Dave Roberts: SEAL Award Winner 2018

A selection of this year’s best environmental journalism

What No-Bullshit Ambition on Climate Change Would Look Like

Real talk: Scientists tell us even 2 degrees Celcius of warming will have dire ecological effects, and yet world leaders are not moving nearly fast enough to prevent even 3 degrees of warming, Paris Accord notwithstanding. Here’s what a genuine strategy would look like. Source: Vox (Approx. 12 minutes)

It’s Time To Think About Cutting Off The Supply Of Fossil Fuels

Left to manage our consumption of fossil fuels without regulation, the public has yet to take the necessary actions to reverse the tide of climate change. If demand goes unchecked, then cutting off supply may be the only viable way to prevent catastrophe. Source: Vox (Approx. 10 minutes)

Reckoning With Climate Change Will Demand Ugly Tradeoffs

Very few people have let the reality of the situation sink in deep enough. Anyone who understands both the risks and the extraordinary mobilization required to avoid them will eventually find that “climate concern” bangs up against their other values and priorities. Source: Vox (Approx. 12 minutes)

We Are Underestimating The Economic Risks Of Climate Change

Even as scientists produce increasingly dire predictive models about the physical effects of climate change — especially as the world looks increasingly likely to reach or exceed 3 degrees of warming — economists continually fail to project the financial impacts. Source: Vox (Approx. 9 minutes)

California’s Huge Energy Decision

California is America’s undisputed clean energy leader. They’re liberal enough to pass bold climate policies and — as the world’s sixth largest economy — they’re also big enough for those decisions to matter. Now the state faces an enormous (and complicated) decision about the future of their energy grid. Dave Roberts does an excellent job of breaking down the issue, as well as the potential consequences. Source: Vox (Approx. 25 minutes)

The Story of Coal In The 21st Century, In One Amazing Map

Watch animated maps of China, India, Europe & the United States, as the former two economies expand their coal production exponentially starting in 2000, and the latter two economies start to retire their coal plants. How can China & India protect their growing economies and compete with countries in the “developed” world, whose economies have benefitted from an entire century of using fossil fuels unchecked? Source: Vox (Approx. 6 minutes)

Show This Cartoon To Anyone Who Doubts We Need Huge Action

We’re heading toward a global catastrophe that will cause unthinkable human suffering. The data is clear: We need to turn the ship now — or else we’ll never be able to avoid disaster. Source: Vox (Approx. 5 minutes)

Lastly, enjoy Dave Robert’s straight-talking style in podcast format!

GreenReads:
Your must-read guide to environmental issues, published by the SEAL Awards (an environmental advocacy organization that hosts environmental journalism awards and business sustainability awards).