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• Climate Conversations: Climate and COVID-19 [video]

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  From the Webpage: "Almost exactly one year after U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] lockdowns began, Laura Helmuth (Scientific American) moderated a conversation between Georges Benjamin (APHA) and Kris Ebi (University of Washington) that was both reflective about the intersections between climate change and COVID-19 over the last year, and forward-looking at the state of progress on addressing these issues in the U.S." The duration of the video is 56 minutes and 57 seconds.

  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

  Benjamin, Georges C.; Ebi, Kristie L.; Helmuth, Laura

  2021-03-18
• U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America

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  From the Introduction: "Persistent instability and insecurity in Central America have gone on for too long. Poverty and economic inequality, pervasive crime and corruption, and political leaders' drift toward authoritarian rule have stunted economic growth and diverted critical resources from healthcare and education, robbing citizens of hope and spurring migration. The worsening impacts of climate change, manifesting as prolonged periods of drought and devastating storms, have exacerbated these conditions and undermine U.S. and international interests. All of these factors contribute to irregular migration, and none of them can ultimately be addressed without honest and inclusive democratic governance that is responsive to the needs of citizens in the region. The Root Causes Strategy, directed by the President in Executive Order 14010, focuses on a coordinated, place-based approach to improve the underlying causes that push Central Americans to migrate, and that 'take(s) into account, as appropriate, the views of bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners, as well as civil society.' This Strategy lays out a framework to use the policy, resources, and diplomacy of the United States, and to leverage the expertise and resources of a broad group of public and private stakeholders, to build hope for citizens in the region that the life they desire can be found at home. The U.S. government consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to inform this Strategy, including governments in the region, Members of Congress and their staff, international organizations, civil society organizations, labor unions, and the private sector. Consultations will continue throughout implementation."

  National Security Council (U.S.)

  2021-07
• Heat Exposure and Cardiovascular Health: A Summary for Health Departments

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  From the Executive Summary: "Extreme heat events (EHEs) are a leading cause of weather-related injury and death in the United States, and under a changing climate, these meteorological episodes are predicted to increase in both frequency and intensity. Prolonged heat exposure from EHEs places an increased strain on the heart and may lead to heat-related illness if the cardiovascular system fails to properly thermoregulate internal body temperature. Every individual is susceptible to heat-related illness, however, those with reduced cardiovascular function and pre-existing cardiovascular diseases are at a greater risk for morbidity and mortality during EHEs. This document gives an overview of our current understanding of heat exposure and its impact on cardiovascular health outcomes, an overview of the medications that may exacerbate heat-related cardiovascular illness, and a summary of the interaction between extreme heat and air pollutants, and their collective impact on cardiovascular health. Additionally, this document summarizes epidemiologic evidence and identifies gaps in the extant peer-reviewed literature on the effectiveness of strategies and interventions to protect against heat-related cardiovascular disease and death. This information is intended to aid health departments and other health professionals in understanding and responding to the impacts of heat exposure on cardiovascular health."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  Schramm, Paul J.; Vaidyanathan, Ambarish; Halaharvi, Harikrishna

  2020-07
• Evidence on the Use of Indoor Air Filtration as an Intervention for Wildfire Smoke Pollutant Exposure: A Summary for Health Departments

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  From the Executive Summary: "Over the last few decades, the United States has experienced an increase in frequency of intense wildfires. Climate change has likely impacted these events through increased summer and spring temperatures, drier vegetation, decreased precipitation in some areas, and an increased probability of lightning storms. Wildfires have caused billions of dollars in property damage and contributed to an estimated 339,000 premature deaths per year globally. Wildfires are also associated with negative health outcomes. The smoke from wildfires contains gaseous pollutants and particulate matter which are associated with multiple respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. There is evidence that certain populations are more vulnerable to the wildfire smoke exposure than others, including older adults and infants, pregnant women, people with preexisting medical conditions, and people of lower socio-economic status. Interventions that effectively decrease wildfire smoke exposures can protect these vulnerable populations as well as the health of the general public. This technical document summarizes the available peer-reviewed literature about the effectiveness of air filtration as an intervention to decrease exposure to wildfire smoke and protect health when sheltering indoors. It describes the different types of air filtering technology and metrics for measuring air quality and summarizes the literature on their effectiveness in protecting against the harmful air pollutants in wildfire smoke. Relevant federal and state resources for local health professionals are listed. This review illustrates that proper air filtration is an effective method of reducing certain wildfire smoke pollutants indoors and potentially limiting the risk of negative health impacts associated with exposure to wildfire smoke."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Environmental Health (U.S.)

