Disasters

"As countries begin rolling out plans to restart their economies after the brutal shock inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, the three biggest producers of planet-warming gases — the European Union, the United States and China — are writing scripts that push humanity in very different directions."

"Temperature checks, desk shields and no public transit: The guidelines would remake office life. Some may decide it’s easier to keep employees at home."

"The European commission has put down a marker for the world with its green recovery package. It sets a high standard for other nations, using the rebuilding of coronavirus-ravaged economies to tackle the even greater threat of the climate emergency, in principle at least."

"Ten corporations that agreed to a total of $56m in civil penalties for allegedly breaking environmental laws are not being required to make payments under a pause granted by the US government during the Covid-19 pandemic."

"U.S. cities are closing down streets to car traffic and opening them up to people. But which neighborhoods get them and whether they’ll stay remains to be seen."

"The coronavirus crisis is causing the biggest fall in global energy investment in history. Before the pandemic, funding was set to rise 2%, but now it’s predicted to plunge 20%, says the International Energy Agency (IEA)."

"The Trump administration is making it easier for renewable energy projects to take advantage of certain tax credits amid the coronavirus pandemic."

"Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is urging the White House not to approve a proposal that would delay payments for companies that drill on public lands."

"Touting the potential for disposable plastic bags to help prevent coronavirus spread in grocery stores, the heavily Republican Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit local plastic bag bans for 12 months."

"From doubling public transport to expanding electric bike rentals, Colombia's second city wants to use the virus recovery to reach climate goals".