The Best and the Worst of Sustainability and Climate in 2015

Last year was a momentous year for both climate action and environmental destruction. Perhaps most importantly, 2015 will be remembered as the moment in history when the world finally woke up to the threat of climate change.

Here is a review of the ten best and the ten worst sustainability and climate stories of 2015.

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GMO's Top Communications Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top communications stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 107 articles is comprised of stories that address journalism, successes, gratitude, narratives (religion), awards (organizations and individuals), environmental activism, human rights, the Arctic 30, Earth Hour, Earth Day, the Climate Reality Project, Nelson influential people (Mandela, Martin Luther King, Margaret Thatcher), American attitudes, marketing, greenwash, youth, and women.

GMOs Top Political Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top political stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 170 articles is comprised of stories that address the environmental efforts of US President Barack Obama (including his climate action plan and executive orders), US government standards (EPA and DOE),  US legislation and law, the Republican party, the US shutdown (debt ceiling), cities, communities, sustainable development, the UN and the COP process, the Arctic, Canada, Europe (Germany and the UK), China, Russia, as well as indigenous and aboriginal people.

GMO's Top Energy Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top energy stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 202 articles is comprised of stories that address renewables (including solar, wind and hydrogen), greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon and methane), fossil fuels (including tar sands, natural gas, coal, and petcoke), the transportation of fossil fuels (including pipelines, trains and trucks), fossil fuel subsidies and divestment, oil companies, ALEC, greener cars, charging stations and solar transportation.

GMO's Top Climate Change Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top climate change stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 158 climate change articles is comprised of stories that address scientific studies (including the IPCC's findings), extreme weather (floods, droughts, desertification, cold, costs, Typhoon Haiyan, and Hurricane Sandy), the social impacts of climate change (health, population, food, agriculture, organics, GMOs, conflict and climate refugees), and natural resources (biodiversity, water, oceans, forests and trees).

The GMO's Top Sustainability and Green Economy Stories of 2013

Here are the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) top sustainability and green economy stories for 2013 organized under the headings of the 20 most important related subjects.

This assemblage of 151 sustainability and green economy articles is comprised of stories that address sustainability in business, investing (risk), CSR, best practices, supply chains, reporting, the low carbon (green) economy, efficiency, waste, recycling, innovation, jobs, corruption, the World Bank and the G8, chemicals, building, guides, CDC, sustainable companies, and the hotel industry.

GMO's Top Green School Stories of 2013

This year represents the fourth installment of the Green Market Oracle's (GMO) annual sustainable school series. Each year GMO puts together a summary of some of the latest information and resources on environmentally oriented academics and activities as well as green infrastructure in pedagogical settings. Taken together these efforts contribute to the growth of a well informed population, an environmentally sound economy and a healthier planet.

Ethical Corporations Top Anayses of 2013

The Ethical Corporation provides business intelligence for sustainability to more than 3,000 multinational companies every year. Their conferences are widely recognized as the best in the field of corporate responsibility and sustainability.  They publish the leading responsible business magazine, website, research reports and analyses. 

Here are the Ethical Corporations three most read analyses of 2013 from the Business Strategy hub:

Infographic - Review of US Solar in 2013

EcoWatch's Five Realities of Climate Change in 2013

EcoWatch is a leading environmental platform that publishes stories on econews, green living and sustainable business. Here is their list of the top five stories for 2013.

Top Five Positive Climate Stories for 2013 from Grist

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who writes and comments about ecology for the 15 year old Seattle based online environmental non-profit Grist.  Here are Upton's choices for 2013's top five positive climate stories (something of a rarity at Grist). They run the gamut from Obama and climate activists, to energy and EVs.

1. Obama shows he cares about the climate

President Barack Obama unveiled an actual, coherent climate plan in June, full of steps he can take without cooperation from Congress. The centerpiece is regulations cracking down on coal-burning power plants in the U.S. The plan also entails ending U.S. support for most coal plants abroad. And it calls for boosting renewables and energy efficiency, cutting fossil fuel subsidies, preparing for climate change that’s already inevitable, and lots of other good stuff. To the surprise of almost everyone, Obama also said he wouldn’t approve the Keystone XL pipeline if it were determined that it would “significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution.” Of course, there’s lots of debate over that question.

Top Climate Reality Stories of 2013

Last year we saw a number of very depressing climate stories from silent but deadly things we can't see like the 400 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere to those which are painfully visible like Typhoon Hiayan. Here are climate Reality's top ten stories of 2013.

