals. It introduces three principles: reducing production at a pace consistent with climate protection, accelerating phase-outs in economically resilient communities, and safeguarding human rights and the environment. The authors apply these principles to U.S. coal and onshore oil, identifying the Appalachian Basin and California's San Joaquin basin as high-priority areas for rapid wind-down due to high carbon intensity, lower relative economic dependence, and significant environmental or social harms.

A coalition of environmental organizations argues that the US government prioritized industry interests over public resources during the 2018-2019 shutdown by continuing oil and gas permitting, offshore drilling planning, and logging projects while essential public services and environmental protections were suspended.

The report finds that a majority of US registered voters believe global warming is happening and human-caused, with notable increases in these beliefs among Republicans. There is broad cross-party support for clean energy policies like the Green New Deal and carbon taxes, though voters remain split on fossil fuel expansion. While many express a willingness to take collective action, few have actually contacted elected officials in the past year.

The report finds that while global warming is generally ranked lower than immediate issues like terrorism and healthcare, its importance as a voting priority varies significantly by political affiliation and geography. Liberal Democrats rank it as the fourth most important issue, whereas conservative Republicans rank it as the least important of 28 issues. Regional differences are evident, with high priority in states like New York and Hawaii, and lower priority in states like Alabama and West Virginia. However, the broader issue of environmental protection is a higher priority for about half of registered voters.

The report examines the 'Blue Economy' of the Arctic, categorizing its resources into extractive, renewable, biological, connective, and experiential types. It highlights the immense investment potential—estimated up to US$1 trillion—and the accompanying risks of ecological collapse and social vulnerability. Through a SWOT analysis, the document identifies rapid climate change and a reliance on fossil fuel extraction as primary threats, while noting opportunities in the 'Blue Bio-Economy' and the potential to build sustainable infrastructure from the start. It concludes with six key recommendations for governments, investors, and Indigenous Peoples to ensure long-term ecosystem resilience and inclusive governance.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) reports widespread PFAS contamination at US military bases, with many sites exceeding risk levels established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The document highlights the health risks of these 'forever chemicals', the history of industry disinformation, and the failure of the US military to transition to fluorine-free firefighting foams.

Earthjustice and a coalition of environmental organizations oppose BSEE's proposed revisions to the 2016 Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule. They argue the proposed changes—specifically regarding drilling margins, verification organizations, blowout preventer (BOP) requirements, and real-time monitoring—increase the risk of catastrophic oil spills and worker fatalities. The authors contend that BSEE failed to provide the necessary data or quantitative risk analysis to justify these rollbacks and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

The document details the rising trends of heat waves and heat stress in the US, attributing recent increases to human-caused climate change and projecting more severe events by 2100 unless emissions are stabilized.

The document details how climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves across the United States, leading to severe health risks and societal disruptions. It highlights the vulnerability of specific populations, such as the elderly and outdoor workers, and the role of the urban heat-island effect. The text argues that stabilizing carbon emissions and adhering to the Paris Agreement can significantly reduce the projected increase in extreme temperatures and the frequency of heat waves by mid-century.

Earthjustice, Earthworks, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) submitted a statement to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council urging the rejection of a proposal to add mining as a covered sector under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41). The organizations argue that mining's unique environmental risks and the existing efficiency of U.S. permitting make the expedited processes of FAST-41 inappropriate and dangerous.

A March 2018 survey of 1,067 registered US voters reveals broad bipartisan support for renewable energy and carbon pollution limits, despite significant political divides over the causes of global warming and the priority level assigned to climate action. While 73% of voters believe global warming is happening, only 40% of conservative Republicans share this view. However, majorities across the political spectrum support funding renewable energy research and regulating carbon dioxide. The report also notes a gap between stated support for climate action and actual individual engagement, with only 13% of voters having contacted an elected official about global warming in the previous year.

The WWF Polar Bear CAP Scorecard evaluates the initial implementation of the Circumpolar Action Plan from 2015 to 2017. It finds that while individual Range States have made progress in areas like population surveys and trade monitoring, overall progress is slow, with only 5% of total CAP actions completed. The report highlights significant gaps in joint circumpolar collaboration, transparency, and the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, while urging a more strategic approach to address the primary threat of climate-driven sea ice loss.

The document argues that restricting California's oil production can significantly lower global CO2 emissions because a portion of the avoided production is not replaced by other sources. It estimates that for every barrel of oil left in the ground in California, global consumption would drop by 0.2 to 0.6 barrels, leading to a reduction of 80 to 240 kg of CO2 per barrel. The brief identifies several policy options, including ceasing new well permits, implementing emissions performance standards, and targeting production in pollution-vulnerable areas. It notes that such measures are cost-competitive with other California climate strategies and could address 'carbon leakage' by complementing demand-side policies. Additionally, the report highlights that many of California's most productive oil fields are more GHG-intensive than global averages and are located in disadvantaged communities, making production limits a matter of environmental justice.

The report finds that while a majority of US registered voters believe global warming is happening and human-caused, there is a significant political divide, particularly with conservative Republicans. Despite these divisions, there is broad cross-party support for various clean energy policies, such as renewable energy research and tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles. However, support for more restrictive measures, like carbon taxes or strict emission limits on coal plants, is lower among conservative Republicans. The report also notes a gap between voters' willingness to advocate for climate policy and their actual engagement in such activities.

The report finds that while a majority of US registered voters believe global warming is happening and human-caused, there is significant political polarization, particularly among conservative Republicans. Despite this, there is broad cross-party support for various clean energy policies, such as renewable energy research and tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles. However, a gap exists between the willingness of voters to advocate for climate policy and their actual engagement in such activities.

A coalition of indigenous groups and conservation organizations petitions the U.S. government under the Pelly Amendment to investigate six mining projects in British Columbia (Tulsequah Chief, Red Chris, Schaft Creek, Galore Creek, KSM, and Brucejack). The petitioners argue these mines threaten woodland caribou, grizzly bears, and Pacific salmonids through habitat destruction, toxic pollution, and increased traffic on Highway 37. They specifically highlight the risk of acid mine drainage and tailings dam failures, citing the 2014 Mount Polley disaster. The petition requests a referral to the International Joint Commission to address these transboundary threats to Southeast Alaska's ecosystems and economies.

The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S.517, H.R. 1311) seeks to amend the Clean Air Act to permit the year-round sale of E15 (15 percent ethanol) fuel. Currently, Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standards—designed to limit smog-forming evaporative emissions during summer months—effectively block E15 sales from June 1 to September 15, as the existing one-pound RVP waiver only applies to blends between 9 and 10 percent ethanol. The document asserts that E15 is compatible with nearly 90 percent of U.S. vehicles (model year 2001 and newer) and offers environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower toxic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions compared to E10. It further notes that the current seasonal restrictions impose costs on retailers, including an estimated $200 million in 2017 for pump re-labeling, and lead to significant customer loss during the summer. The text advocates for extending the RVP waiver to blends above E10 to lower consumer costs and support the transition to mid-level ethanol blends (E25 to E40) for more efficient internal combustion engines.

The fact sheet argues that extending the one-pound Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to fuels above E10 would enable the year-round sale of E15, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and consumer costs without compromising air quality. It details how current RVP regulations inadvertently block E15 sales in summer, causing retail costs and consumer losses, while noting that E15 is compatible with nearly 90% of current U.S. vehicles.