Top News of the Week, November 18 - November 22

Associated Press: What to know about Chris Wright, Trump's choice to run the Energy Department

Chris Wright , CEO of Liberty Energy , is Donald Trump's pick to head the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) . Wright is a staunch proponent of oil, gas, and fracking—key components of the president-elect's vision for achieving U.S. "energy dominance." Environmentalists are raising concerns about what this leadership shift means for renewable energy initiatives and the country's climate goals.

Read more - What to know about Chris Wright, Trump's choice to run the Energy Department - Matthew Daly , The Associated Press , November 18, 2024

NPR: Countries agreed to try to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Is that still possible?

As #COP29 continues in Azerbaijan, questions loom about whether the planet has already surpassed the 1.5°C target set in the Paris Agreement. While climate finance is a focal point of this year's negotiations, scientists warn that the Earth may have already warmed dangerously close to the threshold. This raises the stakes for immediate and aggressive action to reduce emissions globally.

Read more - Countries agreed to try to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Is that still possible? - Alejandra Borunda , NPR , November 18, 2024

The Washington Post: 12 big changes Trump could make to climate and environment policy

Donald Trump's upcoming presidency is poised to roll back many of the U.S.'s climate policies, including clean energy tax breaks, pollution regulations, and participation in international agreements like the Paris Accord. The incoming administration has outlined a plan to prioritize fossil fuels and diminish renewable energy support, raising concerns about the long-term trajectory of U.S. climate action.

Read more - 12 big changes Trump could make to climate and environment policy - Dino Grandoni , Evan Halper , and Maxine Joselow , The Washington Post , November 19, 2024

Renewable Energy World: Meta, Amazon, and Google lead the way in corporate clean energy procurement

Meta , 亚马逊 , and 谷歌 are spearheading the corporate clean energy revolution. A new Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) report reveals record-breaking solar and energy storage investments by major corporations. These efforts drive the U.S.'s transition to renewable energy and highlight the private sector's critical role in combating climate change.

Read more - Meta, Amazon, and Google lead the way in corporate clean energy procurement - Paul Gerke , Factor This , November 20, 2024

MIT Technology Review: Who's to blame for climate change? It's surprisingly complicated.

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industry reached an all-time high of 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Budget. The report attributes the rise to increased energy demands and insufficient emission reductions. As countries face mounting pressure to reduce emissions, the report underscores the complexity of assigning responsibility for climate change among nations and industries.

Read more - Who's to blame for climate change? It's surprisingly complicated. Casey Crownhart , MIT Technology Review , November 20, 2024

E&E News: Biden inks billion-dollar climate deals to foil Trump rollbacks

President Biden has fast-tracked billion-dollar loans for clean energy technologies to safeguard climate progress. These deals are designed to bolster renewable energy projects that face potential rollbacks under Trump's incoming administration, demonstrating a race against time to secure gains before January's leadership transition.

Read more - Biden inks billion-dollar climate deals to foil Trump rollbacks - Benjamin Storrow, Kelsey Tamborrino , Brian Dabbs , and Jessie Blaeser , E&E News , November 20, 2024