Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Lukas Hermwille, Adis Dzebo, Gabriela Ileana Iacobuta, Wolfgang Obergassel
Summary: Better integration of climate action and sustainable development can enhance the ambition of the next nationally determined contributions and promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yu Yan, Yiming Lei, Yuyang Tang, Xufeng Zhao
Summary: This paper develops a model under neoclassical assumptions to analyze the effects of government use of carbon allowances for carbon emission control. The study finds that control using long-term carbon allowances does not achieve the same favorable outcomes in the Decentralised Equilibrium as in the Planning Problem. This is because the price of carbon allowances is determined by investors' asset profiles rather than externalities.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Turco, John T. Abatzoglou, Sixto Herrera, Yizhou Zhuang, Sonia Jerez, Donald D. Lucas, Amir AghaKouchak, Ivana Cvijanovic
Summary: Record-breaking summer forest fires in California have significantly increased due to anthropogenic climate change, rather than natural factors. The future is expected to see a further increase in fire area, highlighting the need for proactive adaptations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alan Barreca, R. Jisung Park, Paul Stainier
Summary: Evidence suggests that households adapt to hot weather by using energy-intensive technologies such as air conditioning. However, this could lead to excessive energy expenses for low-income households and eventually result in disconnection due to non-payment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shu Li, Tirtha Banerjee
Summary: The situation of wildfires in California is worsening year by year, with the frequency of small, human-caused wildfires increasing rapidly. The wildfire season has lengthened, with peak months advancing from August to July.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhihui Li, Jia Wu, Xiaolin Cui, Zhaojuan Mi, Lu Peng
Summary: Economic vulnerability is an important indicator for measuring regional coordination, health, and stability. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the vulnerabilities in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, focusing on the domestic economic system, external economic system, and financial system. The results show that the vulnerability of the BRI countries is generally in the middle level, with East Asia, South Asia, and ASEAN countries having lower vulnerability compared to the Middle Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and West Asia countries. The main influencing factors of comprehensive economic system vulnerability (CESV) include GDP growth rate, saving ratio, service industry level, etc. The findings highlight the importance of macroeconomic development, stimulating the economy, promoting industry development, and optimizing the economic structure, banking system, and financial system in maintaining stability and mitigating vulnerability in the BRI countries.
Article
Environmental Studies
Deborah Barros Leal Farias, Charles Roger
Summary: In this article, the importance of differential treatment for developing countries in multilateral environmental agreements is measured, described, and demonstrated. The research shows that differentiation is surprisingly uncommon in these agreements, appearing in only 6 percent of cases, and it is more often found in larger, more recent agreements. The study also reveals that in agreements where differentiation exists, greater depth of commitments leads to increased participation, which has important policy implications.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Devon Johnson, Lauren E. Parker, Tapan B. Pathak, Laura Crothers, Steven M. Ostoja
Summary: Climate change poses challenges to California agriculture, and farmers and ranchers need to adopt climate-adaptive management practices to ensure production sustainability. Agricultural technical assistance providers (TAPs) are crucial in supporting the adoption of climate-smart practices. This study reveals TAPs' understanding of climate change, their recommendations for climate adaptation, and the barriers to practice adoption. The study highlights the importance of addressing monetary support, information gaps, and messaging in overcoming these barriers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miriam E. Marlier, Katherine Brenner, Jia Coco Liu, Loretta J. Mickley, Sierra Raby, Eric James, Ravan Ahmadov, Heather Riden
Summary: Wildfire activities in the western U.S. have become more frequent and severe in recent decades, leading to increased smoke PM2.5 emissions. Agricultural workers, due to their outdoor and physically demanding work, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke pollution. A study conducted in California quantifies the potential exposure of agricultural workers to past and future smoke PM2.5. The findings suggest that future increases in smoke PM2.5 concentrations could pose a significant threat to agricultural regions, with a substantial increase in worker exposure days projected under future climate conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Lauren E. Parker, Ning Zhang, John T. Abatzoglou, Steven M. Ostoja, Tapan B. Pathak
Summary: This study focuses on specialty crop production regions in California and investigates the changes in energy-based agroclimate metrics over the two most recent normal period. The observed changes in agroclimate metrics are consistent with global warming trends, showing longer frost-free periods, increased heat exposure, and increased evapotranspiration. The trend analysis also reveals significant increases in growing degree days across all agricultural regions.
