Climate Change Solutions - August 6, 2019

Dire predictions and increasingly destructive natural disasters dominate environmental coverage in the news. But local, state, and national governments are developing real solutions to improve the well-being of nature, society, and the economy.

EESI aims to shine a light on this good work and the way forward on climate action.

Because of the need to highlight practical, sustainable, and equitable solutions to climate change, EESI has changed up its email newsletters. We bring you the inaugural issue of Climate Change Solutions!

Every other Tuesday, we will be highlighting practical on-the-ground work that communities, companies, and governments are doing around the country to address climate change. Your feedback, thoughts, and tips are most welcome: please reach out to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff.

 

Video Short: How Communities Are Dealing with Flooding? Association of State Floodplain Managers Executive Director Chad Berginnis talked to EESI about how communities are dealing with flooding. [Watch the video short]   Headlines Renewable Energy Has Exceeded Coal in Electrical Generating Capacity Between additional wind, solar, and hydropower units, renewable energy sources now make up 21.56 percent of the United States’ energy generating capacity, just edging past coal... [click for more]   Habitat for Humanity Strives to Increase Communities’ Resilience to Severe Weather Events Increasing community resilience involves both structural upgrades and logistical planning, and Habitat for Humanity’s programs, Habitat Ready and Habitat Strong, address these issues. [click for more]   Turkey Hill Dairy Runs on 100 Percent Renewable Energy Turkey Hill Dairy demonstrates climate leadership through various waste reduction and green energy initiatives. [click for more]

On the Hill The climate and environment seemed to be a priority on the Hill in the last half of July. The Senate introduced 33 environment-related bills and held one committee meeting and the House introduced 26 and held six committee hearings before both chambers went into recess until September 9. See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for July 22-August 2 here.   Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy The House Committee on Energy and Commerce met on July 24, 2019, to discuss pathways to decarbonize the U.S. economy. [click for more]   Five Mayors Highlight Local Climate Action at First Special Committee on the Climate Crisis Hearing The Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis held its first hearing on July 17, 2019. [click for more]   Disaster Aid Bill Will Help Make Nation More Resilient -- Long-Term Extension for National Flood Insurance Program Still Needed A $19 billion disaster aid bill (H.R. 2157/P.L. 116-20) passed with bipartisan support and was signed by the President on June 6. [click for more]

EESI Briefings and Fact Sheets   Equitable Solutions to Rural Energy Burdens A briefing about innovative utility programs that alleviate energy burdens faced by U.S. rural households through energy efficiency upgrades. [click for more]   2019 Congressional Clean Energy Expo and Policy Forum Hear from over 30 different speakers about the current state of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. [click for more]   Nature-based Resilience for Gulf Coast Communities A briefing showcasing projects such as wetlands restoration and other “natural infrastructure” that increase resilience of coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico. [click for more]   Equitable Beneficial Electrification for Rural Electric Cooperatives EESI and partners produced a report examining beneficial electrification as a pathway for rural electric cooperatives to decarbonize their power grids equitably. [click for more]

Climate News Round-up Several new studies were released over the past two weeks on the effects of a changing climate. With July 2019 the hottest month ever recorded, the Union of Concerned Scientists put out a report on the killer effects of extreme heat. New research suggests birds are adapting too slowly to the changing climate, while a deadly fungus is adapting all too quickly. A study on airplane contrails further raised concern on air travel and atmospheric warming—no wonder activist Greta Thurnberg chose to set sail to the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. Read more headlines on our Climate News Round-Up here. EESI Around Town   Policy Associate John-Michael Cross was featured on the Governance and Accountability Institute's blog. He explains the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which helps rural communities finance energy efficiency projects, and provides information about how rural utilities can get involved.   EESI intern Chloe Rogers wrote an article for the Federal Times. The article explains that Congress is unprepared for the increase in future federal budgets that may be necessary due to climate change impacts.   Thanks to Majority House Whip Rep. James Clyburn (SC) for his Twitter shout-out to EESI!