  Joseph, Gregory; Schramm, Paul J.; Vaidyanathan, Ambarish . . .

  2020-07
• Heat Response Plans: Summary of Evidence and Strategies for Collaboration and Implementation

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  From the Executive Summary: "Extreme heat is a major public health concern in the United States. Temperatures are increasing across the country, with more frequent and severe heat waves in many regions. This trend is projected to continue. Exposure to heat may increase the risk of illness particularly among sensitive groups such as people who do not have access to air conditioning, older adults, young children, people working outdoors, athletes, the socially isolated, people with existing chronic conditions, and some communities of color. Health departments, their partners, and other government agencies have undertaken a variety of strategies to protect the public from high temperatures. One potential strategy is a heat response plan - a coordinated plan that describes and organizes activities to prevent heat-related morbidity and mortality in a community. Health departments at all levels (state, local, Tribal, and territorial) and their partners can develop and implement a response to protect their community and vulnerable populations. There is evidence that heat response plans can protect health, but mixed evidence on the effectiveness of individual components of a heat response plan and the degree of overall health protection. This document is intended to give a summary of extreme heat, the health burden of heat exposure, the impacts of climate change, and components and effectiveness of heat response plans with a focus on relevant peer-reviewed literature and existing heat response plans. Resources and examples of successful implementation and potential collaborative efforts are included."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Environmental Health (U.S.)

  Abbinett, Jessica; Schramm, Paul J.; Widerynski, Stasia . . .

  2020-01-31?
• Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Getting from Vaccine Hesitancy to Acceptance

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  From the Introduction: "Since the start of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the development of safe and effective vaccines that are affordable and equitably distributed around the globe has been a priority for the world. The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines will be a crucial step forward to end the deadly and costly COVID-19 pandemic, creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable future for humankind. Yet the development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is only one of many hurdles. The success of this vaccination effort largely depends on strong, functional health systems as well as widespread acceptance in the population and willingness to be vaccinated. Yet skepticism about the adverse effects, safety, and the lack of efficacy of vaccines has been rising--and increasingly politicized--over the past decade, leading to the World Health Organization (WHO) listing vaccine hesitancy as one of the world's top ten global health threats in 2019, alongside climate change. In 2020, this has been supercharged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences in vaccine coverage between countries due to vaccine hesitancy could delay the world's ability to control the pandemic and restart the global economy."

  Pandemic Action Network

  2020-12-14
• Promoting Global Food Security: Next Steps for Congress and the Administration, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, April 22, 2010

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  From the opening statement of John F. Kerry: "We have long viewed global hunger as one of our great, moral challenges. And all of us have been moved, at one point or another, by the stark images of hunger, of desperation, and particularly on the faces of the young children in many parts of the world. Food insecurity also poses a challenge to our broader development efforts, and yes, it is also a challenge to our national security. A lack of access to food leads to malnutrition, instability, and even violence. Food riots, 2 years ago, in Cairo, Port-au-Prince, and other capitals, showed how food insecurity can drive conflict. And because as much as 70 percent of the world's population is involved in agriculture activities, food security also has to be a cornerstone of our development strategy. As we gather here, on what is also Earth Day, we need to recognize that this already urgent challenge is poised to explode in the years ahead as climate change creates new strains on food supplies everywhere. I just point out to people that there are currently tribes fighting each other and people being killed in the Sudan because of desertification and because one tribe moves into another tribe's territory and tries to access the water, and there are struggles over those wells, and over that access to water. And it is a challenge to culture and to history and to tribal rights. The Obama administration has taken significant steps forward, including pledging $3.5 billion over the next 3 years, and establishing the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. Last year, this committee passed the Global Food Security Act, sponsored by Senators Lugar and Casey and myself, and it authorized a multiyear assistance to promote food security and rural development." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Catherine Bertini, Dan Glickman, John F. Kerry, Jacob Lew, Richard G. Lugar, Rajiv J. Shah, Robert P. Casey, and Christopher J. Dodd.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Pandemic Influenza: Progress Made and Challenges Ahead, Hearing Before a Subcommittee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, Special Hearing, January 24, 2007

