www.motherjones.com
03 March 2019
The 2020 race has its first climate candidate
Jay Inslee says he'll make "defeating climate change our nation's No. 1 priority."
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FEMA has already used nearly half of its disaster budget for 2025, prompting potential cuts to rebuilding efforts unless Congress approves additional funding.
In short:
Key quote:
“We keep a reserve in the Disaster Relief Fund to make sure I can always cover these life-saving activities.”
— Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator
Why this matters:
FEMA's rapidly depleting funds threaten the recovery of communities hit by disasters like hurricanes. Without action, essential repairs to infrastructure like roads and water systems could be delayed for months.
For more: FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters
Scientists warn that rising global temperatures and cleaner air, with reduced pollution, are making hurricanes more powerful, increasing flood risks for unprepared coastal cities.
In short:
Key quote:
“One recent study suggests that human-caused warming boosted the Helene-related flooding in the southeastern U.S. by 40 percent. All of this continues to increase as long as the warming continues until our carbon emissions reach zero.”
— Michael Mann, director of the Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media
Why this matters:
As temperatures rise, hurricanes become stronger and cause more flooding, especially with rising sea levels. Without better preparation, millions of coastal residents remain vulnerable to these escalating climate threats.
Related EHN coverage:
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Black survivors in North Carolina and Georgia face ongoing struggles with flood recovery, disinformation, and barriers to voting as the election looms.
In short:
Key quote:
“Who is really going to want to go to a damn poll at this point when you don’t have a house?”
— Falasha Talbert, a mother of 10 and small-business owner
Why this matters:
For many, the idea of voting in upcoming elections feels like a distant priority, and with disinformation spreading about FEMA’s response, it’s getting harder to trust the recovery process. Social media is alive with conspiracy theories, and that cloud of confusion complicates the path to the polls. Read more: The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women.
Even with life-threatening hurricanes approaching, many Floridians are trapped by high evacuation costs, from flights and hotels to rental cars and gas shortages.
In short:
Key quote:
“You may need to have social support, potentially, if you want to stay with family and friends who are outside of the area. You have to have the ability to leave your job.”
— Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, research associate at the Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder
Why this matters:
Climate disasters increasingly highlight the socioeconomic divide, as poorer communities face greater challenges in evacuating and rebuilding. Addressing these inequities can save lives during future storms.
Oregon has expanded a $50 billion climate lawsuit to include NW Natural, accusing the gas utility of deceiving customers about the environmental harm caused by burning fossil fuels.
In short:
Key quote:
Gas utilities have been "significant players in the historic and ongoing deception campaigns to mislead the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.”
— Alyssa Johl, Center for Climate Integrity
Why this matters:
Fossil fuel companies have long been accused of concealing the true environmental costs of their products, which contributes to global warming. Lawsuits like this could reshape how these companies are held accountable for climate change-related disasters.
Related: Oregon’s biggest gas company isn’t as green as it claims
Residents of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, are speaking out about rising cancer cases and other health concerns they believe are linked to tailings ponds from nearby oilsands operations.
In short:
Key quote:
"You live in that fear because people are starting to get cancer and it's kept going and going and going. Now it's getting worse."
— Claire Cardinal, Fort Chipewyan resident
Why this matters:
Tailings ponds from oilsands are filled with toxic waste, and communities downstream fear their water is contaminated, impacting both health and the environment. Without definitive studies or action, their concerns and lives remain in limbo.
Read more: Toxic tar sands spill in Canada raises questions for First Nation community
British Columbia’s upcoming election presents voters with a choice between the BC NDP’s progressive approach to climate action and Indigenous rights and the BC Conservative Party’s climate denial and opposition to shared land use with First Nations.
In short:
Key quote:
“What DRIPA is trying to do is keep it out of the courts, to recognize that First Nations have rights, title, sovereignty and self-determination.”
— Terry Teegee, regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.
Why this matters:
BC faces climate disasters and economic challenges tied to resource industries. Indigenous rights and sustainable development have reshaped provincial policies, but the upcoming election could hamper those efforts.
Related: Climate change poses severe health risks in British Columbia
An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.
“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”
A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.
Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.
“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”
The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.