Climate Change

Selected Research, Commentary and Congressional Testimony

Green Buildings, Jobs and Summits — Sep. 25, 2009

If the United States is to be a global competitor in green building technology, it needs to learn from some of the countries that are at the table in Pittsburgh this week, writes Charles Ries.

Commentary Energy and Environment Research Area

Transportation Challenges for the New Administration: Perspectives of Past Transportation Secretaries — May 1, 2009

Shortly after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, RAND hosted a panel discussion with three former U.S. secretaries of transportation. These conference proceedings summarize their comments on which issues should be among the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) top priorities, DOT funding and appropriation, earmarking and transparency in the transportation funding process, and the federal role in transportation policy.

Full Document Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area

Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria — Apr. 14, 2009

Devising policies to mitigate greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is one of the great challenges facing the U.S. Options that are effective and politically feasible must not just be cost-effective but also consider the realities of passing major federal legislation with widespread impacts on U.S. producers and consumers.

Full Document Energy and Environment Research Area

Financing Transportation Infrastructure in California — Mar. 26, 2009

In testimony presented before the California Little Hoover Commission, James Dobbins suggests financing alternatives to replace declining fuel taxes and non-user fees in order to promote efficient transportation infrastructure development.

Full Document Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area

Challenges and Opportunities Related to the Interconnection of Climate, Energy, and Transportation Policies — Mar. 9, 2009

In June 2008, RAND convened three workshops for private and public sector representatives to discuss their competing views on climate change mitigation. The conference allowed them to find commonality on such issues as technological innovation; potential legislative and regulatory solutions; international cooperation; and public engagement.

Full Document Research Brief Energy and Environment Research Area

Research Priorities for Fossil Fuels: Technology for Greenhouse Gas Reduction — Mar. 5, 2009

In testimony presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, James T. Bartis addresses critical R&D needs and opportunities associated with fossil energy.

Full Document

How China Can Strengthen Its Economy by Investing in High-Technology Applications — Feb. 13, 2009

China's Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA) and Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) can best spur regional development and economic growth by focusing on emerging high-technology applications, including molecular-scale drug development and green manufacturing.

Full Document News Release: English Version News Release: Chinese Version (PDF)Full Report: Chinese Version Executive Summary The Global Technology Revolution 2020, In-Depth Analyses The Global Technology Revolution 2020, Executive Summary Science and Technology Research Area

Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Production Could Offer Major National Benefits — Dec. 10, 2008

The federal government can spark the creation of a commercially competitive coal-to-liquids industry by fostering early development of plants that would produce transportation fuels from coal, as well as by expanding its investment in carbon sequestration technology to help limit, and possibly reduce, greenhouse gas emissions levels.

Full Document News Release Research Brief Related Report Energy and Environment Research Area

Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences — Oct. 8, 2008

Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered.

Full Document News Release Energy and Environment Research Area Research Brief

Thirteen Short-Term Strategies Address Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles — Oct. 2, 2008

A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad — and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes.

Full Document News Release Research Brief Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area

Public Investment in Rail Capacity Expansion May Be Justified but Strategy Needed — Aug. 19, 2008

The volume of freight transported in the United States is expected to double over the next 30 years. Greater use of rail freight could allow the supply chain to accommodate this increase while minimizing highway congestion and reducing fuel consumption.

Full Document Related Report Transportation and Infrastructure Research Area

Major Technology Progress Needed for 25 Percent Renewable Energy Use to Be Affordable — Jun. 24, 2008

Dramatic progress in renewable energy technology is needed if the United States desires to produce 25 percent of its electricity and motor vehicle fuel from renewable sources by 2025 without significantly increasing consumer costs.

Full Document News Release RAND California's Energy and Environment Statistics Database Energy and Environment Research Area

Identifying & Reducing Climate-Change Vulnerabilities in Water-Management Plans — Jan. 31, 2008

Climate change will affect water supplies in California, but few water-management agencies have formally included it in their plans. Robust decisionmaking methods can help identify vulnerabilities related to climate change and evaluate the most effective options for managing those risks.

Full Document Research Brief Related Report Related Report Energy and Environment Research Area

Estimating the Value of Water-Use Efficiency in the Intermountain West — Jan. 10, 2008

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of water-efficiency programs can be difficult, because not all the benefits are easily quantified. An economic framework based on two tools from the California Urban Water Conservation Council helps estimate the avoided costs and environmental benefits of increasing water-use efficiency.

Full Document Related Report Related Report Energy and Environment Research Area

On Carbon Dioxide, a Better Alternative — Nov. 29, 2007

Instead of the complicated "cap-and-trade" system to reduce carbon emissions proposed in current congressional legislation, a tax on carbon dioxide refunded directly to individuals would cut emissions while cushioning the impact on the pocketbooks of American families, write Keith Crane and James Bartis.