A regional resource for Cape & Islands climate activists
February 21, 2021
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A Glimpse of America’s Future: Climate Change Means Trouble for Power Grids
Systems are designed to handle spikes in demand, but the wild and unpredictable weather linked to global warming will very likely push grids beyond their limits.
By Brad Plumer, The New York Times, Feb. 17, 2021
Huge winter storms plunged large parts of the central and southern United States into an energy crisis this week, with frigid blasts of Arctic weather crippling electric grids and leaving millions of Americans without power amid dangerously cold temperatures.
The grid failures were most severe in Texas, where more than four million people woke up Tuesday morning to rolling blackouts. Separate regional grids in the Southwest and Midwest also faced serious strain. As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 23 people nationwide had died in the storm or its aftermath.
Analysts have begun to identify key factors behind the grid failures in Texas. Read more.
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Polar vortex: The science behind the cold
By Josie Garthwaite, Earth Matters, Feb. 05, 2021
Temperatures in some parts of the Arctic were close to freezing on Jan. 29 – significantly warmer than usual for the middle of winter – while masses of cooler air plunged toward North America's interior. Read more.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"This is happening not in spite of climate change, it’s in part due to climate change."
—Judah Cohen, director of seasonal forecasting at Atmospheric and Environmental Research,
tells The Guardian that the rapid heating of the Arctic helped cause the winter storms in the US.
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The Inter-/National Stage |
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President Biden Takes Executive Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, Create Jobs, and Restore Scientific Integrity Across Federal Government
Biden-Harris Administration Commits on Climate Change – Creating Jobs, Building Infrastructure, and Delivering Environmental Justice
The White House, Statements and Releases, Jan. 27, 2021
[On January 27], President Biden [took] executive action to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad while creating good-paying union jobs and equitable clean energy future, building modern and sustainable infrastructure, restoring scientific integrity and evidence-based policymaking across the federal government, and re-establishing the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
These Executive Orders follow through on President Biden’s promise to take aggressive action to tackle climate change and build on the executive actions that the President took on his first day in office, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and immediate review of harmful rollbacks of standards that protect our air, water, and communities. Read more.
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U.S. officially rejoins Paris accord, vowing to make up for lost time
The Biden administration is pledging that the United States will take an aggressive role in the global effort to save the planet
The United States has officially rejoined the Paris climate accord. That was the easy part.
Friday marks the first day the country is again part of the international agreement meant to stop the world from warming past a critical climate change threshold — a global average of 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Read more.
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$10 billion ‘Green Future Act’ put forward to fund climate action, create green jobs
By Tim Cronin, The Climate XChange, Feb. 16, 2021
Rep. Driscoll filed the ‘Green Future Act’, a climate bill that seeks to reduce emissions through investments in green infrastructure, local climate aid, and workforce development. The bill (HD.1972) would pay for this by extending the state’s existing requirement to make polluters pay a fee on emissions to industries that do not currently pay for the impacts their fuel has on the environment, such as in heating.
According to an analysis from Climate XChange, this would raise $500 million to $750 million per year. When combined with a new green bonding program, which is also in the bill, the Green Future Act could raise $10 billion by 2030. Learn more and read the House factsheet.
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Sen. Markey, Rep. Pressley join activists to launch Mass Renews Coalition
By Tim Cronin, The Climate XChange, Feb. 19,2021
In a kickoff event live-streamed on Facebook, activists launched Mass Renews, a new coalition focused on racial, climate & economic justice. Led by Rev. Miriam White-Hammond, the organizational launch included remarks from coalition partners including the Boston Student Advisory Council, 350 MA, SEIU 32BJ, and the Greater Boston Labor Council. It also featured remarks from US Congresswoman Pressley and US Senator Markey.
The coalition also announced two legislative efforts for the coming session. First, a food justice bill sponsored by Rep. Madaro and Senator Boncore. The second, a building justice bill sponsored by Rep. Robinson, Rep. LeBoeuf, and Senator Pacheco. Learn more.
