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Study projects thermoelectric power in Europe and US vulnerable to climate change due to lower summer river flows and higher river water temperatures

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Projected changes in summer mean usable capacity of power plants in the US and Europe for the SRES A2 emissions scenario for the 2040s (2031–2060) relative to the control period (1971–2000). A study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that thermoelectric power plants (i.e., Source: van Vliet et al. Click to enlarge.

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EEA report: EVs are better for climate and air quality

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Battery electric cars emit less greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their entire life cycle than petrol and diesel cars, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report. Shifting to electric vehicles could also reduce noise pollution, especially in cities where speeds are generally low and traffic often stands still.

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International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

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Circle areas are proportional to values for (A and B) climate change, (C and D) human health (values for population over age 30), and (E and F) agriculture. The team considered about 400 emission control measures to reduce these pollutants by using current technology and experience. Source: Shindell et al. Click to enlarge.

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EEA finds only mixed progress for Europe’s transport sector in meeting environment, climate goals; GHG emissions up 25% since 1990

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Issues covered in the briefing include emissions, air pollution, noise and renewable energy and the impact of transport on ecosystems and biodiversity. Three Member States (Austria, Finland and Sweden) have already reached the 10 % goal. Air pollution. The share of renewable energy in transport in the EU rose from 6.7%

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EEA TERM Report Finds Efficiency Gains of Clean Vehicle Technology Being Offset By Ongoing Increases in Travel

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The report’s findings for the period 1997–2007 present a mixed picture, with some improvements in air pollutants and serious concerns regarding persistent growth in transport’s greenhouse gas emissions. Tags: Climate Change Emissions Europe Policy. Towards a resource-efficient transport system—TERM 2009.

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Toyota develops tropospheric ozone-concentration simulator for South and East Asia

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The project was carried out in collaboration with Tsinghua University in China, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in India, and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria. Tropospheric ozone is the main cause of photochemical smog, an atmospheric pollutant harmful to human health and plant growth.

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EEA Report: Trends in European Transport Are Heading in the Wrong Direction

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Air pollution. Emissions of regulated air pollutants from vehicles continue to fall across EEA member countries but concentrations remain high in some urban areas. Tags: Climate Change Emissions Europe Market Background Policy. —Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director. Transport at a crossroads.