Issue #21: Sustainability and Climate News Round-up
Quick bites on climate and sustainability news
In this issue, I’ll guide you to some articles I think are worth your time to read. But I understand that not everyone has the time to read all the climate related things they may want to, so I’ve also briefly summarized them and give you a pitch why you should read more. And because one can only handle so much doom and gloom (on top of all the other news happening in the world right now), I included positive news too.
I’m calling this first edition of what will be a recurring column:
The Shot & A Chaser
The Shot: NOAA 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently unveiled their updated sea level report. As anyone who pays attention to these sorts of things, it isn’t surprising, but remains unequivocally alarming and scary.
Quick Take: US Coastlines are expected to rise by 10 - 12 inches in the next 30 years (more than measured over the last 100 years). This will increase coastal flooding, storm surges, and more devastation during this 30 year time period.
Why You Should Read It: It’s a stark reminder that even small changes in sea levels will have a massive impact on our country and world. Even though this report is focused on the US, these changes will impact every coastline in the world.
A Chaser: TECH Clean California
“The recent launch of TECH Clean California represents a significant milestone in the effort to equitably decarbonize California’s buildings in line with our pressing climate goals.” - Source: NRDC
Quick Take: This is a $120 million initiative to improve California’s efficient electric space and water heating technologies and meet the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.
Why You Should Read It: Understand how California is helping not only single-family homes, but multi-family and commercials buildings make improvements that can help combat GHG.
The Shot: “Assessing the Biden administration's progress on climate change” - NPR
Quick Take: Interview with outgoing Biden admin deputy climate envoy Jonathan Pershing. The Biden admin campaigned on a lot of climate action promises. Not much has gotten done.
Why You Should Read It: Experts like Pershing understand what is at stake, and to hear that he’s leaving the administration to return to the private sector (where he was before) isn’t awesome, leaving a knowledge gap within the administration.
A Chaser: 10 steps you can take to lower your carbon footprint - The Washington Post
Quick Take: One of the biggest intentions of this newsletter and Choosing Eco is to inspire action, starting with small changes that can make a difference. Will they save the world? No, not alone, but if an action you make at home inspires one person or family to do the same, you might start a trend that COULD change the world.
Why You Should Read It: Actions small or big do have impact. There are some little and simple things you can do in this list, and there are bigger ones that have larger impacts. Pick one and make a change.
The Shot: “New environmental report offers solutions for ‘triple planetary crisis’" - United Nations report
Quick Take: It’s a big report and is nicely summarized here too in Scientific American. There are a bunch of things in this report highlighting a collision of problems, including noise pollution - which I hadn’t seen reported on before in regards to climate impact.
Why You Should Read It: “A growing mismatch in the timing of natural events is one major concern. As temperatures rise around the world, many natural ecosystems are getting out of sync.” Climate impact isn’t just about humans. It is impacting everything.
A Chaser: Talking to your kid about climate change - Hothouse (another Substack publication)
Quick Take: There are so many future leaders making big choices and taking action for our planet. This long read is filled with stories about them.
Why You Should Read It: It is heartwarming to know that the next generation cares - and not just cares - probably cares more than the current leading ones do.
A Bonus Chaser: White House science office to hold first-ever event on countering ‘climate delayism’
Choosing Eco Updates
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Thank you for reading!
-Michael