Article postulates how global CO2 increase will have an accelerating effect on ice melt over timescales likely to be much shorter than previously thought, with dangerous effects on cities bordering on the sea. moreless

This study examines the voluminous data on the long term effects of radiation on the survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and on their children. The results may be surprising. moreless

Three fossil fuels — petroleum, natural gas, and coal — have provided more than 80% of total U.S. energy consumption for more than 100 years. In 2015, fossil fuels made up 81.5% of total U.S. energy consumption, the lowest fossil fuel share in the past century. In EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2016 Reference case projections, which reflect current laws and policies, that percentage declines to 76.6% by 2040. Policy changes or technology breakthroughs that go beyond the trend improvements included in the Reference case could significantly change that projection. moreless

An interview with James Hansen at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. Here, Dr. Hansen speaks in simple, politically astute terms about how best to put a price on carbon. We are already paying a carbon tax, with the lungs, brains, and organs of our citizens, and it is costing us billions. It’s time we face up to consciously pricing fossil fuels so that we can make market based, rational decisions on our energy policy. moreless

Do numbers speak? Here are the numbers, and here are explanations of what they are saying. The truths are more important than the myths. Should be obligatory reading. moreless

This Synthesis Report is based on the assessment carried out by the three Working Groups (WGs) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It provides an integrated view of climate change as the final part of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Topic 1 summarizes observed changes in climate and their effects on natural and human systems, regardless of their causes, while Topic 2 assesses the causes of the observed changes. Topic 3 presents projections of future climate change and related impacts under different scenarios. Topic 4 discusses adaptation and mitigation options over the next few decades and their interactions with sustainable development. Excellent example of the thinking and methodology, but not the most recent data. moreless

Implications, economic and climatic, of exiting from nuclear. moreless

As detailed in the Climate Action Plan, President Obama is committed to using every appropriate tool to combat climate change. Nuclear power, which in 2014 generated about 60 percent of carbon-free electricity in the United States, continues to play a major role in efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector. The continued development of new and advanced nuclear technologies along with support for currently operating nuclear power plants is an important component of our clean energy strategy. moreless

The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.To do this they must decarbonise the UK economy while ensuring secure and affordable energy supplies. This model enables users to experiment with different energy options and immediately see the results. moreless

Scientists and games developers have produced a free interactive game, "Ice Flows", to help demonstrate how the Antarctic Ice Sheet responds to climate change in an accessible way to children and game players of all ages. moreless

Detailed list of advanced reactor projects in US. moreless

This paper proposes a modification of the IPPC mitigation scenario MESSAGE whereby large scale deployment of nuclear reactors are deployed from 2020 rather than 2060, thereby greatly reducing the need for yet unproven carbon capture. moreless

Shows how, based on Swedish and French deployment data, it would be possible to replace all fossil fuel used for electricity generation by nuclear. moreless

Explains the alternative reforestation options in different environments. moreless

Tropical reforestation (TR) has been highlighted as an important intervention for climate change mitigation because of its carbon storage potential. TR can also play other frequently overlooked, but significant, roles in helping society and ecosystems adapt to climate variability and change. For example, reforestation can ameliorate climate-associated impacts of altered hydrological cycles in watersheds, protect coastal areas from increased storms, and provide habitat to reduce the probability of species’ extinctions under a changing climate. moreless

Max Planck Institut’s analysis of the German energy transition project and identification of its numerous limitations. moreless

A public database of submitted INDCs. This data can be used to calculate a worldwide mitigation response. These commitments are expected to improve over time. moreless

A forest is much more than what is seen, says ecologist Suzanne Simard. Her 30 years of research in Canadian forests have led to an understanding of how trees interrelate, often over vast distances. Understand the delicate balance of the forest and the concept of tipping points in forest health. moreless

Video (French) explaining the nature of the different products stored and their origins. 0.2% of what’s stored is highly radioactive, and represents 98% of the radioactivity. Information is also given about the products that are stored awaiting processing to be reused in future reactors. moreless

Report gives a detailed description of the totality of material and waste, existing and future, present in France. the information is available as open source data. Excellent reference. moreless

Dr. Hansen and three other notable climate scientists argue that the CO2 reductions necessary to contain the global temperature rise cannot be achieved with proven technology without a considerable increase in the contribution of nuclear energy. moreless

Plaintiffs, a diverse group of American children, argue that they have constitutional rights and government has an obligation to protect the climate for future generations. moreless

US commitment to COP22. This document lays out a strategy to deeply decarbonize the U.S. economy by 2050. This document has been presented immediately after the US 2016 election results. At this point in time, little is known about the future of these very worthwhile commitments. moreless

