Climate 411

Protective pollution safeguards can dramatically increase deployment of zero-emission freight trucks and buses

By / Published: February 17, 2022

Photo: Scharfsinn86

A new study developed by Roush Industries for EDF shows rapidly declining costs for zero-emission freight trucks and buses, underscoring the feasibility of rapidly deploying these vehicles that will help us save money, have healthier air, and address the climate crisis.

The study, Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification Cost Evaluation, analyzes the cost of electrifying vehicles in several medium and heavy-duty market segments, including transit and school buses, shuttle and delivery vehicles, and garbage trucks – vehicles that typically operate in cities where average trip distances are short and the health and pollution effects of transportation pollution are of particular concern. It projects the upfront costs of buying an electric vehicle instead of a diesel vehicle, and the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles in model years 2027 to 2030.

The study finds that a rapid transition to electric freight trucks and buses makes economic sense when considering both the upfront purchase cost and the total cost of ownership.

Read More »

Also posted in Cars and Pollution, Cities and states, Clean Air Act, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Health, News, Policy / Comments are closed

OSHA takes important first steps to address growing risks of heat to workers

By / Bio / Published: February 8, 2022

As climate change intensifies heat-related risks in the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing regulations that would provide critical protections for workers from heat hazards in indoor and outdoor settings — a process that should incorporate consideration of climate impacts and the firsthand expertise of affected workers.

As an initial step in the rulemaking process, last fall, OSHA announced its intent to propose a rule and requested public comment on how to design a heat standard that will provide effective protection. Environmental Defense Fund and the Institute for Policy Integrity recently submitted joint comments supporting OSHA’s efforts to protect workers and urging that the agency design standards that account for the disproportionate impacts of extreme heat on marginalized communities and the increased heat risk that workers will face due to climate change.

Laboring under high heat can lead to heat exhaustion, stroke, kidney disease, and other maladies. Heat also makes workplace injuries more likely, with studies finding increased rates of accidents like ladder falls and even helicopter crashes. A day of over 100°F is associated with a 10-15% increase in traumatic workplace injuries, compared with a 60°F day. Climate change exacerbates these harms, driving up temperatures, humidity, and the frequency and severity of extreme heat events.

Read More »

Also posted in Extreme Weather, Health, Jobs, News, Partners for Change, Policy, Science / Read 5 Responses

What We’re Watching in Reconciliation: Regular Updates from EDF

By / Published: December 13, 2021

Photo Credit: John Williams

Through the process known as budget reconciliation, Congress is now crafting a bill that could include significant investments in climate action that will drive economic and job growth. There are going to be a lot of moving parts over the next few weeks, which is why EDF will be weighing in regularly in this space to help break down what’s happening, and why it matters.

Want a primer on the key issues EDF will be watching? Read all about them here.

Dec. 13: Build Back Better Act moves through the Senate; White House releases new Executive Order building on climate investments

The Build Back Better Act continued its march through the Senate last week, with several key sections of the legislation going through the process of being vetted for final passage. We’re hearing a final vote may be scheduled as soon as December 20. 

But even as we wait for the Build Back Better Act to move through the Senate, the White House is not hesitating to act on the climate crisis. Last Wednesday, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability and released a Federal Sustainability Plan detailing the government’s plan to “walk the talk” on clean energy.  Read More »

Also posted in Cars and Pollution, Climate Change Legislation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Health, News, Policy / Read 1 Response

Safeguarding Americans’ financial futures from climate change

By / Bio / Published: October 29, 2021

This post is co-authored with Michael Panfil, Director of Climate Risk Strategies Project Manager at EDF.

Climate change presents immense risks for our society. These include, as is becoming increasingly apparent, the financial system. Now, the U.S. Department of Labor is taking a step to help safeguard one critical part of our economy and a cornerstone of many Americans’ financial futures – workers’ retirement savings.

The Labor Department has proposed a rule that would make clear that retirement plan managers can consider climate change when making 401(k) investment decisions. Risk management is bedrock to our financial system, and this proposal empowers 401(k) plan sponsors to incorporate the substantial and growing risks posed by climate change alongside other financial risks.

A substantial body of research highlights the financial risks stemming from climate change. The London School of Economics found that climate change could cause trillions of dollars in financial damage, far more severe than the 2008 financial crisis. The U.S. Fourth National Climate Assessment found climate change could stifle economic growth by 10% by 2100.  The U.S. Commodity Futures and Trading Commission released a report last year that found Earth’s rising temperatures, and resulting extreme weather, pose “a major risk to the stability of the U.S. financial system and to its ability to sustain the American economy.” These findings were reaffirmed last week, with an Executive Order initiated risk and finance report by the White House making clear that “climate change poses serious and systemic risks to the U.S. economy and financial system.”

Read More »

Posted in Economics / Read 1 Response

A revamped cost curve showcases the biggest carbon-cutting opportunities

By / Bio / Published: August 31, 2021

President Biden has raised the bar for U.S. climate ambition, setting targets to cut economy-wide emissions 50-52% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. As the administration, federal lawmakers and state and local leaders work to make these goals a reality with strong climate policies and investments — including in climate-focused infrastructure and reconciliation packages being negotiated in Congress — they are faced with many questions. What are the cheapest ways to cut carbon right now? How will a particular policy affect emissions? How much should we be investing in new clean technologies that are not widely available yet?

A new and improved ‘cost curve’ tool developed by EDF and Evolved Energy Research shows that the electricity and transportation sectors offer the most impactful carbon-cutting opportunities at the lowest cost right now — with potential to get us nearly halfway to net-zero emissions from energy and industry by 2050. This tool, which offers a new take on what is known as a Marginal Abatement Cost (MAC) curve, gives policymakers an economic roadmap to net-zero emissions and beyond by revealing greater insights into the costs, impact and optimal sequencing of different carbon-cutting actions.

Read More »

Also posted in Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Comments are closed

The EU just moved closer to all zero-emission cars. That heightens urgency for the U.S. to act

By / Bio / Published: July 19, 2021

Electric cars charging in Nice, France

The European Union just released proposed legislation for passenger cars and vans that would move the continent closer to a zero-emission transportation future.

The EU proposal would require a 55% reduction in carbon pollution for new cars and a 50% reduction for new vans by 2030 – and a 100% reduction for both in 2035. That would substantially strengthen standards that the EU adopted in 2019, and would ultimately eliminate harmful tailpipe pollution from new vehicles sold there.

The proposal would save European drivers money on gas while dramatically cutting climate and air pollution from one of the world’s largest fleets of passenger vehicles. It also has profound reverberations around the world – especially here in the U.S.

Read More »

Also posted in Cars and Pollution, News, Policy / Read 2 Responses