Climate Change

The first real warnings that the climate was changing more rapidly than normal were sounded in the 1950s. Scientists then cautioned that warming would lead to changes in the atmosphere as well as an expanding ocean.

With no end in sight to extreme weather patterns that could have implications for data centers and even cybersecurity, the time is ripe for IT leaders to plan for energy efficiency and resilience.

The Brookville Smart Energy Depot in Silver Spring will be capable of charging 70 buses, setting the stage for not only the transition to a zero-emission transit fleet, but one powered by an on-site microgrid.

Maine also moves into the top five on the annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, owing successes to new standards governing appliances, buildings and more.

A total of 88 grants were announced for organizations in 29 states and U.S. territories amounting to more than $136 million. In Louisiana, matching money from local sponsors will increase the funding total to $9.3 million.

A new report shows that 90 percent of U.S. counties have experienced a climate-related federal disaster declaration and suggests that a paradigm shift from recovery to resilience is critical.

As extreme heat events continue to test the power grid in parts of the U.S., the large batteries in electric vehicles are being seen as an opportunity to help smooth out consumer demand peaks. 

Thirty-eight states are operating or building networks of weather monitoring stations to provide more precise data than they receive from the National Weather Service. These networks that detect weather events spanning 1 to 150 miles.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration selected companies to help compile and analyze worldwide climate and weather data, using AI and digital twin technology. The first phase will visualize sea surface temperature data.

The Shared-Use Mobility Center is urging public, private and nonprofit groups to sign on to its Shared Mobility 2030 Action Agenda, which sets goals around expanding mobility options and transportation equity.

The Transit Tech Lab, an initiative focused on bolstering transit recovery and sustainability, has selected six technology companies to conduct yearlong pilots across the New York City metro region.

Survivors of natural disasters — especially the hurricanes that have hit the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico the past two decades — report years of neglect, chaos and mismanagement of emergency response.

Last year, FEMA, which manages the NFIP, took a significant step toward a new rate structure, attempting to more accurately reflect a property's actual flood risk.

Evacuation behavioral studies have found that people who have a plan in place before a storm is forecast are more likely to evacuate when orders are called, said hazard geographer Chris Emrich.

Already, about 28% of beachfront homes along the North Shore are within 20 feet or less of the shoreline, putting them at risk of being damaged by ocean waves and increased flooding.

The state of New Jersey approved barriers and decking removal but said no to the new bulkhead and regrading of dunes because there was no immediate threat of "loss of life or property."

"The state of Texas is working closely with local emergency management officials to ensure our communities have access to critical resources ahead of severe weather threats," Gov. Greg Abbott said.

Climate migration, not just between countries but inside them, may eventually become the norm as people are forced from their homes because of flooding, drought or other natural disasters.