By Brian Roewe for Earthbeat.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration. The San Diego Diocese has divested its financial holdings from the fossil fuel industry, the first Catholic diocese in the United States to make public such an economic move in response to Pope Francis repeated calls for an end to the era of fossil fuels in the face of climate change. While more than 350 Catholic institutions worldwide have announced divestment commitments, the omission of any U.S. .
A new report shows the costs different regions of New York face from climate change. It says taxpayers were on the hook for more than $2 billion - or $300 per household - in climate costs last year. In 2023, New York City faced $309 million in climate change-related costs, the highest in the state. .
By Kate Yoder for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration For months now, it’s been free for anyone 18 or younger to ride the light rail through Seattle, the ferry across Puget Sound, and buses all over Washington state. As students tapped their new ORCA cards and hopped on the bus, probably the last thing they were thinking about was the state’s carbon pricing program, the source of funding behind their free ride. One year after it went into effect, Washington’s “cap-and-invest” system has already brought in an eyebrow-raising $2.2 billion for action on climate change. .
When Minnesota lawmakers reconvene in the coming weeks, additional climate change work is expected. Meanwhile, bigger moves from last year are being implemented, including a new "Green Bank." Many of the climate policies from 2023 are still taking shape, including the new Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority. Peter Klein, executive director of the authority, said it will be a facilitator for new federal funds coming in for clean energy projects around the state. .
Hydrogen power is touted as a game-changer in curbing climate change. But in New Mexico, those who feel exploited by the fossil fuel industry have serious concerns. The Tallgrass Energy company has proposed what could be the country s longest hydrogen pipeline running through the Navajo Nation. .