ClimateBreak

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 leaks The 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 done While 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 changeUNEP. 2023Satellite Data to Methane Action: UNEP's Methane Alert and Response SystemClark, Aaron. Bloomberg, 2023.The Climate Sleuth Uncovering Methane Leaks for the United NationsFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/locating-methane-leaks-with-satellites-with-dr-timiebi-aganaba/.

The Benefits of Recycling Wind TurbinesWhile wind energy is renewable and non-polluting, the wind turbines themselves can create pollution problems. Now, scientists are creating wind turbines that can be made with less energy, but also create less waste because they can be recycled. This, of course, reduces impacts on the waste stream and provides a sustainable alternative to current wind turbines that are often extremely hard to recycle. Moreover, the new material requires less energy to create and mold into the desired output, subsequently reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions.Making Wind Turbines with Recyclable ResinNot surprisingly, even renewable energy resources also have environmental costs. For instance, when the life of a wind turbine ends (after about 20 years), it ends up in landfills. Moreover, as more wind farms are built and older turbines are taken out of usage, the waste burden is significant. Most resins also used in wind turbines require many nonrenewable resources and a lot of energy to produce. In addition, they do not easily degrade.This is why researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) started developing turbines from recyclable resin. They call the resin PECAN, and it is created with “bio-derivable resources” like sugars as opposed to the type of resin that has traditionally been used, which is not bio-derived and extremely hard to upcycle. Specifically, when the wind blades are unusable they are shredded to be used as “concrete filling”, which never biodegrades, while turbines made of recyclable resin can chemically break down within 6 hours.Benefits of Recyclable Resin Not only can PECAN withstand harsh weather, but it does not deform over time. Additionally, once the resin undergoes a chemical process called “methanolysis” it only takes 6 hours for the original carbon and glass to be recovered to be recycled. Moreover, the catalyst to harden the resin is also recovered and this means that it is possible for it to be used again (creating a circular waste stream). Moreover, PECAN produces “40% less greenhouse gas emissions and 30% less energy to make”.Challenges of Implementation There is a general lack of awareness of solutions like PECAN which strive to make our waste stream more circular, and without that awareness, it would not be able to make the large positive impact that it is capable of making. This is also one of the reasons why right now, wind turbines made out of recyclable resin proves to be more expensive, as there is not enough of a demand for it yet.Ryan Clarke believes that creating wind turbines from naturally occurring resources like sugars can be extremely helpful in waste reduction. Additionally, he emphasizes that larger deployment of this technology and increased awareness can lead to major cost savings in the long run. About Our GuestRyan Clarke studied materials science and became a postdoctoral researcher for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he was the study's lead author. Now, he works at Hexion Inc. as a R&D material scientist.ResourcesreNews, NREL Develops Recyclable Resin for Wind BladesENERGY THEORY, NREL Develops Wind Turbine Blades From Recyclable ResinEnvironment + Energy Leader, NREL's Breakthrough in Renewable, Recyclable Wind EnergyFurther ReadingResearch Gate, A Recyclable Epoxy for Composite Wind Turbine BladesNEW ATLAS, Fast-Dissolving Bio Resin Could Drive Recycling of Wind Turbine BladesFor a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/recyclable-resin-for-wind-turbines-with-ryan-clarke/ 

What is Chaos Wheat?Wheat varieties that are resilient to climate change are sometimes referred to as "chaos wheat." An initiative of King Arthur Baking Company–an emerging leader in the creation of chaos wheat–and Washington State University's Breadlab is aiming to create wheat blends, such as King Arthur's Regeneratively-Grown Climate Blend Flour, composed of unique wheat varieties bred for resilience against the unpredictable effects of climate change, including fluctuating temperatures and varying water levels. These wheat varieties are cultivated using regenerative agricultural practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity.Chaos Wheat as Climate SolutionBy focusing on breeding wheat that can withstand extreme weather conditions, the initiative seeks to ensure consistent crop yields despite environmental unpredictability. Additionally, the use of regenerative agriculture practices contributes to carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and increased biodiversity, all of which play a role in mitigating climate change. To create the special, “Climate Blend” flour out of chaos wheat, researchers use practices like “cover cropping and crop rotations, minimizing inputs, no/limited tillage, and affordability and accessibility of crops.” The chaos wheat collaboration with Washington State University's Breadlab, aims to increase biodiversity, promote carbon sequestration by improving soil health, and build resilient farm ecosystems as a whole.In the late 1800s, white bread was extremely popular due to its low cost of production at enormous scale. However, this quickly became detrimental to the environment because it led to monoculture, which reduces genetic biodiversity.  In fact, large scale bread production “emits more greenhouse gases than Russia, Brazil, and Germany combined”.Benefits of Chaos WheatChaos wheat increases genetic diversity and reduces risk of diseases and increases “resistance to drought, pests, and volatile weather, while requiring less water, fertilizer and agrochemical.” Part of the potential advantage of chaos wheat is the plants' improved ability to deal with “‘ chaotic events.'” Currently, however, it is more expensive in comparison to standard whole wheat, “$2.98, compared with $1.12”.The inspiration for this blend came from ancient strategies that farmers employed, for example a “mix of different species and varieties known as maslins” which are “plants [that] compete less with one another for soil resources and are diverse”. Essentially, if “they can offer 2 to 3 percent higher yields, they will be our greatest asset to increasing yields and crop resilience.”Challenges of ImplementationPotential critiques or drawbacks of this solution include the challenges associated with transitioning farmers to regenerative practices, which may require significant changes in traditional farming methods and could involve initial financial investments. Moreover, as regenerative agriculture is currently unregulated and lacks standardized certification, defining and implementing consistent practices can be complex. Ensuring that these new wheat varieties are economically viable for farmers and acceptable to consumers in terms of taste and baking quality also presents potential challengesThere is also a tension between large scale efforts, including the King Arthur Baking Company initiative, and more local initiatives that might be “developing more sustainable and climate-resilient products” and which “keep our dollars in the local food economy” but “invest[s] in a more sustainable and resilient food economy”. This is often a difficult tradeoff.Robin Morgan believes that chaos wheat is a  game-changer in agriculture and in the face of climate change as it reduces wheat's vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. This means that the crops can grow in more locations and with reduced soil disruption. Moreover, he emphasizes that it increases health benefits by providing more fiber to consumers.About Our GuestRobin Morgan moved to Washington state to pursue a PhD at the WSU Breadlab in order to develop a perennial grain crop. He has experience ranging from the chromosomal to the field level as well as studying the history of wheat. ResourcesKing Arthur Baking: What is regenerative agriculture, and why is it so important? Washington Post: Why ‘chaos wheat' may be the future of breadWSU Breadlab: About UsFresh Farm: Local Grains: A Delicious, Climate-Friendly ChoiceFor a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/chaos-wheat-with-robin-morgan/