Article
Forestry
John Parsons, Carina Motta, Garima Sehgal, Ana Miller-ter-Kuile, Hillary Young, Devyn Orr
Summary: The study found that seed germination and seedling survival were highest in intermediate and mesic climates, with total exclosures showing the best outcomes. However, in arid climates, the best establishment regime included wild herbivores without cattle, with the highest seedling mortality in the most arid climate.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Chen, Yufang Jin
Summary: This study analyzed human- and lightning-caused ignition probability in California, USA. The results showed that human-caused ignitions were concentrated in populated areas and along traffic corridors, while lightning-caused ignitions were more remote. Precipitation, slope, human settlement, and road network were found to be the primary drivers of human-started ignitions, while snow water equivalent, lightning strike density, and fuel amount were the primary drivers of lightning-started ignitions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Lauren R. Linde, Adam Readhead, Pennan M. Barry, John R. Balmes, Joseph A. Lewnard
Summary: Wildfire-associated ambient air pollution is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis diagnosis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Daniel L. Swain
Summary: California has seen increasingly severe autumn wildfires in recent decades, with a clear link to climate change. Recent research shows that the delay in autumn precipitation and increased sharpness of precipitation seasonality in California have important implications for ecology and wildfire risk. These observations align with climate model projections, suggesting that recent trends could be a preview of larger changes to come.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Economics
Cecilia Bellora, Lionel Fontagne
Summary: In order to achieve the targets of the EU's Fit for 55 package, the European Commission proposed the implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to address carbon leakage and restore a level playing field in high-emitting industries. This paper aims to quantify the economic and environmental impacts of different choices regarding the design of CBAM. The simulations conducted show that while CBAM is effective in reducing carbon leakage, it also increases the price of carbon in the European Emissions Trading Scheme, leading to potential competitiveness losses for certain sectors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dana Rowangould, Greg Rowangould, Elena Craft, Deb Niemeier
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yizheng Wu, Dana Rowangould, Jonathan K. London, Alex Karner
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Tayarani, Gregory Rowangould
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Louis G. Alcorn, Alex Karner
Summary: Informal minibus services dominate public transportation in Lagos, Nigeria, as formal transit systems provided by government entities have been inadequate. Despite issues of inefficiency, safety, and unreliability, informal transit remains the primary mode of transport, offering dynamic advantages that formal mass transit cannot achieve. Government agencies advocate for the modernist approach of imposing bold infrastructure projects to eradicate the disorder associated with the informal system.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Alex Karner, Kaylyn Levine
Summary: Public transportation agencies must evaluate the impact of decisions on different groups and engage the public to achieve transportation equity. Challenges exist in quantitative analysis of plan impacts and traditional public engagement methods, necessitating a broad understanding of approaches used by agencies to pursue equity goals.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Adjo Amekudzi-Kennedy, Brian Woodall, Alex Karner, Alexandra Akosa, Haley Franklin, Jose Luiz Simao, Henrik Gudmundsson, Janille Smith-Colin
Summary: Forum papers are opinion pieces or essays based on facts and speculation, discussing civil engineering topics of general interest to readers. It is important to note that the views expressed in these papers do not necessarily represent those of ASCE or the Editorial Board of the journal.
JOURNAL OF URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Erica Quallen, Julia Clarke, Clare Nelson, Gregory Rowangould
Summary: The vast majority of research on travel behavior and sustainable transportation has focused on urban areas, neglecting a rural perspective. This study aims to understand travel patterns and opinions in a predominantly rural state by conducting in-person interviews with Vermonters. Key findings include the challenges of long-distance travel in rural areas, traffic concerns in urban areas, and consistent attitudes towards electric vehicle ownership throughout the state.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD
(2023)
Article
Transportation
Alex Karner, Seth LaRue, Willem Klumpenhouwer, Dana Rowangould
Summary: The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on public transit have been significant, leading to a drastic decrease in ridership and changes in travel patterns. Public transit agencies have responded with service adjustments and efforts to communicate with users. This paper examines the adaptations made by seven major public transit operators in the United States and assesses the effects on essential riders. The findings suggest that existing disparities between different groups were not worsened by the pandemic, and this analysis provides insights into how agencies can adapt to future crises.