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  From the opening statement of senator Arlen Spector. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. On a conspiracy, secret conspiracy, which is about to be made public, the chairman and I have been conferring and he handed me the gavel so that we could have a ceremonial shift in gavel. Senator Harkin and I, who have traded positions as the powers have flowed, have always talked about it being a seamless change in the gavel. So I want to express my appreciation to Senator Harkin for handing me the gavel and to announce publicly that I'm not going to give it back. But on a serious level, it doesn't happen too often in the Senate, Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter have worked very closely together for more than two decades, since Senator Harkin was elected in 1984, and I think that has benefited the American people and the health community and the education community and worker safety and labor, where those three departments are under the funding of this subcommittee. In a contentious political climate in Washington, this is we think the way it ought to be operated. So here comes the seamless transfer, Mr. Chairman." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Harkin, Gerald W. Parker, Julie L. Gerberding, Anthony S. Fauci, and John Jay Treanor.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Energy: A Matter of National, Economic, and Environmental Security

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  "Energy policy is one of the most pressing and important issues of our day. Securing reliable and domestically available energy supplies is essential to the continued economic prosperity of the United States. It is also a national security issue. However, energy policy is also inseparable from the parallel, and sometimes adversarial, discussions over CO2 and its impact on climate change. This energy report brings the realities of the energy crisis into focus, in the hopes that it will motivate policy makers to set aside their partisan differences and come together on a real solution which protects our national economic and security interests as well as the environment. This report shows the current state of world energy consumption patterns, as well as likely future scenarios, to bring into focus the challenges we face as we seek to reduce our carbon footprint and wean our nation off fossil fuels. This report also briefly presents the current state of technology for alternative fuel sources-including biofuels, coal-to-liquid, wind, solar, and geothermal energy-in order to assess its present and future ability to displace fossil fuel consumption. While the thrust of this report is on securing adequate sources of energy, there is also a discussion of important policies that should be pursued to decrease our national demand for energy. The summary findings are an attempt to clearly state the issues in a national discussion that has become nothing more than political posturing, disingenuousness and one-upsmanship of one special interest lobby versus another."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (2007-)

  Issa, Darrell, 1953-; Davis, Tom

  2008-10-23
• Economics of Early Response and Disaster Resilience: Lessons from Kenya and Ethiopia

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  From the Introduction: "The impacts of natural disasters and complex emergencies have been increasing over recent decades, putting the humanitarian system under considerable pressure. In 2010 natural disasters affected more than 217 million people, killed more than 297,000 people and caused $123.9 billion in economic damages. The types, dimensions, and dynamics of humanitarian crises are further increasing, in some cases exponentially. A variety of factors are contributing to this increase, including climate change, increasing vulnerability due to erosion of natural, social and economic capacities, and fluctuations in the global economy. The costs of humanitarian crises are equally growing - not only do disasters and complex emergencies result in significant economic losses, but they also require mobilization of large amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. According to a recent study on funding streams for emergency response, aid from governments reached US$12.4 billion in 2010, the highest figure on record. At the same time the CAP [Consolidated Appeals Process] reached its highest ever figure of US$11.2 billion, double that of 2006. This aid is heavily targeted to a few countries - over the past ten years, almost 50% of humanitarian aid (amounting to just under US$90 billion) was consistently spent in just nine countries. There is growing consensus that greater investment needs to be made in preparedness to reduce the impacts of crises, and an even greater imperative for further work to build the resilience of communities to be able to cope with these events themselves."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  Cabot Venton, Courtenay; Fitzgibbon, Catherine; Shitarek, Tenna . . .

  2012-06
• Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs [Updated September 13, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Since the early years of the automobile, petroleum-fueled combustion engines have dominated the vehicle market. Alternatives, including battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) and alcohol fueled combustion vehicles, have existed since the automobile's infancy, but their adoption was limited for a variety of reasons, including abundant, inexpensive gasoline and diesel fuel, a refueling infrastructure network dedicated to petroleum, and differences in vehicle performance and capability. Interest in alternatives to petroleum has grown over time, driven by factors such as concerns over U.S. reliance on imported petroleum, pollutant emissions and subsequent health effects, and climate change resulting from the use of fossil fuels. Congress has considered and debated the role of petroleum and other transportation energy sources for decades, and that discussion continues as the nation considers legislation to address aging infrastructure and meeting the needs of modern society."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cunningham, Lynn J.; Diaz, Melissa N.; Canis, Bill . . .