The Rise in EV AdoptionThe US electric vehicle (EV) market is expected to reach a revenue of $95.9 billion this year, with a projected annual growth rate of 12.61% over the course of the next four years. By 2035, California and twelve other states are planning to achieve 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales, calling upon local governments to assist in the EV transition to ensure equitable access to this new technology. For homeowners who have the ability to power up in their own garage, making the transition to EVs is relatively easy; however, for renters and those living in larger metropolitan areas, access to charging infrastructure remains a significant challenge. Although EV adoption is on the rise, urban areas are under constraint as they do not have sufficient charging infrastructure to keep up with heightening demand. High building density, limited capacity of the electricity grid, and insufficient funding and staffing are posing challenges for city governments across the country. Brooklyn-based startup, It's Electric, is working on one possible solution to this problem through the installation of curbside charging, powered from buildings on the adjacent property rather than directly from the utility grid. Building EV Charging AccessibilityCurbside charging works by minimizing the distance consumers need to travel to fuel their EV, thereby increasing accessibility of charging infrastructure. Many dense-urban areas have been referred to as “charging deserts,” due to their lack of accessible EV charging infrastructure, making the transition in these areas particularly challenging. Instead of the mainstream route in which charging infrastructure is developed through utility connections (which can be a 12 to 18 month process), startups like It's Electric partner with property owners, acquire the relevant permits, and install and maintain a charger powered by the building's electrical supply. Property owners can thus use untapped electricity supplies, allowing for installation without extensive infrastructure development or direct connections, providing property owners with passive revenue. Instead of working directly with electric utilities to install their chargers, It's Electric partners with municipalities and building owners directly. Further, the parking space will be maintained by the city, so the property owner doesn't need to worry about managing and maintaining the parking spot.Benefits of Curbside ChargingCurbside charging provides immense promise for city governments in transitioning towards more equitable access of EV charging infrastructure. For lower-income communities – particularly those without access to private driveways, garages, or who reside in multifamily housing – publicly accessible EV charging can help reduce barriers to participation in the ongoing shift to electric vehicles. As curbside charging is still in the beginning stages of development, policymakers can incorporate community members in decision-making. Thus, EV charging can be largely community-driven, incorporating opinions from local residents to make the transition fit the needs of the community. In dense urban areas, curbside charging can assist in reducing pollution and GHG emissions, particularly in high-emissions neighborhoods. Other strategies to keep in mind include providing discounts and cost reduction measures for lower income drivers as well as strategies like car share, mobility hubs, and colocation with other transportation services to improve accessibility. DrawbacksWithout addressing lower-income communities and those living in rental properties, EV charging can exacerbate current socioeconomic disparities and push marginalized communities out of the growing market. Thus, in tackling this transition, focus must be placed on targeted communities that lack the necessary resources to successfully adopt EVs. It's Electric has noted that there is more demand than they can meet right now, which represents the urgent call for this transition to occur. It's Electric is currently integrating Level 2 chargers into city infrastructure, rather than the faster direct current (DC) chargers that can power one's vehicle in 15-30 minutes. Because DC chargers take up significant amounts of space, require more infrastructure to develop, and utilize more electricity, it is not yet feasible to implement these in urban areas. Unfortunately, that leads to slower charging times and potentially limits an area's charging capacity. Another drawback of curbside charging in large cities can be attributed to limited sidewalk space and thus heightened demand for the few available units. Amidst these potential challenges, It's Electric has successfully resolved problems such as grid capacity and design by providing affordable, easy to install, and compact charging stations. By working collectively with policymakers, urban planners, transportation specialists, and community members, companies like It's Electric have begun to make curbside charging a reality.Who is Tiya Gordon?Tiya Gordon, co-founder of It's Electric, is transforming the way we approach EV charging by reimagining how publicly accessible chargers are integrated into public spaces. Tiya holds 20 years experience in design, leadership, and operations across a range of disciplines for some of the country's top firms and institutions. She is now venturing to spend the next 20 years building companies that use design to wage war against the Climate Crisis.For a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/curbside-charging-increases-ev-accessibility-with-tiya-gordon/

