Climate Change and Civil Society Archives

A growing divestment movement gains traction worldwide

The Rapidly Growing Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Gina-Marie Cheeseman | 0 Comments

There is a movement that has the potential to help the world reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That movement is the rapidly growing divestment from fossil fuels. More than 1,000 institutions that represent over $8 trillion in assets have committed to divestment. By the end of 2014, only 181 institutions with $50 billion worth of assets committed to divestment. There are…

The Meaninglessness of Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Thomas Schueneman | 0 Comments

Today is Earth Day, the one day of the year set aside to celebrate our planet. It’s a curious aspect of human psychology, assigning arbitrary rotations of the planet to construe meaning, focus awareness, and inspire action; as such, the tactic is marginally effective. Every New Year’s Eve we resolve to do better, each birthday passes with renewed hope of a…

Cities and states commit to renewable energy with their own Green New Deals

States, Cities, and Counties in the U.S. Commit to 100 Percent Clean Energy

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Gina-Marie Cheeseman | 0 Comments

The Green New Deal introduced into Congress is effectively dead, but that does not mean that ambitious plans to tackle climate change are dead in the U.S. States, cities, and counties have developed plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with commitments to 100 percent clean energy.

Canadian Warming, Calving Ice Sheets, Shrinking Glaciers, Dolphins Not Getting It On as Climate Warming Continues

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Andrew Burger | 0 Comments

Sobering, unsettling, and at times startling climate change-related news emerged in Antarctica, Canada, Iceland, and Australia this past week.

Coal ash waste pond. Most are unlined and nearly all contaminate groundwater

Toxic Coal Ash Waste Is Contaminating U.S. Groundwater

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Gina-Marie Cheeseman | 0 Comments

Over 95 percent of U.S. coal ash ponds are unlined. Nearly all of them are leaking toxins into groundwater that is considered safe to drink by the EPA.

Trump's attempt to rollback lightbulb efficiency standards will cost Americans money and impact human health

Trump Administration Rolls Back Light Bulb Efficiency Standards

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Gina-Marie Cheeseman | 0 Comments

The light-emitting diode, more commonly known as an LED light bulb, is incredibly efficient. They use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, according to the Department of Energy. Widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh, which is equivalent to the annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants and savings…

Global Banks’ Fossil Fuel Financing Continues to Lead Us Down the Path Towards Climate Disaster

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Andrew Burger | 0 Comments

Thirty-three global banks have financed the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $1.9 trillion since adoption of the U.N. Paris Climate Agreement in 2016. JPMorgan was the fossil fuel industry’s biggest banker overall, while Chinese banks financed more coal mining and power plants than others.