  2021-09-13
• Jamaica [Updated September 23, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Jamaica, the most populous English-speaking Caribbean nation, has had a relatively stable parliamentary political system stemming from its history of British colonial rule, though extensive political violence often marred elections in the 1970s and 1980s. Two political parties--the center-left People's National Party (PNP) and the center-right Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)--have dominated the political system since before the country's 1962 independence. [...] The Jamaican economy, which is heavily dependent on services, especially tourism, has been hard hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the World Bank characterized Jamaica as an upper-middle-income country struggling due to low growth; high public debt; exposure to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding; and the effects of climate change. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy contracted an estimated 10.2% in 2020 and is projected to grow 1.5% in 2021 and 5.7% in 2022. Tourist arrivals fell significantly because of the pandemic. Remittances from Jamaicans abroad are an important source of income and, despite the pandemic, grew nearly 20% in 2020 to about $2.9 billion."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2021-09-23
• Federal Government's Role in Wildfire Management, the Impact of Fires on Communities, and Potential Improvements to be Made in Fire Operations, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, May 5, 2015

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  This is the October 28, 2015 hearing held before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources entitled "The Federal Government's Role in Wildfire Management, the Impact of Fires on Communities, and Potential Improvements to be Made in Fire Operations." From the testimony of Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski: "We're here to examine our wildfire management policies, including the impacts of wildfire on communities and our current fire operations. Unfortunately, today may be a day where we struggle to find a whole lot that is positive about all of this. Over the last 50 years, we have seen a rapid escalation in the size, frequency, and severity of wildfires. The most often cited causes are severe drought, a changing climate, hazardous fuel buildups due in part to decades of fire exclusion, insect and disease infestation, and an explosion of nonnative invasive species. […] Already this year, the concern back home is that we will have an aggressive fire season. We've had very low snow fall throughout the state. It's dry. I was in Fairbanks this weekend and I cannot recall a time on the first of May when not only the rivers are out but there is no snow anywhere -- no snow pack anywhere. So, the same factors that we are seeing up North and in the peninsula are increasing the size, frequency, and severity of wildfires are also driving up wildfire suppression costs, both in actual dollars and as a portion of the total budget of the Forest Service." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas Tidwell, Stephen Pyne, Sharon Hood, Bruce Hallin, and Bob Eisele.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015-05-05
• International Financial Institutions: FY2022 Budget Request [August 16, 2021]

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  From the Document: "For FY2022, the Biden Administration is requesting $3.28 billion for the international financial institutions (IFIs). The IFIs include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the multilateral development banks (MDBs), and associated multilateral trust funds focused on climate change and food security. The FY2022 request for the IFIs would be a 73% increase from the amount enacted in FY2021 ($1.89 billion, Figure 1), and accounts for about 5% of the total FY2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs budget request."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.; Weiss, Martin A.

  2021-08-16
• Practical Steps Toward a Carbon-Free Maritime Industry: Updates on Fuels, Ports, and Technology, Remote Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, April 15, 2021

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  This is the April 15, 2021 hearing on "Practical Steps Toward a Carbon-Free Maritime Industry: Updates on Fuels, Ports, and Technology," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the opening statement of Salud O. Carbajal: "Today we will examine the progress towards eliminating carbon emissions in the maritime industry, and how Congress can support these efforts. This work is crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change. Without decisive action in the maritime industry and elsewhere, we are going to experience severe impacts on our way of life from sea level rise, flooding, and more frequent extreme weather events." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John W. Butler, Kristin Decas, Morgan M. Fanberg, B. Lee Kindberg, and Dan Rutherford.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021
• Flaring and Venting Reduction Research & Development Activities

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  From the Executive Summary: "This report identifies technology research and development (R&D) that could lead to substantial reductions in natural gas flaring and venting during oil and gas production from shale and tight formations. Industry, regulators, and the public agree that there is value in applying new technologies and practices for capturing wasted resources and minimizing harmful emissions. Flaring and venting activities represent identifiable point sources of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), that contribute to climate change. Methane is of specific concern because of its greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide. The R&D focus of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is to accelerate the development of modular natural gas conversion technologies that will provide additional options for converting gas that would otherwise be flared or vented into value-added products; reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the field."