CASE STUDIES ON TRANSPORT POLICY
(2023)
Article
Transportation
Alex Karner
Summary: This paper explores the pros and cons of public transit ridership forecasts and accessibility analysis approaches, highlighting their limitations. It introduces a new strategy of using revealed travel behavior data and near-term forecasts to better understand the benefits of transit investments.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
(2021)
Review
Regional & Urban Planning
Ariel H. Bierbaum, Alex Karner, Jesus M. Barajas
Summary: Addressing the intersection of transportation equity, youth travel, and school choice, this study emphasizes the importance of a mobility justice framework in tackling the root causes of inequalities.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Urban Studies
Alexis Corning-Padilla, Gregory Rowangould
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Alex Karner, Jonathan London, Dana Rowangould, Kevin Manaugh
JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Studies
Alex Karner, Richard Duckworth
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Alex Karner, Keith Brower Brown, Richard Marcantonio, Louis G. Alcorn
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
(2019)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Margaret Kent, Alex Karner
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
(2019)
Article
Economics
Marie-Louise Arlt, David Chassin, Claudio Rivetta, James Sweeney
Summary: This paper examines the impact of real-time pricing and load automation on residential distribution systems. The study finds that implementing real-time pricing can result in an aggregate welfare gain of 39 USD per customer and year. However, it also notes that RTP and load automation may significantly increase peak system load. Introducing a market-based demand management system can further enhance welfare gains and reduce grid investment.
Article
Economics
Javier Jorquera-Copier, Alvaro Lorca, Enzo Sauma, Stefan Lorenczik, Matias Negrete-Pincetic
Summary: As countries update their climate ambitions, low-carbon hydrogen production and use present opportunities for emissions reductions and economic development. A case study for Chile shows that integrating hydrogen and electricity networks can lower system costs and enhance renewable integration, but policy support is needed to address concerns related to water and land use.
Article
Economics
Dawit Guta, Hisham Zerriffi, Jill Baumgartner, Abhishek Jain, Sunil Mani, Darby Jack, Ellison Carter, Guofeng Shen, Jennifer Orgill-Meyer, Joshua Rosenthal, Katherine Dickinson, Rob Bailis, Yuta Masuda
Summary: Household solid fuel use is detrimental to health and the environment. The Indian government's PMUY subsidy has successfully promoted the adoption of LPG by millions of households. However, there is limited understanding of the decision-making process to reduce solid fuel use after transitioning to cleaner fuels. This study found that factors such as household wealth, social status, education level, and the prevalence of LPG use in the village are positively associated with LPG consumption and the discontinuation of solid fuel use. On the other hand, factors such as distance to LPG refill delivery, household size, and the PMUY subsidy are negatively associated with the share of LPG use.
Article
Economics
Nicolas Morell-Dameto, Jose Pablo Chaves-Avila, Tomas Gomez San Roman, Pablo Duenas-Martinez, Tim Schittekatte
Summary: This paper assesses the performance of differently implemented forward-looking network tariff designs and proposes an innovative coordination mechanism to increase predictability in a future with many flexible customers. The study reveals that if large shares of customers synchronize their responses to highly time-varying and locational-specific network charges, it can lead to unexpected reinforcements.
Article
Economics
Alexandra Gritz, Guntram Wolff
Summary: Russia's weaponization of gas supplies shook the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe in 2022. The region responded by increasing alternative energy supplies and developing new gas supply routes. Renewable energy, nuclear energy, and hydrogen play important roles in the long-term. Mitigating the impact of this shock requires the EU to prioritize the integrity of its energy market.
Article
Economics
Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, Marion Collewet, Matthew DiGiuseppe, Hendrik Vrijburg
Summary: Economic costs are a major political obstacle to investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The method of financing plays a crucial role in determining public opposition to government green investments, with debt financing being less opposed than broad-based taxes. This study suggests that credit market tools, such as green bonds and debt for climate swaps, can be politically efficient in increasing support for green financing. Carbon taxes and wealth taxes are found to be the most preferred options.
