WRI Stories Feed: U.S. Climate Action

U.S. Energy Policy Should Take a Lesson from Germany’s Energiewende

Jennifer Morgan — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:59:51 -0400

This post originally appeared on Bloomberg’s “The Grid” blog.

This…

5 Achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende”

Lutz Weischer — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:29:16 -0400

Germany is in the midst of an unprecedented clean energy revolution. Thanks to the “Energiewende,” a strategy to revamp the national energy system, Germany aims to reduce its overall energy consumption…

U.S. Natural Gas Exports: Friend or Foe?

James Bradbury — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:47 -0400

U.S. natural gas production is booming. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), production grew by 23 percent from 2007 to 2012. Now—with production projected to continue…

5 Reasons Why It’s (Still) Important to Reduce Fugitive Methane Emissions

James Bradbury — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:05:14 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report. Using new data and information, the EPA lowered…

The Race Against Climate Change

Kevin Kennedy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:32:50 -0400

This post originally appeared on the National Journal’s Energy Experts blog. It is a response to the question: “What’s…

ADVISORY: Report Launch: Can the U.S. Get There From Here?

Michael Oko — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:40:33 -0500

WRI to release major new report on climate change and U.S. emissions

On Wednesday, February 6, the World Resources Institute will host an event at the National Press Club to release a major new report on climate and U.S. emissions: “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?” The report examines pathways for the United States to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using existing federal authorities and state actions.

In his inauguration, President Obama pledged to make climate change a priority in his second term. This report lays out the steps the Administration can take to make significant progress on climate change in the coming years.

The report explores whether the U.S. is on track to meet its commitment to reduce its emissions by 17 percent by 2020 (below 2005 levels). It looks at what steps the federal government and states can take to meet this goal, and to go further. And, it explains why this matters at home and overseas.

The event will feature commentary by Dr. Susan Tierney, Managing Principal of the Analysis Group, WRI Board member, and former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy; Dr. Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute; and Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute, and the lead author of the report.

This analysis is an update to WRI’s seminal report from 2010, “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action,” which focused on how the U.S. could reduce its emissions without Congressional action.

A continental breakfast will be served.

WHAT
Launch of “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?” a major report by WRI on climate change and U.S. emissions

WHO
Dr. Susan Tierney, Managing Principal, the Analysis Group and WRI Board Member
Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, World Resources Institute
Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute, and lead author

WHERE
National Press Club
First Amendment Room
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045

WHEN
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. ET

CALL-IN INFO
Toll-free (U.S.): (888) 848-6714
Toll (Int’l): +1 (773) 756-4804
Passcode: “WRI”

Twitter hashtag: #usghg

Note: please arrive by 9:15 a.m. to register. The event will start promptly at 9:30 a.m.

RSVP Required: press@wri.org

STATEMENT: President Obama Commits to Climate Change Action In Second Inaugural Address

Sarah Parsons — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:46:20 -0500

Following is a statement by Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute:

“Today, in his second inaugural address, President Obama set a clear priority for America: address climate change and become a global leader on renewable energy development. Actions toward this end could play a transformative role in promoting America’s future prosperity, and could also help bring about a truly global response to the challenge of climate change. We agree with the president when he said that ‘outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time.’

“In the coming months, we look forward to the Administration following through on the president’s ringing call to action. It will be particularly important to move forward with emissions limits on existing power plants and to use other existing federal authorities to reduce greenhouse gases and drive clean energy technologies. The president has already committed to launch a ‘national conversation’ on climate change—this discussion will be critical for communicating global warming’s risks and building momentum, both locally and nationally. In addition to national action, we look forward to a strong foreign policy agenda with climate playing a key role — including bringing a serious, ambitious plan to the UNFCCC international climate negotiations.

“Meeting these goals—in line with the Administration’s existing target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020—will be key if America is to become a global leader on renewable energy and climate action.”

6 Top Environment and Development Stories to Watch in 2013

Andrew Steer — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:17:17 -0500

This post originally appeared on Bloomberg.com.

As we enter 2013, there are signs of growth and economic…

A Look Back on 2012, the Year of Extreme Weather Events

Kelly Levin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:39:15 -0500

Temperatures hit an unseasonably warm 61˚F in Washington D.C. earlier this week. The Middle East is blanketed in record rainfall and rare heavy snowfall, …

By the Numbers: Analyzing the U.S. National Climate Assessment

Kelly Levin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:58:14 -0500

The draft U.S. National Climate Assessment was released last week,…