Electric Heat: A Hot Topic in ChicagoIn cold winter months, many people have to rely on fossil gas to heat their homes and power cookstoves. Yet all-electric appliances, including heat pumps to heat homes, are quickly becoming a cheaper alternative over the long term, though they often entail higher upfront costs compared to gas appliances.In Chicago, the switch from natural gas to electricity is moving forward, but it is also revealing unintended challenges for low-income residents that are applicable to the broader energy transition. In the historic city core, many older buildings lack weatherproofing and insulation against extreme winter cold. Climate and health impacts, and the high price of burning fossil fuels for heat, provide ample reasons to switch from fossil gas to electricity. But as high-income people are doing so, they leave some of the most vulnerable people behind. As a result, Chicago is now pioneering an effort to support lower-income residents making the transition to all-electric heating. What are the Climate and Health Impacts of Gas HeatingGas heating is powered by natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. From a climate perspective, methane's ability to trap heat in the atmosphere is 84 times greater over a 20-year period than carbon dioxide, making it the second most important contributor to climate change. And, because it lasts for 10 to 15 years in the atmosphere, while CO2 lasts 100 years or more, reducing methane emissions will rid the atmosphere of a potent greenhouse gas much more quickly. One-third of human-caused methane emissions come from the energy sector, and a large portion of methane use comes from waste such as leaks and venting. From a health perspective, a byproduct of natural gas called nitrogen dioxide is known to reduce lung function, and cooking with natural gas stoves has been linked to childhood asthma. Natural gas's climate impacts and more immediate respiratory impacts may pose a health risk in homes that can be reduced by a switch over to electric heating. Why are People Flipping the Switch?As the price of natural gas rises, electricity may become a cheaper option for many Americans. The current structure of utility companies contributes to the high costs that ratepayers are facing. One concept found in utilities is the rate base, which refers to the amount of money and resources a utility company uses to produce and deliver electricity, water, or gas services. Regulators decide whether or not the investments that companies make are considered “prudent” and these expenses are added up to form the rate base, upon which the utilities are allowed to earn a rate so they can profit. This structure means that the costs of large capital investments are paid for by an increase in a rider on ratepayers' bills, passing the cost burden onto customers.For electricity here in California, the threat of wildfires caused by powerlines and the high cost of building transmission means that ratepayers face high electricity rates, especially compared to gas. Meanwhile in Chicago, one main reason many residents are switching to electric heating is because of recent price hikes from the major gas utilities supplier. According to Sarah Moskowitz, Executive Director at the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois, a retrofitting effort by the gas utility in Chicago means that customers may be facing unusually high bill riders over fifty dollars, a fixed cost applied even before any gas is used. There is a strong economic incentive in Chicago driving people who can afford to switch over their appliances to electric.But what about those who cannot afford to move away from gas heating? According to Moskowitz, primarily low-income Black and brown communities face some of the biggest impacts of soaring natural gas prices. In addition, the rate base system which allows costs to be passed onto consumers can further exacerbate the problem. As people with the means to switch away from gas do so, this lowers the number of gas customers across which the utility company can divide its costs. This means that the people who can least afford it will bear a greater portion of the costs, a problem sometimes known as the utility debt spiral. But new legislation and funding are attempting to build a path out. Making Heat Accessible & AffordableIn an effort to set Illinois on the path to carbon-free and renewable energy, a law that contains interesting pathways for utility justice was passed in 2021. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CJA) sets ambitious clean energy goals, but does so in a way that prioritizes equity. The bill provides finance for lower-income residents and provides support for energy efficiency and renewable energy workforce development. According to Moskowitz, one particularly climate-justice-focused program is the equitable energy upgrade program, a form of utility bill financing. The law requires major Illinois utilities to file multi-year rate plans, and from these, 40% of the benefits must go toward low-income communities. Exactly how the benefit process will work is being determined. The CJA provides a framework that can be adapted for many other regions. As Chicago takes on the challenge of moving towards renewable electricity in a city with older infrastructure and high heat demand, the city may serve as a case study that other cities can look to when planning for clean energy alongside justice and equity.Who is Sarah Moskowitz?Sarah Moskowitz is the Executive Director at the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois, which has represented the interests of utility ratepayers since the 1970s. CUB works to get more consumer-friendly laws passed, runs a utility question & complaint hotline, and organizes consumer education and outreach programs.Further ReadingEuropean Commission: Methane EmissionsPearce, Johns Hopkins University: Gas Stoves Risks to Our Planet and HealthEIA,  US Energy Information Administration: Outlook for Natural Gas PriceErnst, S&P Global: Understanding Rate Base (Regulatory Research Associates, S&P)EPA, Illinois EPA: Climate and Equitable Jobs ActFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/making-electric-heating-accessible-and-affordable-for-low-income-residents-with-sarah-moskowitz/

