Category: Energy

Regulating Greenhouse Gases

Written by Ryan McGuine // Today's shift toward toward an energy system that emits less greenhouse gases than the current one is necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change. However, achieving this transition on a meaningful timescale is remarkably difficult. While no single policy tool is capable of driving down greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as necessary, it is possible to develop a suite of policies capable of doing so, and at a reasonable cost. Continue reading

Unclear Future for Marine Fuels

Written by Ryan McGuine // International trade is crucial to the functioning of the global economy, and has played a major role in the gains in well-being observed over the last two centuries. Today most of that trade is done using container ships, but the fuel most commonly used in the shipping industry produces more air pollution per unit energy than most other fuels. In order to reduce shipping's negative environmental effects, the International Maritime Organization recently adopted two major air pollution regulations. Continue reading

The Elusive 1.5°C

Written by Ryan McGuine // In October, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a special report about preventing global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. While there is slim chance that the world will prevent 1.5°C of warming, taking action is not futile — the report clearly establishes that the combination of research investment and technology deployment can prevent warming, and that any warming prevented is worth pursuing. Continue reading