Stories from Kate Robertson
Energy
Rethinking Clean Energy Jobs During the Time of COVID-19
Clean energy jobs were surging before the pandemic. But COVID-19 forces us to reconsider how we approach the climate crisis - and where the jobs will be.
June 25, 2020
Community Development
Taking on Racism? Don’t Overlook Climate Justice
On World Environment Day, a reminder that the social change millions of U.S. citizens are seeking right now is inextricably linked with climate justice.
June 5, 2020
Energy
U.S. Water Infrastructure Has One Dam Big Problem
As the recent catastrophe in Michigan has shown, our nation’s water infrastructure is bending under the pressure, and in many places, it’s breaking.
June 1, 2020
Energy
Infrastructure Investments Crucial for Future Sustainable Development
Infrastructure investments should be part of future U.S. stimulus bills to help build a sustainable recovery after this pandemic, say several organizations.
May 22, 2020
Community Development
Mayors of 10 U.S. Cities Look to Sustainable Recovery After COVID-19
Mayors of 10 U.S. cities are among those who've endorsed principles for a healthy, equitable, and sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 12, 2020
Energy
Solar Sees Opportunities in this Major Oil-Exporting Nation
Nigerian solar energy developers see an opportunity to build the country's renewable energy sector and help the vulnerable during this pandemic.
May 11, 2020
Energy
Energy Firms Score Another Free Pass as Texas Seeks to Duck More EPA Rules
The rollback of federal environmental protections, combined with business-as-usual in Texas, means the U.S. EPA could put more vulnerable citizens at risk.
April 20, 2020
Community Development
The Burdens of the Coronavirus Pandemic Are Largely Falling on Women
During times like this pandemic and other major global disruptions, girls and women are hit the hardest – and this is especially true today.
April 13, 2020
Community Development
Utility Workers, the Forgotten Heroes of this Pandemic
Many of us have forgotten another critical essential job that must go on during the COVID-19 pandemic: utility workers who keep our water clean and lights on.
April 6, 2020
Community Development
How a Pandemic Exacerbates the U.S. Environmental Justice Divide
COVID-19 is a reminder of the huge environmental justice divide in the U.S., and shows many of America's poorest neighborhoods are now even more vulnerable.
March 26, 2020
Energy
World Water Day is a Reminder to Invest in Water Technology and Infrastructure
World Water Day is a reminder of how important it is to invest in both smart water technologies and infrastructure as the world copes with climate change.
March 20, 2020
Energy
Despite Low Oil Prices, a Sunny Outlook for Renewables
Despite rapidly declining oil prices, the data make it clear: the long-term forecast for renewable energy worldwide remains sunny.
March 12, 2020
Energy
Climate Change Could Eventually Mean the End of Beach Season
Beach season is coming soon, but your favorite sandy spot may not be around too much longer if climate change has anything to do with it.
March 9, 2020
Energy
The Publishing Industry Tries to Close the Books on Climate Risk
From carbon-neutral pledges to responsible forestry, big publishing industry players like Penguin Random House say they're making strides to reduce overall impact.
February 27, 2020
Energy
How Food Waste Complicates the Water-Energy Nexus
Discussions about the world's food waste problem often overlook impacts on water supplies and energy production.
February 27, 2020
Sponsored
We Already Know How To Solve Our Water Problems—Now Let’s Make It Happen
Wastewater is a Source of Valuable Water, Energy and Nutrients: How Do We Recover It?
Fully recovering embedded energy and nutrients from wastewater could offset more than 13 percent of agricultural fertilizer needs and power all the households in the U.S. and Mexico. But how do we do it?
February 25, 2020
Energy
In Brazil, Solar Generates Secure Energy and Social Impact
The deployment of solar in Brazil not only provides clean and secure power, but can also help strengthen the country's most vulnerable communities.
February 24, 2020
Energy
Sustainable Energy in America, By the Big — No, HUGE — Numbers
BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy released the 2020 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, and it's clear-it’s been a wild ride.
February 13, 2020
Energy
Tech Companies Dominate the Largest U.S. Renewable Energy Buyers of 2019
A recent report reveals the top five U.S. investors in renewables are tech companies, but intriguing brands appear further down this list.
February 11, 2020
Energy
Sustainable Development Can’t Take a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
A new tool released last week evaluates sustainable development policies in 20 countries, so we compared Costa Rica with Trinidad and Tobago.
