![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Good News from Earth Day...among other things..
Believe it or not? There has actually been some good news on the Climate Change and Environmental Front and a few other fronts...it's not all grim out there.
1. A partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Pinecrest, FL converts food scraps into compost for the tribe’s community garden, improving soil and reducing landfill waste. Go HERE
2. The Iñupiat community of Elim, AK protests a proposed uranium mine during the Iditarod dogsled race to protect their subsistence way of life and the biodiversity of Norton Sound. Go HERE
***
And apparently on the immigration front? So a break from our scheduled programming into that...which is an on-going battle:
3.Four House Democrats — Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Maxine Dexter of Oregon, Maxwell Frost of Florida and Robert Garcia of California — are in El Salvador this week, pressing for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a longtime U.S. resident deported during the Trump era.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. government has yet to bring him back. Go HERE
4.A federal judge in Denver will soon decide whether to issue a temporary restraining order that would bar removals from Colorado of people who could be deported under the Alien Enemies Act. At least 11 people have already been deported from Colorado to a brutal prison in El Salvador. Go HERE.
***
Back to the environment:
5.A federal appeals court revives a civil rights lawsuit challenging polluting industries in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” opening the door for justice in historically harmed Black communities. Go HERE
6. Climate activists are increasingly suing governments and companies to take action against climate change — and WINNING. Go Here
One of the most high-profile was a Dutch case in 2015, in which a court ruled that The Netherlands' government has a duty of care when it comes to protecting its citizens from climate change. The judges decided the government's plan to cut emissions by 14-17% compared with 1990 levels by 2020 were unlawful given the threat of climate change. They ordered the target be increased to 25%. As a result, the Dutch government closed a power plant four years earlier than planned and introduced a new climate plan in 2019. Elsewhere cases have led to similar rulings – including the recent German one that inspired Schiepek, as well as cases in countries such as Australia.
The rising number of cases is paving the way for stricter enforcement of environmental laws around the world and giving activists like Schiepek a new sense of hope.
7.In 2024, a record 112 million Americans rode bikes, the highest participation rate since 2014, with youth ridership jumping from 49% to 56%. Go HERE
8.The U.S. and China both show significant growth in renewable energy, outpacing traditional power sources. Go HERE
9.Despite budget cuts, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center continues to provide critical climate information. Go HERE
10. Attorneys general in four states—CA, IL, ME, and MN—sue the EPA and Citibank for unlawfully withholding funds from state green banks meant to support climate solutions. Go HERE
11. In response to federal funding cuts, seven states—CA, IL, MD, MI, MN, NY, and PA—form the Clean Rides Network to advance green transportation projects like public transit, bike lanes, and trails. Go HERE
12. California installs over 26,000 EV chargers in six months, accelerating the state’s transition to electric vehicles. Go HERE
13. California is developing technology rules to cut aviation pollution by 2027. Go HERE
14.CA launches a public-private plan to install six million heat pumps by 2030 to cut building emissions and advance its 2045 carbon neutrality goal.
Go HERE
15. NY passes the Climate Change Superfund Act, which holds fossil fuel producers financially accountable for past emissions. Go HERE
16.Texas: In the first week of March, the ERCOT power grid set three records for the most wind production, most solar production, and greatest battery discharge. Go Here
17.The Chicago River now supports over 60 fish species and the return of otters, beavers, turtles, and minks, thanks to major clean-up efforts.
Go HERE
18.New York City’s congestion pricing plan reduces vehicle emissions and funds public transit improvements. Go HERE.
19. Boston, MA: Boston Metal produces over a ton of steel using clean electricity instead of coal, a major step toward decarbonizing the steel industry. Go HERE
20. Utah passes a bipartisan law allowing small balcony solar systems without permits or utility approval—residents only need certified equipment, safe wiring, and a shutoff switch. Go HERE.