Pumped Storage Hydropower as a Climate SolutionPumped storage hydropower, also known as water batteries, are often used as a means to store excess renewable energy. For example, solar and wind may generate more energy than is needed during certain times of the day and less than what is needed at other times.  As a result, water batteries are extremely useful as a way to store and release energy during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are unavailable (i.e, when the sun is down). This form of energy storage is used in many places across the country, and across the world, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and San Diego. Current and Future Use of Pumped Storage HydropowerIn San Diego County, a proposed pumped storage hydropower project would connect a lake to large underground pipes which will “connect this lake to a new reservoir… 1100 feet higher in elevation” so that “when the sun is high in the sky, California's abundant solar power will pump water into that upper reservoir.” When the sun is down, the water would be released to the lower lake, generating around ”500 megawatts of electricity for up to eight hours” which is “enough to power 130,000 typical homes.”At Tennessee's Raccoon Mountain, TVA stores the excess energy as gravitational potential energy and produces about “1700 megawatts of electricity” when in demand during the day. It takes extremely long for these projects to get approved because the investment is “more than 2 billion dollars for a large plant”.  The project consists of three components: a lower reservoir “bounded by a 62 meter high dam” and “replenished as need to make up for evaporation;” an underground powerhouse which is “a 137-meter-long cavern” housing “three pump turbines;” and an upper reservoir which “would be some 600 meters across and bounded by a 53 meter high dam.”All currently operating pumped storage hydropower projects in the U.S. are “open-loop” facilities, meaning the lower reservoir is a natural water source such as a lake or river. This is the case with the San Diego and Racoon Mountain projects. In contrast, “closed-loop” pumped storage is built offstream and operates independently of natural waterways. For example, at a proposed pumped storage facility in Kentucky, an old coal mine is being repurposed to be used as a water battery. This land has “hosted mining for at least 70 years” and this “project would deliver up to 287 megawatts of power for up to 8 hours, giving it more storage in the tank than the biggest lithium battery plants built thus far”. Closed-loop pumped storage is generally viewed more favorably than open-loop systems by many environmental groups, tribes, and modern hydropower developers because it avoids continuous interaction with natural waterways and can reduce impacts on fish and river ecosystems.Benefits of Water BatteriesWater batteries are incredibly useful for long-duration energy storage and can help balance fluctuations in renewable energy sources like solar and wind by providing power during peak demand periods. For instance, in San Diego, “the San Vincente project would store roughly as much electricity as batteries in 50,000 of Tesla's long range Model 3 cars” and does not need materials like cobalt and lithium which are not only hard to find but create a lot of e-waste (and side effects with mining). Moreover, these projects fuel the economy and can create an abundance of construction jobs.Challenges of ImplementationPumped hydropower requires a lot of land, and flooding impacts habitat, and in some cases areas protected by indigenous tribes. The land and local ecosystem impacts can be very substantial. Moreover, water batteries require significant elevation difference between reservoirs to be effective so there are often geographic limitations to deployment. It can be extremely challenging to find places to build water batteries because they require specific topography as well as impacting the surrounding landscape. On top of this, these “facilities are expensive to build and take years to develop”. However, once they are in full structural integrity, they “store energy for far longer than lithium-ion batteries… and they last for many decades with minimal deterioration.”Erik Steimle emphasizes that pumped hydropower/water batteries are a great way to generate energy in a more sustainable manner, however, he acknowledges that there are some downfalls of it. For example, pumped hydropower/water batteries must undergo extensive regulatory practices involving federal agencies that other types of energy storage and renewables do not, posing a barrier to widespread accessibility. Another benefit is the durability of this equipment, which can be useful for hundreds of years.About our guestErik Steimle is the Chief Development Officer of Rye Development (tapped by DOE for the Kentucky project) and he is on the board of directors of the National Hydropower Association. Moreover, he has over twenty years of management experience in developing large-infrastructure renewable energy projects (especially in regards to hydropower). ResourcesNPR: ‘Water batteries' could store solar and wind power for when it's neededCanary Media: This Kentucky Coal mine could transform into pumped-hydro grid storageScience: How giant ‘water batteries' could make green power reliable | Science | AAASStanford University: UnCommon Dialogue

