Climate Change Solutions - March 15, 2022 | Newsletter

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Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

The theme this week is land management, leading up to EESI's March 29th briefing Building a Durable National Framework for Large Landscape Conservation.

Ecosystems don't respect political boundaries, so coordinating land management across local, state, and national lines is important to maximize environmental well-being—giving species the opportunity to migrate while limiting potential conflicts with humans.

The featured article discusses the recent history of landscape conservation cooperatives (LCCs) in the United States, and how, though the federally-funded LCCs were disbanded in 2017, the movement lives on through non-federal partnerships in places like Alaska.

A Q&A with Nevada Department of Wildlife Director Tony Wasley explores the role of state agencies in ecosystem connectivity, along with supportive federal policies. Another article highlights a recent Senate hearing on implementation of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, a landmark law providing funding for the maintenance of federal lands.

Related to ecosystem connectivity, a new article from our series on sustainable agricultural practices discusses how agroforestry benefits farmers as well as the environment, and what federal programs exist to promote it.

And check out land management in action through a personal reflection by former EESI intern Abby Neal, currently serving as a wildland firefighter with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.

Finally, this week's The Climate Conversation podcast features Dr. Anand Patwardhan, previous coordinating lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and co-chair of the Adaptation Research Alliance. Dr. Patwardhan joined us to discuss the IPCC's most recent climate report and how research can translate into impactful adaptation action.

Have a climate solution? Send tips to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff!

Headlines Strength in Numbers: The Power of Collaborative Conservation in Alaska [7 min. read] The entire United States, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, used to be connected under a conservation network called the Large Landscape Cooperatives. That program no longer exists, but collaborative conservation under a similar model continues in Alaska and Canada, through a regional collective called the Northern Latitudes Partnerships. With a focus on Indigenous knowledge and relationship building, Northern Latitudes can be a model for how to revitalize large-scale conservation efforts nationwide. [click for more]
	Q&A: The Role of State Agencies in Large Landscape Management and Ecosystem Connectivity [6 min. read] Ecosystems do not conform to state boundaries, and neither should conservation efforts. EESI spoke with Tony Wasley, director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, about how state governments can work together, along with the federal government, to achieve large-scale conservation goals. [click for more]
	Senate Hearing Highlights Great American Outdoors Act Implementation Progress and Challenges [4 min. read] In 2020, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), establishing permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and creating the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund. Last month, the National Parks Subcommittee (a division of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources) followed up with a hearing to review the new law's implementation. The Subcommittee expressed a bipartisan commitment to overcoming obstacles in the way of GAOA's success. [click for more]
	Article Series: Agriculture and Climate Adding Trees to Farms Can Mitigate Climate Change and Increase Resilience [4 min. read] Incorporating native trees and shrubs on farmland, a practice known as agroforestry, can help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing the need for tilling practices that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, agroforestry increases resilience for crop and livestock systems, and those benefits often extend into surrounding ecosystems. The Department of Agriculture offers several programs encouraging farmers to adopt agroforestry in their land management practices. [click for more]

On the Hill

Between February 28 and March 11, Congress covered a wide variety of climate issues, with an overall focus on adaptation.

There were several notable hearings in the House, including two held by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee: one about the science of nature-based infrastructure, and a second on climate adaptation and resilience.

The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis also held a hearing on climate change adaptation and resilience, focusing on the need for a national equitable adaptation strategy. The Agriculture Committee held another hearing on the upcoming Farm Bill.

Two hearings were held on new bipartisan bills on recycling introduced by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Thomas Carper (D-Del.) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)—the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (S.3743) and the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022 (S.3742). These bills come after the committee held a hearing late last year on the circular economy.

Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the bipartisan Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act (S.3769) to help low-income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

See EESI's full environment and energy legislative trackers for February 28-March 4 and March 7-11.

EESI News, Briefings, and Fact Sheets

	EESI Intern Blazes Trail to Law School [3 min. read] Former intern Abby Neal reflects on how her time at EESI helped her to pursue a career in environmental law. Currently, Abby is a certified wildland firefighter completing a year-long term with the U.S. Forest Service through the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps before returning to school to obtain a law degree. [click for more]
	Briefing: 2022 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook Panelists broke down findings from the tenth edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, published by BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. The Factbook—available for download here—provides updates on industry information and trends for the U.S. energy sector, with an in-depth look at the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural gas sectors, as well as emerging areas such as digitalization, micro-grids, offshore wind, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. In case you missed our briefing, watch it here. Written highlights will be published soon!
	New Podcast Episode! Connecting the IPCC Reports to Climate Adaptation Action [29 min. listen] On February 28, 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new report focusing on the impacts of climate change and our capacity to adapt to them. In this episode, EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette and EESI Policy Manager Anna McGinn talk with Dr. Anand Patwardhan, previous coordinating lead author for the IPCC and co-chair of the Adaptation Research Alliance, about the report's main conclusions and how research can drive climate adaptation work forward. [click for more]

We couldn't have done it without you!

Because of your kind and generous reviews, EESI has been named a 2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit by the highly-acclaimed GreatNonprofits for the 12th year running!

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future!

EESI Around Town

EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette's statements in response to the latest U.N. climate report werequoted in articles by RTO Insider and CoastalReview.org.

Upcoming Events

Briefing Series: Agencies in Action Climate Adaptation Programs across Agencies Friday, March 18 1:00 - 2:30pm As climate change continues to impact communities and ecosystems across the country, federal programs that focus on adaptation are playing a key role in helping communities prepare for and stay safe from the impacts of our changing climate. Panelists will discuss adaptation-focused federal programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, and why these programs are important for districts across the country. RSVP here.
Building a Durable National Framework for Large Landscape Conservation Tuesday, March 29 10:30am - 12:00pm The final briefing in our Agencies in Action briefing series will focus on landscape conservation. Ecosystems often span county, state, tribal, and national borders. Wide swaths of area must be managed across jurisdictions and in collaboration with stakeholders on the ground to maximize social and environmental benefits, including ecosystem services such as water filtration and carbon sequestration. Panelists will dive into the benefits of coordinating conservation efforts at the scale of large landscapes and showcase opportunities to advance an inclusive and durable national framework for landscape conservation. RSVP here.
ACORE Policy Forum Thursday, March 24 Join the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) for a deep dive into climate policy, regulatory priorities, grid advocacy, and equity in the transition to a renewable energy economy. The ACORE Policy Forum returns in person in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2022 uniting senior leaders from across government and the renewable energy industry. The renewable sector has a tremendous opportunity to shape its long-term growth as we look forward to the implementation of unprecedented federal clean energy policy support. Use the code “PFSupporter20” to save 20 percent off your ticket! EESI is a supporting partner for the event. Register here. Justice40: The Path Forward for the Administration's Environmental Justice Initiative Friday, April 8 1:00pm - 2:30pm In January 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The executive order launched a new initiative, Justice40, which aims to target 40 percent of the benefits from specific federal investments—such as those for clean energy, energy efficiency, and water infrastructure—to “disadvantaged communities.” During this briefing, experts will discuss the transformative potential of Justice40 as well as the current status of the initiative. Panelists will describe the wide range of benefits frontline communities could realize from fair and just implementation of the initiative. RSVP here.

Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions:

Emma Johnson and Alison Davis - Layout, Design, and Content Editors

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

Climate Change Solutions - March 15, 2022

Featuring content on large landscape conservation, habitat connectivity, and the IPCC Working Group II report

Table Of Contents

Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions: