Climate Change Solutions - April 28, 2020

Welcome to Climate Change Solutions for April 28!

We hope you are continuing to stay safe and healthy during these trying times. 

Since our last issue, much has happened in environmental and energy news:

• With the lock-down keeping many people inside, wildlife are entering spaces normally trafficked by humans:
  • In Austria, elk, mountain goats, and deer are coming back to the Alps' hiking trails 
  • In Florida, sea turtles are enjoying emptied beaches
  • And bears and coyotes are reclaiming Yosemite
• In other animal news, an 'extinct' toad was rediscovered recently and scientists have discovered that flamingos make lifelong friendships
• Additionally, developers put an indefinite hold on the construction of a plastic manufacturing plant in Ohio
• And Virginia became the first southern state to declare a goal of carbon-free energy by 2045!
• Also, the White House used Arbor Day to renew its push for the 1 Trillion Trees initiative.

Love our work? Have a climate solution? Reach out to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff with tips, gossip, or just to say hi!

Video Short: Michael Gerrard Discusses Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization Michael Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Law School and Faculty Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, discusses his book Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization. Gerrard discusses renewable energy production and the role local, state, and federal governments must take in order to achieve decarbonization and meet U.S. emission goals by 2050.    Headlines Study Shows Strong Support for Renewable Energy Regardless of Political Leanings Americans across the nation, regardless of their political beliefs, are strongly in favor of adopting renewable energy policies. Can renewable energy be one way to close the political divide? [click for more]   Solar-Powered Learning: Dominion Energy Supports K-12 Clean Energy Curriculum Solar energy has seen substantial growth over the past decade. Through the Solar for Students program, kids can learn about renewable technology and career fields. [click for more]

On the Hill Lawmakers on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee announced two pieces of draft legislation addressing water infrastructure. The Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 aims to improve access to clean drinking water and the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, addresses water storage and flood protection. On April 28, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer indicated that the House will not come back into session on May 4, qualifying that session would still resume "very soon." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated that the Senate will be back in session on May 4 as planned. Steny also said that an economic stimulus package following up on the CARES Act passed on March 27th, is not yet ready for a vote.   Members of Congress Honor the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day 120 Congressional representatives co-sponsored a 2020 resolution that acknowledges the progress federal elected officials have made on behalf of the environment since the first Earth Day and outlined remaining challenges. [click for more]   Looking Back at Small Business and Energy in the 116th Congress EESI explores action taken over the past year to help small businesses through energy efficiency and workforce development programs. [click for more]

EESI Briefings, News and Fact Sheets   Q&A: Environmental Activist Byron Kennard Reminisces about the First Earth Day The 50th anniversary of Earth Day inspired both reflection on past accomplishments and planning for work ahead. EESI staff sat down with an organizer of the first Earth Day, Byron Kennard, to discuss the history of the U.S. environmental movement and his thoughts about its future. [click for more]   Briefing: Key Takeaways from EESI’s Climate Adaptation Data Week EESI's Climate Adaptation Data Week explored the innovative application of data tools to on-the-ground flood risk decision-making using a variety of data. [click for more]

EESI Around Town   EESI was cited in an article for Earth Day on environmental progress by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.   EESI's aviation fact sheet was cited in an article by Green Matters on airline emissions.   EESI was mentioned in an energy storage market forecast by OpenPR.   Upcoming Events   2020 Congressional Clean Energy EXPO and Policy Forum July 30 Stay tuned for further logistics! The 23rd Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum will bring together 30-40 businesses, trade associations, and government agencies to showcase renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.  The bipartisan House & Senate Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucuses are the EXPO's honorary co-hosts.   Biogas: Driving the U.S. Circular Economy September 10 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Rayburn HOB Room 2168 (Gold Room) Held in conjunction with the American Biogas Council, experts will discuss the role biogas systems play in industrial models that "repurpose, reuse, and recycle."   Environmental and Energy Study Institute  Daniel Bresette, Executive Director   EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.   www.eesi.org                 CFC #10627