Author: cne4h

In a high-stakes showdown that has captured the attention of investors across the country, Tennessee has reached a settlement with BlackRock Inc. over its use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the management of U.S. mutual funds. While skeptics may view the agreement as symbolic, a closer look reveals it to be a major victory for investor rights, transparency and accountability in the financial sector. Allegations and background The case centers on BlackRock's failure to fully disclose the role of ESG factors in its decision-making processes, thereby violating Tennessee's Trade Practices Act (TCPA). ESG investing has been a…

from carbon dioxide2 alliance Fritz Byron Thorpjan January 2025 Abstract: Various educational and medical institutions and policymakers have expressed concerns about the use of metered-dose inhalers to prevent or treat shortness of breath associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because these inhalers use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are Greenhouse gases, as propellants. In response, “eco-friendly” alternatives to metered-dose inhalers have been proposed for asthma sufferers. To determine whether prescribing these alternatives is warranted, we used the concentrations and radiative forces of HFCs currently used as propellants in inhalers (HFC-134a and HFC-227ea) to predict the temperatures resulting from continued…

New research shows that ice flow from temperate glaciers is more stable than previously thought, leading to lower projections of sea level rise. [emphasis, links added] When Neil Iverson was asked to describe a research paper on glacial ice flows that had just been published in the journal, he started with two lessons in ice physics science. First, there are different types of ice within glaciers, said Professor Emeritus of the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Climate at Iowa State University. Parts of the glacier are at pressure melting temperatures and are soft and watery. This temperate ice is like…

Senate committee rooms on Capitol Hill are buzzing with activity this week as President Trump picks a number of Cabinet positions. Three key hearings on climate and energy policy were with the EPA's Lee Zeldin, the Interior Department's Doug Burgum and the Energy Department's Chris Wright. We hope you'll be able to cover Heartland's two three-hour “watch parties” in full this week, but there's more to delve into. What do the hearing performances of Trump’s picks say about how they will carry out their duties? Which of these three federal agencies needs the most effort to change its purpose? Will…

The energy secretary selected by U.S. President-elect Trump on Wednesday pledged to focus on what he called restoring U.S. energy dominance. [emphasis, links added] “President Trump shares my passion for energy, and if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as a nation. Unabashed stewards of all affordable, reliable, and secure American energy sources,” Chris Wright told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee during his confirmation hearing. Wright said he would focus on three pressing priorities if confirmed. “That starts with unleashing America’s energy at home and abroad and restoring our energy dominance.” “Our nation's security…

Climate alarmist Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) held court on Thursday's confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin During the hearing, a series of wild climate change claims were made regarding the California wildfires. [emphasis, links added] Markey, a co-author of AOC's far-left Green New Deal, believes climate change is to blame for wildfires in Los Angeles and September's hurricanes that ravaged the Southeast. “Are you seeing the fires in Los Angeles right now? Are you seeing the storms rolling through Georgia and North Carolina? The threat of climate change is not…

Frank Sinatra said that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. Well, when it's repeatedly made clear that you just cannot Is it successful in New York? [emphasis, links added] This question is one that the climate litigation movement is grappling with today. The nationally coordinated climate litigation movement suffered another demoralizing defeat — and a poignant moment of deja vu — as New York City's lawsuit against U.S. energy producers was dismissed yesterday (for the second time). The New York State Supreme Court ruling firmly rejects the city’s claims that the companies misled…

Australian billionaire environmentalist Andrew Forrest is quietly funding lawsuits in the US against ExxonMobil, whose businesses compete directly with his. washington free beacon. [emphasis, links added] Foreign agent registration documents show that the Intergenerational Environmental Justice Fund – founded by Forrest and associated with Forrest's Australia-based social and environmental nonprofit Minderoo Foundation – is filing a petition with the California-based The law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy pays to be eco-friendly. The company filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil in California court in September. Accused the company of hiding the dangers of its petrochemical and plastics businesses. The lawsuit was filed…

Moss Landing, California — A fire broke out at the Vistra Energy battery storage plant in Moss Landing, one of the largest such facilities in the world. The fire, which broke out late Thursday afternoon, has sent plumes of dangerous black smoke into the air, prompting evacuations, road closures and major emergency response measures. Officials said the fire broke out at the plant on Highway 1 in Monterey County around 3 p.m. Flames and smoke continued to billow from the facility, which contains thousands of lithium batteries designed to store electricity generated during the day for use at night. The…

For young people around the world, climate change no longer seems like a distant threat but a reality. A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Planetary Health surveyed 10,000 young people in 10 countries. A shocking 59% of people are very or extremely worried about climate change, while the vast majority (84%) are at least moderately concerned. Those who experience climate-related disasters experience increased mental stress: nearly one-third of people affected by disasters are likely to experience negative mental health consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression. Children, especially, bear a huge emotional burden. Given…