Author Archives: climatechangefork

About climatechangefork

Micha Tomkiewicz, Ph.D., is a professor of physics in the Department of Physics, Brooklyn College, the City University of New York. He is also a professor of physics and chemistry in the School for Graduate Studies of the City University of New York. In addition, he is the founding-director of the Environmental Studies Program at Brooklyn College as well as director of the Electrochemistry Institute at that same institution.

Utilities: Calculating our Carbon Footprints

Posted on June 1, 2021 by climatechangefork

I have used Table 1 in the last few blogs (starting on May 11th) to show the carbon intensities for the various sources of energy that we use in large buildings (greater than 25,000ft2) in NYC. From there, I’ve shown … Continue reading →

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Electricity Generation: Carbon Intensity and Composition

Posted on May 25, 2021 by climatechangefork

Two years ago (June 18, 2019), I discussed higher-education carbon emissions. This included the lists that organizations such as the Sierra Club made to rank campuses across the country by their emissions. We split emissions into three categories: Scope 1 … Continue reading →

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First-Principle Chemistry: Carbon Intensity

Posted on May 18, 2021 by climatechangefork

My last two blogs (May 4th and 11th) dealt with the challenges inherent in a new law that mandates carbon footprint reduction within large buildings in New York City, where I live and work. As with many other laws, there’s … Continue reading →

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Carbon Emissions Calculators and Ways to Improve Your Score

Posted on May 11, 2021 by climatechangefork

Last week, I looked at a new NYC law that lays out a mandated schedule for buildings larger than 25,000ft2 to reduce their carbon footprints. I also gave an example of an exercise that I give my students, which shows … Continue reading →

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From Commitments to Penalties: Measuring Carbon Emissions

Posted on May 4, 2021 by climatechangefork

  Since President Biden’s inauguration, I have looked a lot at carbon emissions and what we are doing to minimize them. As an educator and a New York City resident, I am especially invested in this change. Not only do … Continue reading →

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The First One Hundred Days

Posted on April 27, 2021 by climatechangefork

President Biden has now been in office for 98 days. We look at the first 100 days as an important marker of a president’s accomplishments: The 100-days concept is believed to have its roots in France, where the concept of … Continue reading →

Posted in administration, Climate Change, Sustainability, US | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Earth Day 2021

Posted on April 20, 2021 by climatechangefork

Earth Day is in two days. It’s a big day. Among other distinctions, it is both my wife’s birthday and that of this blog (this is now 9 years!). From a climate change perspective, this year’s celebration is special because … Continue reading →

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The American Jobs Plan & Power Generation by Source

Posted on April 13, 2021 by climatechangefork

Last week, when I discussed the new $2.3 trillion “American Jobs Plan,” I listed the costs of items that directly address climate change mitigation. The second most expensive item was the $174 billion program for electric vehicle incentive. A few … Continue reading →

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The American Jobs Plan

Posted on April 6, 2021 by climatechangefork

I started to write this blog a day after President Biden presented his infrastructure plan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The location’s symbolism was obvious; this was the same city where President Trump announced his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: I was … Continue reading →

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Production Gap: Actual Emissions vs. Paris Promises

Posted on March 30, 2021 by climatechangefork

Figure 1 – Relative country contributions to total global carbon emissions and percentages of emissions over time, 2017 The new administration and the accompanying new leadership of many federal offices have strongly signaled a renewed and strengthened dedication to confront … Continue reading →

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