Climate Change Solutions - February 18, 2020 | Newsletter

Hello and welcome to another edition of Climate Change Solutions!

Since our last issue, February 4:

Antarctica registers its hottest temperature ever recorded at 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit
Antarctic Chinstrap Penguins have been seriously affected by warming temperatures
Bumblees were also found to be particularly susceptible to climate change thanks to their fuzzy bodies
Another victim of climate change could also be Oreos
New poll shows a majority of young conservatives could have climate issues sway their votes
Global carbon dioxide emissions were shown to stay flat in 2019
The Church of England voted to target net zero emissions for its operations by 2030
Jeff Bezos commits $10 billion to fight climate change through new Bezos Earth Fund
- Perhaps Bezos could also read this article on the environmental impacts of online shopping

That's all for now! Have any article ideas? Want to say hi? Reach out to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff!

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Video Short: Building Community Resilience with Louisiana's Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments (LA SAFE) Liz Williams Russell, the Coastal Community Resilience Director for the Foundation for Louisiana, discusses Louisiana’s Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments (LA SAFE), and how it is critically important to give a central place to community voices in planning projects. LA SAFE addresses community resilience holistically by integrating risk planning with planning for stormwater management, housing, transportation, economic development, education, recreation, and culture.
Headlines
	The Financial Sector is Waking Up to Climate Change Managers at multiple large banks have expressed concern over financial risks related to climate change in recent months. EESI Senior Policy Fellow Jonathan Herz breaks down those concerns and suggests solutions. [click for more]
	Climate Solutions from the Great Lakes Region From wildlands, to tribal lands, to farmlands, to cities, experts explore how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes region and offer solutions to build resilience. [click for more]

On the Hill

From February 4, 2020 to February 17, 2020, 41 bills were referred to committee to address environmental and energy issues. In addition to the introduction of environmentally relevant legislation, the House passed seven bills.

Highlights

During this time period, President Trump released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 (October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021), which set out the spending and policy priorities of his administration. As in years past, the budget proposal was met with swift rebukes, including from EESI. Now attention turns to Congress as House and Senate appropriators begin assembling spending bills for the entire federal government before the end of the current fiscal year runs out in September.

On the Hill, Congress focused on plastic pollution and recycling. S.3263/H.R.5845 and S.3281 would place recycling requirements and other limitations on single-use plastics, and S.3306/H.R.5902 would create a program to reduce microplastic pollution.

House Republicans also introduced the first bills of their climate change strategy related the Trillion Trees initiative. H.R.5859 would establish forest management and reforestation projects to sequester atmospheric carbon, and H.R.5864, H.R.5865, and H.R.5883 would increase research and incentives for carbon capture technology.

Be sure to read through the rest of the environmental legislative tracker for February 4-17 here.

	Hearing Looks at Stricter Public Disclosure Requirements for Oil and Gas Drilling on Public Lands At the hearing, witnesses provided testimony on the Transparency in Energy Production Act of 2020 (TEPA; H.R. 5636). The purpose of the bill is “to provide for the accurate reporting of fossil fuel extraction and emission by entities with leases on public land, and other purposes.” [click for more]
	Press Release: Trump Administration Budget Proposal Terrible for Climate The Trump Administration's full budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 was released on February 10, and it once again seeks drastic funding cuts for clean energy and environmental programs. [click for more]

EESI Briefings, News and Fact Sheets

	Reflections on the Monarch Butterfly Migration EESI Board Chairman Jared Blum took a trip to the Cerro Pelon Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico to see swarms of Monarch butterflies in their winter habitat after a long and dangerous migration across the continent. [click for more]
	Briefing: National Clean Fuels Technology & Health Effects Leadership Forum The discussion highlighted alternatives to gasoline aromatics that benefit public health, the environment/climate change, national security, and the economy. These solutions could be implemented in the upcoming Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. [click for more]

EESI Around Town

E&E News covered EESI's Great Lakes resilience briefing, focusing on how warming threatens the Ojibwe tribe.

EESI was quoted in Boonville Daily News on ethanol emissions.

The Boar referenced EESI's fact sheet on aviation emissions in their article "How do we continue flying without harming the planet?"

Upcoming Events

Sustainable Energy Factbook
February 20th
12:00-1:30
Rayburn HOB Room 2325

The eighth annual Sustainable Energy Factbook briefing, held with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, will provide new industry information and trends for the U.S. energy economy. Lunch will be provided.

A Security Threat Profile of Global Climate Change
February 24th
3:30-5:00
Rayburn HOB Room 2168 (Gold Room)

Held with the Center for Climate and Security, this briefing will showcase CCS's new report comprehensively examining the wide-ranging security impacts of climate change across all six geographic U.S. Combatant Commands.

Coastal Resilience Series: Southeast
March 13
2:00-3:30
Rayburn HOB Room 2168 (Gold Room)

Expert panelists will discuss restoring land-based and off-shore habitat for nature-based adaptation and the federal tools and policy that help advance these climate solutions.

Biogas: Driving the U.S. Circular Economy
March 18th
2:00-3:30
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."

Coastal Resilience Series: Hawaii
March 20
1:30-3:00
Russell SOB Room 385

This briefing is on innovative efforts to finance and implement climate change mitigation and resilience projects. Featuring a panel from Hawaii, the briefing will explore steps the state is taking to reach carbon neutrality and run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

Electrification 2020: International Conference and Exposition
April 6-9
Charlotte, North Carolina

EESI is proud to be a Supporting Organization of the Electric Power Research Institute's Electrification 2020. Attendees will gain access to industry influencers and compelling content to help advance electrification initiatives and create sustainable solutions.

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

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