Allowing polluters to offset carbon emissions by paying forest owners effectively reduces greenhouse gases

[Source: Stanford News] A pioneering California program to sell carbon offsets has surprising environmental benefits – including providing habitat for endangered species – and provides lessons for initiatives under development in other states and countries. You can’t grow money on trees, but you can earn money for letting trees grow. Or at least you can Read More…

Good intentions: why environmental awareness doesn’t lead to green behavior

[Source: Earl J. Ritchie/UH Energy] Polls consistently show a high level of environmental awareness in the U.S. However, awareness frequently does not translate into action. Use of mass transit has shown almost no per capita growth despite substantial investment in light rail and other transit improvements. Carpooling has declined. The use of environmentally friendly technologies Read More…

Questions remain as Gov. Brown signs legislation to address neighborhood-level air pollution

[Source: Los Angeles Times] Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at improving air quality in disadvantaged communities, a key step in shifting the debate over how the state fights climate change and an issue that has tested the influence of environmental justice advocates The law imposes new requirements to monitor and reduce pollution Read More…