January 31, 2020
Sponsored
We Already Know How To Solve Our Water Problems—Now Let’s Make It Happen
Water Crises Are a Top Global Risk, But We Have the Power to Prevent Them
Water crises again topped the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report, released ahead of its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. But this is one global challenge we already have the tools to address.
January 24, 2020
Community Development
Across the Pond, Red Meat Consumption Declines in the U.K.
The vegetarian shift underway in the U.K. may come as a surprise to some, but there's actually a long history behind Britons' declining red meat consumption.
January 10, 2020
Energy
Why Energy Efficiency is Key to Reducing Climate Change Risks
Solar and other renewable power technologies take the spotlight, but energy efficiency works quietly in the background, lowering emissions with no fanfare.
January 3, 2020
Energy
The Top Water Headlines of 2019
Water issues dominated the headlines in 2019, shining light on the importance of conserving this vital resource and understanding how other challenges like climate change may affect it.
December 23, 2019
Energy
Americans Are Warming Up to Climate Science, Survey Shows
The U.S. is one of few countries where climate science is regularly called into question, but hearts and minds have shifted rapidly over the past five years, according to a new survey.
December 11, 2019
Energy
Wind Could Power 30 Percent of Global Electricity Production By 2050
Onshore and offshore wind energy will supply 30 percent of all global electricity production by 2050, Norwegian risk management provider DNV GL predicts in a new report.
December 5, 2019
Energy
Coastal Resilience Scores a Needed Public-Private Boost
NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Shell and TransRe launched a new wave of coastal resilience grants across 23 U.S. states and territories.
November 26, 2019
Energy
Fasten Your Seat Belts: Formula 1 Racing to the Carbon Neutral Finish Line
Formula 1 announced a new race: an ambitious plan to become net zero carbon by 2030. In addition, all F1 Grands Prix races will be more sustainable by 2025.
November 22, 2019
Energy
New Offshore Wind Partnership Signals North Carolina’s Renewables Leadership
North Carolina has put more emphasis on transitioning to more sources of clean energy over the past few years, and offshore wind power is key to this shift.
November 18, 2019
Energy
Four High-Tech Companies Unite to Buy Wind Energy in Texas
Apple, eBay, Samsung Austin Semiconductor and Sprint have announced a joint agreement to purchase power from a new wind farm in western Texas.
November 14, 2019
Energy
The Link Between Solar, Wind Power and Groundwater Sustainability
A recent Princeton University study is one of the first of its kind to show that the deployment of renewables can aid groundwater sustainability.
November 12, 2019
Sponsored
We Already Know How To Solve Our Water Problems—Now Let’s Make It Happen
The Glass Isn’t Half Empty: Reasons To Be Optimistic About Water Issues
The news about climate change’s impacts on water supply and availability is often dire, and can feel overwhelming. But there is no need to give up hope. In fact, there is reason to feel optimistic.
November 11, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
International Airlines Group Commits To Net-Zero Carbon By 2050
IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Aer Lingus, is the first airline group in the world to set a net-zero goal. We take a closer look inside the plan to see if it's worth the hype.
October 17, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
International Day of the Girl Reminder: We Need More Women Leading in the Sectors That Have the Biggest Impact on Us
An important reminder about International Day of the Girl is representation: for example, having women in leadership roles across sectors such as utilities.
October 10, 2019
Energy
Honda Announces Major Investments in Renewables, Sets the Bar for Others to Follow
Honda's latest investment in renewable energy is important for three reasons: transportation emissions, water impacts and corporate leadership.
October 3, 2019
Bloomberg Supports UN Call to End Coal by 2020, But Much Work Lies Ahead
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced support for the U.N.'s initiative to stop the development of new coal-fired power plants after 2020.
September 23, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
Companies Step Up to Help Hurricane Dorian Victims, But Resilience Must Be a Priority
In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, here's a reminder that the way to rebuild after a natural disaster should be with a focus on resilience.
September 20, 2019
Energy
The Democratic Debates Have Overlooked Water, Though It Absolutely Matters to the Economy
There's been much similarity with the climate change plans we've been hearing during the Democratic debates, but only a few discuss water in detail.
September 12, 2019
Energy
Why Water Could Cancel Your Burger Order Before Climate Change Does
The beef industry is at a tipping point due to climate change in Texas, and increasing water stress is only exacerbating the problem.
August 26, 2019
Energy
Tokyo Olympics Striving to Connect Environment and Economy
The sustainability theme for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is: “Be better, together—for the planet and the people.” Will lessons from 1964 be taken into account?
August 16, 2019