We’re trying to put all our effort and time and support, everything we have into a bucket to fix poverty, racism, gender equity, and more. But climate change is the hole in the bottom of the bucket. The hole is getting bigger to the point where we cannot fix any of these issues that we care about, if we leave climate change out of the picture. We have to patch the hole!
Katherine Hayhoe, world-renowned atmospheric scientist
https://substack.com/@katharinehayhoe/note/c-183549141
Its a new year and here are more opportunities to take action to save our environment and a round up of climate news – local, statewide, and international.
Chop Wood Carry Water is a daily newsletter written by Jess Craven. She lists numerous positive things that are happening around the country (many environmental) which helps to lift my spirits. Here is one of her recent missives
Not so good news: How Wall Street Turned Its Back on Climate Change . Six years after the financial industry pledged to use trillions to fight climate change and reshape finance, its efforts have largely collapsed. Read about it here: Wall Street and Climate
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance has 5 ways for you to get involved in the local environment scene: RCA
More positive VA state action!
Battery storage bills make a return after previous vetoes / Lawmakers aim to speed up renewable energy connections and expand dispatchable solar power. Read about it here: VA Legislative Action
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa. Chinese panels are now so affordable that businesses and families are snapping them up, slashing their bills and challenging utilities. Read it here: Cheap Solar
Good climate news out of Texas: (Surprising but true!)
Not All Drilling in Texas Is About Oil: The state has become a hub of innovation for creating electricity using geothermal power. Read about it here: Geothermal
As You Sow is an organization that works to better our environment by focusing on getting corporations to do their part. From their latest newsletter: Recent news has been loaded with stories about the ongoing campaign to undo decades of corporate progress on sustainability. While the pressure is real, our direct engagements with corporations, and the data we collect, tell a different story of progress and action. Companies are listening to their shareholders and recognizing the business case for a livable future — market trends and technology continue to move toward clean energy, zero waste, and justice for all. Read more here: As You Sow
More international news from the NYT: Clean, Limitless Energy Exists. China Is Going Big in the Race to Harness It.Beijing is pouring vast resources into fusion research, while the U.S. wants private industry to lead the way. The winner could reshape civilization. Read more here: Fusion Energy
Local environmental action provided by ReLeaf: This winter, through our new Tree Preservation Program, we are taking action to preserve more than 100 mature trees in underserved neighborhoods. More here: ReLeaf
Climate humor: Upon hearing about the US seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker, Bill McKibben noted “No one is ever going to seize a tanker full of solar energy”
World Resources Institute offers 19 Ways to Help the Climate, Ranked. The “right” decisions will look different for everyone depending on what’s accessible to them. Living car-free is the most impactful behavior by far in terms of reducing emissions. But if that’s unattainable, switching from a gas-powered car to an electric vehicle, or shifting as many trips as possible to walking, biking or public transit, also cuts emissions. Find them all here: WRI
Great Regional News: Virginia joins Chesapeake Bay states, D.C. in new watershed agreement Watershed
For the Planet,
Ellie Syverud, Editor