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Climate change and household financial well-being
The increase in climate-related disasters, such as floods, wildfires, and heat waves, has created serious financial burdens on households across the country. Since 1980, the world has seen a fivefold increase in the number of billion-dollar natural disasters. 2018 to 2022 alone saw an estimated $617 billion in damages from climate and weather related events. Beyond the public health and safety concerns, these disasters have hit Americans in the pocketbook. An estimated 13% have reported facing severe economic hardship following such disasters, with this number projected to rise as climate extremes become more frequent. For particularly vulnerable households, high financial costs from disasters can further exacerbate existing inequities. In order to adapt to a changing world of more frequent climate catastrophes, policy makers will need to develop solutions to assist populations in disaster recovery.
Solutions to climate-related financial disasterThe impacts of climate-related disasters are numerous. In addition to harming businesses and infrastructure, extreme weather events can lead to worker displacement, job loss, and migration. Catastrophic climate events, known as climate hazards, create financial strain on households from damage done to one’s property. Many households may not have the immediate resources or savings needed to repair the damage, leading to long-term displacement and financial instability. Healthcare costs, transportation expenditures, and inability to access proper insurance coverage are other burdens many individuals face following a natural disaster.
Low-income communities will face the brunt of climate change impacts. By understanding the historical inequities that have pushed marginalized communities into regions particularly vulnerable to climate change, policy makers can create more equitable outcomes. Many officials are now encouraging increased access to education, “democratized” climate decision making, and new ways to engage and empower people to take a stance in decisions about the climate.
The US Department of the Treasury further suggests that households consider utilizing government incentives to adopt climate-resilient property modifications, such as tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home improvements. Policymakers further plan to support financial well-being by assisting households in financial resiliency efforts with programs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Advantages of improving financial stability following a climate disasterInitiatives designed to address vulnerable communities affected by climate disasters can assist in adaptation towards climate extremes. Having access to resources, whether political or social, is key to providing impacted communities with the support they need to adapt to a changing environment. With increased educational awareness and government assistance, households facing financial distress and instability following a climate-related event will have the support they need to recover.
Setbacks to achieving financial stabilityIn order for these goals to be realized, policy makers will need to overcome significant challenges. For example, many households across the country face underinsurance, as climate extremes become more common and push insurers to raise rates or pull out of the insurance market altogether. As a result, vulnerable regions may be left without the proper resources to recover. A recent report found that policies for 39 million properties (about a quarter of all homes in the US) are under-priced for the climate risk needed to insure those properties. Without insurance coverage, homeowners are unable to fix damaged property.
Furthermore, the most severe effects of climate change disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations. Less than 60% of single-family homeowners living in areas where mandatory flood insurance is required actually have the necessary insurance. As such, policy makers need to pay more attention to those communities most vulnerable to climate change in order to ensure they have access to the insurance needed to recover from a disaster and achieve financial stability following a climate-related event.
Andrew Rumbach, Senior Fellow in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute, studies household and community risk to natural hazards and climate change. Rumbach is involved in the policy implementation and research of numerous federal and state-declared disaster events and is on the forefront of addressing disaster vulnerability and environmental risk.
ResourcesNBC: Climate change could impose ‘substantial financial costs’ on U.S. household finances, Treasury warnsWorld Bank: Social Dimensions of Climate ChangeUS Treasury: The Impact of Climate Change on American Household FinancesUS Treasury: Fact Sheet: The Impact of Climate Change on American Household FinancesFurther ReadingBBC: Climate change is fuelling the US insurance problemFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/including-marginalized-communities-in-policy-decisions/.
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A New Sustainable Culture
Through the rise in pop culture, climate change awareness has increasingly been integrated into the entertainment industry. Particularly in the Black community, multimedia cultural campaigns are used to increase interest in environmental movements with the use of light-hearted, fun content. Artists, musicians, and influencers are leveraging their platforms to highlight the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable practices, which, in turn, provides easily accessible resources and information to marginalized communities that empower them to participate in the fight against climate change.
Black Communities and Environmental JusticePopulations of color face disproportionate energy burdens caused by climate change. A study conducted by Rice University found that Black communities were more prone to live in vulnerable areas, a generational problem caused by the history of Black gentrification. Even now in 2024, Black communities in Georgia are forced to pay higher electricity bills, despite having lower rates compared to other states, due to old and inefficient household systems. According to the National Black Environmental Justice Networks, African Americans were also found to breathe in 56% more pollution than they cause, whereas their White counterparts breathe in 17% less pollution than generated. African Americans are also 75% more likely than White Americans to live in polluted communities, leading to 13.4% of African American children suffering from asthma, compared to 7.3% of White children.
Starting in the 1970s, some black musicians included environmental themes in their productions. Artist Marvin Gaye released “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” to tackle discussions about oil spills and mercury waste; funk group Earth, Wind, & Fire released “Burnin’ Bush” to bring awareness about the global destruction of Mother Earth. Those themes continue today in music produced by Black artists, such as in the popular single “Feels Like Summer” by Childish Gambino, which conveys worries about uncertain impacts caused by global warming. Additionally, artists such as SZA have partnered with brands to promote sustainable merchandise, encouraging a societal paradigm to rely on eco-friendly products.
Representation and EducationWith more than 50% of the world’s population active on social media, people are continuously exposed to the influx of information circulated by entertainment. Through the entertainment industry, climate news has become increasingly accessible and engaging, allowing communities to educate themselves on sustainability and mobilize action. Although hip-hop and rap were once considered controversial music genres due to themes of violence, drugs, and misogyny, there is a growing effort to utilize the storytelling aptitude of these genres for social and environmental commentary. Artists use rhymes and flow in hip-hop and rap to effectively share the living conditions, natural disasters, and climate injustice that people face. This empowerment of entertainment has motivated marginalized people to strengthen their community bonds and collaborate in fighting against climate change. The widespread influence of entertainment is fostering inspiration for a new culture promoting climate equity and agency, as well as the normalization of environmentalism in society.
Who are the co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture?Corey Dennard and Michael Hawthorne Jr. (Akachè Marcino) are the co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture, a non-profit environmental entertainment company. Corey Dennard, popularly known as Mr. Hanky, is a hit producer who has worked with top charting artists, including Snoop Dog, Usher, and Soulja Boy. Michael Hawthorne Jr., also known as Akachè Marcino, is an environmentalist and political organizer. Hawthorne has worked on Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign and Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. Together, they lead Black communities towards climate resiliency through campaigning for clean energy.
Further Reading
Canary Media: This Atlanta duo has a theory to drive climate action: Make it coolMedium: How Michael Hawthorne Jr Of Klean Energy Kulture Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate JusticeAmerican Lung Association: Disparities in the Impact of Air PollutionAtmos: Composing Climate Change: The Radical Legacy of Black MusiciansClimate Reality Project: Environmental RacismFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/promoting-clean-energy-through-pop-culture-with-klean-energy-kulture-co-founders-michael-hawthorne-jr-and-corey-dennard/.
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The aviation industry and climate change: what are contrails?
A 2022 IPCC report found that direct GHG emissions from the transport sector accounted for 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019. Road vehicles accounted for 70% of direct transport emissions, while 1%, 11%, and 12% of emissions came from rail, shipping, and aviation, respectively.
As the mounting effects of climate change continue to be felt worldwide, the aviation industry is pioneering a method to reduce its contributions. Namely, it is focusing on efforts to curtail condensation trails – or contrails – which are fluffy, white cloud formations that sometimes appear as airplanes fly through the cold, humid, and icy parts of the atmosphere. Because they are a combination of soot, water vapor, and particulate matter (such as NOx), when aircrafts pass through these areas, they form cirrus clouds that absorb the radiation escaping from the surface, and, in turn, trap the heat.
This phenomenon could account for around 35% of aviation’s total contribution to climate change — that’s about 1 to 2% of overall global warming! Together, these contrails roughly triple the total global warming impact of aviation compared to CO2 alone. Therefore, it is imperative that the aviation industry find solutions to reduce the production of contrails.
What the industry has come up with: 3 solutionsOne method of reducing contrails consists of replacing traditional fuels with biofuels made from plant or animal biomass, waste, sugars and ethanol (corn). Sustainable jet fuels can produce 50%-70% fewer contrails according to research conducted by NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Jets using alternative fuels release fewer soot particles, thereby creating fewer ice crystal formations, which ultimately reduces contrail production by extension. Though biofuels may initially form larger crystals, they fall more quickly and melt in the warmer air below.