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Cape Light Compact offers three instant incentives to increase business and nonprofit savings
Act now, as offerings are time-limited
Cape Light Compact recognizes that the financial and operational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt by businesses and residents of our local community. Temporary capacity and gathering limits, coupled with the inherent seasonality of many businesses on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, have led to unprecedented challenges for business owners.
Of the approximately 400 Cape Cod business owners surveyed by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Cape Cod Commission in August of 2020, over 50% cited being open but in a limited capacity, and more than 1/3 of businesses anticipated being able to remain operational for only six months or fewer with their existing cash flow and reserves.
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With increased incentives on energy-efficient upgrades, including insulation, lighting, HVAC, and foodservice equipment, Cape Light Compact is here to help make your business more efficient. Visit the links below for details on incentive levels and equipment eligibility:
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Act Now...If Not Now, When?
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The Climate Collaborative, allies take joint aim at Joint Base Cape Cod Machine Range project
Climate Collaborative, APCC register opposition; APCC digs deep into Base claims of scant public opposition
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Association to Preserve Cape Cod statement of opposition to the proposed machine gun range project
The Massachusetts Army National Guard has proposed to locate and construct a machine gun range within the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve on the northern 15,000 acres of Joint Base Cape Cod. The reserve was established in 2002 to protect drinking water and wildlife habitat, and to allow military training that is compatible with those uses.
The machine gun range project would require 199 acres of land disturbance, including 170.5 acres of forest area to be clear cut to accommodate the range footprint, operations and control area facilities, roads, firebreaks and other aspects of the project, according to the Guard’s Environmental Assessment. The project plan also includes the creation of a Surface Danger Zone area on approximately 5,197 acres, or over one-third of the 15,000-acre Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve, where projectiles fired on the range would land.
Of the 367 public comments received by the Guard, 330 opposed the project. Nine comments were in support of the project. An additional 28 took a neutral position, most of those seeking information or requesting an extended comment period.
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Did you submit comments to the National Guard on the proposed machine gun range during the 30-day public comment period that ended September 8, 2020?
If you did submit comments, please check here to make sure your comments are included in the comments released to APCC by the Guard.
If your comments are missing, please
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Guest Commentary
Pine Barren Forest Or A Machine Gun Range?
By Moncrieff Cochran, The Sandwich Enterprise, Feb. 12, 2021
I am writing in hopes of shedding light on what I view as a terrible plan by the Massachusetts National Guard to construct and utilize a machine gun firing range in the Camp Edwards portion of Military Base Cape Cod.
As a Vietnam veteran, I have respect for the value of a well-trained military force. But as a native Cape Codder, I am convinced that the fragile ecology and population density of the Cape make it the worst possible location for such a high impact activity.
The Camp Edwards portion of the military base contains one of the largest remaining pine barrens habitats in the northeastern United States and the largest intact area of relatively unfragmented interior forest remaining on Cape Cod.
To construct this machine gun firing range, the Guard proposes to clear-cut 170 acres of mixed pine and oak forest. The range would include eight lanes, two of which would be a mile in length, plus associated buildings. Read more.
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Mon Cochran is vice president of the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative Board of Directors
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Pandemic, storms call us to make peace with the planet
We are not on good terms with the planet.
The coronavirus pandemic should have been enough to tell us that. Viruses that normally exist in wild animals without making them sick can make the jump to humans when the hosts' habitats are destroyed. That disturbance happens constantly in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, as forests are razed to make way for farms and ranches. But in case we need a reminder, a deadly winter storm left dozens of people dead and millions without electricity this past week, in Texas especially, but also in places like Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Scientists don't link specific storms to climate change, but there are some indications that rising temperatures in the Arctic — which is warming at twice the average rate for the rest of Earth's surface — are destabilizing air currents in the atmosphere, making severe weather like the recent storms more likely.
In Texas, faith leaders called out the state government for a lack of preparation that they said amounted to "sheer negligence," as NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe reports. And Dennis Sadowski at Catholic News Service describes the emergency measures adopted by Catholic Charities in Texas and Oklahoma to provide aid to those affected. Read more.