The Role of Public Universities in the Fight Against Climate ChangePublic universities like UC Berkeley have played a major role in developing climate solutions, from innovation in labs to policy initiatives. In order to create positive change in the climate space, science requires funding, which universities can provide. Further, universities, of course, educate, train, and interact firsthand with people who, in the future, will work in the climate space, putting them in an essential position in terms of climate education. How UC Berkeley is Making a DifferenceUC Berkeley specifically has made several important contributions across all aspects of climate science, climate education, and climate solutions.  Some examples include Omar Yaghi's lab and its discovery of a potentially revolutionary approach to carbon capture with COF-999, as well as the EcoBlock project in Fruitvale, Oakland, where Berkeley is helping to retrofit “residential homes to improve resilience, sustainability, and quality of life for all community members.” Further, Berkeley has established over fifty undergraduate courses related to climate issues. These courses and initiatives largely attract students because younger generations have significant firsthand experiences with climate change, including wildfires, heat waves, flooding, and air pollution. Why Climate Action from Public Universities is More Important Now than Ever BeforeWith the current uncertainty of continued federal government funding and support, some climate work may face limitations. Nonetheless, university focus on climate change is increasingly necessary to ensure that future generations of citizens are fully informed and well able to participate in a climate change constrained future. As explained by Bruce Riordan, director of the Berkeley Climate Change Network, “these problems require multiple disciplines,” and Berkeley is well positioned across multiple fields of study, research, and action,  recognizing that climate change requires integration of business, policy, and research and beyond.  About Our GuestBruce Riordan is the Director of the Berkeley Climate Change Network, a collaboration of 300+ faculty and staff at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley Climate National Laboratory working in the climate change space. The BCCN seeks to accelerate Berkeley's research, education and service to meet the urgency of the climate crisis by connecting researchers for interdisciplinary projects, helping to raise money for climate research, and building connections between Berkeley academics and off-campus climate leaders across industries.For a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/how-public-universities-are-helping-to-fight-climate-change-with-bruce-riordan/. 

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/.

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 stability In 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.Dr. 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. Dr. 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/.

Brewing a Greener FutureEver wonder where your used coffee grounds go after they've been completed? Probably not. But at South Dakota State University, researchers are turning them into something entirely unexpected: plastic. Not just any plastic, but a biodegradable alternative to oil and gas-based plastics that dominate the industry today. This innovative approach not only tackles the issueof food and other biomass waste but also addresses the plastic industry's reliance on fossil fuels and the rampant plastic pollution that harms both planetary and human health.The Pervasiveness of PlasticThe vast majority of plastics are currently made from natural gas and crude oil, types of fossil fuel. As of 2019, this production process was responsible for 3.4 percent of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, humanity produces over 300 million tons of plastic each year, resulting in widespread plastic pollution with adverse effects on both the environment and human health. Despite masquerading as a solution to excessive plastic waste, traditional plastic recycling is often ineffective due to contamination and industry deception. Thus, most plastic waste is diverted to landfills. Fossil fuel-based plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, and when they finally do, they release microplastics into the environment, which can infiltrate human bodies. Recognizing the need for a solution to this plastic crisis, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy, the lead researcher, initially experimented with making biodegradable packaging using various agricultural byproducts, such as avocado peels, corn, oats, and wheat stalks. His focus has since shifted to spent coffee grounds, which contain lignocellulosic fibers — natural plant polymers essential for creating biodegradable plastics. The process of transforming coffee grounds into biodegradable films is quite intensive and involves drying, bleaching, and extracting the plant fibers from the coffee grounds. The resulting clear solution is then dried to form a strong, plastic-like film that can be used as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.A Second Life for Coffee GroundsOne of the significant advantages of this solution is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuel-based plastic production and minimize plastic pollution. But on top of that, it provides a sustainable method of reusing otherwise wasted coffee grounds. Every morning, millions of people worldwide begin their day with a cup of coffee, a ritual shared by over 60% of Americans. Widespread enthusiasm for this caffeinated beverage has propelled it to become the second most traded commodity globally by volume, just behind oil. As a result, coffee shops are ubiquitous, generating an enormous amount of spent coffee grounds — approximately 8 million tons annually, much of which ends up in landfills. When left to waste away in landfills, coffee grounds can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change. Meanwhile, biodegradable films derived from coffee grounds can decompose in soil within just 45 days, a stark contrast to traditional plastics. Because of their rapid biodegradation and abundance, spent coffee grounds provide an attractive resource for bioplastic packaging innovation.Market Barriers in a Plastic-Dependent WorldDespite its promising potential, the coffee ground-based film still faces challenges. The film has immense tensile strength — meaning it can withstand a great deal of stress before fracturing — but is less flexible than traditional plastic, which may ultimately limit its applications. Additionally, the production costs currently exceed those of fossil fuel alternatives. Nonetheless, Janaswamy is optimistic about its market potential, remaining confident that costs will decrease as technology evolves.As consumers become increasingly aware of the detrimental environmental and human health impacts of traditional plastics, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Even if these biodegradable plastics do come at a higher price, consumers may be willing to pay extra for the sustainability benefits they offer. Therefore, coffee ground-based packaging film presents an environmentally conscious solution without compromising the desired convenience of plastic packaging.About Our GuestDr. Srinivas Janaswamy, an associate professor at South Dakota State University's Department of Dairy and Food Science, continues to lead research on developing sustainable, biodegradable packaging materials as alternatives to traditional plastics. His work embodies the shift towards a more sustainable future, one in which waste is transformed into valuable resources and where our daily habits — like brewing a cup of coffee — can contribute to a cleaner planet.ResourcesEnvironment Energy Leader: Brewing Sustainability: Turning Spent Coffee Grounds into Biodegradable PackagingAirX Carbon: The Perfect Blend: Bio-Based Plastic Made from Coffee GroundsPackaging World: Coffee Grounds Potentially the Next BioplasticWaste Management Review: Study trials coffee grounds as plastic packagingFurther ReadingSouth Dakota State University: Could spent coffee grounds provide an alternative to plastic packaging?PubMed Central: Potential Uses of Spent Coffee Grounds in the Food IndustryWorld Economic Forum: 5 innovative ways your coffee grounds can be recycledUnited Nations Environment Programme: Plastic PollutionCarbon Brief: Why a UN Plastics treaty matters for climate changeResearch Gate: (PDF) Revolutionizing packaging: Bioplastics for superior food and pharmaceutical solutionsFor a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/transforming-coffee-grounds-into-a-biodegradable-plastic-alternative-with-dr-srinivas-janaswamy/.