The second method involves developing electric or hydrogen-powered commercial aircrafts. Hydrogen is an attractive alternative to traditional aircrafts because it can be burned without emitting CO2 and is widely available. These aircrafts would either burn liquid hydrogen directly into their engines, or use gaseous hydrogen in a fuel cell system. With fuel cells, the hydrogen creates an electrochemical reaction that produces electricity to charge the aircraft's batteries while in flight.
A third method involves redirecting flights to avoid contrail-inducing zones. Between 2% and 10% of all flights create around 80% of the contrails, so researchers have started developing predictive models that would allow airlines to identify and avoid contrail regions similarly to how they plan to avoid turbulence. The cost is predicted to be $0.5/ ton of CO2 equivalent. Furthermore, only minor adjustments to the routes of a small fraction of airplane flights is required, making predictive models highly attractive and cost effective.
Some ChallengesWhile biofuels have great potential, they come with their own set of challenges. First is the issue of land use and its effects on agriculture. Producing three billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel would require between 8 and 11 million acres of corn or 35 and 50 million acres of soybeans, depending on crop yields. This could impact food production and cost. Shifting to corn or soybean based fuels has also been found to produce significant adverse emissions impacts. Lastly, it’s unclear whether sustainable fuels can meet the world’s growing demand for aerial transportation.
While hydrogen is attractive, it has lower energy density than fossil fuels, meaning that a higher onboard fuel storage volume is needed to cover the same distance as current fossil fuel-powered aircrafts. In addition, H2-powered large passenger planes would require significant changes to aircraft design, making it less cost effective in the short term when RD&D costs are considered (development of fuel cell technology and liquid hydrogen tanks, aircraft research, hydrogen infrastructure, fleet output, etc). Industry experts anticipate that it will take 10 to 15 years to make these important advancements.
Lastly, contrail prediction models rely on a variety of input data, including flight trajectories, aircraft and engine parameters, fuel characteristics, and weather data. However, the availability and accuracy of some of these data inputs is still a challenge, as no standardization exists.
Who is our guest?Matteo Mirolo is Head of Policy and Strategy, Contrails at Breakthrough Energy, an organization founded by Bill Gates to spur innovation in clean energy and address climate change. Prior to that he was sustainable aviation policy manager at Transport & Environment (clean transport advocacy group). Mirolo is also a member of the sustainability advisory panel at Air New Zealand.
ResourcesIPCC Sixth Assessment Report: TransportThe contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing for 2000 to 2018BiofuelsNASA-DLR Study Finds Sustainable Aviation Fuel Can Reduce ContrailsHydrogen could power the next-gen aircraft of tomorrowLand-Use Impacts of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand ChallengeHow much biofuel would we need to decarbonise aviation?Hydrogen-powered aviationFurther readingAviation Contrails The missing policies on aviation emissionsFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/eliminating-contrails-to-increase-aircraft-sustainability-with-matteo-mirolo/.
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What is methane?
Methane (CH4) (the primary component of “natural gas”) is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.
Around 60% of global methane emissions come from human activities in three main sectors: energy production (oil, gas, and coal), agriculture (livestock and rice), and waste (landfill and waste water). Energy production accounts for about 35% of anthropogenic methane emissions, agriculture accounts for about 40%, and waste accounts for about 20%.
Why is methane leakage prevention important?Methane leaks from fossil fuel production, landfills, and livestock include emissions that are described as “super emitter events,” which have devastating ecological effects. While methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime than CO2 (around 12 years compared with one hundred years or more for CO2), it is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas, trapping eighty times more heat than CO2 over a 20 year period, which exacerbates the effects of climate change on our planet. Methane also negatively affects air quality because it is an ingredient in the formation of ground level (tropospheric) ozone, a dangerous air pollutant. Thus, monitoring methane leaks and formulating preventative methods is crucial to preserving the health of both the planet and all those who occupy it.
A growing need for methane prevention efforts: how satellites can help us curb methane leaksThe United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has undertaken many initiatives to mitigate methane leaks. In October 2021, UNEP launched the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), which catalogs emissions for the three largest methane-emitting sectors in a public database, providing governments and companies access to empirically verified methane emissions. This data can be used to build efficient policies to address large methane leakages.
In 2022, the UNEP launched the International Methane Alert and Response System, or MARS through its IMEO program, the first ever satellite-based detection system that notifies governments of major methane leaks from their fossil fuel infrastructure. IMEO breaks down satellite detection in four essential steps:
IMEO uses global mapping satellites to identify very large methane plumes.The emissions information is shared with governments and companies. Important information includes detailed information on their location, size, potential sources, and operators of the relevant facilities.It is up to notified stakeholders to determine how best to respond to the notified emissions.IMEO continues to track methane leakages around the world, repeating the process when large methane plumes are detected. Data and analyses are made public 45 to 75 days post detection on the MARS data portal.There is still more work to be doneWhile developing satellite technology has helped, Dr. Aganaba argues for greater collaboration between different levels of government and greater transparency. While many governments and companies have agreed to methane emission reduction pledges, they are rarely legally binding.
Dr. Aganaba offers the following challenges and solutions. First, we need greater momentum at the federal level to get local and state actors to participate in satellite-based climate data collection. Second, there needs to be a standardization of data monitoring, collection, interpretation, and distribution in order for information to be verified and shared effectively, as this will enable better enforcement methods and compliance. Third, once what Dr. Aganaba refers to as a “national geospatial data infrastructure” is established, the international community must amend the space charters that dictate the current international geospatial data infrastructure. Dr. Aganaba stresses that this legal framework is crucial both to safeguard the environmental integrity of outer space and ensure that the mistakes made on earth are not repeated, both in terms of environmental exploitation and power sharing between developed and developing nations.
Satellite data is not a panacea. Satellites can sometimes mistake clouds or other natural phenomena for methane leaks. These readings are not always reliable as they can be obstructed by clouds, dense forests, or snow, and do not provide information about how much methane is being leaked in a specific location. They do, however, provide a great deal of useful data and much greater transparency.
Who is Dr. Timiebi Aganaba?Dr. Timiebi Aganaba is an assistant professor at the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University, where she founded the ASU Space Governance Lab. She is also the Senior Global Futures Scientist at Global Futures Scientists and Scholars. Dr. Aganaba specializes in international environmental law, international space law and policy, geoengineering, and satellite technology.
Further Reading Aganaba-Jeanty, Timiebi & Huggings, Anna. Transnational Environmental Law, 2019“Satellite Measurement of GHG Emissions: Prospects for Enhancing Transparency and Answerability under International Law”, Transnational Environmental Law 2019
UNEP. 2022How secretive methane leaks are driving climate change
UNEP. 2023Satellite Data to Methane Action: UNEP’s Methane Alert and Response System
Clark, Aaron. Bloomberg, 2023.The Climate Sleuth Uncovering Methane Leaks for the United Nations
For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/locating-methane-leaks-with-satellites-with-dr-timiebi-aganaba/.
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What is Energy-as-a-Service?
Most current energy technologies burn fossil fuels and emit carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. Adopting low and zero-carbon technologies is one way to reduce emissions, but barriers such as high upfront and maintenance costs have impeded the adoption of these technologies. Energy as a Service (EaaS) is a pay-for-performance model in which customers benefit from sustainable-energy solutions without having to pay for energy efficiency upgrades or own the equipment. Under these arrangements, the EaaS provider provides the customer with an energy service, such as lighting, cooling, or heating, in exchange for a recurring fee. There are parallels in other industries like the software industry, where a key business function or an asset is outsourced to a third party who then takes over the operation of that asset. EaaS providers typically handle the installation, maintenance, and operation of energy systems. By leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics, EaaS aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability goals, helping businesses improve their energy performance without significant upfront investment.
Benefits of the Energy-as-a-Service ModelBy shifting from a traditional ownership model to a service-based approach, customers can avoid the high initial costs associated with purchasing and installing energy infrastructure. Instead, they pay for the energy services provided, often through a subscription or pay-as-you-go arrangement. EaaS providers typically take on the responsibility for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the energy systems, allowing customers to focus on their core business activities without worrying about energy management.
