Transportation Infrastructure and Environmental Regulation

It is Infrastructure Week (May 15-19, 2017) and across America, there are events, as well as media coverage and education to advocate for infrastructure and its importance to the progression of this nation. It is our responsibility as citizens to get involved and learn about the policies behind our country’s current development strategies (1).

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How beavers can help fight against the effects of climate change

A report released on May 9, 2017 by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), “14 Solutions to Problems Climate Change Poses for Conservation”, stated that beavers are essential to slowing the effects of climate change. Beaver mimicry has become a widely-used method for the restoration of environments, especially the watersheds of Montana.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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