The US energy mix has changed a lot since 2001, with natural gas surpassing coal as the nation's leading energy source and renewables like wind and solar seeing rapid growth, according to a New York Times analysis of Energy Information Administration data. Iowa, for example, sourced 1% of its total electricity needs from wind in 2001, compared with nearly 40% in 2017.

While there have been several recent cases involving toxic tort claims in the US, such as those brought against Johnson & Johnson for the allegedly harmful contents of its talcum powder, these issues have yet to result in court cases in the UK, an attorney writes. Such cases in the UK place relatively more weight on medical causation.

Several Environmental Protection Agency efforts to roll back Obama-era rules hit court-related delays this year, but acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler expects that to change in 2019. The efforts failed due to procedural issues -- not merit, he says, explaining that the EPA has focused on crafting defensible rules under his leadership.

New York City has developed a $100 million plan to modernize freight systems in the city and reduce air pollution, but critics aren't sure it will achieve its goals. The idea is to transition from large, emissions-heavy trucks to greener rail and maritime alternatives, but University of Washington civil and environmental engineering professor Anne Goodchild says larger vehicles tend to be "more energy efficient on a per-person basis."

A net-zero construction site trailer that prioritizes sustainability, occupant health and wellness debuted at the Greenbuild show in Chicago. Pepper Construction equipped the 12-by-60-foot workspace with cement fiber panels, 6 inches of insulation and solar panels to ensure energy efficiency.

Wright Architects of Kingston, N.Y., has helped project owners benefit from energy-efficient designs and renewable energy generation systems by starting each project with a focus on features such as effective insulation, LED lighting and energy usage, says Andrew Wright, the company's president. The firm uses energy recovery ventilation to improve energy conservation and air quality simultaneously, he says.

Amid Brexit and global trade uncertainty, many organizations managed volatility to best capitalize on opportunities. The past year saw record global M&A activity and more than $75 billion is expected to be raised through stock market listings in the U.S. alone. Based on early projections, 2019 is expected to be even bigger. While volatility will likely persist in 2019 and beyond, organizations can take steps to manage the risks and the opportunities. Five senior leaders from Aon share their thoughts on the issues that organizations will face in the coming year -- and how to address them. Read more.

Demand for reps and warranties, litigation, tax and other related insurance offerings is high. Hear more from Matthew Heinz, senior managing director of transaction solutions at Aon. Read more.