21.NYC public schools expand their solar energy capacity with over 100 installations, promoting clean energy and sustainability education. Go HERE
22.NYC invests over $1 billion to reduce pollution, create green jobs, and lower energy costs. Go HERE
23.Chicago, IL: Thousands of Midwest youth gather for a Global Climate Strike demanding urgent action on climate policy. GO HERE
24.Atlanta, GA: During routine visits, doctors are talking about climate change to depolarize the issue and counter misinformation. Go HERE
25.Manistee, MI’s Great Lakes Environmental Festival focuses on climate change, water issues, and community resilience. Go HERE
***
Non-climate change related, academic law suit:
26. Harvard takes the counter-offensive and sues the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal funding.
1. A partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Pinecrest, FL converts food scraps into compost for the tribe’s community garden, improving soil and reducing landfill waste. Go HERE
2. The Iñupiat community of Elim, AK protests a proposed uranium mine during the Iditarod dogsled race to protect their subsistence way of life and the biodiversity of Norton Sound. Go HERE
***
And apparently on the immigration front? So a break from our scheduled programming into that...which is an on-going battle:
3.Four House Democrats — Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Maxine Dexter of Oregon, Maxwell Frost of Florida and Robert Garcia of California — are in El Salvador this week, pressing for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a longtime U.S. resident deported during the Trump era.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. government has yet to bring him back. Go HERE
4.A federal judge in Denver will soon decide whether to issue a temporary restraining order that would bar removals from Colorado of people who could be deported under the Alien Enemies Act. At least 11 people have already been deported from Colorado to a brutal prison in El Salvador. Go HERE.
***
Back to the environment:
5.A federal appeals court revives a civil rights lawsuit challenging polluting industries in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” opening the door for justice in historically harmed Black communities. Go HERE
6. Climate activists are increasingly suing governments and companies to take action against climate change — and WINNING. Go Here
One of the most high-profile was a Dutch case in 2015, in which a court ruled that The Netherlands' government has a duty of care when it comes to protecting its citizens from climate change. The judges decided the government's plan to cut emissions by 14-17% compared with 1990 levels by 2020 were unlawful given the threat of climate change. They ordered the target be increased to 25%. As a result, the Dutch government closed a power plant four years earlier than planned and introduced a new climate plan in 2019. Elsewhere cases have led to similar rulings – including the recent German one that inspired Schiepek, as well as cases in countries such as Australia.
The rising number of cases is paving the way for stricter enforcement of environmental laws around the world and giving activists like Schiepek a new sense of hope.
7.In 2024, a record 112 million Americans rode bikes, the highest participation rate since 2014, with youth ridership jumping from 49% to 56%. Go HERE
8.The U.S. and China both show significant growth in renewable energy, outpacing traditional power sources. Go HERE
9.Despite budget cuts, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center continues to provide critical climate information. Go HERE
10. Attorneys general in four states—CA, IL, ME, and MN—sue the EPA and Citibank for unlawfully withholding funds from state green banks meant to support climate solutions. Go HERE
11. In response to federal funding cuts, seven states—CA, IL, MD, MI, MN, NY, and PA—form the Clean Rides Network to advance green transportation projects like public transit, bike lanes, and trails. Go HERE
12. California installs over 26,000 EV chargers in six months, accelerating the state’s transition to electric vehicles. Go HERE
13. California is developing technology rules to cut aviation pollution by 2027. Go HERE
14.CA launches a public-private plan to install six million heat pumps by 2030 to cut building emissions and advance its 2045 carbon neutrality goal.
Go HERE
15. NY passes the Climate Change Superfund Act, which holds fossil fuel producers financially accountable for past emissions. Go HERE
16.Texas: In the first week of March, the ERCOT power grid set three records for the most wind production, most solar production, and greatest battery discharge. Go Here
17.The Chicago River now supports over 60 fish species and the return of otters, beavers, turtles, and minks, thanks to major clean-up efforts.
Go HERE
18.New York City’s congestion pricing plan reduces vehicle emissions and funds public transit improvements. Go HERE.
19. Boston, MA: Boston Metal produces over a ton of steel using clean electricity instead of coal, a major step toward decarbonizing the steel industry. Go HERE
20. Utah passes a bipartisan law allowing small balcony solar systems without permits or utility approval—residents only need certified equipment, safe wiring, and a shutoff switch. Go HERE.
21.NYC public schools expand their solar energy capacity with over 100 installations, promoting clean energy and sustainability education. Go HERE
22.NYC invests over $1 billion to reduce pollution, create green jobs, and lower energy costs. Go HERE
23.Chicago, IL: Thousands of Midwest youth gather for a Global Climate Strike demanding urgent action on climate policy. GO HERE
24.Atlanta, GA: During routine visits, doctors are talking about climate change to depolarize the issue and counter misinformation. Go HERE
25.Manistee, MI’s Great Lakes Environmental Festival focuses on climate change, water issues, and community resilience. Go HERE
***
Non-climate change related, academic law suit:
26. Harvard takes the counter-offensive and sues the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal funding.
no subject
no subject