Alicia Zhao
@aliciaszhao.bsky.social
Climate & energy policy modeler at the University of Maryland's Center for Global Sustainability @ctrglobsust.bsky.social
Researching the roles that federal and subnational actors play in achieving U.S. climate targets
Researching the roles that federal and subnational actors play in achieving U.S. climate targets
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
On @ddpinitiative.bsky.social's new report, @aliciaszhao.bsky.social told ICN recent US federal climate policy rollbacks have created uncertainty around delivery of US commitments under the Paris Agreement, but subnational players can drive emissions reductions: insideclimatenews.org/news/0610202...
New Report Marks a Decade of Progress, Challenges on Global Decarbonization - Inside Climate News
Extreme shifts in federal climate policy will make it hard for the U.S. to reach the Paris Agreement targets, but action by states, cities and businesses could still deliver significant emissions cuts...
insideclimatenews.org
October 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
On @ddpinitiative.bsky.social's new report, @aliciaszhao.bsky.social told ICN recent US federal climate policy rollbacks have created uncertainty around delivery of US commitments under the Paris Agreement, but subnational players can drive emissions reductions: insideclimatenews.org/news/0610202...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
If there was ever a time to call your Senator, this is it.
Voting has begun on the GOP plan to cut off health care for working-class Americans and slash taxes for the wealthiest.
Voting has begun on the GOP plan to cut off health care for working-class Americans and slash taxes for the wealthiest.
June 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
If there was ever a time to call your Senator, this is it.
Voting has begun on the GOP plan to cut off health care for working-class Americans and slash taxes for the wealthiest.
Voting has begun on the GOP plan to cut off health care for working-class Americans and slash taxes for the wealthiest.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
The role of subnational climate action and leadership is critical to meet #ParisAgreement goals. For the U.S., @CtrGlobSust research finds that non-federal actors can make major differences on #climatechange, even when faced with federal inaction. #SB62 go.umd.edu/subnationala...
Advancing U.S. Climate Action under Federal Policy Rollbacks
americaisallin.com
June 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The role of subnational climate action and leadership is critical to meet #ParisAgreement goals. For the U.S., @CtrGlobSust research finds that non-federal actors can make major differences on #climatechange, even when faced with federal inaction. #SB62 go.umd.edu/subnationala...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Kicking off the #SB62 #JuneClimateMeetings in Bonn discussing the critical role of subnational #climateaction and engagement. In the U.S., states, cities, businesses, and others play major roles in achieving the #ParisAgreement climate targets: go.umd.edu/StateLevelCl...
Leading the Way To Greater 2035 Climate Ambition: A Snapshot of Current State-Level Initiatives | Center for Global Sustainability
go.umd.edu
June 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Kicking off the #SB62 #JuneClimateMeetings in Bonn discussing the critical role of subnational #climateaction and engagement. In the U.S., states, cities, businesses, and others play major roles in achieving the #ParisAgreement climate targets: go.umd.edu/StateLevelCl...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
This is just f'ing awesome: tiny little solar power plants are sprouting on German balconies. A *million* of them now!
This needs to be legalized in the US, ASAP. I want my own balkonkraftwerk.
This needs to be legalized in the US, ASAP. I want my own balkonkraftwerk.
Germany's balcony power plants double in a year to 1 million
The number of "balcony power plants" in Germany has doubled over the past year to almost 1 million, according to the German Solar Association (BSW). "We are working on the assumption that the milliont...
www.yahoo.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This is just f'ing awesome: tiny little solar power plants are sprouting on German balconies. A *million* of them now!
This needs to be legalized in the US, ASAP. I want my own balkonkraftwerk.
This needs to be legalized in the US, ASAP. I want my own balkonkraftwerk.
Check out our new report on the economic and health impacts associated with federal clean energy rollbacks across 50 states.
