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HOW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEADERS ARE FINALLY SHAPING WHITE HOUSE CLIMATE POLICY, DISABILITY AND THE CLIMATE (2775 hits)


For Immediate Release From Climate Reality Project!

As the Biden Administration ramps up its efforts to address toxic pollution and combat the climate crisis, these leaders understand how we can create healthy, thriving communities.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have made environmental justice a core tenet of their climate action plans. Last week, they took an important step to bring the nation’s most important environmental justice voices to the forefront of US climate action.

The White House announced the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC), a group of leaders with deep knowledge and expertise on the country’s most important environmental justice fights. These experts represent a diverse cross-section of the nation, and we’re proud to say that two of Climate Reality’s board members are part of the council. Dr. Robert Bullard, often referred to as the “Father of Environmental Justice,” and Catherine Flowers, who has dedicated her career to fighting for proper sanitation and water infrastructure for BIPOC and rural communities across the US, are among the 25 leaders who will guide the nation’s environmental justice priorities.

This is an important moment for the climate movement.
For the first time ever, the White House is elevating the voices, perspectives, and expertise of frontline communities to formal advisory roles – a decision that ensures combating historical environmental injustice will have a seat at the table for some of the most important policy conversations.

WHEJAC members will provide critical input and recommendations to senior leaders across the government on how to address longstanding environmental injustices that contribute to and exacerbate systemic inequities, especially for communities of color.
As the Biden Administration ramps up its efforts to address toxic pollution and combat the climate crisis, these leaders understand how we can create healthy, thriving communities, and their leadership will be critical to successfully advocating for the needs of the people on the front lines of environmental injustice.

Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...


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Disability and the Climate Crisis

Real people are suffering right now because of our changing climate. And some of us are unfairly impacted more than others.

The climate crisis is a threat to human health all around the world.

From dangerous prolonged heat waves and powerful extreme weather events to devastating wildfires and the spread of many infectious diseases, climate change will continue to exacerbate existing threats to health and give rise to new ones. Addressing the crisis’ impacts on our current and future well-being is not a political issue, but a moral and practical one.

The imperative to act urgently and boldly on climate is often most acute in the marginalized communities that see the effects of global temperature rise first and worst. Communities of color. Low-income families. Indigenous tribes. And the disabled, a group too often left entirely out of the climate conversation.

“Climate extremes like prolonged heat and cold waves, high humidity, flash flooding, and power outages are extremely problematic for somebody with my intense medical needs,” said Rachel Schmucker, 38, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Unique Medical Concerns

Rachel (right) was born with a category of muscular dystrophy classified as a congenital myopathy, causing problems with the tone and contraction of skeletal muscles, which control voluntary movements and can cause severe general muscle weakness that complicates basic activities like walking, lifting, dressing, bathing, swallowing, and even breathing. Congenital (present at birth) myopathies have a genetic basis, meaning they can be passed from parent to child.

Secondary to this diagnosis, Rachel also has severe restrictive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure caused by the weakness of her skeletal muscles and scoliosis, which means that she cannot breathe adequately on her own and has to rely on several types of ventilators and respiratory devices to survive.

She uses an electric wheelchair full-time, and requires personal care services for all activities of daily living.

For Rachel, the threat of climate change-exacerbated extreme weather and related power outages are life-threatening. Right now.

>> Fight for What Matters: Where We’re Going and How We Get There Together <<

When the Power Goes Out

“Because every single medical device I rely on for survival is either directly powered by electricity or runs on internal batteries that need to be recharged daily, threats of flash flooding are terrifying because any amount of water would immediately destroy all of this equipment, which costs tens of thousands of dollars per device, and power outages would render them either useless or in danger of draining the batteries until a suitable power source to rechange them is found,” she explained.
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...


Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...


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What Are Clean Electricity Standards?

Since the 1980s, clean electricity standards have helped US states prevent millions of tons of fossil fuel pollution. And now, being considered at a national scale, these policies could play an even bigger role in combatting the climate crisis and environmental injustice.

For decades, states throughout the US have implemented clean electricity standards (CES) to diversify their energy supply, create green jobs, improve public health, and reduce planet-warming emissions. Crucially, all while maintaining access to reliable and affordable electricity.

Having seen these standards work across the country, members of Congress are now exploring a national CES to slash emissions and create jobs at a much bigger scale. That, and to fight the environmental injustice that fossil fuels perpetuate in communities from coast to coast.