EaaS can also support sustainability goals by facilitating the adoption of renewable energy sources and other low-carbon technologies. Providers can tailor energy solutions to meet specific environmental objectives, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint and comply with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, EaaS models often incorporate advanced technologies and data analytics, enabling more information about and control over energy consumption, which results in better demand management and reduced energy waste.
The EaaS model also offers flexibility and scalability. As energy needs change over time, customers can easily adjust their energy services without the need for significant reinvestment or restructuring. This adaptability is particularly valuable in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, with frequent technological advancements and policy changes.
Barriers to Adoption of the Energy-as-a-Service ModelOur guest notes that energy efficiency and sustainable energy projects have been undervalued and not prioritized in the past. While many companies see energy efficiency and sustainable energy projects as the right thing to do, there are often other items that rise to the top of the to-do list. In addition, businesses and individuals may be unfamiliar with the EaaS concept, leading to hesitation in adopting this model. Projects can take significant time to plan and install, which can also serve as a barrier. To date, the EaaS model has been geared towards primarily larger business and commercial customers that are consuming a higher amount of energy, rather than residences and smaller businesses. However, utility companies and governments sometimes offer energy audits and incentives for adopting energy-efficient equipment, and new companies may eventually serve this market.
About our guestBob Hinkle is the founder and Executive Chairman of Metrus Energy. He created the Efficiency Services Agreement that the company has utilized to finance large-scale efficiency retrofit projects. Previously, Bob was vice president of energy efficiency (EE) at MMA Renewable Ventures where he directed the company’s overall energy efficiency financing business and investment opportunities.
Further ReadingWhat Is Efficiency-As-A-Service?How to finance the world’s growing cooling needs? Blended public-private funding solutions.How Cooling as a Service is set to revolutionise the cooling industryMetrus EnergyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/energy-as-a-service-with-bob-hinkle/.
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In 2018, nearly one-third of the 39 million tons of waste in California landfills was compostable organic material. Organic material – food and agricultural waste – releases methane, a very potent greenhouse gas, as it decomposes. As a result, California’s Short-Lived Pollutant Reduction law, SB-1383, targets such food waste by establishing methane reduction targets and takes aim at food insecurity in the state. The implementation of SB-1383 is vital in supporting California’s climate goals. Methane is produced when organics rot, and it is critical to reduce methane emissions levels as the gas is eighty-four times more potent than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over a 20 year period. When implemented, SB-1383 will reduce California’s methane emissions from organic materials in traditional landfills by an estimated twenty percent.
SB 1383 also supports California's commitments to improving human health, creating clean jobs, and supporting local economies. Some of SB-1383 targets include: expanding California’s organics infrastructure, ensuring all residents and businesses have access to recycling and organics collection services, a seventy-five percent reduction in organic waste disposal from 2014 levels, and that no less than twenty percent of currently disposed edible food is reserved for human consumption by 2025. The bill also requires jurisdictions to conduct outreach and education to all businesses, residents, solid waste facilities, and local food banks.
Chris Seney is the Director of Organics Operations at Republic Services and has operated organic facilities for over twenty years in California. Seney helped lead the development of organics infrastructure and enactment of SB-1383 across the state. The implementation of SB-1383 has resulted in an increase in demand for composting facilities, which, in turn, has increased energy demand. Now, California has its first fully solar-powered compost facility, Republic Services’ Otay Compost Facility in Chula Vista. The facility runs completely on renewable energy, processes one hundred tons of organic waste a day, and helps the San Diego region meet the demands of SB-1383.
Compost also supports California’s climate goals as it promotes a “an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that are restorative or regenerative by design.” A circular economy focuses on sustainability and the lifecycle of materials, maximizing resources while minimizing waste. Compost is a critical part of a circular economy as the compost produced from recycled organics preserves natural resources, nutrients, and water that would otherwise be lost in landfills. Along with preserving resources, the composting initiatives in SB-1383 are expected to significantly support decarbonization goals. Whendee Silver, a UC Berkeley ecosystem ecologist, “has estimated that applying an inch of compost to just 5% of California’s rangelands would suck enough carbon out of the atmosphere to equal pulling 6 million cars off the road.” Composting may be the next climate crusade and SB-1383 is leading the nation in efforts reducing both food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sources:
SB 1383 Resources - CalRecycle Home PageChris Seney - COMPOST2023 - USCC Conference Site (compostconference.com)SB 1383: Cal Recycles Organic Waste Recycling Requirement | City of Corona (coronaca.gov)Organic Materials Management and Climate Change - CalRecycle Home PageUnderstand Senate Bill (SB) 1383 - Recycling & Waste Reduction Division - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org)Republic Services (RSG) Opens Solar-Powered Compost Facility | Markets Insider (businessinsider.com)California’s first fully solar-powered compost facility shines brightly, SCS EngineersCalifornia goes to war with food waste. Composting is its next climate crusade, LA TimesWhat is a circular economy? EPAMethane action: Tackling a warming planet, UNEP.For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-solar-energy-to-power-large-scale-compost-with-chris-seney/
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Introduction
People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change; however, they have been traditionally excluded from conversations about national plans and responses to climate change. Including the disabled community in decision making is key to addressing potential harms and designing effective, inclusive solutions.
Disabled Community Disproportionately AffectedMany studies provide empirical evidence that climate change poses a particularly great risk for the disabled community. A study in Australia documented that between 2001 and 2018, 89% of heat wave fatalities were people with some type of disability, and actually many had multiple disabilities both physical and mental. Additionally, after Hurricane Harvey in Harris County, Texas in 2017, people with disabilities were disproportionately affected and exposed to harms. Areas flooded by Hurricane Harvey were overrepresented by disabled populations. The highest proportion of people living in public housing being exposed to environmental hazards were people with disabilities.
While people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, they have often been excluded from decision-making surrounding climate change, including in drafting national plans and climate responses.
Inclusivity and Accessibility In PracticeEngaging people with disabilities in developing, designing and implementing climate resilient solutions can help protect their livelihoods and autonomy. Meaningful participation can look different in many ways including conducting research to have more data on how people with disabilities are affected and specific ways to help. As well, to develop new technologies and innovations that assist people with disabilities in climate emergencies like early warning systems, communication, and adaptive infrastructure. Spaces can be more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. More research is needed on infrastructure design that both reduces emissions and simultaneously will not put disabled people at more risk in climate emergencies, for example, adding ramps and automatic door openers, widening doorways, and having accessible bathrooms. It is also important to host public events in accessible locations to ensure that people with disabilities feel welcomed and valued. Methods of communication should also be accessible like using captions in videos, adding text descriptions and making online materials that work with screen readers so that low vision individuals can also access them.
Disability-Inclusive Climate SolutionsIn addition to educating the community about the importance of disability-inclusive climate solutions and for the disabled community to be educated and equipped for climate disaster risk mitigation, it is vital for the disabled community to be part of the large-scale decision making process and promote meaningful participation. By providing people with disabilities with a greater understanding of the impacts that climate change will have on their lives, then they can be more able to respond to effects of climate change and access the resources they need. Expert Dr. Michael Stein points out that everyone knows their own needs and livelihoods best; hence, it is vital to reach out to the disabled community and include them in the conversation and decision making for climate solutions that will support the disabled community who are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change.
About our guestMichael Stein is the co-founder of the Harvard Law School Project on Disability. As a world leader on disability law, Dr. Stein participated in the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Dr. Stein became the first known person with a disability to be a member of the Harvard Law Review. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his work in disability rights.
ResourcesAvci, Bratchell, Browning, Coates, Gissing, and Van Leeuwen, Heat wave fatalities, (2001-2008).Chakraborty, Collins, and Grineski, Hurricane Harvey and people with disabilities, (2019).Akyeampong, Alford, Chakraborty, Daniels-Mayes, Gallegos, Grech, Groce, Gurung, Hans, Harpur, Jodoin, Lord, Macanawai, McClain-Nhlapo, Stein, Susteren, Advancing Disability-Inclusive Climate Research, (2024).Szekeres, 8 Ways to Include People with Disabilities in Climate Action, (2023).Nina D. L, How to Include People with Disabilities, (2021).Hélène T., Disability-Inclusive Approaches to Climate Action, (2023).For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/disability-inclusive-climate-solutions-with-michael-stein/.
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What is “place-based” climate change communication?