New report 📣
CGS's new analysis finds U.S. federal climate rollbacks can cause significant negative economic and health impacts, including:
- a $1.1 trillion ⬇️ in GDP by 2035
- 22,800 deaths from increased PM2.5 by 2035
- $206 ⬆️ in home energy costs in 2035
go.umd.edu/ImpactsofFedClimateRollbacks
CGS's new analysis finds U.S. federal climate rollbacks can cause significant negative economic and health impacts, including:
- a $1.1 trillion ⬇️ in GDP by 2035
- 22,800 deaths from increased PM2.5 by 2035
- $206 ⬆️ in home energy costs in 2035
go.umd.edu/ImpactsofFedClimateRollbacks
June 13, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Check out our new report on the economic and health impacts associated with federal clean energy rollbacks across 50 states.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Despite lawsuits and funding freezes, hundreds of cities and states are refusing to slow down on climate action. Why? Because they’re already seeing the benefits – and the risks of doing nothing are too high.
Can states and cities lead on climate under Trump? » Yale Climate Connections
As the federal government attacks climate programs, subnational governments are pledging to step up.
yaleclimateconnections.org
May 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Despite lawsuits and funding freezes, hundreds of cities and states are refusing to slow down on climate action. Why? Because they’re already seeing the benefits – and the risks of doing nothing are too high.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Hey, while you weren't looking, Virginia passed a law to enable virtual power plants in the state! V. cool.
Virginia law directs utility to launch virtual power plant pilot program
On May 2, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Community Energy Act (HB 2346/SB 1100) into law. The new law directs Dominion Energy to launch a 450-MW
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
May 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Hey, while you weren't looking, Virginia passed a law to enable virtual power plants in the state! V. cool.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Today, House Republicans are unveiling their plan to increase energy bills and pollution for everyday Americans, just to give billionaires another tax break. A summary of their proposals. THREAD! 🧵
May 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Today, House Republicans are unveiling their plan to increase energy bills and pollution for everyday Americans, just to give billionaires another tax break. A summary of their proposals. THREAD! 🧵
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Deep decarbonization is needed in all sectors, but current efforts to mitigate freight transport emissions are insufficient.
New research produced a novel approach to improve policy analyses and help transport policy planners boost national ambition and action. Learn more: doi.org/10.1080/1469...
New research produced a novel approach to improve policy analyses and help transport policy planners boost national ambition and action. Learn more: doi.org/10.1080/1469...
April 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Deep decarbonization is needed in all sectors, but current efforts to mitigate freight transport emissions are insufficient.
New research produced a novel approach to improve policy analyses and help transport policy planners boost national ambition and action. Learn more: doi.org/10.1080/1469...
New research produced a novel approach to improve policy analyses and help transport policy planners boost national ambition and action. Learn more: doi.org/10.1080/1469...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
You might have missed this, but it’s important. The Senate Parliamentarian sides with GAO that Congress cannot undo California’s clean car rules using the Congressional Review Act.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Senate parliamentarian rules against GOP on California waivers
The parliamentarian said lawmakers can’t undo Biden-era waivers under the Congressional Review Act. Republicans will try anyway.
subscriber.politicopro.com
April 7, 2025 at 10:41 AM
You might have missed this, but it’s important. The Senate Parliamentarian sides with GAO that Congress cannot undo California’s clean car rules using the Congressional Review Act.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
This is not an exaggeration: illegally gutting this program will cause Americans to freeze to death in their homes.
April 1, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This is not an exaggeration: illegally gutting this program will cause Americans to freeze to death in their homes.
The clean energy transition is a necessary step toward improving public health in the United States.
Our new study in @cp-oneearth.bsky.social finds that an all-of-society approach to addressing climate change can improve air quality and health across every U.S. state: www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Our new study in @cp-oneearth.bsky.social finds that an all-of-society approach to addressing climate change can improve air quality and health across every U.S. state: www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Substantial air quality and health co-benefits from combined federal and subnational climate actions in the United States
Climate actions not only reduce carbon emissions but also lower the health damage
from air pollution. This study finds substantial air quality and health co-benefits
from combined federal and subnatio...
www.cell.com
March 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The clean energy transition is a necessary step toward improving public health in the United States.
Our new study in @cp-oneearth.bsky.social finds that an all-of-society approach to addressing climate change can improve air quality and health across every U.S. state: www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Our new study in @cp-oneearth.bsky.social finds that an all-of-society approach to addressing climate change can improve air quality and health across every U.S. state: www.cell.com/one-earth/fu...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Defend congestion pricing at all costs.