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To Meet Climate Goals, Think Outside the Electric Car
The Biden administration is plugging EV adoption to help the U.S. meet its climate goals, but electrification alone won’t do the job: We need to reduce vehicle use, period.
When President Biden recommitted the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accord on his first day in office, he set into motion what will undoubtedly be an ambitious climate strategy. Already, with his executive order to replace the federal government’s massive vehicle fleet with U.S.-made electric vehicles — quickly followed by a ground-shifting pledge by General Motors to sell EVs only by 2035 — we are witnessing a flurry of actions aimed at reducing emissions across various industries and sectors. After four years of backtracking, the U.S. is on the cusp of a meaningful policy response to climate change. Read more.
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Clean Energy Solutions for Your Home
Numerous technologies are available to help Massachusetts homeowners save money on their energy bills while protecting the environment. And MassCEC* will help get you started in these arenas:
Weatherization
Electricity
Heating & Cooling
Hot Water & Appliances
Transportation
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*Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.
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2021 Virtual Massachusetts Energy Workshops
Free training series is designed for K-12-Grade Teachers, CTE Teachers and After-School Program Leaders
Mass Save® Energy Workshops for Educators — including K-12 teachers, CTE teachers and After-School program leaders — are being held virtually in March and April on the following dates:
Please register at least one week prior to workshop in order to receive materials. Workshop program and training materials are provided by NEED,* which offers comprehensive, objective information about the scientific concepts, sources and uses of energy and their impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Participants will receive:
- NEED Science of Energy Kit
- NEED Energy Management Kit
- Substitute reimbursement
- PDP credits
- Massachusetts-aligned curriculum
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New England Cleantech Landscape 2021
Tues., Feb. 23
4:00pm - 6:35pm
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NECEC is holding this special event to help cleantech entrepreneurs tap into the network of organizations working to support cleantech ventures across New England. Connect with startup support organizations like Blue Incubator, Cleantech Open Northeast, Cleantech Navigate, Greentown Labs, Mass Ventures, MassCEC, DeltaClime VT, VentureWell, and many more!
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Mass Renews Alliance Advocacy Training
Wed., February 24
5:30-7:00pm
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Mass Renews is hosting a lobbying/advocacy training for two pieces of legislation: The 'Build Jobs and Justice' Act (to retrofit 1 million homes) and the 'Food Justice with Jobs' Act. The training will provide policy overviews, introduction to lobbying, and small group practice opportunities. Whether you've never lobbied your representatives before or done it a hundred times, this training is for you!
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Mass Power Forward Coalition Virtual Lobby Day
Thurs., March 4
3:00-6:00pm
(Deadline for registration: 12:00 Noon, March 1)
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Mass Power Forward is advocating for a suite of environmental justice legislative priorities including '100% Renewable Energy' and the Mass Renews 'Build Jobs and Justice 'acts. The MPF planning team is arranging Zoom meetings with elected officials to advocate for this legislation. Participants will have an opportunity to meet ahead of time and organize their meetings (instructions will be provided). A lobby day guide, meeting logistics, and instructions will also be provided.
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There’s an invisible climate threat seeping from grocery store freezers. New undercover survey suggests leaks of powerful planet-warming gases pervade many supermarkets. Read more.
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MIT has launched the Climate and Sustainability Consortium, convening 13 influential industry leaders cross sector to work with the institution on innovation in climate and sustainability. Read more.
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Less than a month after General Motors announced its intention to end sales of gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035, Ford and Jaguar are both making major electric vehicle pledges. Read more.
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Million-year-old mammoth teeth yield world's oldest DNA. OK, we think this has absolutely nothing to do with climate change, but thought you should know. Read more.
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MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES
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We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reach carbon neutrality—or net zero—on Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and activism among organizations, programs, and individuals committed to mitigating the climate crisis. We depend upon the generosity of our stakeholders to conduct our work. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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The Climate Action Alerts newsletter is compiled and crafted by Fran Schofield. If you've got a climate story from your home, school, workplace, town or organization, please be in touch!
And don't forget to share this action alert with your friends and suggest they subscribe here.
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