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15 August 2020
The economic case for electrifying everything
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Voters in the upcoming Harris-Trump election face a clear choice on climate policy, with Vice President Kamala Harris focusing on climate action and former President Donald Trump advocating fossil fuel expansion.
In short:
Key quote:
“There are fundamental forces here at work. At the end of the day, there’s very little that Trump can do to stand in the way.”
— Gernot Wagner, climate economist at Columbia Business School
Why this matters:
The next U.S. president will influence policies related to energy, transportation and emissions, affecting the nation’s ability to meet critical climate targets. Their decisions will have long-term consequences for public health and the environment.
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A new review highlights that adding parks, trees and greenery to urban areas can mitigate heat-related health risks and improve mental well-being, especially among vulnerable populations.
In short:
Key quote:
"Urban green spaces play a vital role in mitigating heat-related health risks, offering a potential strategy for urban planning to address climate change and enhance public health."
— Researchers, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Why this matters:
With global temperatures rising due to climate change, access to green spaces can help cities protect public health by reducing heat-related illnesses. Ensuring equitable access to these areas could also address health disparities.
Related EHN coverage: Trees, science and the goodness of green space.
Diners are often hesitant to engage with restaurants' climate-conscious efforts, even as chefs and owners find creative ways to communicate environmental practices.
In short:
Key quote:
“This is a 1:1 link to crops not coming out good. And I think people need to wrap their heads around that this is not some far-off thing. This is hitting you right now in a way that you didn’t think it would.”
— Dan McKinney, owner of Firetype Chocolate
Why this matters:
Many restaurants are adopting sustainable practices, but communicating these choices without overwhelming customers is difficult. As climate change increasingly impacts food production, balancing the costs of sustainability with consumer demand is crucial.
Related: As climate change worsens, junk food companies exploit the crisis for profit
Kern County supervisors approved California’s first carbon capture and storage project, aiming to inject millions of tons of CO2 underground, despite concerns about its environmental impact and connection to the fossil fuel industry.
In short:
Key quote:
“Carbon Terra Vault will incentivize new polluting infrastructure throughout Kern County. This will not clean our air.”
— Ileana Navarro, Central California Environmental Justice Network
Why this matters:
Carbon capture is a key piece of California’s climate goals, but critics argue it could lock in fossil fuel infrastructure while posing risks to local communities and wildlife.
After Hurricane Helene devastated Lake Lure, North Carolina, a group with ties to conspiracy theories arrived, offering help but spreading misinformation and distrust of federal relief efforts.
In short:
Key quote:
“Misinformation has always been the bane of disaster response. We’re seeing this additional layer of craven politicization about the federal disaster response itself.”
— Andy Carvin, managing editor of the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab
Why this matters:
Disaster recovery is challenging, and the spread of conspiracy theories can undermine trust in crucial relief efforts, putting lives and communities at greater risk.
After losing her house to a wildfire in 2021, a Colorado woman is rebuilding with fire-resistant earth blocks, joining a growing number of people in the region looking to better protect their homes.
In short:
Key quote:
“I said to myself, dirt doesn't burn. We should build a house of dirt..”
— Melanie Glover, homeowner
Why this matters:
As climate change drives more severe wildfires, alternative building materials like earth blocks offer a safer, sustainable option. These structures, if widely adopted, could reduce fire risks and lower carbon emissions.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block new EPA regulations forcing coal plants to reduce emissions or shut down, leaving Wyoming and other coal-reliant states to fight the rules in lower courts.
In short:
Key quote:
"Intentionally making reliable and dispatchable energy needlessly more expensive will kill people."
— Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette
Why this matters:
Wyoming's coal industry provides electricity to half the nation’s coal-fired power plants, making these federal rules a serious threat to the state's economy. As coal plants close or convert, communities reliant on coal jobs face a future of economic uncertainty.
Related: Wyoming hesitates to embrace solar energy despite its potential
Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.
“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”
“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.
Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.
Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.
"At some point, they will kill you and kill all of us," environmental leader Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco was told.