Climate change can feel overwhelming and impersonal when discussed on a global or national scale. Place-based communication works to make climate change feel relevant to local communities and individuals. Issues that impact local communities and have connections to climate change, such as waste, energy, and food initiatives are often good places to start discussions on how to implement climate policies. A focus on local issues can empower communities to take action on matters of local importance with broader implications. When replicated in many communities, place-based communication can enable wide-scale implementation of climate solutions, better communication of science to laypeople, and even engender greater trust in national institutions and scientists advocating for climate solutions. Climate communication is more effective when it incorporates climate solutions that are already being implemented in specific localities. For example, climate communicators can build upon local energy initiatives, spreading information to speed-along a renewable energy transition.
Knowledge Co-productionAnother useful approach to climate communication is referred to as knowledge co-production, a collaborative process bringing together different people, perspectives, and experiences, rather than presenting climate change from, for example, solely from an academic or scientific perspective. When global and national actors engage in knowledge co-production with local communities, both groups benefit. Local communities gain crucial knowledge from experts, enabling them to create smarter/more effective solutions for their communities. Meanwhile, scientists and higher-level policymakers gain knowledge they otherwise would not have, and are empowered to bring diverse perspectives into their work. Part of effective climate communication is not only communicating knowledge, but also taking in new perspectives that can help inform how information is communicated, and what is communicated.
Who is our guest?Dr. Candice Howarth is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics. She is additionally co-Director of the Place-Based Climate Action Network. She researches how the co-production of knowledge and science communication can be used to inform better decision-making with regard to climate change.
Learn MoreUnpacking the power of place-based education in climate change communication
Local knowledge in climate adaptation research: moving knowledge frameworks from extraction to co-production
Book: Addressing the Climate Crisis: Local action in theory and practice
What is climate change communication?
For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/what-does-effective-climate-communication-look-like-with-dr-candice-howarth/
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What is electric vehicle (EV) retrofitting and why does it matter?
‘EV retrofitting’ refers to the process of converting a gas-powered vehicle into an electric vehicle by replacing its gas engine with a battery pack. The battery pack is designed to fit within the vehicle’s chassis—the structural frame to which its wheels, suspension, engine, and other components are attached. Typically, the battery pack fits in the space previously occupied by the gas engine and fuel tank; the available space generally varies by vehicle make and model. The battery’s size and weight depend on the vehicle being retrofitted, as well as the desired range and performance.
Despite these constraints, mass-producing battery packs for retrofitting a specific type of vehicle chassis with an electric powertrain is possible. Using a standard-sized battery allows for high-volume retrofits of vehicles with a compatible chassis, which can lower costs and reduce the time required for the retrofit process.
Policies promoting the adoption of new EVs, such as California’s Advanced Clean Cars II, can help increase the number of new EVs on the road. However, they do not address the existing vehicle fleet of gas-powered vehicles that continue to emit greenhouse gases and air pollutants. On average, these vehicles stay on the road for about 12 years in the US, and may be used even longer in low and middle income countries. Gas powered vehicles’ slow replacement rate delays the increase in the percentage of EVs on the road. Retrofitting’s supporters say a comprehensive approach to electrifying transportation that includes strategies for retrofitting existing gas-powered vehicles can help address the lag, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the upfront cost of new EVs present a larger barrier to adoption.
What does Shift EV do, and who is Aly El Tayeb?Shift EV is an Egypt-based company that specializes in retrofitting commercial fleets with electric powertrains. It focuses on vehicles that travel relatively short and predictable routes and return to a home base at night for charging. To make electric transportation more accessible and feasible in middle-income and emerging economies, such as Egypt, the company has adopted a strategy of retrofitting the most popular vehicle models already on the road.
Dr. El Tayeb, the co-founder and CEO of Shift EV, is a chemical engineer with previous experience at a battery startup in the United States. He founded the company in response to the lack of accessible EV options in middle-income and emerging economies, such as Egypt.
SourcesKelly & Gonzales, "What Fleets Need to Know About Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversions, Retrofits, and Repowers," US Department of Energy 2017.https://www.oecd-forum.org/posts/retrofitting-a-frugal-circular-and-inclusive-solution-to-decarbonize-our-vehicle-fleetWinton, Electric Cars Are Too Expensive For Many, But Retrofitting Could Be The Answer (Forbes 2022).For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/electric-vehicle-retrofitting-with-dr-aly-el-tayeb/
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Mobilizing Investors to Build a More Sustainable Global Economy
As the effects of climate change rise in prevalence, all facets of the global economy will be affected. In order to address many of the global environmental crises of today, such as biodiversity loss and extreme drought, entrepreneurs are looking into sustainable investment initiatives as a tool for change. Sustainable investing is a process that directs investment capital to companies and businesses actively working to prevent environmental destruction. Sustainable investments often follow an Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) framework, which seeks to promote socially conscious investments. Similar to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which refers to a company’s commitment to operating ethically, ESG goes one step further in providing an assessable outcome of a company’s overall sustainability performance. Thus, ESG lays a foundation for investors in determining which corporations operate sustainably.
Current Climate of Sustainable InvestmentFrom 2021 to 2026, institutional investment in ESG projects is expected to increase by 84%. The World Economic Forum recently published a report noting that over $200 billion is required annually in order to meet adaptation and resilience investment targets, which is three times the current funding. Such investing in adaptation and resilience could reduce exposure to climate risks and yield financial benefits for stakeholders involved. Although climate financing is slowly on the rise, there remains minimal progress in climate-vulnerable and high-emission countries.
There are various types of sustainable investing, operating through registered investment companies, alternative investment funds and community investments. The US Sustainable Investment Forum identified 645 registered investment companies with $1.2 trillion sustainable investment AUM in 2022. Not only does sustainable investment cover private equity investments, but also cash, fixed income, and alternative investments. Sustainable investments, like conventional investing, receive a return on their investments. Reports from the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing found no financial trade-off between sustainable investing compared to traditional investment initiatives.
Does sustainable investing provide hope for the future?Investing in sustainable industry, infrastructure, and business has the potential to provide a more climate-proof economy for all. For private investors, effective investments in areas vulnerable to climate change could reduce disruptions in the supply chain, thereby boosting labor productivity and lowering operational costs. As such, companies will have the tools in place to be able to respond to vulnerabilities when they arise while still maintaining a profit. Additionally, ESG investing has been proven to provide downside protection during social or economic crises according to the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. Such protection may be pertinent in a world more susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Many studies corroborate such findings; a meta-study conducted by Oxford University in 2015 revealed that 88% of companies with robust sustainability practices demonstrate better operational performance, translating into higher cash flows and positive effects on investment performance.
Greenwashing and ESG ConcernsOne concern within the world of sustainable investment is largely centered around the question of whether organizations will be willing to take more or less risk to achieve an impact. Companies that prioritize sustainability may be more volatile than traditional companies, creating fear around the uncertainty of consistent returns. Further, there is often confusion on how to make a good return on investment when choosing to invest in more socially responsible companies.
The rise of sustainable investment has brought about potential concerns related to greenwashing, in which a company’s ESG credentials or potential sustainability initiatives may be over-embellished, leading to falsified information. On the other hand, many investors prioritizing sustainable investment initiatives have received a surge in backlash against their new initiatives, mainly from Republican politicians. A recent study by The Conference Board revealed that 48% of surveyed businesses have experienced backlash to their ESG policies or activities, potentially deterring companies from further pursuing such initiatives. An increase in educational awareness is vital to inform investors of the benefits of sustainable investing and ways to do so responsibly amidst criticism.
Who is our guest?Kirsten Spalding leads the nonprofit Ceres Investor Network, which supports global investor initiatives such as Paris Aligned Asset Owners, Climate Action 100+, and Net Zero Asset Managers. Nonprofit advocacy organizations like Ceres Investor Network are at the forefront of promoting sustainable business practices through mobilizing investors to build a more sustainable economy. Kirsten holds a B.A. from Yale College in music, a J.D. from Hastings College of Law, and an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. For six years, she chaired the Center for Labor Research and Education, UC Berkeley and taught at the School of Law. She is an Episcopal priest, rector of the Church of the Nativity in San Rafael, CA, and an avid backpacker.