  United States. Department of Energy

  2021-08
• Technical Support Document: Social Cost of Carbon, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide, Interim Estimates Under Executive Order 13990

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  From the Preface: "The Interagency Working Group (IWG) on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases is committed to ensuring that the estimates agencies use when monetizing the value of changes in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from regulations and other relevant agency actions continue to reflect the best available science and methodologies. This Technical Support Document (TSD) presents interim estimates of the social cost of carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide developed under Executive Order 13990. These interim values are the same as those developed by the IWG in 2013 and 2016. The current IWG will take comment on recent developments in the science and economics for use in a more comprehensive update, to be issued by January 2022, which will more fully address the recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine as reported in Valuing Climate Damages: Updating Estimation of the Social Cost of Carbon Dioxide (2017) and other pertinent scientific literature. As a part of that request for comment, the IWG will seek comment on the discussion of advances in science and methodology included in this TSD and how those advances can best be incorporated into the revised final estimates."

  United States. White House Office

  United States. Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases

  2021-02
• Science and Health Misinformation in the Digital Age: How Does it Spread? Who is Vulnerable? How Do We Fight it?

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  From the Introduction: "Society has long struggled with the spread of inaccurate or misleading information. However, rapid advancements in communications technology and the development of online networks have rapidly magnified this problem. As enabling as these developments have been for the sharing and dissemination of credible information, the same is true of misinformation. [...] This report synthesizes existing academic research and perspectives shared by academics and practitioners to answer three questions: 1. How is misinformation spread? 2. Who is most likely to fall prey to misinformation? 3. How do we combat misinformation and its effects? In answering these questions, the report highlights three case studies of science communication and misinformation -- climate change, vaccines and COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. It concludes with recommendations for practitioners and government agencies to combat misinformation and its effects in science and health policy."

  Public Policy Forum (Ottawa, Ont.)

  Merkley, Eric; Loewen, Peter John, 1979-

  2021-07
• Bioeconomy: A Primer [August 19, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The term bioeconomy refers to the share of the economy based on products, services, and processes derived from biological resources (e.g., plants and microorganisms). The bioeconomy is crosscutting, encompassing multiple sectors, in whole or in part (e.g., agriculture, textiles, chemicals, and energy). Many predict that the bioeconomy will be a key component of the future economy. Specifically, many view the development of and transition to predominantly a bioeconomy as a means to address grand challenges such as climate change, food security, energy independence, and environmental sustainability. [...] Congress may consider a number of issues regarding advancement of the U.S. bioeconomy, including the development and implementation of a national bioeconomy strategy, federal investments in bioeconomy-related research and development, expanding the bioeconomy workforce, promoting and furthering the development of regional bioeconomies, increasing both the market for bio-based products and services, as well as public awareness and acceptance of bio-based products and services. Conversely, Congress may decide there is no need to restructure federal activities and policies, including some long-standing efforts (e.g., bio-based fuels or agricultural biotechnology), under a bioeconomy framework."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gallo, Marcy E.

  2021-08-19
• COVID 19: Future Implications and Lessons Learned from COVID-19

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  From the Executive Summary: "In the decade ahead, growing geo-political tensions, economic fluctuations, social unrest, and the adoption of emerging technologies by consumers, industry, and governments will give rise to a range of existing and novel threats to global supply chains and organizations. In 2020 these threats were accelerated by the global COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, corresponding economic recession, and resulting social clashes. The ongoing effects of climate change combined with localized and global destabilizing events will only amplify the impact of these threats for the foreseeable future."

  Association for Supply Chain Management

  2021-03?
• Need and Opportunity: What COVID-19 Revealed About Social Infrastructure

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  From the Introduction: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] revealed a lot about the world. It drew the curtain back on our ability to deal with a significant global crisis, laying bare systemic weaknesses and exposing structural failures. One such failure pertains to social infrastructure. The pandemic highlighted that many communities around the world lack the necessary facilities--things like accessible health care facilities and affordable housing--to combat threats like COVID-19 effectively. These shortcomings likely contributed to the tragically high levels of sickness and death. While the lack of necessary real estate infrastructure certainly existed prior to COVID-19, the pandemic emphasized the need for increased investment. Looking ahead, we need to address this critical deficit head on. Inevitably, another global crisis will strike, whether it be another pandemic or a climate change emergency, or perhaps some other unforeseen circumstance. Whatever the challenge, we need better social infrastructure systems in place to defend against these events."

