Each week, I review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted over at the RFF Library Blog.
Spills of Diluted Bitumen from Pipelines: A Comparative Study of Environmental Fate, Effects, and Response
[NRDC Press Release] The National Academy of Sciences today released a study on diluted bitumen (or “dilbit”), a raw form of tar sands oil making its way across North America in increasing volumes, that supports alarm bells raised by NRDC and other advocacy groups over the last decade. The report, coming on the heels of a similar analysis from the Royal Canadian Academy of Science, makes clear that the nature of diluted bitumen substantially differs from other forms of crude oil and poses new environmental risks. - via National Research Council
United States: A Credible Climate Action Plan, but Political Uncertainty
[Blog post by Shawn Dhar and Ali Icenhower] President Barack Obama has made climate change a priority for the United States and has positioned the U.S. to play a leading role at the 21st annual U.N. climate conference (COP21). With talks reaching the final stages in Paris, the U.S. is poised to accomplish its goals to reach an international agreement that creates a framework to contain global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius. - via Brookings Institution
Adoption of the Paris Agreement: Proposal by the President Draft Decision
"Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.” - via United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Air Pollution in China: Mapping of Concentrations and Sources
[New York Times] Outdoor air pollution contributes to the deaths of an estimated 1.6 million people in China every year, or about 4,400 people a day, according to a newly released scientific paper… - via Berkeley Earth
Climate Information: A National System Could Help Federal, State, Local, and Private Sector Decision Makers Use Climate Information
Why GAO Did This Study
Over the last decade, the federal government incurred over $300 billion in costs due to extreme weather and fire, according to the President’s 2016 budget request. Costs are expected to grow as rare events become more common and intense due to climate change, according to the National Academies. State, local, and private sector decision makers also drive fiscal exposures, as they are responsible for infrastructure paid for with federal funds or eligible for disaster aid. GAO’s 2015 High-Risk update prioritized improving federal efforts to provide the best available climate information and technical assistance to help decision makers use the information to build resilience in up front. - via US Government Accountability Office
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