greenhouse gases

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Smuggling Greenhouse Gases Is Now a Thing

Michael Hart is first in US to be hit with such a charge after alleged transport of HFCs from Mexico

(Newser) - A Southern California man was arrested Monday on suspicion of smuggling refrigerants into the US from Mexico, and federal prosecutors said he's the first person to be charged with violating regulations intended to curb the use of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The indictment alleges Michael Hart...

Climate 'Whisper' Now Will Soon Be a 'Roar'

So says lead author of new UN report on how we're closing in on blowing past global climate threshold

(Newser) - The globe is speeding toward 2.5 degrees Celsius to 2.9 degrees Celsius (4.5-5.2 degrees Fahrenheit) of global warming since preindustrial times, set to blow well past the agreed-upon international climate threshold, a United Nations report has calculated. To have an even-money shot at keeping warming to...

2 Gas Fields Produce 'Mind-Boggling' Methane Emissions

'Guardian' reports Turkmenistan is worst in the world for 'super emitting' fossil fuel leaks

(Newser) - Satellite data has revealed "mind-boggling" methane emissions from Turkmenistan's two main fossil fuel fields, which caused more global heating in 2022 than all of the carbon emissions in the UK. Data produced by geo-analytics company Kayrros at the request of the Guardian shows Turkmenistan's western fossil fuel...

UN Agency Warns of 'Ominous' Rise in Greenhouse Gases

Methane in atmosphere posts biggest climb in decades

(Newser) - The three main greenhouse gases hit record high levels in the atmosphere last year, the UN weather agency said Wednesday, calling it an "ominous" sign as war in Ukraine, rising costs of food and fuel, and other worries have elbowed in on longtime concerns about global warming in recent...

New Zealand Wants to Tax This Cow's Burps

Farmers are not on board with the plan

(Newser) - There are just 5 million people in New Zealand but some 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep. New Zealand's government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses those farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change. The...

Supreme Court Hands Loss to Green Advocates

Justices limit EPA's ability to limit emissions from power plants

(Newser) - In a blow to the fight against climate change, the Supreme Court on Thursday limited how the nation's main anti-air pollution law can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. By a 6-3 vote, with conservatives in the majority, the court said that the Clean Air...

Experts Warn of Possible 'Taste' of Crossing Climate Threshold

There's a 48% chance temps will reach 1.5 degrees C above preindustrial levels before 2026

(Newser) - The 2015 Paris Agreement lays out the goal to try to limit global warming to a long-term average of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. But there's already a 48% chance that we'll temporarily breach that limit in one of the next five...

Steep Rise in Methane Is 'Extremely Disturbing'

Emissions jumped by record amount last year

(Newser) - Methane doesn't linger in the air for anywhere near as long as the more notorious greenhouse gas carbon dioxide—but it traps heat 25 times more efficiently, and scientists say the recent steep rise in methane emissions is very disturbing. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the concentration...

Gas Stoves Leak Methane Even When Turned Off
Gas Stoves Leak Methane
Even When Turned Off
new study

Gas Stoves Leak Methane Even When Turned Off

New study says effect on the environment is real

(Newser) - A new study suggests that gas stoves are not as safe for the environment as once believed, Scientific American reports. Even when a natural gas cooking stove isn’t on, it leaks methane gas, and the amount is significant in the aggregate, per NPR . In fact, about 80% of the...

Climate Talks End in a Deal Without Altering Planet's Course

Weakened wording on coal clears way for accord

(Newser) - Negotiators from almost 200 nations reached an accord Saturday in the fight against climate change, acknowledging that the problem isn't solved but setting up another attempt at more dramatic action next year. The Glasgow summit did not achieve the central goal of agreeing on action to limit the warming...

'We Are Fighting For the Survival of Humanity'
'We Are Fighting For the
Survival of Humanity'
THE RUNDOWN

'We Are Fighting For the Survival of Humanity'

Much of COP26's success rests on China

(Newser) - The most important climate conference in years is about to begin. Delayed from 2020, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, will run from Sunday to Nov. 12 in Glasgow, Scotland, and will see nations present their updated plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions and lay out how those...

