EPA commences withdrawal of the WOTUS Rule

Last Wednesday May 3, 2017, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) provided a statement regarding the beginning of the withdrawal of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Several scientific societies collaborated in writing a letter to President Trump explaining the importance of the WOTUS rule and protecting the country’s wetlands. The EPA has delivered a draft to the Office of Management and Budget for withdrawing the WOTUS rule.

Read more

Drawdown- The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming Edited by Paul Hawken

The book Drawdown is not geared towards economists, policy makers or scientists, but for all citizens of the world. No matter if you are a student, worker, business owner, farmer, or politician, you can approach this book, learn about the wide variety of solutions that are available to draw down greenhouse gases, and apply specific solutions in your life. What is your role in the process? Of course, the book is more of an introduction and overview. Nevertheless, it should also be part of a movement, according to Paul Hawken.

Read more

Trump Signs Executive Order Dismantling Obama Environmental Regulations

Tom Steyer, president of NextGen Climate, said in a statement that Trump’s actions are “an assault on American values and they endanger the health, safety and prosperity of every American.” Concluding “Trump is deliberately destroying programs that create jobs and safeguards that protect our air and water, all for the sake of allowing corporate polluters to profit at our expense.”

Read more

Bio-energy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Negative Emissions with Negative Impacts?

In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Fourth Assessment Report bio-energy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) was highlighted as a key potential technology for reaching low carbon dioxide atmospheric concentration targets. Recently there has been concern that employment of such technology may have detrimental implications for climate justice.

Read more

Climate Change, Food Security and Migration in the Northern Triangle

When discussing potential solutions to food insecurity in the region an emphasis was placed on the right to health, agricultural adaptation and social cohesion. Panelists highlighted the need for universal access to health care and inclusive health policies, education regarding climate variability and adaptive agricultural practices and policies that promote social cohesion between immigrant populations and locals.

Read more