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Fossil fuels

Vox’s coverage of fossil fuel policy and its impact on the global climate crisis.

The tiny lizard that will test Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” agenda
Down to Earth

In the oil-rich Permian Basin, the dunes sagebrush lizard faces extinction. Will Trump do it in?

By Benji Jones
We were supposed to hit peak emissions. Why won’t they stop rising?We were supposed to hit peak emissions. Why won’t they stop rising?
Climate

Greenhouse gas emissions are higher than ever as key leaders threaten to walk away from this year’s UN climate talks.

By Umair Irfan
Could carbon capture fix climate change?Could carbon capture fix climate change?
The Highlight

A reader asks whether the latest developments in clean energy technology can help save the planet. We break it down.

By Umair Irfan
México podría estar en la cúspide de una de sus mayores transformaciones en décadasMéxico podría estar en la cúspide de una de sus mayores transformaciones en décadas
Climate

Claudia Sheinbaum, la nueva presidenta, ya está remodelando su industria energética.

By Umair Irfan
Blackouts aren’t unusual in Cuba, but this one is differentBlackouts aren’t unusual in Cuba, but this one is different
Politics

Cuba’s energy crisis is decades in the making.

By Ellen Ioanes
Democrats have embraced a surprising “America First!” approach on climateDemocrats have embraced a surprising “America First!” approach on climate
Climate

The strategy comes at a cost for the planet.

By Umair Irfan
Venezuela’s Maduro just tightened his grip on power. What comes next?Venezuela’s Maduro just tightened his grip on power. What comes next?
World Politics

Nicolás Maduro has presided over Venezuela’s economic decline — while increasing his authoritarian tendencies.

By Ellen Ioanes
Biden isn’t advertising America’s record oil boomBiden isn’t advertising America’s record oil boom
Climate

Biden is not “waging war” on American energy. He’s boosting it.

By Nicole Narea
Carmakers pumped the brakes on hybrid cars too soonCarmakers pumped the brakes on hybrid cars too soon
Climate

In the age of electric vehicles, the hybrid is still a contender.

By Umair Irfan
The US power grid quietly survived its most brutal summer yetThe US power grid quietly survived its most brutal summer yet
Climate

Despite record power demand, the grid largely avoided blackouts. Don’t take this for granted.

By Umair Irfan
The oil industry’s cynical gamble on Arctic drillingThe oil industry’s cynical gamble on Arctic drilling
Climate

Companies like ConocoPhillips are banking on a future filled with oil.

By Rebecca Leber
Democrats have made a puzzling decision to drop their demand to end fossil fuel subsidiesDemocrats have made a puzzling decision to drop their demand to end fossil fuel subsidies
Climate

Democrats say climate change is a priority. The DNC platform dropped its demand to end subsidies to dirty energy.

By Umair Irfan
How to drive fossil fuels out of the US economy, quicklyHow to drive fossil fuels out of the US economy, quickly
Climate

The US has everything it needs to decarbonize by 2035.

By David Roberts
Coronavirus stimulus money will be wasted on fossil fuels
Climate

Oil and gas companies were already facing structural problems before Covid-19 and are in long-term decline.

By David Roberts
Why climate activists disrupted the Harvard-Yale football gameWhy climate activists disrupted the Harvard-Yale football game
Explainers

Divestment is one of the fastest-growing movements in the fight against climate change. It’s only getting started.

By Umair Irfan
The University of California system is ending its investment in fossil fuelsThe University of California system is ending its investment in fossil fuels
Climate

The university is cutting fossil fuels from its $80 billion portfolio because of their financial risk.

By Umair Irfan
Fossil fuels are underpriced by a whopping $5.2 trillionFossil fuels are underpriced by a whopping $5.2 trillion
Climate

We can’t take on climate change without properly pricing coal, oil, and natural gas. But it’s a huge political challenge.

By Umair Irfan
Costa Rica has an ambitious new climate policy — but no, it’s not banning fossil fuelsCosta Rica has an ambitious new climate policy — but no, it’s not banning fossil fuels
Climate

Costa Rica is moving toward carbon neutrality faster than any other country in the world.

By Umair Irfan
It’s time to think seriously about cutting off the supply of fossil fuelsIt’s time to think seriously about cutting off the supply of fossil fuels
Climate

A new paper makes the case for supply-side climate policy.

By David Roberts
The world’s bleak climate situation, in 3 chartsThe world’s bleak climate situation, in 3 charts
Climate

We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there.

By David Roberts
Donald Trump is handing the federal government over to fossil fuel interestsDonald Trump is handing the federal government over to fossil fuel interests
Climate

The appointments, the policies, the rhetoric — it is not subtle.

By David Roberts
No country on Earth is taking the 2 degree climate target seriouslyNo country on Earth is taking the 2 degree climate target seriously
Climate

If we mean what we say, no more new fossil fuels, anywhere.

By David Roberts
Is there any point in trying to restrict fossil fuel supplies? A new paper says yes.Is there any point in trying to restrict fossil fuel supplies? A new paper says yes.
Climate

Defending supply restrictions against the disdain of climate wonks.

By David Roberts
Clean energy is growing fast — but it’s not yet winning the race against fossil fuelsClean energy is growing fast — but it’s not yet winning the race against fossil fuels
Technology

There’s reason to be optimistic about wind and solar, but don’t go overboard.

By Brad Plumer
How to stop global warming, in 7 stepsHow to stop global warming, in 7 steps
Climate

It may require phasing out fossil-fuel emissions entirely this century, a new UN climate report warns.

By Brad Plumer