Defending Congestion Pricing | Washington Spectator
So much winning. Unjammed bridges and tunnels. Speedier deliveries. On-time buses. Calmer, more inviting streets. Fewer traffic crashes. Repairmen getting to more jobs. Not Donald Trump’s kind of…
washingtonspectator.org
February 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Defend congestion pricing at all costs.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Hearing DOGE is cutting off access to EIA and NREL datasets 🔌💡
February 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Hearing DOGE is cutting off access to EIA and NREL datasets 🔌💡
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
putting this call out again:
are you a climate or enviro scientist whose work has been paused due to the change in admin?
is your job impacted by the IRA/BIL freeze?
do you work in decarb and have concerns about your job stability?
hit my line: jael@heatmap.news
i’m on signal too, dm for info.
are you a climate or enviro scientist whose work has been paused due to the change in admin?
is your job impacted by the IRA/BIL freeze?
do you work in decarb and have concerns about your job stability?
hit my line: jael@heatmap.news
i’m on signal too, dm for info.
February 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
putting this call out again:
are you a climate or enviro scientist whose work has been paused due to the change in admin?
is your job impacted by the IRA/BIL freeze?
do you work in decarb and have concerns about your job stability?
hit my line: jael@heatmap.news
i’m on signal too, dm for info.
are you a climate or enviro scientist whose work has been paused due to the change in admin?
is your job impacted by the IRA/BIL freeze?
do you work in decarb and have concerns about your job stability?
hit my line: jael@heatmap.news
i’m on signal too, dm for info.
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Very much worth a watch if you have not yet seen the PM’s brief and moving speech to Americans and Canadians.
“From the beaches of Normandy …to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours. We're always there, standing with you."
“From the beaches of Normandy …to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours. We're always there, standing with you."
Trudeau: Canada will retaliate with 25% tariffs on $155B of U.S. goods
YouTube video by CBC News
youtu.be
February 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Very much worth a watch if you have not yet seen the PM’s brief and moving speech to Americans and Canadians.
“From the beaches of Normandy …to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours. We're always there, standing with you."
“From the beaches of Normandy …to the streets of Kandahar, we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours. We're always there, standing with you."
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
“MTA Chair Janno Lieber said the reduction in traffic has allowed some of the agency’s buses to move faster than their schedules account for. Lieber said he’s considering boosting bus service as a result.”
🚌🚌🥳🥳
gothamist.com/news/manhatt...
🚌🚌🥳🥳
gothamist.com/news/manhatt...
Manhattan traffic moves way faster since congestion pricing launched, MTA says
The MTA says faster travel times should ease the pain drivers feel from the $9 toll.
gothamist.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
“MTA Chair Janno Lieber said the reduction in traffic has allowed some of the agency’s buses to move faster than their schedules account for. Lieber said he’s considering boosting bus service as a result.”
🚌🚌🥳🥳
gothamist.com/news/manhatt...
🚌🚌🥳🥳
gothamist.com/news/manhatt...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
A recent multi-model study in @naturecomms.bsky.social assesses policies to close the gap to U.S. climate pledges. These can achieve:
💡 2-4 times ⬆️ in RE capacity additions
🏭 73-100% ⬇️ in electricity generation from fossil fuels
🚗 83-100% share of EVs in new vehicle sales
nature.com/articles/s41...
💡 2-4 times ⬆️ in RE capacity additions
🏭 73-100% ⬇️ in electricity generation from fossil fuels
🚗 83-100% share of EVs in new vehicle sales
nature.com/articles/s41...
A multi-model study to inform the United States’ 2035 NDC - Nature Communications
Modeling shows that an expanded set of federal and state policies beyond current policies in the US could achieve economy-wide emissions reductions of 56-67% below 2005 levels by 2035.
nature.com
January 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A recent multi-model study in @naturecomms.bsky.social assesses policies to close the gap to U.S. climate pledges. These can achieve:
💡 2-4 times ⬆️ in RE capacity additions
🏭 73-100% ⬇️ in electricity generation from fossil fuels
🚗 83-100% share of EVs in new vehicle sales
nature.com/articles/s41...