Article
Economics
Kun Guo, Liyuan Luan, Xiaoli Cai, Dayong Zhang, Qiang Ji
Summary: This paper investigates China's energy trade stability using a survival analysis approach. It finds that the energy trade linkages between China and 153 other countries are complex and unstable, with short periods of trade with many countries. Geopolitically risky regions, such as the Middle East and Africa, have the lowest trade stability. Climate risks have significant effects on energy trade stability. The paper proposes several policy options to improve energy trade stability in China, with special attention to increasing global climate risks.
Article
Economics
Simona Bigerna, Piyush Choudhary, Nikunj Kumar Jain, Silvia Micheli, Paolo Polinori
Summary: This study estimates the willingness to pay of Indian urban consumers for a continuous supply of electricity using contingent valuation method. The findings show that the amount consumers are willing to pay depends on the duration of power outages, with households preferring shorter outages. Income and environmental attitude also positively influence higher willingness to pay. These insights can inform policymakers in designing more reliable and customer-centric energy generation and distribution models.
Article
Economics
Temilade Sesan, Unico Uduka, Lucy Baker, Okechukwu Ugwu, Ewah Eleri, Subhes Bhattacharyya
Summary: This study examines the impact of the regulatory framework on rural electrification and universal energy access goals in Nigeria's mini-grid sector. The findings suggest that while the current framework has fostered sector growth, additional measures are necessary to ensure equitable distribution of access among rural populations.
Article
Economics
Rui Shan, Noah Kittner
Summary: Energy storage is a cornerstone in decarbonization planning as it reduces operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing resilience and renewables integration. However, storage developers in different regions have varying economic and environmental considerations, thereby requiring policy intervention to achieve long-term emission reductions.
Article
Economics
Tung Durmaz, Sevil Acar, Simay Kizilkaya
Summary: This study investigates the phenomenon of strategic capacity withholding in the Turkish electricity market and its relationship with the capacity remuneration mechanism. The empirical results provide strong evidence of strategic capacity withholding and show that the capacity mechanism contributes to the duration of failures. The study offers important insights for policymakers, including the implementation of a random verification mechanism and restructuring of the capacity mechanism in Turkey.
Article
Economics
Tii N. Nchofoung
Summary: The study finds that oil price shocks have a negative impact on Africa's energy transition, particularly in rural areas and net crude oil exporting countries. However, oil price shocks cannot explain the urban-rural differences in clean energy access. Therefore, increasing investment in clean energy and technologies in rural areas is necessary to enhance the resilience of the energy sector to oil price shocks.
Article
Economics
Najia Saqib, Muhammad Usman, Ilhan Ozturk, Arshian Sharif
Summary: This study examines the impact of environmental technologies, financial growth, and energy use on ecological footprint and green growth. Environmental innovation and renewable energy deployment contribute to green growth, while financial expansion and non-renewable energy use have negative effects on the environment. The study also identifies causal relationships between different factors.
Article
Economics
Yessica C. Y. Chung, Noxolo Kunene, Hung-Hao Chang
Summary: The Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is considered an innovative technology for building a green society. This study investigates the impact of REC purchases on stock return and volume in Taiwan between 2017 and 2021. The findings suggest that REC purchases have a positive effect on stock returns of manufacturing firms but not service firms. The frequency of REC purchases is also an important factor in the relationship between REC purchase and firm value. Additionally, the study reveals that public attention to environmental pollution plays a crucial role in positive stock returns and volume, while ESG disclosure is negatively associated with returns and volume.
Article
Economics
Seife Ayele, Wei Shen, Yacob Mulugetta, Tadesse Kuma Worako
Summary: This paper addresses the challenges of governing energy procurement from a mix of non-hydropower renewable energy sources supplied by independent producers. Building on political economy analysis and five case studies of independent producer projects from Ethiopia, it seeks to understand the root causes of the protracted delays and limited extent of procurement by independent producers. The key contestations lie in managing long term contracts, risk, uncertainty and in developing the institutional and human capacity to transition.
