News & Commentary

The Long, Long Battle for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

March 15, 2024 ExplainerAlaskaBrian Palmer, Nicole Greenfield

For decades, politicians have vacillated between protecting Alaska’s refuge as one of the last unspoiled places on earth and plundering it for oil.

The Uinta Basin Railway Would Be a Bigger Carbon Bomb Than Willow

December 13, 2023 ExplainerUtah, Colorado, United StatesNicole Greenfield

The project could sabotage U.S. climate goals, send oil-filled trains along the Colorado River, and pollute the air from Utah to the Gulf Coast.

What Is the Justice40 Initiative?

December 4, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

This Biden administration directive is the historic effort to ensure that federal climate, clean energy, and infrastructure investments reach the communities who need them most.

Even One More Oil and Gas Lease Sale in the Gulf of Mexico Is Too Many

November 17, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, LouisianaCourtney Lindwall

An expansion of offshore drilling would lock the region into decades of fossil fuel extraction at the expense of the climate, coastal communities, and marine life.

Mercury’s Journey from Coal-Burning Power Plants to Your Plate

May 2, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesSusan Cosier

The EPA wants to lower people’s exposure to this potent neurotoxin by going after the pollutant’s biggest source. 

Decarbonization: Why We Must Electrify Everything Even Before the Grid Is Fully Green

December 1, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

To decarbonize and fight climate change, electrification and clean energy development must happen together—and fast.

The Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling, Explained

July 7, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

What the West Virginia v. EPA decision means for the agency, climate action, and the future of federal protections.

Electric Vehicle Charging Explained

July 5, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

From charging stations to charging equipment, here’s everything you need to know to charge your electric vehicle.

How the Energy Grid Works (Well, Most of the Time)

June 22, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer, Jeff Turrentine

Clean energy isn’t responsible for blackouts, brownouts, and rolling outages—no matter what the coal industry would have you believe.

Ghost Pipelines: How Landowners Suffer, Long After a Project Gets Canceled

June 21, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, Virginia, Pennsylvania, NebraskaNicole Greenfield

The pipeline threat is gone, but the damage to their property and lives is already done.

What Is Congestion Pricing?

May 25, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, New York City

Fees charged for driving on busy city roads reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality while also generating sorely needed funding for the transit systems that many people rely on for their daily commutes.

Meet the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

May 17, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

It’s one of the biggest climate players that you’ve (probably) never heard of.

Atlantic Oil Drilling Is a Terrible Idea

May 17, 2022 ExplainerUnited States

While past leasing proposals have included the Atlantic among other large swaths of the U.S. coastline, today the vast majority of Americans agree that opening up more areas for leasing spells disaster for our climate and our economy.

Why Forest Carbon Offsets Aren’t a Substitute for Slashing Emissions

May 16, 2022 ExplainerInternational, United StatesRobynne Boyd

Companies need to both protect forests and cut carbon emissions in order to fight climate change (and look good doing it).

Should You Buy Carbon Offsets?

May 11, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalBrian Palmer

A practical and philosophical guide to neutralizing your carbon footprint.

How We Can Help Europe End Its Reliance on Russian Gas

May 3, 2022 ExplainerInternationalJeff Turrentine

Simply replacing it with U.S. gas isn’t the answer.

Climate Misinformation on Social Media Is Undermining Climate Action

April 19, 2022 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalJeff Turrentine

At their worst, social platforms are ideological echo chambers where misinformation can’t be set straight. To fossil fuel interests, that sounds perfect.

The Real Reasons for High Oil and Gas Prices

March 28, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

Dispelling myths is step one. Step two is understanding why clean energy is the only long-term solution to rising gasoline prices.

The Promise and Pitfalls of Net-Zero Pledges

February 3, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

The ubiquitous climate target comes with big loopholes, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hit it.

Rich, Polluting Nations Still Owe the Developing World

January 22, 2022 ExplainerInternationalCourtney Lindwall

Here’s why follow-through on a $100 billion–per–year climate finance promise, from collecting data to determining success, remains complex but critical.