Climate Change Solutions - January 21, 2020 | Newsletter

Welcome to Climate Change Solutions for January 21!

Last week, NASA and NOAA announced that 2010-2019 was the hottest decade on record, and that 2019 was the second-hottest year ever. So, it makes sense that research out of Yale University found that a majority of Americans now report being “concerned” or “alarmed” about climate change.

States around the country continue to take steps to address climate change including Rhode Island, which announced that the state will aim for 100% of the state’s electricity to come from renewable energy by 2030. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a plan by the state to buy 20,000 acres of the Everglades to prevent oil drilling on the protected land.

A major lawsuit that we have been following is the Juliana vs. United States case. This week, the ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out Juliana v. United States, the lawsuit that 21 young people filed against the government charging it with not taking adequate action against climate change.

Despite this news, youth may be happy to see a steady stream of climate plans flowing from presidential candidates including a transportation plan, released last week by Bloomberg, focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by expanding access to electric vehicles and improving public transportation.

Questions, comments, tips? Reach out to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff!

Video Short: Yale Professor Tony Leiserowitz Discusses American Perceptions of Climate Change Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, the Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication at Yale University, discussed his program's findings with EESI. He explained recent trends in Americans' climate change knowledge, attitudes, policy support, and behavior.
Headlines
	Environmental Justice Should Be Central to our Work to Advance Climate Solutions EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette Shares Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. [click for more]
	Fire Drill Fridays' Teachable Moment on Reckless Consumerism Jane Fonda started a weekly protest in Washington D.C. to bring attention to climate issues and her decision to never buy another piece of clothing is a laudable personal climate commitment. [click for more]

On the Hill

From January 7-20, 2020, 46 bills were referred to committee to address environmental and energy issues. In addition to the introduction of environmentally relevant legislation, Senate passed four bills and the House passed one bill.

Highlights

Perhaps the biggest news during this time period was that Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce released a new plan to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation's Future Act (CLEAN Future Act).

The central feature of the plan would be to require energy suppliers to provide 100 percent clean electricity to consumers by mid-century, but there also are sections concerning buildings and efficiency, transportation, industry, environmental justice, and super pollutants.

Be sure to read through the rest of the round-up; the 116th Congress has covered a lot of ground, and the best way to keep up to date is to see the bills for yourself.

See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for January 7-20, 2020 here.

	Experts Discuss Agricultural Technology Needs During Small Business Committee Hearing Major topics included lack of broadband access and the importance of diversified crop planting. [click for more]
	Findings: House Committee on Oversight and Reform Investigates Climate Change Throughout 2019, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Environment held a series of four hearings on climate change. These hearings provided insights into climate science and proposed policy solutions. [click for more]

EESI Briefings, News, and Fact Sheets

	"Journey to Sustainability" Reminds Viewers to Think How Current Actions Impact Future How a 2002 interview with sustainable business leader Ray Anderson resonates with our work today. [click for more]
	What Makes EESI a Fantastic Place? Fall semester development intern Mel Barnard gives EESI high praise. Thanks for all your hard work, Mel! [click for more]

Apply to be a Summer intern!

Paid interns have the opportunity to learn the inner workings of an environmental nonprofit
while contributing to our work advancing sustainable energy.
Applications are due January 31!

Development
Internship

Communications and
Policy Internship

Policy
Internship

EESI Around Town

EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette was quoted in Power Technology on China's renewable investments.

EESI Policy Fellow Jonathan Herz was published in Washington Post's Letters to the Editor. Herz discussed the difference between Obama and Trump administration NEPA reform efforts.

Upcoming Events

Coastal Resilience Series: The Great Lakes
February 13
2:30-4:00
Rayburn HOB Room 2168 (Gold Room)

This briefing will discuss tribal, agricultural, and urban adaptation and multi-state/international resilience policy-making in the Great Lakes region.

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.

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."

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.

Register before prices increase February 1!

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

Table Of Contents

From January 7-20, 2020, 46 bills were referred to committee to address environmental and energy issues. In addition to the introduction of environmentally relevant legislation, Senate passed four bills and the House passed one bill.

Highlights