Reliable, affordable electricity is essential for many of the products and services that underpin the modern economy. But the sources of that electricity—and their respective merits and risks—are increasingly the subject of debate and polarization. A flood of narratives and counternarratives is rising in the media and public conversation about … [continued]
Getting more zero-emission trucks on the road is an important transportation shift that is needed to reduce air pollution, protect public health and curb climate-harming emissions. But transforming the entire trucking industry is a challenging feat that will require the establishment of government policies with ambitious targets. Some jurisdictions have … [continued]
Power County Wind Farm, Idaho. President Joe Biden has reiterated his goal to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035. Photo by the U.S. Department of Energy.
In 2020, Joe Biden ran for president on the most ambitious climate action platform of any major presidential candidate in U.S. history. As President Biden finishes his term, it’s time to take stock of what his administration accomplished, what is still a work in progress, and what is off track. … [continued]
Students get off a school bus using both the stairs and the wheelchair lift. Photo by WRI's Electric School Bus Initiative
School buses, intended to provide safe and secure rides for all children, are largely failing kids with disabilities, prompting urgent calls for improvements. “I experienced accessibility problems at least three times a week,” one youth reflected in a student discussion. Either there was not enough space to secure a wheelchair, … [continued]
As momentum for electric vehicles accelerates in the U.S., a skilled and trained auto manufacturing workforce will be necessary for a successful transition. Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have helped deliver more than $154 billion in investments into building electric vehicles and components. By 2035, EVs could … [continued]
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities are now higher than at any point in our history. In fact, recent data reveals that global CO2 emissions were 182 times higher in 2022 than they were in 1850, around the time the industrial revolution was underway.1 How did we arrive at … [continued]
Every autumn morning at an aquaculture site near the mouth of the Yellow River in China’s Dongying City, Shandong Province, farmers begin packaging shrimp for their customers. Their harvest is increasingly more bountiful thanks to an innovative way of farming that integrates renewable energy into agriculture. Here, solar photovoltaic (PV) … [continued]
Repowering existing school buses with a new electric drivetrain shows promise to provide school bus operators with a lower cost and more sustainable vehicle compared to buying a brand-new electric school bus. An electric repower — sometimes referred to as an electric conversion or retrofit — involves the removal of a vehicle’s internal combustion … [continued]
With growing urban populations and increases in cars, trucks and buses, cities are poised to experience more harmful pollution threatening people’s health and livelihoods. But some cities around the world are turning to an emerging solution called zero-emission zones (ZEZs). These are designated small areas of about 1.5 square miles to 11 square miles … [continued]
Like many parts of Africa, motorcycles are the most popular form of transportation among Rwanda’s 13.3 million people. Whether they’re commuting to work or school, transporting jugs of water from the local taps, or just running everyday errands, people on “motos” can be found zipping up and down most busy … [continued]
