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There is little evidence that mass transit poses a risk of coronavirus outbreaks

by Maxine Joselow, Scientific American Highlights Public transportation advocates say that transit can play a crucial role in the pandemic era by reducing air pollution that makes people more susceptible to COVID-19. Subways account for 76% less carbon emissions than the average vehicle carrying a single person More single-occupant vehicles on the road will have long … Read more

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London’s Covid-safe commute idea: Open-air buses

Free photo - ST-Picturedesign from pixabay

by Feargus O’Sullivan, Bloomberg Highlights With the pandemic still raging and people still fearing public transportation, London is considering using their open-air double-decker tour buses as a means of everyday transport This comes as 70% of Londoners polled say that they no longer feel comfortable commuting by public transit Few tourists are in the city … Read more

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Scientists unveil a plan to prevent the next pandemic (and save nature at the same time)

by Shannon Osaka, Grist Highlights Preventing forest destruction, ending wildlife trading, and surveillance measures on emerging diseases before they spread are the tactics scientists are hoping will prevent the next pandemic, as published in the nature journal Science Forest destruction, particularly in tropical areas, causes animals to venture into human-populated areas in search of a … Read more

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It will take more than a few cycle lanes to make green, pandemic-proof cities

from Climate Home News Highlights Cities worldwide are looking at ways to reduce car transportation by increasing bike lanes and pedestrian-only areas Carlos Moreno, planning advisor to Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, says that the transformation of cities needs to align with Paris Agreement targets within the next 10 years Though the pandemic reintroduced many people … Read more

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How wildfires make COVID more dangerous

by Julia Rosen, The New York Times Highlights With wildfire season fast approaching, concerns about fire smoke as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic are rising Scientists worry that wildfire smoke will have effects for months as a recent study in Montana showed that smoky summers led to more severe flu seasons the following winter People … Read more

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Over 5,600 fossil fuel companies have taken at least $3bn in US Covid-19 aid

by Emily Holden, The Guardian Highlights The Small Business Administration (SBA) released data showing that oil and gas drillers, coal mine operators, refiners, and pipeline companies have taken advantage of federal coronavirus aid Companies include: Navajo Transitional Energy Company, CCU Coal and Construction, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, and thousands more Four companies that received aid … Read more

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What greater good? COVID is unmasking America’s collective action problem

Climate Action Now

by Shannon Osaka, Grist Highlights The failure of Americans to wear protective masks in order to keep themselves and those around them safe highlights a collective action issue the country faces The climate crisis is the world’s most notorious collective action problem because all countries would need to participate and lower emissions all together Political … Read more

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In pandemic recovery efforts, polluting industries are winning big

by Beth Gardiner, Yale Environment 360 Highlights Polluting industries such as airlines and fossil fuel companies have been lobbying for bailout funds and loosening of environmental regulations during the COVID-19 crisis Bailouts and lack of environmental regulations will create a  high-carbon legacy that will last much longer than the current pandemic Since the pandemic, U.S. … Read more

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Proposed California law would fast-track environmentally sustainable transit

by Carolyn Said, The San Francisco Chronicle  Highlights Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) will unveil SB288, the Sustainable Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Act, which would streamline alternative transportation infrastructure projects The proposed bill would fast track sustainable transportation projects that would typically take months or years for approval due to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) … Read more