But what exactly are clean electricity standards? What’s been their impact so far and why do they show so much promise for our future?

WHAT IS A CLEAN ELECTRICITY STANDARD? AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Though details vary from state to state, all clean electricity standards share the same primary goal: replacing electricity from dirty fossil fuels with zero-emission electricity from renewables and other sources.

How? By requiring utilities to produce a certain percentage of their electricity using clean energy sources like wind and solar by a target date. For example, a state that heavily uses coal or natural gas today could aim to produce at least 50% of their electricity using renewables by 2030, and then 100% by 2050.

On top of setting this kind of targets, these standards often create a market for trading clean energy credits. It works like this: If one utility produces more clean electricity than it’s required to, it can sell the credit of having produced it to other utilities who may have not produced the required clean electricity
These marketplaces provide utilities with some flexibility in meeting their individual clean energy targets while still increasing the overall use of clean energy throughout a state.

Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...


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Climate Change and Migration – What Should the US Do?

The international community must work to protect the millions of people who are expected to be displaced in the next 30 years.

Recent news reports have been filled with stories about the increasing number of unaccompanied children arriving at the southwest border of the US. Coming mainly from Central America to seek asylum in the US, these children have left their home countries for a variety of reasons. Among them: two hurricanes of historic strength that devastated the region in 2020.

In both sudden-onset disasters, such as hurricanes, and slow-onset disasters, such as drought, we see the clear footprint of climate change. We’ve observed increases in the severity and in some cases the frequency of destructive events like these. That said, it is rarely possible to attribute a person’s decision to migrate solely to climate impacts like these, in no small part because natural disasters tend to compound other issues, including violence, corruption, poverty exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, and food insecurity.

But studies have found that climate is almost always an exacerbating factor in migration. And it’s a relationship that will only grow stronger with time. In an analysis from last year, The New York Times Magazine projected a rise in levels of migration every year regardless of climate change – but a much steeper rise in a continually warming climate, with over 30 million migrants moving toward the US border between now and 2050 in the most severe climate scenarios.

Governments can address the root of the climate problem by lowering the emissions driving the crisis, thus mitigating this driver of migration. But just as important, governments must begin to prepare for waves of climate-related migration. Indeed, The New York Times Magazine warns of “the staggering human suffering that will be inflicted if countries shut their doors.”

So, what can the US, which is responsible for a large portion of the greenhouse gas emissions driving the climate crisis around the world, do to ensure a humane response to climate-exacerbated migration that will minimize suffering and disruption?

Refugee Status

The international community has debated expanding the definition of the term “refugee” to encompass the growing number of people displaced by climate-related events or circumstances. According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugee status is currently afforded to those who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on one or more of five elements: race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.
There are two reasons why this definition, understood narrowly, does not account for those affected by the impacts of climate change. First, most climate displacement globally is internal. Second, the definition does not explicitly recognize consequences of climate change, such as natural disasters or years of agricultural failure due to drought, as forms of persecution.

Understood more broadly, the existing refugee definition can serve as an important way to help those who have factored climate change into their decision to migrate.
Internal displacement is sometimes just the first step of an incremental process that leads to cross-border migration. In addition, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) points out that, over time, slow-onset climate disasters such as desertification that are confined to only one area of a country may eventually become more widespread, making internal relocation impossible.

Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...



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5 Climate Action Chores For Kids

There are plenty of ways kids can take action to fight climate change and do a little learning along the way.

As any parent knows, if a child wants to know something, they’ll ask. And if they haven’t already, your young child will someday ask you a question related to our changing climate.

It may come after hearing something directly during a play date or preschool, or through their own observation, perhaps following a strong storm or after seeing activists collecting petition signatures in a public park. We also live in a time when even the youngest kids can sometimes be exposed to really serious stories by simply flipping through TV channels looking for their favorite shows.

When your child does begin to ask questions about global warming or the climate crisis, be sure to not ignore their curiosity – it could diminish their long-term interest or come off like you don’t think climate change is a big deal (and, to follow, neither should they).

Instead, look at their curiosity as an opportunity to engage with them about this incredibly important issue.

While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.

And luckily, there are plenty of ways kids can take action to fight climate change and do a little learning along the way – while also helping out around the house. Check out the awesome climate action “chores” below to get some ideas on how your young one(s) can take action to save the Earth!

1. Go On A Local Berry Picking Adventure

Eating locally grown, in-season fruits and vegetables cuts down on the energy used to grow and transport food, meaning fewer emissions from massive, refrigerated trucks, and less demand for the heat and light required to keep a northern greenhouse toasty and productive year-round.