What is the Waverley Street Foundation?The Waverley Street Foundation, founded by Laurene Powell Jobs in 2016, aims to attack climate related issues through funding community-led programs, leading to community action against climate change. The Waverley Street Foundation specifically funds programs related to renewable energy and regenerative agriculture, as these sectors have an immense impact on the environment and vulnerable communities. The Foundation's approach to achieving climate-related goals is unique, as their solutions revolve around investing in prominent community institutions in order to benefit the entire community, showing people that we all benefit from a healthy planet.Regenerative Agriculture as a Climate SolutionRegenerative agriculture is the practice of using farming and agricultural techniques to help reverse climate change, including some techniques that date back to Native American cropping systems and the way in which they interact with the soil. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the goals of the practice include helping to “mitigate climate change, improve soil health, restore biodiversity, enhance ecosystems, and contribute to human health.” By focusing on the larger community impacts of sustainable farming practices, the Waverley Street Foundation promotes a close connection between people and their food systems. As an example,  the Foundation established agreements with local school districts to support fresh and nutritious lunches, bringing  local regenerative farmers into the supply chain, thereby improving farmers' economics, and allowing them to decide to continue planting regenerative crops. Other Community-Based Climate InitiativesThe Waverley Street Foundation is also currently working on converting health clinics from being run on diesel fuel to solar in India. This not only reduces pollution and carbon emissions, but can also help make healthcare more affordable for residents, while providing new local jobs installing, fixing, and financing the panels. In order to evade the most devastating climate change impacts, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. The ultimate goal of the Waverley Street Foundation is to approach climate change with a new outlook: “Cultivating Health, Justice and Joy,”  emphasizing the role that climate change has in harming vulnerable communities' everyday lives rather than solely focusing on technical solutions. Jared Blumenfeld, the president of the Waverley Street Foundation, argues that “unless we can make the case to them, that climate action is going to support and make their communities stronger, I don't think we win many of the other arguments.”About Our GuestJared Blumenfeld is the former Secretary of CalEPA and current President of Waverley Street Foundation, the climate philanthropy funded by Laurene Powell Jobs. Blumenfeld also served as Director of San Francisco's Department of Environment. Currently, at Waverley, he is working on critical environmental issues, such as oil litigation, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and food systems.ResourcesWaverley Street Foundation, WorkWaverley Street Foundation, What if lunchrooms served the freshest food in town? Regeneration International, Why regenerative agriculture?California Department of Food and Agriculture, Defining Regenerative Agriculturefor State Policies and ProgramsUnited Nations, Renewable energy – powering a safer futureWaverley Street Foundation, AboutFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/climate-action-through-community-driven-philanthropy-with-jared-blumenfeld/

IntroductionPeople 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/.

