California climate change laws: More electric cars, solar power expected under tough new rules

[Source: The Mercury News] California is already a world leader in developing environmental policies that address climate change. But under a landmark bill sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday requiring far steeper reductions in greenhouse gas emissions than anything the state has ever attempted, the next 15 years will likely see big changes for Read More…

Ozone hole over Antarctica is closing, reports Science

[Source: Reason.com] In the 1980s, researchers discovered that the protective stratospheric ozone layer over Antarctica was thinning. Since stratospheric ozone reduces the amount of damaging ultraviolet light from the sun that reaches the surface, this was potentially very bad news. Scientists quickly identified chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) widely used as coolants in refrigerators, air conditioners, and as Read More…

Antarctic ozone hole shows signs of healing

[Source: Science Recorder] Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Leeds have discovered that the ozone layer above Antarctica has been slowly healing, a recent study published in the journal Science reports. The ozone layer is a section of the Earth’s atmosphere that shields the planet from harmful ultraviolet rays. However, greenhouse gas Read More…

State’s progress toward 1.5 million ZEVs by 2025

[Source: California Center for Jobs & the Economy] As part of the AB 32 climate change program, Executive Order B-16-2012 administratively created a goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on California roads by 2025, with a sub-goal that their market share is expanding at that point. The order also established interim mileposts primarily related Read More…

Oil gears up for another climate fight

[Source: CALmatters] A Harvard economist known globally for his work on climate change policy sat in the Sacramento office of the oil industry’s lobbying firm recently, making the case that California is fighting global warming the wrong way. The state has a good cap and trade system, Robert Stavins said, but some of its other Read More…