ResourcesCeres Investor NetworkAdaptation and resilience investment: How do we get the capital it needsSustainable InvestingSustainable Investing BasicsFurther ReadingCSR or ESG: Where Do Sustainability Frameworks Fit In?ESG and Financial Performance: Uncovering the Relationship by Aggregating Evidence from 1,000 Plus Studies Published between 2015 – 2020 Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2023Financial Performance With Sustainable Investing3 hurdles to sustainable investing — and how to overcome themFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-investing-for-a-climate-proof-economy-with-kirsten-spalding/
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Reconductoring power grids to boost energy efficiency
The expansion of renewable energy has resulted in a heightened need for greater transmission capacity of the electrical grid. Unfortunately, permitting and cost allocation have been large hurdles to the potential of rapid expansion to meet future demand. As an alternative, large-scale reconductoring of advanced conductor systems has been proposed as a solution. Such an alternative can double transmission capacity cost-effectively, without the need to ensure additional permitting. In order to achieve this transition, old steel power lines would be replaced with carbon fiber, reducing electricity loss and boosting the overall capacity of the power grid.
How does reconductoring work?In order to achieve clean energy goals, it is vital that we increase power grid capacity. To briefly summarize, electrons travel along transmission lines between towers made of conducting elements and a strength member, which allows conductors to hang between towers. The most common type of reinforcement is ACSR, aluminum conductor steel reinforced, used in overhead electrical transmissions. ACSR is susceptible to degradation and breakage, which may lead to more frequent power outages and increased chemical runoff into the environment. As an alternative, ACSS has been proposed by researchers as it carries more current than ACSR and is supported at higher temperatures.
According to recent studies by the Goldman School and GridLab, replacing power lines with advanced conductors would enable 90% clean electricity by 2035. The report revealed that reconductoring transmission lines could add approximately 65 TW-miles of new interzonal transmission capacity in ten years, compared to 16TW-miles from building only new transmission lines. In terms of pricing, implementing advanced conductors costs around 20% more than building new lines. Yet replacing old lines with advanced conductors is typically half the cost than building new lines for the same capacity, partly because you reuse old infrastructure and the new models are much more energy efficient. Further policy and legislation is necessary in order to drive this technology into the future and ensure proper permitting, funding, and planning.
What are some of the benefits?Advanced composite-core conductors such as ACSS can carry double the existing capacity, operate at higher temperatures, and reduce line sag. Further, replacing the steel for a stronger yet smaller composite-based core can avoid the construction of new lines which bring about land acquisition and increasing permitting. There is already a growing movement towards reconductoring, as 90,000 miles of advanced conductors have been deployed globally. More advanced conductors also have the benefit of being cost-effective, with an estimated $180 billion in systems cost savings with more long-term structure. Advanced conductors enable a doubling of line capacity at less than half the cost of new lines. Alongside the benefits, at large, reconductoring can play a pivotal role in low-cost decarbonization of power systems.
What are some of the drawbacks?Amidst the potential advantages are obstacles that may impede the future progress of reconductoring. First, there is a lack of awareness. Conventionally, the only way to expand the grid capacity has been to build new lines. Utilities are not aware of the existing solution and often fail to take reconductoring into account. Alongside this is a lack of experience and misconception that implementing reconductoring lines is difficult and unrealistic. As there is a lack of incentives for utilities to improve their products, cheaper solutions are not enticing for their rate of return regulation. Particularly if reconductoring only occurs in localized areas as opposed to system-wide implementation, the benefits may be limited. Thus, government prioritization of this new solution is critical in order to boost conductor efficiency.
About our guestUmed Paliwal is a senior scientist at the Center for Environmental Public Policy and the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Umed conducts research on ways to integrate renewables on the grid and understand its impact on reliability and energy pricing. Umed’s research has revealed that replacing old power lines with newer technology can boost the capacity of the power grid and help to achieve clean energy goals. He holds a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley where he focused on energy markets, regulation, power systems modeling and data analytics.
ResourcesGrid rewiring: An answer for Biden’s climate goals?Reconductoring Could Help Solve America’s Looming Grid CrisisReconductoring US power lines could quadruple new transmission capacity by 2035: reportFurther ReadingAccelerating Transmission Expansion by Using Advanced Conductors in Existing Right-of-WayAdvanced Conductors on Existing Transmission Corridors to Accelerate Low Cost DecarbonizationThe 2035 Report: Reconductoring With Advanced Conductors Can Accelerate The Rapid Transmission Expansion Required For A Clean GridFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/increasing-efficiency-through-power-line-reconductoring-with-umed-paliwal/
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What is Carbon Mineralization
Carbon mineralization is a naturally occurring chemical process that occurs when carbon dioxide becomes “mineralized” through a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction occurs when certain rocks, most often in deep underground igneous and metamorphic formations, are exposed to carbon dioxide. Carbon mineralization holds greater amounts of carbon than carbon storage in sedimentary reservoirs, as the chemical reactions in carbon mineralization create new carbonate minerals like calcium carbonate.
Carbon mineralization is potentially an important solution for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide, as the mineralized carbon cannot escape to the atmosphere, so serves as long-term carbon storage. This process can be artificially sped up to sequester greater amounts of atmospheric carbon and prevent atmospheric warming. Mine waste and industrial sites also hold potential for fast carbon mineralization as crushed rocks can be more easily used for mineralization and at lower cost than injecting underground rocks. Surface carbon mineralization can also help mitigate onsite carbon emissions by reducing energy usage.
Carbon mineralization is not without risks, including the potential to trigger earthquakes or change the pressure profiles of rock formations. Current methods also require significant water use. In the United States, the Pacific Northwest holds the greatest potential as it is abundant in basalt rocks. States such as Minnesota,Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Hawaii hold potential for deep underground infections. Crushed rock and mine sites all across the country also have the potential for carbon mineralization.
Why Concrete is Attractive
Unlike other methods of carbon mineralization, storing carbon in concrete can serve a dual purpose by also reducing the emissions associated with the concrete and cement industries. Currently, the cement industry emits approximately eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. It also comes with less potential to disrupt rock formations.
For guest Dr. Erica Dodds, who sees financeability as key to the success of any carbon removal technology, the concrete industry’s size is an advantage, because companies bundling carbon removal with concrete can profit from an existing market with plenty of demand. Dodds says that state and local governments can go a long way towards supporting these approaches by establishing procurement plans that require government infrastructure projects to source concrete from carbon removing producers.
Foundation for Climate Restoration
The Foundation for Climate Restoration (F4CR) is a non-profit organization that works to restore Earth’s climate to pre-industrial levels. The organization's philosophy is to restore our atmosphere primarily through carbon removal to protect our planet for future generations. To fulfill this mission, F4CR works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously building capacity for carbon dioxide removal. F4CR aims to remove 1,000 gigatons (Gt) of carbon by 2050, as “the IPCC recognizes that we will need 100-1,000 gigatons (Gt) of carbon removal by the end of the century just to meet 1.5 degree C warming goals.”
Who is Our Guest?Dr. Erica Dodds serves as the Chief Operating Office at F4CR and is committed to climate activism and poverty reduction. Dodds believes that today’s climate youth activists are the key to the fight against climate change and restoring a safe and healthy world. She holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Evaluation, an M.A. in International Development Administration, and has experience working with NGOs across the world along with the Evaluation Office of the International Labor Organization in Geneva.
Sources
About - Foundation For Climate RestorationMaking Minerals - How Growing Rocks Can Help Reduce Carbon EmissionsCarbonCureFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-concrete-for-carbon-removal-with-dr-erica-dodds/
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Mass mobilization in climate activism
By the mid 2000s, the climate justice movement was beginning to gain momentum across the world. Through organized rallies and marches, the public has begun to see an increased recognition of climate justice issues amidst various other social movements. The existential threat of the climate crisis has given rise to an increased potential for transformational movements to ignite change. Mass mobilization thus provides a tactic of community organizing and civic engagement that can unite people across the globe – or create the possibility of a backlash. As climate activism becomes more prevalent, it is plausible that climate mobilizations will rise in urgency and frequency.
How mass mobilization can spark changeMass mobilization is a way for people and organizations to rally together in order to promote widespread changes in a society. Social movements can accelerate action on climate change by providing windows of opportunity for transformative climate action. When people perceive a risk, such as climate change, to be extremely critical they may respond to the growing threat through various strategies of mobilization. Perceived risk can drive social change; if the risk appears to be strong enough, people may change their behaviors and push social actors to respond.
