Press Releases
IPCC Warns of Tipping Points from Loss of Arctic Snow and Ice
September 25, 2019
The IPPC’s Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, notes the cryosphere is already experiencing a number of globally consequential tipping elements and climate feedback loops that could permanently alter regional and global climate. In the next few decades, these will include mass loss from glaciers, permafrost thaw, and decline in Arctic snow cover and sea ice. read more
Loss of Arctic’s Reflective Sea Ice Will Advance 2°C Guardrail 25 Years
July 12, 2019
Losing the remaining Arctic sea ice and its reflective power to send incoming solar radiation safely back to space is equivalent to adding one trillion tons of CO2 to the atmosphere, on top of the 2.4 trillion emitted since the Industrial Age. This roughly equates to adding 25 years of additional global CO2 emissions. read more
Study: U.S. Costal Communities Face More Than $400 Billion in Seawall Costs by 2040
June 20, 2019
Coastal communities in the contiguous U.S. face more than $400 billion in costs over the next 20 years, much of it sooner, to defend coastal communities from inevitable sea-level rise. As things stand, oil and gas companies and other climate polluters are paying none of these costs. read more
Catastrophic Arctic Warming Predicted Even with Current Paris Pledges
March 25, 2019
Update & Correction: Following further consultation with global and Arctic climate experts, the UN has issued a revised version of Global Linkages–A graphic look at the changing Arctic. The revised report explains winter temperatures over the Arctic Ocean would increase 3 to 5°C by mid-century. read more
Mobile Air Conditioning, Lowest Cost Alternative Refrigerant Identified
March 8, 2019
Implemented in a new design called Secondary Loop Mobile Air Conditioning (SL-MAC), the lowest cost alternative refrigerant to HFC-134a has been identified as R-152a. This improved refrigerant is more energy efficient and requires less routine maintenance. read more
Dumping of Obsolete Air Conditioners Undermines Development and Climate Goals
January 9, 2019
Inefficient ACs dumped into other countries overload energy resources, undermining national and local efforts to manage energy, environment, health, and climate goals, according to new analysis published in the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum. read more
Global Agreement to Phase Down HFCs Enters into Force
January 3, 2019
On 1 January 2019 the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol entered into force, mandating the phase down of super climate pollutants HFCs. The amendment has been ratified by 65 parties. read more
Global warming will happen faster than we think
December 5, 2018
From developments in renewable energy, to the growing capacity of energy-storage systems and the adoption of electric vehicles, global action taken to combat rising temperatures has undoubtedly come a long way. But as climate impacts mount, little time remains to ramp up the necessary ambition to limit temperatures to 1.5°C. read more
Montreal Protocol Aims High in Quito to Avoid 1º C of Future Warming
November 10, 2018
At the conclusion of the annual meeting of the Montreal Protocol, the Parties took their strongest action yet to increase energy efficiency of cooling equipment in parallel with the mandated phase down of HFC refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment read more
Scientists Confirm Ozone Layer Healing Thanks to Montreal Protocol
November 5, 2018
The Montreal Protocol—the only treaty with universal membership of all UN countries—is continuing to heal the protective stratospheric ozone layer and also protecting the climate, a key scientific assessment concludes today. read more
