Research Library | Baker Institute

Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East | Commentary

Israel’s Mass Displacement of Gazans Fits Strategy of Using Migration as a Tool of War

As a result of the monthslong Israeli air and ground campaign in northern Gaza Strip, more than 1.8 million of the strip’s…

Nicholas R. Micinski, Adam G. Lichtenheld, Kelsey Norman December 11, 2023

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

The U.S. Could Leapfrog The World In Producing Clean Hydrogen—But Only If Treasury Encourages Diverse Investments

In recent days, record-breaking extreme heat has provided a preview of what’s in store as global temperatures continue to…

Rachel A. Meidl July 25, 2023

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

Canada’s Natural Gas Distribution Network is the Latest Target for Russian Hackers

Once again, more than a decade after NSA contractor Edward Snowden departed the United States with a massive trove of…

Christopher Bronk April 13, 2023

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

Why Gas Stoves Matter to the Climate — and the Gas Industry: Keeping Them Means Homes Will Use Gas for Heating Too

Gas stoves are a leading source of hazardous indoor air pollution, but they emit only a tiny share of the greenhouse gases that warm the climate. Why, then, have they assumed such a heated role in climate politics?

Daniel Cohan January 18, 2023

Commentary

Looking Back at Our Impact in 2022

In 2022, the nation faced fundamental questions about how we govern our economy and society — particularly how we formulate public policy. Here, we share 10 highlights of our work that illustrate our impact from the previous year.

David M. Satterfield December 21, 2022

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

Climate Lessons From Faltering Texas Power Grid

Even before the high heat of summer, the Texas power grid is struggling — but the lessons for adapting future energy plans amid climate change apply globally, writes faculty scholar Daniel Cohan, and a better connected grid with cleaner energy is critical. Read his commentary in The Hill.

Daniel Cohan May 23, 2022

Center for Energy Studies | Commentary

Coal To Power China’s Energy Transition

Last month, China released its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for the energy sector. While clean and low-carbon may be the keywords on paper, in reality, Beijing will continue rely on coal to power its economy and energy transitions, writes the author. Read the post on the Baker Institute Blog.

Shih Yu (Elsie) Hung April 26, 2022

Center for the U.S. and Mexico | Commentary

Will the North American Auto Industry Survive Proposed U.S. Electric Vehicle Subsidies?

By subsidizing only electric vehicles and EV batteries produced by union labor in the U.S., the auto industry could face trouble in valuable trade partnerships with Canada and Mexico, writes fellow David Gantz.

David A. Gantz November 22, 2021

Science and Technology Policy | Commentary

Engineers and Economists Prize Efficiency, but Nature Favors Resilience — Lessons From Texas, COVID-19 and the 737 Max

Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar and University Professor Moshe Vardi analyzes three recent crises — the 2021 winter storm in Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Boeing 737 Max software failure — that highlight the cost of valuing efficiency over resilience and provide lessons for bringing society into balance.

Moshe Vardi May 19, 2021

Texas Politics | Commentary

Electric Cooperatives, the Lone Shining Utility Star of the Texas 2021 Winter Storm

Texans served by regulated electricity markets, especially by electric cooperatives, were much more satisfied with their providers’ performance during Winter Storm Uri than those in deregulated markets. In this post for the Baker Institute Blog, the authors offer possible explanations for the contrast in favorability.

Mark P. Jones, Pablo M. Pinto, Renee Cross, Kirk P. Watson May 11, 2021