The 4th November 2016, the Paris Agreement entered into force. 94 countries have ratified the Agreement. Ratification turns their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Most countries didn’t modify their INDCs. In total, there are now 162 NDCs and INDCs covering 191 countries, who are collectively responsible for more than 99% of global greenhouse gas emissions. moreless

In the next 30 years we expect to see substantial change in energy systems as the lifetime of existing plants ends and new plants are built with the EPA goals in mind. Replacement systems will have to enter a new operational paradigm in which integrated industrial-scale systems might provide the optimum way forward. An interesting view of future energy systems architecture. Does not take into consideration US political changes. moreless

Trump’s transition team has circulated a 74-point questionnaire at the Department of Energy asking for the names of employees and contractors who have attended climate change policy conferences, and associated emails and documents. This document is being scrutinised in an attempt to predict the new government’s climate policy. These questions could serve as the basis for a purge of EPA employees, and casts doubts on virtually all climate mitigation scenarios. moreless

Frameworks and tools to understand and address climate issues that impact people and their communities. Build resilience to climate impacts, see what others are doing, explore local situations. moreless

The Data Explorer is an interactive tool that provides access to data from EPA's annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. You can create customised graphs, examine trends over time, and download the data. moreless

Explains how France intends to reduce GHG to 140 Mt (divide by factor 4, 1990 — 2050) in two generations. moreless

Nine propositions to take Europe to a post-carbon era before 2050. moreless

Storing solar energy as heat is the only current renewable storage method. Document describes developing a cost Model and methodology to estimate costs for Thermal Energy Storage. moreless

Dismantling this infrastructure — which ranges from databases to satellites to models for climate, air, and water — could imperil the public’s right to know, the United States’ standing as a scientific leader, corporate accountability, and environmental protection. moreless

MIT RESEARCH MISSION Our integrated team of natural and social scientists studies the interactions among human and Earth systems to provide a sound foundation of scientific knowledge to aid decision makers in confronting future food, energy, water, climate, air pollution and other interwoven challenges. Much details on energy alternatives, including costs, safety, and timeliness of availability. moreless

Wakeup call for climate realism. moreless

This article presents some crucial findings of the joint research project entitled Storage of electric energy from renewable sources in the natural gas grid-water electrolysis and synthesis of gas components. The challenges of using these technologies on an industrial scale are discussed. moreless

Government’s role in the development of hydraulic fracturing in shale. moreless

Greenhouse gas emissions, wealth, energy intensity, population. There should be a link between all those figures, that a number of experts – physicists, economists, engineers, demographers all discuss in their own fields. A simple equation, absolutely wonderful because it is precisely so simple (and, as we will see, so awful for the same reason), shows how these notions can be linked to one another moreless

OECD report that combines growth with meeting climate challenges. moreless

Finally the truth is coming out regarding the possibility of powering the entire US with only wind, sun and water. Jacobson understood that he could capture the populist ideological wing of the climate advocates, but the science caught up. moreless

La dérive actuelle vers la démocratie d’opinion, encouragée par le système médiatique et la publicité dont elle dépend, ainsi que par des politiciens carriéristes, conduit à affirmer que le nucléaire a manqué de concertation dans l’orientation avangardiste prise en 1974, et que l’arbitrage consensuel des experts qualifiés doit être désormais assorti d’une “consultation” des citoyens. L’important semble donc être que chacun puisse verbaliser ses angoisses, avoir l’impression d’être écouté. moreless

In 2015, total gross U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 6,586.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMT CO2 Eq.). Total U.S. emissions have increased by 3.5 percent from 1990 to 2013, and emissions decreased from 2014 to 2015 by 2.3 percent (153.0 MMT CO2 Eq.). The decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions between 2014 and 2015 was driven in large part by a decrease in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Data for 2016 are not included. Due to current political situation, improvements are unlikely to be repeated. moreless

Climate change is a risk management challenge for society, with uncertain but potentially severe outcomes affecting natural and human systems, across generations. Managing climate-related risks will be more difficult without a base of knowledge and practice aimed at identifying and evaluating specific risks, and their likelihood and consequences, as well as potential actions to promote resilience in the face of these risks.An interesting article suggests that study of climate problems should move beyond the realms of physics and factor in socio-economic risk management. Much useful methodology already exists. moreless

Electricity generating power plants interact with each other and their customers through the electricity grid as well as the wider natural, economic and social environment. This means that electricity production generates costs beyond the perimeter of the individual plant. moreless

