November 2020. In the paper, published as a commentary in the journal Nature this month, the group of researchers summarize the latest findings related to the threat of tipping points as part of effort to “identify knowledge gaps” and suggest ways to fill them. “We explore the effects of such large-scale changes,” the scientists explain, “how quickly they might unfold …
Frontlines Climate Justice Executive Action Platform
This platform proposes a set of actions the executive branch can take to equitably address the climate crisis without new legislation, major new appropriations, or other Congressional authority. Download the Policy SummaryDownload the Policy Memorandum Preamble Summary of Executive Actions Platform Signers As communities across the country, as well as countless people all over the world, face accelerating impacts and …
The Polis Administration gives conflicting excuses for why it missed a deadline to plan for reducing GHGs. Now the state faces a lawsuit. Colorado businesses ask the state to step up.
State’s excuses parallel arguments by climate deniers: 1) there is no problem, 2) if there was a problem, we can’t be sure it is our responsibility, 3) if it is, we really can’t do anything about it. “The state has fully complied with the requirement in SB19-096 to propose rulemakings that would be necessary to meet the HB 19-1261,” Conor …
Fossil Fuels Phase-Out: Policy Framework Proposed
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | ECOSPHERE STUDIES, PRESS RELEASES https://landinstitute.org/fossil-fuels-phase-out-policy-framework/ From the desk of The Land Institute Ecosphere Studies Research Fellow, and author of The Green New Deal and Beyond: Ending the Climate Emergency While We Still Can. A “managed phase out” of fossil fuels is increasingly called for in climate policy studies and congressional resolutions, as being necessary for a solution to the climate emergency. But the statements are …
More than 1 in 3 US rooftops are suitable for solar: 30 million rooftops should be in next relief bill
350 Colorado’s Take on the Governor’s Roadmap + Why 30 Million Solar Rooftops Should Be In the Next Relief Bill https://ilsr.org/why-30-million-solar-rooftops-should-be-in-the-next-relief-bill/ by JOHN FARRELL 10 April 2020 As the federal government looks to a second (or even third) stimulus bill, Congress should consider a huge opportunity to pay Americans that pays back: solar rooftops. Somewhat more than one in three home …
Guiding Principles for a Green New Deal
Published February 28, 2019 by DSA Humankind has reached a moment of existential crisis. Human activity is causing disastrous climate disruption and Earth’s sixth mass extinction event, triggering critical losses of biodiversity. We are already locked in for global warming that will have catastrophic effects, and we are on a slippery path to our own extinction. The 2018 Special Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on …
Colorado Governor Jared Polis Moves to Dismiss Himself from Climate Accountability, Turns Back on Duty to Protect Climate, Achieve Environmental Justice in Colorado
This post includes multiple articles and statements on the topic September 10, 2020, by Jeremy Nichols, (303) 437-7663 Denver– Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis moved (asked) a court to rule that he has no duty to protect the climate, arguing he is not legally required to achieve legislated greenhouse gas reduction goals in the state. “With this court filing, Governor …
Report on July 16, 2020 AQCC meeting
The state’s Air Quality Control Commission doesn’t expect new rules to be in place for another year, Colorado Sun, July 17, 2020 Mark Jaffe@bymarkjaffe A plan to reduce Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions will be a device of many moving parts and after a review by an Air Quality Control Commission subcommittee Thursday it looks like those parts are moving slowly, …
World’s Richest 10% Emit up to 43% of the Carbon: Flying is most of it. Researchers say we need sufficiency not just efficiency + more attention to emissions from air and land transport, and to the fairness and equity of it all
The affluent citizens of the world are responsible for most environmental impacts and are central to any future prospect of retreating to safer environmental conditions. Any transition towards sustainability can only be effective if far-reaching lifestyle changes complement technological advancements. The wealthiest 0.54%, about 40 million people, are responsible for 14% of lifestyle-related greenhouse gas emissions, while the bottom 50% of …
Guest commentary: Polis must get Colorado on track to meet climate goals
Colorado Public Radio, July 8, 2020 Activist Lawsuit Alleges Gov. Polis Isn’t Moving Quickly Enough On Climate Change, by Sam Brasch Gov. Jared Polis’ administration is working to curb climate change, but it will soon face new legal pressure to do it faster. WildEarth Guardians, an environmental advocacy group, filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court against the administration demanding a …