  Franklin Templeton Investments

  2020-12
• Spotlight 2020-2021

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  From the Introduction: "This year's 'Spotlight' highlights selected projects that responded to challenges arising from COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], including a macroeconomic model to analyse 'vaccine nationalism' impacts; rapid research on providing high-quality healthcare under COVID-19 constraints; and finding ways to tackle domestic violence, which increased during lockdowns. We also responded to other policy challenges beyond the pandemic. This issue of 'Spotlight' features, for example a machine-learning model to fight online disinformation; a framework to assess climate change challenges systematically; and an analysis of emerging cybercrime threats."

  RAND Europe

  2021
• Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress [January 27, 2009]

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  From the Summary: "Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen by proponents as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, major barriers--especially economics--currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization. [...] The 111th Congress is likely to discuss alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles as it addresses several topics. These include: 1) the potential for supporting their development and deployment through economic stimulus legislation; 2) their role in any federal policy to address climate change; and 3) their role in federal energy policy. The 111th Congress may also play an oversight role in the development of regulations including: the Environmental Protection Agency's implementation of the renewable fuel standard enacted in 2005, and expanded in 2007; the Department of Transportation's implementation of new fuel economy standards enacted in 2007; and the Department of Agriculture's implementation of a new Farm Bill enacted in 2008.] [...] This report supersedes CRS Report RL33564, Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress, by Brent D. Yacobucci."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2009-01-27
• G-20 Summit: Brisbane, November 15-16, 2014 [November 5, 2014]

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  From the Document: "The Group of Twenty (G-20) is a multilateral forum for advancing international cooperation and coordination among 20 major advanced and emerging-market economies. […] Australia has focused the 2014 agenda [hyperlink] on global economic growth. In February 2014, the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors pledged [hyperlink] to develop policies that would boost the G-20's collective GDP [gross domestic product] by more than two percentage points over the coming five years. [...] The G-20 summit will also continue previous work on issues including financial regulatory reforms; reforming the international tax system; increasing the representation of emerging-markets at the International Monetary Fund (IMF); and building energy market resilience. Climate change [hyperlink] will also likely be added to the agenda, despite initial opposition by Australian officials. Some NGOs [non-governmental organizations] [hyperlink] are calling for a G-20 commitment of resources for the international response to the Ebola outbreak."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nelson, Rebecca M.

  2014-11-05
• Wildfire Fuels and Fuel Reduction [September 16, 2009]

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  From the Summary: "Severe wildfires have been burning more area and more houses in recent years. Some assert that climate change is at least partly to blame; others claim that the increasing number of homes in and near the forest (the wildland-urban interface) is a major cause. However, most observers agree that wildfire suppression and historic land management practices have led to unnaturally high accumulations of biomass in many forests, primarily in the intermountain West. While high-intensity conflagrations (wildfires that burn the forest canopy) occur naturally in some ecosystems (called crown-fire or stand-replacement fire ecosystems), abnormally high biomass levels can lead to conflagrations in ecosystems when such crown fires were rare (called frequent-surface-fire ecosystems). Thus, many propose activities to reduce forest biomass fuels. [...] The issues for Congress include the appropriate level of funding for prescribed burning and thinning for fuel reduction and the appropriate reporting of accomplishments. Current reporting does not identify ecosystems being treated and the effectiveness of the treatments. Similarly, current appropriations and reporting do not distinguish thinning for fuel reduction from thinning for other purposes, such as enhancing timber productivity. More complete reporting could allow Congress to better target its appropriations for fuel reduction to enhance wildfire protection."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gorte, Ross W.

  2009-09-16
• EPA Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Power Plants: Many Questions, Some Answers [September 30, 2013]

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  From the Summary: "As President Obama announced initiatives addressing climate change on June 25, 2013, a major focus of attention was the prospect of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for fossil-fueled--mostly coal-fired--electric generating units (EGUs). EGUs (more commonly referred to as power plants) are the largest anthropogenic source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about one-third of total U.S. GHGs. If the country is going to reduce its GHG emissions by significant amounts, as the President has committed to do, emissions from these sources will almost certainly need to be controlled. The President addressed this issue by directing EPA to re-propose GHG emission standards for new EGUs by September 20, 2013. He also directed the agency to propose guidelines for existing power plants by June 2014, and finalize them a year later. EPA had already proposed standards for new sources in April 2012, but the public comment period had generated more than 2.5 million comments--the most ever for a proposed EPA rule--and the agency had not yet finalized the rule. The re-proposed standards were released September 20. They would set an emissions limit of 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated by new coal-fired EGUs, and a standard of either 1,000 or 1,100 lbs/MWh (depending on size) for new natural gas-fired plants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McCarthy, James E.