This report is an authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, with a focus on the United States. It represents the first of two volumes of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990. moreless

French President Macron’s speech at COP23, which clarified French climate policy. The speech followed the science, unlike previous presidents’ speeches on the subject. It’s an example of lucidity and good sense. moreless

In the later part of 2016 the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the French Academies (National Academy of Technologies of France and French Academy of Sciences) set up a joint Franco-Chinese study group. Its general objective was to prepare a common position paper to distill policies and technology options, including safety and waste management, for making nuclear power generation a component of future energy mixes in countries with the appropriate potential for implementing this energy. moreless

The new report ranks European countries on their climate leadership using official Eurostat data and exclusive data from ElectricityMap.org. moreless

The "Climate Action Tracker" is an independent science-based assessment, which tracks the emission commitments and actions of countries. The website provides an up-to-date assessment of individual national pledges, targets and INDCs and currently implemented policy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. moreless

Il est frappant de constater le peu d’impact en près de quinze ans sur le mix énergétique d’une politique volontariste de transition focalisée sur l’électricité et le couple éolien-solaire. Et basée sur de lourds investissements et des subventions massives. Eolien et solaire ne fournissent même pas 5% de la consommation totale d’énergie en 2016. Par contre les dégâts collatéraux sont réels. Les prix de gros du marché de l’électricité s’effondrent et les tarifs des consommateurs s’envolent. moreless

Table showing German energy transition, created by McKinsey consultants for the German government. moreless

Why did South Korea, a major player in the worldwide nuclear power industry, consider abandoning nuclear power? What were the influences, the consequences, and the ultimate outcome? moreless

Le lissage de la production d’électricité éolienne est une nécessité absolue pour tout scénario énergétique dans lequel cette électricité représenterait plus de 30% de la consommation. Des trois types de stockage habituellement proposés, batteries, STEPs et transformations électricité-gaz puis gaz-électricité, seul le troisième est envisageable à court ou moyen terme. moreless

A biannual dashboard that reports on the progress of the energy transition plan - sector by sector vs the objectives. This first iteration shows that achievements are already behind objectives, and suggests that economic subsidies are aimed at the wrong targets. moreless

This report was written to answer the questions: What did the fossil fuel companies know? When did they know it? What did they do about it? For what can we hold them legally and morally responsible? moreless

Climate risks cover multiple aspects, including scientific, economic, legal and political. The legal aspect is taking on a more prominent role, and is gradually becoming a useful tool. In French. moreless

Graph showing most of the climate-related parameters, including the cumulative CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by country. Much useful data. Data source was the World Resources Institute. moreless

List of all countries’ forest coverage, including increase and decreases. moreless

The Global Carbon Project (GCP) studies the integrated picture of the carbon cycle and other interacting bio-geochemical cycles, including biophysical and human dimensions and their interactions and feedbacks. Covers three themes: Diagnostics, Vulnerability and Carbon Management and policy. Much useful data. moreless

Vast source of energy data, including power plants, fuels and resources, energy transmission, and energy consumers. Data presented in many ways. Current worldwide list of coal power plants from this site. moreless

A map to help find the next gen nuclear projects in the US and Canada. moreless

Definition of objectives and tasks necessary to bring France into line with the objectives defined by the COP21 Paris climate agreement. Reporting is to begin in 2018 and every five years thereafter. moreless

British government’s plans to complete coal phase-out by 2025. moreless

Detail list of regulatory roll-back under Trump. America’s retreat on climate. moreless

The central opportunity for nuclear energy over the next several decades is tied to its potential contribution to decarbonising the power sector. The central challenge to realising this contribution is the high cost of new nuclear capacity. There are ways to reduce nuclear energy’s cost, which the industry must pursue aggressively and expeditiously. Government help, in the form of well-designed energy and environmental policies and appropriate assistance in the early stages ofnew nuclear system deployment, is needed to realize the full potential of nuclear. moreless

All about carbon tax. Not necessary to sign up. moreless

Wind and solar power generation have grown dramatically, yet they still generate only a small fraction of electricity or of primary energy. In 2017, for example, wind and solar generated 6.0% and 1.8% respectively of US electricity. Wind and solar, like all energy systems, occupy land, displacing natural systems, agriculture, and human communities. Power density, the energy generation rate per time per unit ground area (expressed here as We m−2), is one important measure of the land use of energy systems. Existing power density estimates for wind and solar are inconsistent. As an example of the implications of these results, consider Germany and its ambitious energy transformation policy. If US wind power density was applicable to Germany, then devoting all German land to wind power would meet about 40% of Germany's total primary energy consumption. moreless