Why mass mobilization is advantageousOn an individual level, it is hard to achieve large-scale changes given the immensity of the climate crisis. Community mobilization is thus a tool that can be harnessed in the fight to increase awareness of climate change. Mass strikes and protesting can re-emphasize social norms and the effectiveness of collective civic engagement. Collective action provides a collective voice that is more likely to be heard than solo protest. By encouraging friends and family to also engage in climate action, a movement can gain momentum and promote social norms that will support and normalize climate action. Beyond non-disruptive demonstrations and legally permitted marches, there are also more confrontational methods such as boycotts, sit-ins, and direct action that target political leaders and policymakers.
What are the drawbacks of mass mobilization?The Internet and online social media are two factors that have contributed to the ease of coordinating widespread large-scale mobilizations of groups of people. However, one potential concern is that if we solely rely on the use of social media, we may forget the potential benefits of in-person action. Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult to continue activism efforts after a protest, rally, or march to foster long-lasting effects. In the Fridays for Future (FFF) youth climate protests led by Greta Thunberg, some have questioned whether those participating have held themselves personally accountable for their own carbon footprint outside of the movement. While strikes and protests can create solidarity, they also are susceptible to collective action problems as many individuals may hope to benefit from actions resulting from the protests without actually participating. Additionally, youth-climate strikes likely pose little direct threat to polluters, whereas those direct actions or strikes in particular polluting industries may have a stronger impact on the decisions of fossil fuel firms. Although FFF has led to conversations on the need to address climate change, the broader social and political implications are uncertain, raising questions about the efficacy of mass mobilization. Large-scale mobilization efforts can also lead to significant political backlash, thereby complicating the landscape for collective action. Not everyone responds similarly to mass mobilization efforts, leaving debate on the potential efficacy of such actions.
About our guestDana R. Fisher is the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity and Professor at American University. Her seventh book, Saving ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, presents mass mobilization as a realistic path forward for climate action in response to the growing severity of disastrous events. Fisher explores further the various types of activism, and which are most applicable to the climate crisis.
Further ReadingAfter Protest: Pathways Beyond Mass MobilizationClimate justice and sustained transnational mobilizationSaving ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate ActionFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/mass-mobilization-for-climate-with-dana-fisher/
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What are the problems with current beer production methods?
Beer is primarily composed of water—making up about 90 percent of its content. Annually, over 100 billion gallons of beer are produced and shipped, meaning nearly 90 billion gallons of water are being transported in the form of beer. This is significant because approximately 20 percent of a beer’s carbon footprint is attributed to transportation. In response, Sustainable Beverage Technologies (SBT) has proposed a new type of beer that can reduce transportation costs, material use, and overall emissions.
A Sustainable Solution
SBT’s approach allows beer to travel through the supply chain as a concentrated liquid, reducing its water content to one-sixth that of conventional beer. In practical terms, one 13-pound bag of concentrated beer can yield the equivalent of 48 pints of fully hydrated beer. The condensed form of the beer significantly decreases the weight and physical size of the beer as it moves through the supply chain, which in turn reduces between 450 and 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions for every 48 pints produced.
Additionally, the only packaging that is not recyclable is the bag of beer itself. All of the boxes used in transportation are recyclable, which significantly reduces the waste from beer production and transportation. Current partnerships allow SBT to ship this concentrated beer formula to various vendors, who then rehydrate the beer before selling it to consumers. SBT is actively working to expand these partnerships to further reduce emissions in the beer industry.
Effect on Consumers
This new beer will have minimal effect on the end consumer and will mainly influence partners and suppliers. SBT’s beer requires rehydration at its final destination; SBT is developing specialized technology to facilitate this. This beer allows consumers to keep enjoying their drinks while knowing they are contributing to a sustainable solution.
About Gary Tickle
Gary Tickle serves as the CEO of Sustainable Beverage Technologies.Alongside his partner, the original founder, he leads a team of innovators focused on crafting sustainable solutions for the beer industry while maintaining the beer flavor and feel.
For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/raising-the-bar-brewing-a-greener-future-with-concentrated-beer-with-gary-tickle/
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A Need for Clean Energy
Energy harvesting from environmental sources is key to mitigating the harm associated with fossil fuels. Renewable energy is generated from naturally replenishing resources, and common sources include solar, wind, and water. Currently, renewable energy only makes up roughly 20% of all U.S. electricity, and many of these sources are intermittent – they do not produce continuous energy on a 24/7 basis. These sources of clean energy often require a large amount of land and specific weather conditions, and can face various barriers to being cost-effective.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a method to harness energy from air humidity, potentially revolutionizing clean energy production. Dubbed “Air-gen,” this device has the capacity to produce continuous clean electricity.
How does Air-gen Work?The prototype device is small in size, comparable to the size of a fingernail, and as thin as a strand of hair. The device contains tiny holes, known as nanopores, that allow water vapor in the air to pass through. As the water molecules travel through the nanopores, the molecules’ contact with the walls of the device creates small charges. The frequency of this contact causes a charge imbalance in the upper and lower parts of the device effectively creating a battery. Despite its current small-scale energy output, stacking multiple Air-gens has the potential for significant electricity generation.
Why Air EnergyThe “Air-gen Effect” would offer a sustainable, accessible source of continuous clean energy as it utilizes humidity that is always present in the air. Air-gen technology has the ability to suit most environments, operating 24/7 day and night and even indoors. The devices can be stacked upon each other to increase energy output without increasing the footprint of the device. Air-gens do not require any specific material in their construction as well, minimizing the amount of material extraction needed in comparison to other forms of renewable energy.
Clean Energy ChallengesThe Air-gen team faces challenges in efficiency, material selection, and scalability. They aim to reduce the number of devices and space needed to generate significant amounts of energy, as well as optimize the device by finding ideal device materials that can operate across different climates. It is unclear how long these developments will take.
Air-gen is one of many possible solutions, all of which faces challenges, both technical and economic. A competing solution is nuclear energy, which produces large amounts of energy and has grown in use globally. Nuclear power produces renewable, clean energy without pollutants or greenhouse gas emission, however, the byproduct of nuclear energy is radioactive material. Geothermal energy is another clean energy solution that drives turbines using steam power. Geothermal energy is flexible as it can run consistently regardless of time or weather, like the Air-gen, and also has a minimal footprint, but is limited in its location dependency, costs to start, and earthquake risks. There are many ideas for clean energy generation and storage, but finding the right solutions is only part of the challenge.
About the GuestJun Yao is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Yao’s other work involves developing novel nanoelectronic and bioelectronic sensors and devices for health/physiological monitoring. Yao received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Rice University.
Further ReadingEnergy from Almost Any Material (Washington Post,2023)Humid Air into Renewable Power (The Guardian, 2023)Air Humidity and Energy Harvesting (Advanced Materials, 2023)Jun Yao speaks on Harvesting Electricity from AirFor a transcript of this episode, visit https://climatebreak.org/generating-electricity-from-air-with-jun-yao/
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California is the first state to ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters, which will begin in 2030. In efforts to fight climate change, all homes will be required to use zero-emission electric appliance alternatives. The Sierra Club and American Lung Association have supported this move to reduce the building sector’s carbon footprint and improve public health.
The building sector accounts for 5% of California's nitrogen-oxide pollution, a key component in producing smog. The California Air and Resource Board (CARB) reports that nearly 90% of these nitrogen-oxide emissions come from space and water heaters. A report from SPUR, San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, found “as appliances in California homes and buildings generate four times as much lung-damaging nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution as the state's gas power plants, and roughly two-thirds as much NOx as all of the state’s passenger cars.” This ban was passed to meet EPA regulations limiting atmospheric ozone and fighting air pollution, and it also follows Biden’s Climate Plan calling for the switch from residential gas to electric appliances.
Natural Gas Inside the Home
Switching to electric appliances can also have indoor air pollution benefits. Gas cook stoves emit natural gas and indoor air pollutants that can be harmful to those with asthma and chronic pulmonary disease as these stoves are typically unvented. The most common pollutants from gas cook stoves are nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde, and the EPA warns that nitrogen dioxide emissions can be toxic even in low concentrations. While electric appliance alternatives like electric cook stoves and heat pumps emit no onsite air pollution.
