News + Media

“Most damage is done by Category 3 or higher hurricanes, and recent modeling by Emanuel and others strongly suggests that higher-category storms in the North Atlantic and elsewhere will become more frequent as the climate warms further. Factor in sea-level rise generating greater storm surges, and the scenarios do not look good.”
 

Photo: Hurricane Jeanne, 2004 (Source: kakela)

In late 2014, China’s climate pledge was a bold and unprecedented step, but an emissions peak sooner than 2030 looks well within reach. Now, the question is whether or not—and how—China can achieve further progress on climate change while advancing its own development goals.

In radio clip, Ed Butler explores these issues with MIT Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Elfatih Eltahir, a climatologist in the MIT Center for Global Change Science; and journalist and author Francesca de Chatel.

Photo: Arabian desert (Source: Alim Mohammed)

A new study indicates that solving the problem of wind and solar’s intermittency has thus far required the use of more fossil fuels, including the installation of several “fast-ramping” natural gas plants. Center for Energy and Environment Policy Research (CEEPR) Director Christopher Knittel comments.

Photo: Big Bend Power Station and Manatee Viewing Center Parking Lot - Solar vs Coal & Natural Gas.  Source: Walter)

Climate deniers often cite uncertainty in climate models and other scientific evidence. Researchers challenge this argument in a new essay published in Science, suggesting climate scientists should place more emphasis on the risks of inaction. Joint Program Co-Director John Reilly comments.

Previous studies have suggested that when CO₂ is stored underground, it may degrade layers of rock above it and leak back into the atmosphere. However, a new study indicates that such concerns may be exaggerated. Joint Program associate and carbon capture expert Howard Herzog comments.