  2013-09-30
• H. Rept. 117-98: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2022, Report Together with Minority Views, to Accompany H.R. 4549, July 20, 2021

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  From the Overview: "The Committee recommendation prioritizes the most critical, inherently federal responsibilities of this bill: the national defense; energy innovation to increase economic prosperity while providing additional solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change; investing in infrastructure, including the maintenance of the nation's waterways; and the resilience and security of electricity infrastructure. Strong support is included for basic science programs, which provide the foundation for new energy technologies that are vital to maintaining global competitiveness and ensuring long-term prosperity but that are often too high-risk to receive the attention of the private sector. The recommendation provides strong support for applied energy research, development, and demonstration activities to improve and extend the performance of existing energy sources and accelerate the adoption of new clean energy technologies. The recommendation also recognizes the importance of the federal government's responsibility to clean up the legacy of five decades of nuclear weapons production and government-sponsored nuclear energy research, and the recommendation takes steps forward to address spent nuclear fuel."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021-07-20
• Emerging Technologies and Practices for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, May 9, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Joseph I. Lieberman: "Today, we are going to examine the private sector innovation that can put America on a path to curbing global warming without handicapping our economy, provided the Federal Government sends a strong new signal to the marketplace. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report on mitigating global warming. The report reflects the consensus reached by delegates from 120 countries. It finds that existing technologies can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions significantly over the next two decades, and that commercializing these technologies would provide the co benefits of increasing energy security and decreasing air pollution. The IPCC report also concludes, however, that without strong new Government action, market forces alone will not lead to significant emissions reductions. A portfolio of existing technologies could set us on a safe emissions reduction track if governments like ours establish effective policy drivers for further development, acquisition, deployment and diffusion of those technologies. So the purpose of today's hearing is to examine some of the technologies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph I. Lieberman, James M. Inhofe, Barbra Boxer, Thomas R. Carper, George V. Voinovich, Larry E. Craig, Yet-Ming Chiang, Mark M. Little, James W. Stanway, Michael W. Rencheck, and John A. Fees.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• Vice President Al Gore's Perspective on Global Warming: Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, March 21, 2007

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  This document comprises the March 21, 2007 hearing entitled, "Vice President Al Gore's Perspective on Global Warming" before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. This hearing debates the validity of global warming theory with key testimony provided by former Vice President Al Gore regarding the perceived dangers of ignoring Earth's climate changes. Senators Boxer and Baucus take supportive stances on the former Vice President's policy recommendations; senators Inhofe and Bond argue against global warming theory as presented by the former Vice President. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Barbara Boxer, Max Baucus, James M. Inhofe, Christopher S. Kit Bond, and Al Gore.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• California's Future [2021]

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  From the Webpage: "The past year highlighted and heightened California's key challenges. Millions of Californians lost jobs and income during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis; low-income families, communities of color, and women were hit hardest. As schools and universities shifted rapidly to remote learning, educators and parents scrambled to provide all students with high-quality instruction, technology, and support. In addition, California endured a terrible wildfire season, widespread protests pushed the state and the nation to address racial inequities, and historic numbers of Californians voted in the highly consequential November election. As California emerges from the pandemic, can policymakers pave the way for an equitable recovery? And how can California--the most diverse state in the nation--expand opportunity across all of its communities and regions? PPIC [Public Policy Institute of California] examines these questions in rigorous and innovative ways. Our nonpartisan, independent, fact-based research explores effective, efficient, and equitable public policies that improve the well-being of our state's people, communities, and environment. This multi-topic publication addresses the state's most pressing policy challenges in several key areas: [1] criminal justice; [2] economy; [3] education; [4] safety net; [5] water and a changing climate."

  Public Policy Institute of California

  Bohn, Sarah; Cha, Paulette; Chappelle, Caitrin . . .

  2021-01