Convey this fact by taking your kids berry picking this summer. With kids, especially younger ones, showing is often far better than telling. So show them when strawberries (and blueberries and raspberries and on and on) are in season in your neck of the woods. Have them taste the berry to see how much more flavorful it is than some store-bought produce, which is often picked before peak ripeness so it can travel great distances. Introduce them, if you can, to the local farmer who will benefit from your big day filling buckets in their berry patches.

They’ll learn fast just how much work goes into getting food on the table every day, and that locally grown, in-season produce is a better option – for both their taste buds and the planet.

2. Spread the Word

Children’s voices can be uniquely impactful. When they speak, they’re honest (sometimes to a fault). They don’t couch their sentiments in nuance – kids tell you what they think and ask what they want to know.

And is there a better topic for that kind of no-nonsense approach than the climate crisis?

Kids today will face the challenges of a warming world head-on. Encourage them to speak out about that fact. From a postcard or drawing sent to your local mayor, state representative, or US senator to a brief letter to the editor of your local or school newspaper, there are plenty of ways for your kids to put their minds to use and create some attention-getting good in your community.

>> Start the Conversation: How to Talk to Kids About Climate (Free Download) <<

3. Unplug Patrol

Many don’t realize the amount of energy consumed by some appliances and device chargers, even when they are not in use. This so-called “vampire energy” amounts to an estimated 20 percent or more of US residential energy use! Which means that around 20 percent of residential energy consumption goes to… nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip. Zilch.

Time to send in the kiddos. If they’re old enough to be safely around electrical cords and electrical outlets, that is.

Having your kids go around and unplug device chargers that are not in use is a great, and fairly quick, chore that will cut your home energy costs while helping establish the connection for your kids between energy use and fossil fuel pollution. It’s a lesson they will carry with them later in life when making energy and appliance decisions of their own.

Just don’t let them forget to flip the light switch to off if they are the last person to leave the room.

4. Hang the Laundry Out to Dry

If you have the outdoor space – and ideally, a sunny and breezy day – show your kids that Mother Nature can do the very same thing as the Maytag Man by having them hang some of their clothes out to dry.

Let them know they are saving energy by not using the drier, but getting the same effect (dry clothes!). And that there are other inventive ways they can cut energy use in other areas of their life too.

5. Replace the Light Bulbs

Again, if they’re old enough to do it themselves without feeling the need to explore the socket with their little fingers, that is.

This is an old standby for a reason.

As they replace a regular old incandescent lightbulb with a LED one – which use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs – be sure to explain to your kids why these lightbulbs are different. Modeling and discussing these smaller behavior changes for your kids can go a long way toward instilling a strong sense of personal responsibility for the planet as well as helping to make the larger climate solutions we need seem infinitely more achievable down the line.

What’s Next?

At home, be sure to turn as much as you can into a teaching experience.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel, consider taking your kids to see places and things that you can turn into a climate discussion. For example, few things can bring home the magnitude and power of the ocean better than seeing it – and with the waters lapping against the shore, a quick discussion of sea-level rise may feel more concrete.

Get to know your school’s approach to climate science education. And be sure to advocate loudly in your community for science instruction that includes robust, standards-based curricula on climate change.

Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog...


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Equity and Adaptation: Florida Rising

At Climate Reality, we’re fortunate to work with talented partners leading the fight for climate justice across the country. This month, we’re excited to showcase the work of Florida Rising in the guest post below.

As the challenges of the climate crisis increase, so does the urgency of developing truly equitable adaptation plans . While Black, brown, and Indigenous communities contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions, they are living with the harshest climate impacts.

The long history of land theft, segregation, and redlining that gained momentum in the 1930s has also placed communities of color in areas that face the greatest flood and hurricane risk, higher temperatures and energy bills, and destruction of Indigenous farm land to name just a few impacts. To confront these threats, we need to engage a diverse electorate of voters to consider the impact of climate change from a racial equity lens.

A New Approach to Outreach

Recognizing that those who face the brunt of the climate crisis are the real experts in the lived experience of climate change and should be part of adaptation planning, Florida Rising Together – formerly New Florida Majority Education Fund – launched a new kind of climate justice outreach program.

Read and learn more HERE!: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog... and https://www.climaterealityproject.org
Posted By: agnes levine
Wednesday, May 12th 2021 at 4:55PM
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