💡 2-4 times ⬆️ in RE capacity additions
🏭 73-100% ⬇️ in electricity generation from fossil fuels
🚗 83-100% share of EVs in new vehicle sales
nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
🚨New paper alert! 🚨Excited to share this commentary on synergies between climate action and health, led by @weipengclimate.bsky.social. authors.elsevier.com/c/1kTSe9C~Iu...
authors.elsevier.com
January 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
🚨New paper alert! 🚨Excited to share this commentary on synergies between climate action and health, led by @weipengclimate.bsky.social. authors.elsevier.com/c/1kTSe9C~Iu...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
🚨 🚀🌍 Today, the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law is launching three online tools – the Climate Backtracker, the Inflation Reduction Act Tracker & the Silencing Science Tracker – to keep tabs on the Trump administration’s climate rollbacks & anti-science actions: https://buff.ly/4jsf5HJ
🧵⤵️
🧵⤵️
January 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🚨 🚀🌍 Today, the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law is launching three online tools – the Climate Backtracker, the Inflation Reduction Act Tracker & the Silencing Science Tracker – to keep tabs on the Trump administration’s climate rollbacks & anti-science actions: https://buff.ly/4jsf5HJ
🧵⤵️
🧵⤵️
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
Check out our new jointly authored paper on @naturecomms.bsky.social evaluating pathways for the 2035 NDC.
The political landscape has evolved since these scenarios were run but they show what is possible with a mix of strong federal, state, and local policy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The political landscape has evolved since these scenarios were run but they show what is possible with a mix of strong federal, state, and local policy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A multi-model study to inform the United States’ 2035 NDC - Nature Communications
Modeling shows that an expanded set of federal and state policies beyond current policies in the US could achieve economy-wide emissions reductions of 56-67% below 2005 levels by 2035.
www.nature.com
January 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Check out our new jointly authored paper on @naturecomms.bsky.social evaluating pathways for the 2035 NDC.
The political landscape has evolved since these scenarios were run but they show what is possible with a mix of strong federal, state, and local policy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The political landscape has evolved since these scenarios were run but they show what is possible with a mix of strong federal, state, and local policy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
New research on the US #NDC in @naturecomms.bsky.social 📣
A new multi-model study, led by @ctrglobsust.bsky.social, shows expanded federal & state climate/energy policies, beyond current policies, could achieve 56-67% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2035: nature.com/articles/s41467-025-55858-2
A new multi-model study, led by @ctrglobsust.bsky.social, shows expanded federal & state climate/energy policies, beyond current policies, could achieve 56-67% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2035: nature.com/articles/s41467-025-55858-2
January 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
New research on the US #NDC in @naturecomms.bsky.social 📣
A new multi-model study, led by @ctrglobsust.bsky.social, shows expanded federal & state climate/energy policies, beyond current policies, could achieve 56-67% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2035: nature.com/articles/s41467-025-55858-2
A new multi-model study, led by @ctrglobsust.bsky.social, shows expanded federal & state climate/energy policies, beyond current policies, could achieve 56-67% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2035: nature.com/articles/s41467-025-55858-2
Reposted by Alicia Zhao
New research on the EPA’s finalized power plant greenhouse gas standards📣
A new nine-model study in Science found that the EPA's power plant rules could reduce U.S. power sector carbon emissions by 73-86% by 2040, compared to 60-83% without the rules: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt5665
A new nine-model study in Science found that the EPA's power plant rules could reduce U.S. power sector carbon emissions by 73-86% by 2040, compared to 60-83% without the rules: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt5665
January 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New research on the EPA’s finalized power plant greenhouse gas standards📣
A new nine-model study in Science found that the EPA's power plant rules could reduce U.S. power sector carbon emissions by 73-86% by 2040, compared to 60-83% without the rules: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt5665
A new nine-model study in Science found that the EPA's power plant rules could reduce U.S. power sector carbon emissions by 73-86% by 2040, compared to 60-83% without the rules: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt5665