Modern HVAC Systems' Reliance on Refrigerant In 2020, nearly 90% of homes used air conditioning systems in the United States. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are used by both homeowners and businesses alike, with their usage only expected to rise as climate change increases global temperatures. Refrigerant, a chemical compound that is capable of transitioning from liquid to gas and back again, has been an important part of indoor cooling systems since modern AC systems were invented in 1902. Its ability to cool as it vaporizes and heat up as it condenses facilitates heating and cooling. As part of both air conditioner and heat pump systems, refrigerant either helps transfer heat and humidity out of one's home for conditioning or draws heat from outdoor air and brings it inside for heating. Refrigeration technology has historically relied upon gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to promote cooling in appliances, due to their effectiveness at transferring heat within a refrigeration system. While effective, these gases are hazardous for the environment. HFCs have a global warming potential (GWP) that can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Gaseous CFCs have a high ozone depletion potential (ODP), meaning there is less protection from the sun's rays and greater exposure to UVB radiation, negatively impacting human and ecological health. Instead of relying upon harmful CFCs and HFCs in refrigeration technology, UC Berkeley researchers are on the cusp of developing a new alternative known as “ionocaloric” refrigeration, which utilizes salt water to provide cooling. How does Ionocaloric Cooling work?Created in 1987, the Montreal Protocol regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 human made chemicals classified as ozone depleting substances (ODS). The Montreal Protocol mandated the eventual phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs, instead turning to HFCs as a replacement. Although HFCs do not deplete ozone, they were later found to have a significant GWP, prompting a recent amendment to reduce HFC usage by 80% in the next thirty years. As HFCs are phased out, ionocaloric cooling has been proposed as an alternative for refrigerant. Ionocaloric cooling relies on the principle that liquids release energy, or heat, when solidified, and solids absorb energy when liquified. In an ionocaloric refrigerant system, a mixture of a liquid and salt is frozen and melted. When a current is added, ions flow and change the material from solid to liquid, which allows them to absorb heat from their surroundings. Similarly, when ions are removed, the material crystallizes into a solid, releasing heat. The mixture is easier to manage as it is never in a gas state and is unable to enter the atmosphere. Additionally, certain solvents like ethylene carbonate, which have been used to test the technology, can be carbon-negative due to their ability to be produced from CO2 supplied by carbon capture. This means that ionocaloric cooling can prevent current emissions with high GWP and ODP, while also removing emitted gases from the atmosphere. Promise of Ionocaloric CoolingIonocaloric cooling has the potential to modify current HVAC systems, which rely upon high GWP gases that act as refrigerants. By using solid and liquid components as opposed to HFCs to function, ionocaloric refrigeration prohibits these harmful gases from ever entering the atmosphere. In addition to its cooling purposes, this technology can also be used for heating. Ionocaloric technology has the potential to compete with or even exceed the efficiency of gaseous refrigerant. Currently, ionocaloric cooling technology is still being developed. If proven successful, this innovative technology could transform the current landscape of HVAC systems. Hurdles to OvercomeAs of now, ionocaloric cooling is not fully developed. Although the material cost for the salt water is cheap, it is unclear the cost of every component needed on a larger scale. The research currently being conducted for ionocaloric cooling experimentation is heavily subsidized. As it is still under R&D, this technology's viability on a larger-market scale will be continually determined. To facilitate a transition away from gas refrigerants, ionocaloric cooling will likely need government incentives, such as consumer rebates, to make the technology competitive with conventional units.Dr. Lilley's Insights into Ionocaloric CoolingIn addition to being environmentally harmful, gas refrigerants have proven to be costly and difficult to dispose of. Dr. Lilley believes that ionocaloric cooling can thus be an advantageous solution in a variety of ways. The end of life management (or disposal) of output components from ionocaloric cooling will be much easier as it relies upon liquid inputs. Additionally, Lilley notes that there is no way to completely seal refrigerants from the atmosphere, so a liquid refrigerant eliminates that problem altogether. As the technology becomes more advanced, Dr. Lilley believes that initial cost concerns will fade with state subsidies and market adoption.About our guestDr. Drew Lilley is the CEO and co-founder of Caliion Technologies. He holds a PhD from UC Berkeley in Mechanical Engineering, where his research is focused on alternatives to current refrigerants. His main research focus is on the R&D process of solid-to-liquid ionocaloric cooling. ResourcesAC Direct, Ionocaloric Cooling is Revolutionizing Heating and Cooling TechnologiesBerkeley Engineering, Keep it CoolBerkeley Lab, Berkeley Lab Scientists Develop a Cool New Method of RefrigerationDr. Drew Lilley, Calion TechnologiesIndustrial Refrigeration Pros, The Evolution of RefrigerantsThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New Refrigeration Method Relies on Ionocaloric CoolingFurther ReadingCarrier, AC Refrigerant BasicsClimate & Clean Air Coalition, HFCsEIA, Nearly 90% of U.S. households used air conditioning in 2020EPA, Basic Ozone Layer ScienceUNEP, Montreal Protocol Timeline and HistoryUNEP, About the Montreal ProtocolFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/out-with-classic-refrigerants-and-in-with-ionocaloric-refrigeration-with-dr-drew-lilley/.

