Climate Change Solutions - February 2, 2021

This week in Climate Change Solutions, we've highlighted a successful green technical education program in Mississippi, profiled renewable energy workforce programs for veterans in Iowa, examined the intangible effects of climate change on Native communities, and analyzed ways to reduce the solar equity gap. EESI's executive director also broke down what Biden's latest climate executive order means for future climate action. 

And, we recapped our first Congressional Climate Camp in our most recent podcast episode!

Last but not least, two former interns (and best friends) reflect on their time with EESI and one of EESI's senior fellows discusses the benefits of street murals in fostering community and making roads safer. 

Also, be sure to tell editor Amber Todoroff your favorite Solutions article was this week (and why) for a chance to be featured on our social media!

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Headlines Mississippi Aquaculture Program Highlights Importance of Technical Education in High Schools [5 min. read] At Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi, a thriving aquaculture program is part of its Career and Technical Education center, which seeks to connect students with a hands-on education in high school. Led by Bryan Butler, the aquaculture program helps establish an environmental workforce filled with passionate and highly-trained individuals. These programs not only engage students in their learning but also connect students with educational opportunities beyond the classroom. Click to read more about the program and the students involved! [click for more]   Iowa Programs Offer Renewable Energy Opportunities to Veterans [4 min. read] Service men and women transition out of the military with a suite of skills suitable for work in high-demand industries. The state of Iowa is seeking to attract these workers and match their skills with positions in Iowa’s growing renewable energy economy. [click for more]   The Intangible Effects of Climate Change [4 min. read] A traditional Quinault Nation story tells of a whale that sits at the base of a Anderson glacier. Today, that glacier no longer exists. Warming temperatures caused by climate change have accelerated the retreat of glaciers across the world. For tribal nations the consequences of climate change are far reaching, altering not just their land, but their values, traditions, stories, languages and cultures. [click for more] Study Highlights Ways to Narrow the Solar Equity Gap [4 min. read] Even though the cost of rooftop solar has drastically fallen in recent years, low- to moderate- income (LMI) households are still less likely to adopt solar than higher-income ones. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory decided to find out how this discrepancy could be addressed by examining existing policy and business models to see which ones foster the adoption of rooftop solar among LMI households. [click for more]   Executive Order Establishes Climate as National Priority [3 min. read] Last Wednesday’s executive order provided more detail about what a return of U.S. leadership in international climate change negotiations will look like. The order puts the federal government on a fast track aimed at “raising climate ambition and making a positive contribution to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties" in November and beyond.  Click to read more about what this executive order means for climate. [click for more]

On the Hill From January 3 to 29, the inaugural 117th Congress introduced a total of 97 bills and resolutions related to environmental and energy topics. Of these, 10 were in the Senate and 87 in the House. The Senate was also busy holding key confirmation hearings for positions in Energy, Transportation, Agriculture, and other federal agencies. Highlights The new Congress is off to a running start on issues related to the environment and energy. Senators and representatives have introduced dueling bills at odds with one another on a wide range of topics. For example, several bills attempt to establish or negotiate moratoria on oil and gas leasing and permitting across the United States; among these were S.28 and H.R.479. In contrast, other bills, such as S.76 and H.R.543, seek to halt oil and gas leasing and permitting moratoria. A few bills focus on environmental justice, such as H.R.260 which aims to address the disparate impact of climate change on women, and S.101 and H.R.516 which seek to establish an environmental justice mapping committee. Notably, Alaska Representative Don Young introduced a total of thirteen bills during this period, many of which handle issues pertinent to fishing communities. See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for January 3 - 29 here

EESI News, Briefings, and Fact Sheets   Reflection: From College to EESI to Community Solar: Two Friends Journey into Renewable Energy [3 min. read] Each semester, we are honored to mentor (and learn from) four or five talented and passionate young professionals who join our internship program. Our spring 2020 cohort was no exception. Phoebe and Uma were already best friends from George Washington University when they started at EESI, and after they left, they both were hired by Nexamp, a community solar organization in Massachusetts. Here they share their reflections on their time with EESI and their new careers. [click for more] Know a student that could be a great fit for EESI's internship? Applications are now open for summer here!   Perspective: Why Art Matters: Street Murals Bolster Community and Re-imagine Transportation [4 min. read] Asphalt art, at the intersection of arts and transportation, is any kind of creative intervention on transportation infrastructure. Street murals can help residents realize that they do not have to accept their transportation system’s status quo, but that they can be active participants in change. Giving people the right to paint their streets can encourage them to become more involved in the decision-making process for future planning of street uses. [click for more]  Podcast: Episode 6: ICYMI - Congressional Climate Camp: Appropriations, Budget, Stimulus [24 min. listen] Following the debut of EESI’s most recent briefing series, Congressional Climate Camp, Dan and Sydney discussed the key takeaways from the briefing, condensing the 2-hour event into just 24 minutes. This episode is perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go! [click for more]

EESI Around Town   EESI's overview of geothermal energy was cited in an article on renewable energy by Live Science.   Executive Director Daniel Bresette was quoted in an article by Gizmodo.   Executive Director Daniel Bresette was quoted in an article by Planet Forward. Upcoming Events   National Association of State Energy Officer's 2021 Energy Policy Outlook Conference February 2-5 Virtual Sessions State, federal, and private experts will offer actionable ideas on federal energy funding, public-private investment, and climate and energy policy and programs covering power, mobility, resilience, workforce, equity, and innovation.   Conference highlights include:  Federal Energy Transition Update and "100 Days and Beyond" Outlook  Spotlight on Energy Policy and Appropriations Landscape  Presentation on Economic Impacts, Diversity, and the U.S. Workforce  Congressional keynotes, coffee chats, and breakout sessions  And much, much more! Learn more here, and register today here. Congressional Climate Camp Part 2: Federal Policy to Decarbonize High-Emission Sectors February 26, 2-4 pm EST Virtual Session EESI's second installment of Congressional Climate Camp will discuss the highest emission sectors in the U.S.--Agriculture, transportation, power generation, industry, and buildings--and highlight federal policy strategies to reduce emissions in each. RSVP here!   Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions: Sydney O'Shaughnessy - Layout, Design, and Content Editor Amaury Laporte - Communications Director As well as all EESI Staff, Interns, and Fellows who write and review content!   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