Green Lights Oct. 13: Top stories this week
Green Lights Oct. 13: Top stories this week
Don't miss a single story: The best from Callaway Climate Insights
. . . . Welcome to Green Lights, our weekly roundup of the best of Callaway Climate Insights. This week, David Callaway notes that as we stand in the shadow of the Israel-Hamas tragedy we can view climate change as a growing backdrop threat to more war and misery. Plus, more insights on the EV revolution, and ESG research. Here are the highlights in a simple and convenient format that makes it easy for our readers.
. . . . California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two landmark climate disclosure bills last weekend, which impose the strongest rules on detailing emissions and climate risks for big businesses in the country, writes David Callaway. Almost immediately after signing them, Newsom cast doubt on implementation dates and said he was worried about the cost to big business. The delays won’t help smooth the way for the SEC, which is scheduled to issue disclosure regulations this month. Over to you, Gary Gensler.
. . . . If the big EV tax credits were luring you to the showroom, trimming the cost of your new EV just got easier. As had been hoped, the IRS will now let buyers of new EVs get that chunk of change, worth up to $7,500, at the point of sale instead of having to wait to file their taxes. As with all good things, there are requirements and exclusions, and it goes into effect Jan. 1.
. . . . Of all the confusing biases around ESG ratings, the lack of accounting for green innovation is among the biggest, writes Mark Hulbert. As ratings strategies typically measure what is easily quantifiable, companies with the most innovation often get overlooked in what is known as a ‘measurement trap.’ The result is that both companies and investors get left behind.
A special invitation: Conversations Before Midnight
. . . . I’m a proud supporter of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists which covers climate issues along with other existential threats like nuclear war and is perhaps best known for their Doomsday Clock. This November, I’ll be joining them for their annual Conversations Before Midnight virtual event. This year’s event features a conversation with “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan (above) about the film and the man, who also is one of the Bulletin’s founders. That will be followed by several smaller group discussions on topics ranging from black holes to AI. One of those discussions will look at why there were so many extreme weather events this year and the speakers — world leading scientists Ray Pierrehumbert and Susan Solomon, with Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Kolbert as moderator — are truly top notch. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central on Monday, Nov. 6. Click here for more information and to register for Conversations Before Midnight.
. . . . David Callaway recalls when he was editor of USA Today a decade ago, no story or photo generated more passion and hate mail than one tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Almost a century in the making, there are no shortages of grievances and bitter feuds on both sides. And now the tragedies unfolding in Israel and the Gaza region. The potential impact on the climate emergency — which is similar as a news issue in that it also draws passion and hatred from both sides — is largely going to depend on oil prices, and whether the Israeli response draws in other regional players, notably Iran.
. . . . One of the big obstacles to electric vehicle adoption — especially in the wide-open spaces of the U.S. — is what’s become known as range anxiety, says Matthew Diebel. But what if a single charge could get you almost across the North American continent? Well, that’s what South Korean scientists think they might have found a way to do.
. . . . She’s fat, she’s fabulous and she’s the queen of Katmai National Park. Grazer (above, at the salmon buffet) has been named the winner of this year’s Fat Bear Contest. Grazer’s combination of skill and toughness as both mother and salmon hunter makes her one of Brooks River’s most formidable, successful, and adaptable bears, park service officials said. Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating the success of the bears at Brooks River in Alaska’s Katmai National Park. The public gets a chance to vote for the chunkiest champion. According to Explore.org, “Fat bears exemplify the richness of Katmai National Park and Bristol Bay, Alaska, a wild region that is home to more brown bears than people and the largest, healthiest runs of sockeye salmon left on the planet.” Watch bears, birds, bats, orcas and more on the many live cams at Explore.org.
More Greenery . . . .
Food fight: Climate change could lead to food-related civil unrest in UK (The Conversation)
Get under your desk: Schools can’t hide from hurricanes, heat waves and floods (NYT)
Bitter beer: Climate change will probably make the world’s most popular alcoholic drink taste bad (ABC News)
Bad for beer, but good for Bordeau? Data from France says warmer, drier summers may improve wine quality (TWC)