EDF's Top Stories of 2013 are Not Without Controversy

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a scientist founded organization that works to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. They focus on the most critical environmental problems including, climate and energy, oceans, ecosystems, and health. They use a uniquely effective approach, drawing on science, economics, partnerships and bipartisan outreach. They solve problems by bringing together insights from many disciplines and diverse groups of people. EDF works with industry and believes in a data driven approach to promote market incentives for change behavior. They describe themselves as utterly nonpartisan and oriented toward practical policy solutions. Their work is grounded in the belief that we can protect our health and the environment while improving our economic well-being.

The following article was published at the end of 2013 under the title, EDF Voices: People on the Planet A year of environmental controversy – and that’s a good thing.

US Energy Efficiency in 2013: Success Stories and Barriers

Energy efficiency has played a pivotal role in American productivity improvements. In 2013, energy efficiency continued to move forward in the U.S. Driven by cost savings, energy efficiency is good for business and the economy. Improving efficiency increases production and can even lead to a higher quality of material life. Energy efficiency improves the nation’s GDP for each national energy dollar. Perhaps most importantly, energy efficiency is a meaningful part of emissions reductions, which combats climate change and improves air quality.

Despite progress, there is still a lot of room for improvement in energy efficiency. As reported in Forbes, the U.S. is the global leader in wasting energy with the nation currently wasting more energy than it uses. A total of 57 percent of the energy flowing into our economy is wasted as heat, noise, and leaks, costing U.S. businesses and households an estimated $130 billion per year. In addition to massive cost savings, it is estimated that energy efficiency can also create more than one million jobs in the U.S.

The David Suzuki Foundation Reflects on 2013 and Raises the Bar for 2014

David Suzuki and the foundation that he created have been one of Canada's leading champions of the environment. Here is their review of 2013 and their hopes for 2014.

Environmental Defense Canada 2013 Achievements

Environmental Defense is one of Canada's leading green advocacy groups. They work with government, industry and individuals to create a greener economy and a more sustainable future for all Canadians for generations to come. With the help of their supporters they have spearheaded a number of noble causes in 2013 including issues related to energy, toxics, water, and grooming future leaders. Here is a summary of some of their achievements last year.

WWF's Top Global Success Stories of 2013

WWF works to achieve positive change for species, communities and diverse habitats. In 2013 they had many international successes. Their diverse success stories run the gamut from salmon farming to gillnets. They have been very active in advancing environmental issues in developing countries and they continue their work in support of a wide range of species including elephants, saola—one, snow leopards, Nepalese tigers and previously unknown species of flora and fauna. Here is their summary of international achievements in 2013.

Climate Villains of 2013: The Top 10 Promoters of Environmental Lies

Environmental degradation and climate change are the most serious threats we face, yet there are a number of individuals who continue to use their positions of power to promote arguments which are both inaccurate and destructive. These anti-science Luddites are enemies of environmentalism and arguably some of the worst misanthropes on the planet. Here is a top ten list of the worst perpetrators of climate misinformation in 2013.

1. Tony Abbot

The new Prime Minister of Australia will be remembered by history as a climate denier of the first order. His legacy will be the dismantling of Australia's green dream. Record breaking temperatures and record breaking forest fires in Australia did not deter Abbot and his government from continuing their diabolical mission to undo the nation's world leading effort to reduce emissions. As the final environmental insult of 2013, Abbot did not attend UN sponsored climate talks at the end of the year.

2. Steven Harper

This Canadian Prime Minister will go down in history as the most environmentally destructive leader the nation has ever seen. He has not only systematically dismantled Canada's environmental protections, he has sidelined science, stymied public input and done all within his power to increase Canada's role as a dirty energy superpower. This includes Alberta's tar sands, the world's dirtiest source of oil, which not only contributes to global warming, it poisons the air and water. Thanks to Harper Canada will not meet its emissions targets and the nation, once known for its bucolic splendor is not a Pariah at the UN and in many places around the world.

Sustainable Numerical Factoids

Lindsay Abrams is an assistant editor at Salon, she focuses on all things sustainable. Here are some sustainable numerical factoids she published as part of her year end review.

7: Where 2013 ranks among the warmest years in history, according to the World Meteorological Association. Tied with 2003, the ranking is based on the year’s first nine months, during which average temperatures were 0.86°F above the 1960-1991 global average.

395.5: The average concentration levels of CO2, in parts per million (ppm), observed in the atmosphere through November.