Planet Week: Biden announces climate team
Welcome to Planet Week, where we highlight the last week of environmental news and what it means for our Planet.
Welcome to Planet Week, where we highlight the last week of environmental news and what it means for our Planet.
Last week, a London coroner found that air pollution contributed to a 9-year-old girl’s death. Trump rolled back endangered species protections, again. And NOAA said 2020 could easily be the hottest on record.
In case you missed it, here’s what else happened around the Planet:
Monday, December 14
Exxon’s new “climate plan” isn’t really a climate plan
On Monday, the world’s largest oil company, ExxonMobil, announced a new climate plan that is “consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.” The only problem? The problem focuses on greenhouse gas intensity, rather than actual reductions.
“That means Exxon isn’t actually promising to reduce its greenhouse emissions,” writes HEATED. “It’s promising to make it less carbon-intensive to produce a barrel of oil.”
Essentially, it’s a giant greenwashing campaign (or a “cheap PR stunt,” as Earther puts it) that is the weakest of Big Oil companies’ pledges, does nothing to reduce oil and gas production, and doubles-down on fossil fuels over renewables.
Tuesday, December 15
We need Planet-friendly development
The United Nations Development Programme released another grim report last week: The Human Development Report 2020 warned that current human development is pushing the Planet to a breaking point — after which, we won’t survive.
This year, the report, which usually ranks countries’ development based on health, education, and standard of living, also included per capita carbon dioxide emissions and material footprints (causing several “highly-developed” countries, including the U.S. and Australia, to fall tens of spots). COVID-19 has slowed some growth, but the authors remind us that returning to normal is not an option.
“Lurching from crisis to crisis is one of the defining features of the present day, which has something to do with the ‘normalcy’ of the past,” the report says. “Whether we wish it or not, a new normal is coming.” Read more by Thomson Reuters Foundation.
US has a pathway to net zero
Turns out, not all hope is lost. A new study out of Princeton University finds that, yes, the United States can go net zero by 2050, so long as we start investing heavily now. To hit this target, the study outlines five viable pathways in extensive detail.
The study finds that the massive effort will require building a ton of new energy infrastructure, deploying new technologies at rapid rates, and revving up electrification and renewable projects. The bottom line: Net zero by 2050 is technically feasible for the U.S., but given the skepticism of large swaths of the country and the Republican Party, it will be an uphill battle.
The study is just the latest in a string of reports that outline the state of our climate crisis and what we can do about it. Read the full story by Grist.
Fed joins fight against climate change
On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announced it would join an international group of banks and regulators fighting climate change through the financial system, The Hill reported.
The Fed is late to the party, as the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) now has over 75 global members, but it’s better late than never. And it was needed: Earlier this year, CNBC dove into how climate change will impact the U.S. financial system more than anyone is talking about.
The move goes against nearly 50 Republican lawmakers’ wishes, expressed in a letter last week. The opposition highlights the climate struggles to come if Democrats lose the Senate in January.
Wednesday, December 16
After wildfires, whiter, wealthier areas get help first
New findings suggest whiter, wealthier neighborhoods are more likely to get help following wildfires, despite blazes hitting low-income neighborhoods and people of color the hardest.
Specifically, the U.S. government is more likely to invest time and resources into fire prevention in communities with higher average incomes. We already know that climate change disproportionately impacts low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, and this new information highlights the urgent need for environmental justice in climate solutions. Read more at The New York Times.
Thursday, December 17
Biden announces climate team
It was a busy week for the Biden transition team, which rolled out its new climate team on Thursday. After announcing John Kerry as his international climate envoy last month, Biden tapped another big name for national climate advisor, former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy.
In addition to McCarthy, the rest of the climate team includes former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg for transportation secretary, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm for energy secretary, New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland for interior secretary, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan for EPA administrator, and environmental lawyer Brenda Mallory for Council on Environmental Quality chair.
Altogether, the appointments make for one of the most diverse cabinets in history, putting a high premium on executive experience and science-driven policy, as well as environmental justice, reports Axios. The team also fills in key gaps that were missing in the previous administration — neither Kerry nor McCarthy’s positions were ever filled under Trump.
“This brilliant, tested, trailblazing team will be ready on day one to confront the existential threat of climate change with a unified national response rooted in science and equity,” said Biden in a statement. “They share my belief that we have no time to waste to confront the climate crisis, protect our air and drinking water, and deliver justice to communities that have long shouldered the burdens of environmental harms.” Read more by the Associated Press.
Cyclone Yasa strikes Fiji
Though the Atlantic hurricane season has ended, the South Pacific cyclone season is just getting started. On Thursday, Cyclone Yasa struck Fiji with sustained winds of over 150 mph. The storm ripped through the island, bringing torrential downpour and storm surges, killing at least two people, and destroying houses and croplands.
The cyclone topped out as a Category 5 storm, making it one of the strongest storms to ever hit the Pacific Island. As The Washington Post notes, studies show that climate change drives more intense and frequent storms, while also extending the storm season.
Bonus
Holiday plants
It’s the holiday season. And the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe are experiencing Christmas tree shortages. If you can’t find a tree, or are one of the millions of people around the world that don’t celebrate Christmas, DW wrapped up (hah) a list of other festive plants.
Have a great week,
Brandon and Sam