Carbon Dioxide Levels Reach an Unwanted Record
Carbon Dioxide Levels
Reach an Unwanted Record 
new study

Carbon Dioxide Levels Reach an Unwanted Record

Atmosphere is at 419ppm, despite a drop in emissions during the pandemic

(Newser) - The pandemic and its related shutdowns caused a notable drop in the emission of greenhouse gases. But that did little to put a dent in the growing concentration of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere, reports the Washington Post . The new numbers are in, and they're record-breaking in a...

Organic Meat Production Is No Better for the Planet
Study: Meat Prices
Should Jump 146%
new research

Study: Meat Prices Should Jump 146%

If they're to cover their associated climate costs, that is

(Newser) - You're doing the planet no favors by eating meat that was produced organically, at least when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions—and whatever meat you're eating, it should cost much, much more than it currently does. That's the determination of a new analysis based on German...

Biden Unveils $2T Climate Plan: 'What I Think of Is Jobs'

'The Climate President that America needs,' Wash. Gov. Inslee said in an email response

(Newser) - Joe Biden released a $2 trillion plan Tuesday to boost investment in clean energy and stop all climate-damaging emissions from US power plants by 2035, arguing that dramatic action is needed to tackle climate change and revive the economy. In remarks near his home in Wilmington, Del., the presumptive Democratic...

Greenhouse Gas Numbers Are In, and They're Remarkable

Carbon dioxide emissions dropped by 17% amid pandemic, but scientists say it won't last

(Newser) - Scientists have completed the first comprehensive look at how the pandemic has affected greenhouse gas emissions, and the big stat is eye-popping. Daily emissions dropped 17% in April as nations around the world went into lockdown mode, according to the study in the Nature Climate Change journal. That figure is...

US Could Be 'Disruptor' at Climate Change Conference

Negotiators from almost 200 countries are in Madrid

(Newser) - The annual Conference of Parties climate change talks are underway in Madrid, after a last-minute change of city. The conference was originally meant to be held in Santiago, Chile, but Spain offered to host the talks as Chile's political crisis deepened. Representatives from almost 200 countries, including around 50...

What's Needed Over Next Decade Is 'Unprecedented'
What's Needed
Over Next Decade
Is 'Unprecedented'
the rundown

What's Needed Over Next Decade Is 'Unprecedented'

UN Environment Program releases annual Emissions Gap Report

(Newser) - It's called the Emissions Gap Report . NPR reports that "Chasm" might be a more appropriate word. It's the annual assessment put out by the UN Environment Program, and it was issued Tuesday to gloomy headlines. That's because "the summary findings are bleak," the report...

20 Firms Are Behind 35% of Emissions
20 Companies
Have a Dirty Secret
new study

20 Companies Have a Dirty Secret

The Climate Accountability Institute says they're responsible for 35% of emissions

(Newser) - Fossil fuel companies emit greenhouse gases—we know. But a new analysis says 20 such companies are responsible for over a third of all greenhouse gas emissions since 1965, the Guardian reports. Conducted by Richard Heede, an authority at the Climate Accountability Institute, the study says 20 companies have released...

This EPA Rollback Has a Twist
This EPA Rollback
Has a Twist

This EPA Rollback Has a Twist

Agency moves to loosen methane regulations, but big companies like Exxon oppose the idea

(Newser) - The EPA has begun the process of overturning an Obama-era rule on the emission of methane at oil and gas operations, reports the Wall Street Journal . The move is in line with the Trump administration's anti-regulatory philosophy, but environmentalists are incensed because methane is seen as a major contributor...

Senate Shuns Green New Deal
Green New Deal
Fizzles in Senate

Green New Deal Fizzles in Senate

But Democrats call it a 'sham' vote

(Newser) - The Senate on Tuesday defeated a proposal to take up the Green New Deal as both parties shunned an opportunity to debate a comprehensive climate change plan offered by Democrats. Majority Republicans forced the vote as they seek to turn the Green New Deal into a wedge issue in the...

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