‘…O’Rourke says his proposal is the “most ambitious climate plan in the history of the United States.” Certainly it is—so far—the most wide-ranging climate plan debuted by any Democratic presidential candidate in the 2020 race, though a number of contenders say their own proposals will come out shortly. And it makes for a dramatic contrast with the agenda of President Donald Trump, who has repealed major federal rules restricting carbon pollution and staffed the federal government with former fossil-fuel lobbyists.’

Source: Why Beto’s Climate Plan Is So Surprising | The Atlantic

‘Climate change has become such a familiar term that we tend to read past it—it’s part of our mental furniture, like urban sprawl or gun violence. So, let’s remember exactly what we’ve been up to, because it should fill us with awe; it’s by far the biggest thing humans have ever done. Those of us in the fossil fuel-consuming classes have, over the last 200 years, dug up immense quantities of coal and gas and oil, and burned them: in car motors, basement furnaces, power plants, steel mills. When we burn them, the carbon atoms combine with oxygen atoms in the air to produce carbon dioxide. The molecular structure of carbon dioxide traps heat that would otherwise have radiated back out to space. We have, in other words, changed the energy balance of our planet, the amount of the sun’s heat that is returned to space.’

Source: It’s Not Coming, It’s Here: Bill McKibben on Our New Climate Reality | Literary Hub

‘…But farmers, agricultural scientists and industry officials say a new threat has been ruining harvests, upending lives and adding to the surge of families migrating to the United States: climate change.’

Source: Central American Farmers Head to the U.S., Fleeing Climate Change | The New York Times

‘Washington is looking to become the fourth state to make the move to 100% renewable electricity, with only a Senate review and the hand of Governor Inslee left in the way of SB 5116.’

Source: Washington 100% renewable bill passes both Houses | PV Magazine

‘…and let’s pick our heads up to face what might be the biggest security threat of our time – climate change and climate disruption… Our economy is on the line. Our future is on the line. Lives are on the line. So let’s call this what it is – climate security, a life and death issue for our generation.’ ~ Pete Buttigieg formally announcing his Presidential run.

‘A town next to the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant partially reopened on Wednesday, eight years after a triple meltdown forced tens of thousands of people in the area to flee.’

Source: Fukushima disaster: first residents return to town next to nuclear plant | The Guardian

‘We may not even see them, but tiny particles, particulates in the PM2.5 size range, are able to travel deeply into the respiratory tract. PM2.5 infiltrates the lungs, all the way to the alveoli, where oxygen is transferred into the bloodstream. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter, or PM, can cause grave trouble with one’s health.’

Source: Air Pollution Increases ER Visits — Largest US Study On The Topic Confirms It | cleantechnica.com

‘Norway’s $1tn oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is to plunge billions of dollars into wind and solar power projects. The decision follows Saudi Arabia’s oil fund selling off its last oil and gas assets.’

Source: ‘Historic breakthrough’: Norway’s giant oil fund dives into renewables | The Guardian