Costs and Burdens
The costs of upgrading electrical services also raises many equity concerns for vulnerable communities, as low-income customers and renters are predicted to face the largest costs. Environmental retrofits to upgrade water heaters and furnaces can lead to increased electricity costs, as natural gas is a cheaper but dirtier source of energy. There is also a long road ahead, as according to the Energy Information Administration in 2020, only “26% of U.S. households use electricity as the only source of energy.” Concerns with changing electricity loads and how this will impact homes that rely on solar panels or have other energy-intensive needs such as electrical vehicles must also be considered. Hefty costs are also associated with these retrofits as one study estimated equipment and installation costs for “electric air-source heat pumps cost around $6,800, though there is also a $5,900 adder for heat pumps in cold climates. A gas furnace was estimated to cost less than $4,000.” Despite these costs, a report from CLASP and Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) found that the U.S could “reduce national heating bills by $13.6 billion and cut annual CO2 emissions by 67 MT, the equivalent of removing 14.4 million passenger cars for an entire year, by swapping air conditioners for heat pumps.” There are numerous benefits for the planet and individuals that can afford to upgrade to electric appliances, but the inequitable burdens on low-income populations of this new ban must also be addressed.
Steve Cliff
Dr. Steve Cliff is the Executive Officer of the California Air and Resource Board (CARB). Cliff began his appointment in the Summer of 2022 and works with the board to enact programs to reduce air and climate pollution within the state. In his role, Cliff oversees over 1,800 employees and a budget of $2.7 billion.
Before serving as Executive Officer Cliff worked as the 16th Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was appointed by President Biden in January 2021. At NHTSA Cliff oversaw the nation’s vehicle safety agency, where he helped advance vehicle technologies and established fuel economy regulations. Dr. Cliff also has an extensive history working with CARB as he first joined as an Air Pollution Specialist in 2008, served as Deputy Executive Officer overseeing the board’s climate program, and was appointed by Governor Brown in 2016 as senior advisor to CARB’s Chair. Governor Brown also appointed Dr. Cliff as Assistant Director for Sustainability to the California Department of Transportation, where he served in this role from 2014 to 2016.
Dr. Steve Cliff received his bachelor's and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. He also has a postdoc on atmospheric sciences from the University of California, Davis. For over two decades Cliff has worked closely with UC Davis, he worked as a research professor in the Department of Applied Sciences, has supported air quality and climate research programs, and is affiliated with the school’s Air Quality Research.
Sources:
California Air Resources Board, Dr. Steve Cliff, Executive OfficerWells, California plans to phase out new gas heaters by 2030 (NPR 2022).Brady, We need to talk about your gas stove, your health and climate change (NPR 2021).SPUR, Gas Appliances and Smog: California's Hidden Air Pollution Problem (2022)Balaraman, As California confronts the future of its natural gas system, who could get left behind? (Utility Drive 2022).Walton, Electric heat pumps will be the cheapest clean option to heat most US homes by 2030: ACEEE (Utility Drive 2022).New report finds US hybrid heating could cut national heating costs by $13.6 billion (2022)The Biden White House, FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs Executive Order Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability (2021).Regulatory Assistance ProgramFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/equitable-policy-for-energy-efficient-homes-with-dr-steve-cliff/
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The Environmental Impacts of Coffee Production
For most of us, coffee is a part of our daily lives. 62% of Americans drink coffee every day, with 7 in 10 drinking coffee every week. In 2024, the coffee market amounted to over $86.7 billion in gross revenue, with numbers only predicted to rise. Americans consume over 400 million cups of coffee each day, leading many to wonder of the harms of such rapid consumption. Unfortunately, for coffee-lovers, the reality is that coffee has a poor environmental footprint. The average total harvested area from coffee production is over 11 million hectares – an area larger than Scotland. Coffee production is associated with various environmental consequences such as water pollution, deforestation, soil degradation, and decreased biodiversity, to name a few. Traditionally, coffee beans are produced in the shade of trees, but due to heightened demand, many farmers are beginning to relocate production to sun grown coffee, which requires large scale forest removal. Every cup of coffee consumed destroys roughly one square inch of rainforest, making coffee the leading cause of forest destruction. Not only is coffee production extremely land intensive, but just one singular cup requires 140 liters of water to produce.
Coffee production not only contributes to environmental changes, but is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. By 2050, predictions reveal a vast decrease in coffee-suitable land, leading to worldwide decreases in yields. The consequences of climate change on coffee production can trigger changes in soil, water, crop, and nutrient management of the land. Interestingly, sustainable coffee systems may provide favorable ecological services, such as maintaining soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Thus, it has been proposed that making coffee production more resilient will not only help in adapting to a changing climate, but can reduce the environmental consequences of this industry, even promoting positive environmental benefits.
How can coffee production become more sustainable?The two main strains of coffee produced globally are Arabica and Robusta, both of which are extremely vulnerable to climate change due to rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increased incidence of pests and diseases. Such climate impacts could lead to reduced coffee yields, affecting the quality and availability of coffee for consumers, and putting farmers’ livelihoods at risk. The impact of climate change will be particularly noticeable in the coffee belt, the region around the equator where most coffee production occurs. In this area, even small changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can have adverse effects on coffee production, decreasing yields.
Liberica coffee has been proposed as one alternative to conventionally utilized coffee strains, as it withstands climate change-induced heat, long-term drought and disease. Farmers across the world are looking to reintroduce Liberica as the common crop plant used to sustain the global coffee industry and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Excelsa coffee has also been considered due to its high yields and heightened conversion ratio from pulp to clean coffee, with minimal mechanical and labor-intensive activities required. Farmers across the coffee belt have begun to implement such changes themselves as they are first-hand facing the negative effects of climate change.
Potential Benefits of Alternative Coffee StrainsCoffee varieties such as Liberica are being utilized in countries like Uganda, one of the world’s largest coffee exporters, as a means of adapting to the effects of a changing climate. Hybrid coffee varieties have potential for increasing welfare and enhancing resilience of smallholder farmers against climate change. With an expected doubling in coffee demand by 2050, it is necessary that more sustainable methods are adopted in order to respond to adverse climate consequences. Hybrid varieties thus provide a solution as they can increase productivity by enhancing yields and are less vulnerable to stressful environments.
Ongoing Research is NeededThere remains a lack of research on the potential improvements such coffee varieties can have when applied to a larger scale. Furthermore, more research needs to be done to determine the optimal temperature ranges for precise yield levels. In areas with high production yields, more on the ground work is needed in order to support sustainable development of coffee. There is large uncertainty in climate projection data, socioeconomic factors and interactions which influence coffee plants and potential yield capacity. Furthermore, the initial concerns mentioned in regards to the environmental harms of coffee production still remain.
About our guestCatherine Kiwuka works with the Plant Genetic Resources Center of the National Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda, researching climate resilient coffee varieties in Africa to withstand climate impacts. In order to sustain livelihoods, resilient coffee systems can both protect local smallholders, and improve environmental quality, paving a way for a more sustainable future.
Further ReadingA Systematic Review on the Impacts of Climate Change on Coffee …“How Climate Change is Affecting Coffee” - Clive CoffeeImpact of climate change on coffee productionNew coffee varieties as a climate adaptation strategy: Empirical evidence from Costa Rica“Rising temperatures in tropics to lead to lower coffee yields and higher prices, study suggests” - The GuardianThe re-emergence of Liberica coffee as a major crop plantWhat Climate Change Could Mean for the Coffee You DrinkFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/adapting-coffee-production-for-climate-resilience-with-catherine-kiwuka/
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Lithium Ion Batteries
Lithium ion batteries are a popular type of rechargeable battery, used in a variety of devices from laptops and cell phones to hybrid and electric vehicles. Lithium ion batteries have grown in use due to their light weight, high energy density, and ability to recharge. While these batteries are used to store electricity and, therefore, as an element of alternative to fossil fuels, the process to mine and obtain lithium has harmful effects on the environment.
Lithium is a soft, light metal found in rocks and subsurface fluids called brines. The mining of battery materials and manufacturing the batteries can generate significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The disposal of these batteries is also a concern, as the battery cells can release toxins such as heavy metals into soil and groundwater if not properly disposed of. In these cases, lithium ion batteries have also been found to cause fires, which is especially dangerous if misplaced in a landfill. There is a growing effort to recycle these batteries due to the environmental issues and demand for batteries, but that faces obstacles as well.
