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Lawmakers target fossil fuel companies to fund climate disaster recovery
State legislators are pushing for laws that would make fossil fuel companies financially responsible for climate change-related disasters.
In short:
- Advanced "attribution science" enables precise measurement of damages from climate disasters, directly linking them to specific companies' emissions.
- Vermont leads with proposed legislation, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow in holding fossil fuel companies accountable.
- The proposed laws could lead to significant financial contributions from these companies for disaster relief and preventive measures.
Key quote:
“This is a growing field, and it’s a game changer for addressing climate change.”
— Delta Merner, lead scientist for the Science Hub for Climate Litigation at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Why this matters:
By holding companies responsible for their role in climate change, legislators aim to mitigate adverse health effects and safety risks associated with extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which are intensified by climate change. Such legislation can incentivize fossil fuel companies to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing environmental damage and promoting conservation efforts.
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Rooftops of schools and stores could power underserved communities
A recent study suggests that solar panels on large commercial and public buildings could significantly reduce the energy equity gap in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
In short:
- The study, led by Stanford University, found installing solar panels on nonresidential buildings could meet 20% of the power needs in marginalized communities.
- Despite the availability of federal programs aimed at fairer energy access, a notable gap persists in solar power generation between affluent and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
- Community solar projects, supported by recent federal funding, offer a promising avenue for expanding renewable energy access across the United States.
Key quote:
"The renewable energy transition is one of the big pillars of where the government is seeking to spend money. Our research is suppose to contribute to narrowing the equity gap, and to provide an idea of how this can be accomplished."
— Moritz Wussow, data and climate scientist at Stanford University
Why this matters:
From an environmental standpoint, increasing the adoption of solar power reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing air pollution and improving public health outcomes. This is especially important for underserved communities, which are often located near polluting industries and suffer from higher rates of asthma and other pollution-related health issues.
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Power companies quietly pushed $215m into US politics via dark money groups
US power companies have made political donations of at least $215m to dark money groups in recent years, according to a new analysis of 25 for-profit utilities, amid growing concerns around how they wield influence.
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Russian oil finds ‘wide open’ back door to Europe, critics say
Middlemen are cashing in as Russian crude finds indirect routes to the European market, politicians and industry insiders allege.
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The world is finally cracking down on ‘greenwashing’
The plan to stop companies from fudging their climate goals is fundamentally flawed.
In doomed coal village, Germany’s Greens go to war among themselves
The political party responsible for the pepper spray, the bulldozers and a coal deal with one of Germany’s biggest energy companies was the Greens. And every protester here on Saturday knew it.
Indigenous Australians in Murujuga fight to preserve heritage sites
In Western Australia, new projects would supercharge gas drilling and processing. Traditional owners of the land say their heritage sites are threatened.
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