November 17, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Are we entering the golden age of geothermal energy?
Summary
Geothermal energy is mostly utilized to heat swimming pools, buildings, greenhouses, and urban heating systems across the globe. Boreholes up to 5,000 meters deep are used to pump water with temperatures reaching 200 degrees Celsius. The heat is subsequently extracted, and the cooled water is reintroduced through a second hole. This technique of capturing heat is viable globally, affordable, and becoming more popular in places with little volcanic activity. According to Renewables Global Status Report estimates, the installed capacity of geothermal heat plants globally is presently 38 gigawatts — more than twice the capacity of geothermal power plants that produce electricity. China (14 GW), Turkey (3 GW), Iceland (2 GW), and Japan (2 GW) are now the leaders in generating deep geothermal energy, which is heating an increasing number of metropolitan areas and greenhouses. Six German research organizations found that producing heat with deep geothermal energy costs less than three euro cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Prior to Russia's invasion on Ukraine, several municipal utilities in Europe could produce heat at a lower cost than this. However, since Russia's invasion, dramatic increases in gas prices have increased that cost to more than 12 cents per kWh, making geothermal options more appealing.
December 17, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Black Americans once owned millions of acres of land after the Civil War, but today, nearly 90% of it is no longer in their hands due to violence, eminent domain, and discriminato
November 16, 2023
Economic Justice
Economic Justice
Vice President Harris, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment globally, launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy
November 14, 2023
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Houston City Council allocated $5 million to relocate people from cancer clusters identified by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
November 14, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Environmental justice communities need real change—not a rebrand of the same discriminatory plans that slow the clock on fighting the climate crisis and reinforce the status quo.
November 14, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Community organizations that serve and are led by people of color are banding together to secure billions of federal dollars earmarked for environmental and climate causes.
November 11, 2023
Climate Change
Climate Change
Ohio and Pennsylvania are leading the way in the completion of a more robust national charging network, but the scale of the work ahead remains significant
November 10, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, a church in Tucson, Arizona, exemplifies the potential of microgrids for enhancing energy resiliency, especially in the face of climate challenges.
November 10, 2023
Economic Justice
Economic Justice
Grist reported on a study from Stanford University revealing the effectiveness of controlled burns in reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires.
The article delves into a paper by James Hansen, often referred to as the godfather of climate science, and his colleagues.
November 8, 2023
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
On November 8, 2023, Texas voters approved Proposition 7, allocating $10 billion in low-interest loans for new gas power plants, a move criticized as favoring the fossil fuel.
November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The article highlights the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), over the past two years.
November 7, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The article explores the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly South Africa, in transitioning from coal to clean energy with the support of the Global North.
November 6, 2023
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
On November 6, 2023, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Midtown Redevelopment Authority, tasked with acquiring lots to prevent gentrification in Houston's Third Ward.