A New AlternativeDue to the concerns around the safety, cost and supply of materials for lithium-ion batteries, the industry is in search of more sustainable elements to use for batteries, such as manganese. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory are developing lithium-ion cathode technology that has sustainable increased use of manganese.
When a battery charges, lithium ions flow from the cathode to the anode, a process that reverses when the battery is discharged. Researchers have already created a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode material that is rich in lithium that has the potential to have increased storage capacity over conventional materials. The Argonne National Laboratory is working on a version of NMC technology that boosts the lithium and manganese content to improve the batteries energy density and safety while decreasing costs.
A battery with a manganese-rich cathode is less expensive and safer than one with high nickel concentrations, but not without caveats. Increasing the manganese and lithium content can decrease the cathode's stability, impacting its performance overtime.
Future of BatteriesThe U.S. Department of Energy has made it a priority to find more sustainable materials for electric vehicle batteries. Other strategies include decreasing the amount of cobalt by using higher percentages of nickel, but this also poses challenges. Nickel is more abundant than cobalt but less than a fifth of the current supply is suitable for battery use. In reality, there is less nickel than expected and increased use could cause a spike in prices.
At the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a consortium of scientists is developing the commercialization of a new family of battery cathode materials called DRX, or disordered rock salt. DRX could provide batteries with higher energy densities than conventional lithium-ion batteries that contained metals in short supply, like nickel and cobalt. The consortium is focused on making DRX cathodes out of more affordable and abundant metals, like manganese and titanium.
About our GuestDr. Jason Croy is a Materials Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory whose work focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of high-energy lithium-ion electrode materials. Prior to his work at the Argonne National Laboratory, Croy was a musician and toured with his rock band for nearly ten years before attending college. He taught himself physics before enrolling in college, then going on to earn his Ph.D. in Physics from University of Central Florida. Croy is an internationally recognized expert on lithium- and manganese-rich cathode materials and has published numerous articles on the atomic-scale mechanisms governing the performance of lithium-ion electrodes.
For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/improving-lithium-ion-batteries-the-magnesium-solution/
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What Does Extreme Heat Do?
Since the pre-industrialized era, the global temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius. Although one degree may not seem significant, the consequences are increases in the intensity of heatwaves and drier conditions. In addition, in dense urban settings buildings trap and absorb this heat and cause even a higher area of heat relative to surrounding areas. The heat island effect is also exacerbated by the lack of greenery. With current fossil fuel emissions, increased heating of 1.5 degrees Celsius or more is predicted to happen globally within this decade. Among the most promising solutions to combat extreme heat in cities is the effort to promote natural systems – trees, creeks, and parks in cities and creating resilience hubs where people can stay cool and safe from dangerous temperatures. Because heat impacts individuals in multiple ways, the response to extreme heat must also be multifaceted.
Responses to Extreme HeatThere are many possible responses to extreme heat. On an individual level, for example, when human body temperature rises to the point of heat stroke, individuals are subject to serious illness or in some cases, death. Heat poses a particular threat when the body is physically unable to cool down. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2000 and 2016, 125 million more people were exposed to heat waves than in the period before 2000. Actions individuals can take to reduce heat exposure include avoiding going outside at peak temperatures, reducing the heat inside of homes, and if reducing heat at home is not an option, going where air conditioning is available.
For some vulnerable populations like farmworkers, staying inside where there is air conditioning is not an option. In some states, like California, a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit initiates the California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard, which is enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Standard requires that training, water, shade, and rest be provided to outdoor workers. Currently, there is no federal protection or policy for workers who may experience extreme heat. While a proposed rulemaking is in the works, it may take years before a final regulation is completed.
How to Establish Resilience and Safe HubsIn the meantime, there are key actions that anyone can take, including something as simple as making extreme heat a topic of discussion as part of increasing awareness. By spreading awareness and recognizing the consequences of extreme heat, politicians and policymakers will be much more likely to pay attention to the issue and to community necessities. Global and local temperatures are continuing to rise, and, as a result, it is important to have community access to locations with air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and safety hubs particularly in communities whose residents do not have home air conditioners. Hubs may include libraries, churches, schools, and nonprofits which can be essential for providing both a cool place to shelter and a source of information and assistance.
Shifting to more green spaces is also an important solution to mitigate the impacts of increased heat. In New York, the Highline is a great example of transforming an old historic freight rail line into a park filled with rich greenery. The incorporation of nature into a previously urban dense space provides the city with more trees and access to green space.
Addressing extreme heat in cities requires new approaches and creative thinking for a suite of implementation strategies to provide cooling to the public and creation of green space.
Who is Our GuestJeff Goodell is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, which focuses on responses to extreme heat. Goodell is also a journalist who has been covering climate change for more than two decades at Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, and many other publications. He has a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MFA from Columbia University in New York.
Further ReadingLindsey and Dahlman, Climate Change: Global Temperatures (Climate.org, 2024)Dickie, Climate Report and Predictions (Reuters, 2023)California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard (Cal OSHA)Krueger, Heat Policy for Outdoor Workers (The Network for Public Health Law, 2023)Heat and Health (WHO, 2018)Heat Island Effect (The United States EPA)Climate Resilience Hubs (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather)Sustainable Practices | The Highline (The Highline)For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/alleviating-urban-heat-traps-with-jeff-goodell/
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Editorial Note
The interview for this episode was recorded in June 2021. The basic point of the episode remains relevant, but the mentioned campaign is no longer active. ClimateVoice’s current campaign is Escape the Chamber, which calls on companies to leave the US Chamber of Commerce and to speak up and lead on climate policy at local, state, and federal levels.
What is Corporate Lobbying for Climate Action?While lobbying—and corporate lobbying in particular—can often have negative connotations, it can be an effective tool to promote legislation to fight climate change. ClimateVoice takes a unique approach to corporate lobbying by incorporating the entire workforce into the process as opposed to just the executive team. ClimateVoice aims to get companies to lobby for policies that provide solutions to climate change. To that end, it reaches out to, engages with, and educates a company’s workforce on climate change issues and solutions. ClimateVoice’s founder, Bill Weihl, notes that a 2021 report showed that “Big Tech has diverted about four percent of their lobbying activity at the U.S federal level to climate-related policies. Big Oil has devoted about 38% of theirs.” ClimateVoice works to bridge this gap between Big Tech and Big Oil.
ClimateVoice isn’t the only organization working towards encouraging corporations to lobby for climate change solutions. In 2006, a group of NGOs formed the U.S Climate Action Partnership to advocate for pro-climate policies. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, despite the efforts of the Climate Action Partnership, the “Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Climate Bill failed in the U.S. Senate in 2009, and climate policy entered the wilderness for years.” In recent years, however, environmental organizations such as ClimateVoice have advocated for renewed corporate lobbying to help solve climate change. In 2019, as a result of these efforts, several environmental organizations including The Nature Conservatory, World Wildlife Federation, and Environmental Defense Fund took out a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for businesses to work towards policies that are consistent with climate science.
ChallengesCorporate lobbying for climate action faces some challenges. First, it is difficult to mobilize workers and management, and get them to agree on an environmental policy to lobby for. In addition, lobbying itself is not always successful. The process can be long and tedious without producing noticeable results for some time. Lastly, powerful and dedicated corporate interests lobby the government to stop climate action. Nonetheless, the presence of corporate voices lobbying for climate science-informed policy remains a viable way to implement climate change solutions at the legislative level.
Who is Bill Weihl?Bill Weihl is the executive director of ClimateVoice. He started his career as an associate professor of computer science at MIT. In 2006, he transitioned to a career in climate action and led Google’s clean energy work. He then spent six years at Facebook as Director of Sustainability. Now at ClimateVoice, he works to use corporate influence to drive climate legislation.
Further ReadingCorporate Action on Climate Change Has to Include Lobbying, Harvard Business Review
How Corporate Lobbyists Conquered American Democracy, The Atlantic
A Closer Look At How Corporations Influence Congress, NPR
The challenging politics of climate change, Brookings
Climate Insights 2020: Policies and Politics, Resources for the Future
Glossary: Policy cycle | Monitoring Guide, Right to Education
About Us, ClimateVoice
For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/corporate-lobbying-as-an-ally/
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