Climate Change

Held v. Montana Ruling Sides with Youth in Landmark Climate Case

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In a landmark decision, brought on by a lawsuit filed against the state of Montana, Judge Kathy Seeley (pictured) has ruled in favor of a group of youth plaintiffs claiming the state violated their constitutional right to a 'clean and healthful environment' by prohibiting consideration under Montana's Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) of emissions and climate impacts when permitting fossil fuel projects. The lawsuit, which was filed three years ago by plaintiffs ranging in age from 5 to 22, could have nationwide impacts with the law firm that represented the youth due back in court next year against the state of Hawaii, which, like Montana, guarantees citizens a constitutional right to a quality environment.

Excerpt: 21st Century Agricultural Renaissance: Solutions from the Land Report

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21st Century Agriculture Renaissance Report

As California faces the impacts of climate change—how to address the interconnected challenges facing the state's energy, water, and food systems remains a foremost challenge.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres' COP 27 Concluding Remarks

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This month global leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for COP27 where nations affirmed and expanded their commitments to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. VX News shares these concluding remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighting the commitment of $100 billion per year in climate financing for developing countries as well as the ongoing and immediate need for member nations to drastically reduce emissions this decade. 
 

Mary Nichols Opines on California’s Newly Adopted Energy & Climate Legislation

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Mary Nichols

The conclusion of California’s Legislative session saw the adoption of ambitious new climate and energy legislation—including laws to set interim targets for 100% clean energy, regulate projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere and smokestacks, and approve buffer zones for new oil wells near communities.  The aforementioned coincides with much of the State experiencing the dire effects of climate change and the health and resilience challenges wrought by extreme heat and wildfires.

UC Berkeley’s Ken Alex on Project Climate & Global Methane Pledge

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Ken Alex—former Sr. Policy Advisor for Governor Jerry Brown, OPR Director, and SGC Chair—highlights how Project Climate and other departments at UC Berkeley are significantly boosting research capacity of state and local policymakers to accelerate implementation of “absolutely realistic” and ambitious climate transition goals.

Respected CA Cleantech Leader Sen. Hertzberg Enters Race for LA County Bd. of Supervisors #3

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Bob Hertzberg

With respected cleantech leader and California Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg announcing his campaign for LA County Supervisor, District 3, VX News shares the below announcement and impressive list of endorsements from a large and diverse coalition of local and regional leaders in support of Hertzberg's candidacy.

SoCal Gas President Maryam Brown on the Role for Clean Fuels In California’s Energy Future

Maryam Brown

As the world’s largest direct air capture plant kicked off operations this September in Iceland, Southern California Gas Company recently announced plans to develop and test new direct air capture technology that both captures C02 and collects water for irrigation.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer: Responding to Climate Disasters—From Ruin to Resilience

With climate change fueling increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters—whether from flooding, wildfire, or extreme heat events—2021 was another record-breaking and deadly year for climate disasters in the US.

At COP 26: Council on Foreign Relations Addresses Governance Challenges of Domestic & Global Climate Action

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With COP 26 underway, all eyes are on Glasgow to see how world leaders might update the 2015 Paris Climate agreement and undertake ambitious efforts to limit global warming and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Leading up to this summit, the Council on Foreign Relationships brought together three experts on climate: Stanford’s Arun Majumdar (pictured), CFR’s Alice C.

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on US Climate Leadership & COP 26

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John Kerry

This week, global leaders convene in Glasgow, Scotland, for COP 26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Speaking at the inaugural Globe Summit, Former Obama Secretary of State John Kerry, who serves as the Biden Administration’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, discusses the role he plays going into COP26 and what he expects to see come out of the negotiations.