Governments and non-governmental stakeholders will meet in Paris starting on Friday for the second of five negotiating sessions on a treaty addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. Duke expert Rachel Karasik are available for use in your coverage.

The Energy Data Analytics Ph.D. Student Fellows program is designed to prepare the next generation of scholars to deftly wield data in pursuit of accessible, affordable, reliable and clean energy systems. The 2023 group of students will conduct research on topics including renewable energy, energy forecasting, efficient lightning, coal pollution, energy equity and extreme weather impacts on energy systems.

Ashley Ward joins 97.9 The Hill’s "News on the Hill" program every other Thursday to comment on the latest climate news.

Forecasts are calling for El Niño to amplify extreme heat in the United States during the 2023 heat season—with likely worse impacts to come in 2024. Ashley Ward said in Common Dreams that now is the time for state and local officials to develop response plans, "particularly to protect our most vulnerable citizens."

The expected return of El Niño within a few months could prompt extreme weather patterns in many parts of the United States and elsewhere. Duke heat and health expert Ashley Ward provided comments for the media.

A new report from PennEnvironment calls out “Pennsylvania’s Dirty Dozen,” 12 facilities that are responsible for about one-fifth of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Brian Murray told WHYY News Climate Desk that forthcoming EPA regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants will likely apply to the eleven gas- and coal-fired power plant facilities on the “dirty dozen” list.

Combined with other recent moves by the Biden administration and Congress, regulations put forward by the Environmental Protection Agency to impose new carbon pollution standards on coal- and gas-fired power plants “have the potential to substantially advance clean power generation in the U.S.,” said Brian Murray in The Guardian.

Sen. Joe Manchin opposes proposed EPA regulations that would require U.S. power plants to reduce their carbon emissions. Brian Murray spoke with POLITICO about tough choices coal plants will need to consider if the regulations move forward.

The EPA has proposed rules to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the second-largest source of emissions in the US. Nicholas Institute Interim Director Brian Murray tells ABC News the new regulations provide a further push toward a carbon-free power sector for the US.

Roughly a quarter of households in Jackson, Miss., are challenged by unaffordable water services amid an ongoing water crisis. Lauren Patterson and Sophia Bryson explore trends driving water unaffordability in Jackson and other communities and discuss potential ways forward in an op-ed for The Clarion-Ledger.