As global temperatures continue to rise at a dangerous rate, so does the number of air conditioning units in use. Researchers at the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Energy Engineering have been working for years on Department of Energy-funded projects to implement technologies that may be the solution to making these machines more efficient and eco-friendly as dependence on them grows.
See the full story at Inside Climate News.
More DMV News
Data Center Conference Gets Caught Up in Power Line Controversy
Maryland Matters
Dozens of noisy protesters greeted the business leaders, elected officials, union members and other interested parties who were gathered at Frederick Community College Thursday for a conference on data centers in Maryland.
Why We’re Breathing Easier in the DMV
WUSA9
Hot summer days can lead to a decrease in air quality. But a number of factors have led to the region seeing less harmful air quality days over the years.
DC Buildings Are Buzzing with Urban Bee Hives — And That’s a Good Thing
WTOP News
After decades of decline, the U.S. honeybee population has seen a remarkable recovery in recent years, and the growth of urban bee hive installations in unlikely places like office building rooftops is contributing to it.
Dominion Still Facing Opposition to Natural Gas Plant Proposal After Location Change
Virginia Mercury
Dominion Energy decided last week to build its proposed natural gas plant at its former coal-fired Chesterfield Power Station in Chesterfield County, instead of at an entirely new site, but community concerns remain.
National and International News
We Must Restore Nature to Avoid Global Catastrophe, Warns Biodiversity Summit President
The Guardian
Humanity risks catastrophic global heating if it focuses only on decarbonisation at the expense of restoring the natural world, Colombia’s environment minister has said in the lead-up to the world’s key nature summit later this year.
Solar Power is Shattering Global Records
Canary Media
A staggering 428 gigawatts of solar capacity was installed last year — more than in the previous two years combined.
Can the US Census Keep Up with Climate-Driven Displacement?
Canary Media
In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau started incorporating disaster displacement into its weekly “household pulse” surveys — the agency’s smaller, near-real-time assessments of major issues facing the population. There is no law requiring cities and states to use this data to assess population loss.
Interest in EVs Just Hit a Record in the US with Big Discounts, More Affordable Options
Electrek
Massive discounts and new lower-priced models are making electric vehicles more affordable, helping draw in buyers. According to the latest JD Power EV Index data, interest in EVs hit a new yearly high in July, with over a quarter of shoppers “very likely” to go electric for their next vehicle.
What You Need to Know About E-Bikes in National Parks
Washington Post
After years of legal battles and debate, the National Park Service has decided to treat electric bicycles more like regular bikes than motorized vehicles.