What does a zero-emission vehicle really mean?Clean transportation policies promoting sustainability have progressed over the years and have become even more important, both because transportation represents the largest portion of greenhouse gas emissions and because climate change has been accelerating at unprecedented rates. The public is likely more familiar with zero-emission cars, but zero-emission trucks are also becoming an integral part of mitigating climate and other environmental impacts.Transportation-based pollutionThe transportation industry as a whole has been the biggest source of greenhouse gasses over the time period since the Industrial Revolution. Impacts of emissions associated with transportation include harm to the environment as well as to human health. Trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles constitute six percent of the on-road fleet but produce up to 26 percent of transportation-based greenhouse gas emissions along with a plethora of pollutants that can cause various types of cancer, asthma, and other respiratory challenges. Diesel-fueled trucks and other large vehicles can also cause noise pollution and take an out-sized toll on road infrastructure. Benefits of Zero-Emission TruckingZero-emission trucking can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and emissions of other pollutants into the environment. By one estimate, US regions could save $735 billion in public health benefits due to cleaner air and result in 1.75 million fewer asthma attacks. The Inflation Reduction Act provides incentives for the manufacturing and purchasing of zero-emission trucks. People who buy zero-emission vehicles, for example, can receive significant tax breaks, subsidies, and even discounts on road tolls. Moreover, it is common for zero-emission trucks to be exempt from vehicle dimensions and weight restrictionsDrawbacks of Clean TrucksAlthough zero-emission trucks–battery electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks–as a whole have a lot of advantages, they still face significant challenges. For example, clean trucks may still be ill-suited for the range demanded of long-haul applications. Even with IRA incentives, clean trucks can be two and a half to three times more expensive than the diesel equivalent, although the cost of fuel and maintenance is likely less. Battery electric trucks can take up to four times longer than their diesel equivalent to charge. And even though hydrogen-operated trucks are more efficient than battery electric trucks, the US currently lacks the necessary hydrogen infrastructure to make them truly feasible. In addition, hydrogen trucks, when fully charged, have a range that is about 500 miles and battery electric… [about] 180 to 250. By comparison, a diesel truck running a full load can have a range of roughly 1000 to 1200 miles. Because the sustainable alternatives are heavier, they actually would end up carrying less and more trucks would be needed to do the same amount of work as a single diesel-powered truck could, increasing operational costs and decreasing efficiency.Aronin and Zero-Emission MobilityRuben Aronin is working to pave a path towards zero-emission mobility in the United States (especially California) with his team at Better World Group. They have worked to support multiple policies, including the Advanced Clean Truck Rule which is a significant part of California's zero-emission truck policy. That rule mandates that manufacturers–provided with four years of lead time–increase electric truck vehicle sales every year from 2025. Additionally, it promotes a 100% sales requirement of zero-emission trucks by 2036. Mr. Aronin believes that the Advanced Clean Truck Rule along with another policy, called the Advanced Clean Fleet Rule, will enable the quickest transitions to zero-emission trucks, particularly in the most pollution-burdened communities. His coalition includes the Teamsters and others to help ensure labor and environmental justice support. He also recognizes that it is often economically difficult or unfeasible for companies and individuals to purchase zero-emission trucks. To this end, tax credits and investments from the federal IRA and IAJ are essential. As the market grows, Mr. Aronin says that the price of the electric truck components and batteries are decreasing at a rapid pace.Who is Ruben Aronin?Ruben Aronin, current principal of The Better World Group, acts to advance clean transportation policies. He joined the BWG in 2012 and currently helps to lead BWG's advanced transportation project work. Aronin has previously created and implemented effective environmental policy initiatives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in over a dozen states across the country (including California). ResourcesAmerican Lung Association, Delivering Clean Air: Health Benefits of Zero-Emission TrucksMcKinsey, Preparing the world for zero-emission trucksFleetOwner, Future of zero-emission trucks: Challenges and promises aheadFurther ReadingMotorBiscuit, Are Pickup Trucks Really That Bad for the Environment?Tachyon, Environmental impact of trucks and sustainability practicesMcKinsey, How batteries drive the zero-emission truck transitionFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/clean-trucks-with-ruben-aronin/.

How Can Coral IVF Fight Coral Bleaching?As ocean temperatures increase due to climate change, an emergent crisis known as coral bleaching is on the rise. Coral bleaching poses the largest threat to coral reefs, which are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Coral reef habitats occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor, but constitute more than 25% of all marine life, providing habitats for a vast array of species from small organisms to large fish and sharks. Additionally, biodiverse reefs provide a variety of economic benefits, supporting jobs, tourism, and fisheries. Reefs also protect lives and property in coastal areas, absorbing 97% of a wave's energy while buffering against currents, waves, and storms.However, when ocean temperatures rise, corals become stressed and expel the marine algae living inside their tissues, known as zooxanthellae. Typically, coral live synergistically with zooxanthellae, meaning the algae provide food for the coral while the algae use the coral as shelter. Due to stress, corals expel zooxanthellae, causing them to become a white skeleton. If the temperatures remain high, the coral won't allow the algae back and the coral will die. Once corals die, reefs rarely come back. As climate change progresses with its warming trend, corals endure greater stress, and experience longer and more intense bleaching events. Between 2014 and 2017, 30% of the world's reefs experienced heat-stress leading to coral bleaching. In 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Fortunately, marine biologists have been working on a new strategy to restore damaged coral reefs, known as Coral IVF (in vitro fertilization), which entails taking healthy coral eggs and sperm, crossing them in a supervised pool, and returning the mature coral to a damaged coral reef. Importantly, IVF coral are often bred to be resilient to heat-induced bleaching, making Coral IVF a successful strategy in fortifying reefs against bleaching.What exactly is Coral IVF?Coral IVF begins with biologists collecting spawn, or coral eggs and sperm, from heat-tolerant corals that have survived coral bleaching events. With these spawn, biologists can rear millions of baby corals in tanks and coral nursery pools before repopulating damaged reefs for restoration. So far, coral IVF has proven successful. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Foundation planted 22 large colonies of new baby corals off Heron Island in 2016. Four years later, the researchers found that the corals had survived a bleaching event and grown to maturity. The next year, the corals had reproduced and spawned babies of their own. In 2016, 81% of the northernmost section of the GBR was severely bleached, including mass bleaching in other sections. The GBR provides an estimated economic value of $56 billion, including 64,000 jobs stemming from the reef. Losing the reef would be a major economic loss for Australia, which has already lost 50% of its coral since 1995. With coral IVF, there is hope for an eventual repopulation of the reef with healthy corals. Beyond the GBR, coral IVF is taking place in reefs across the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Approximately 90% of IVF-created corals survived 2023's heat wave, holding on to the algae that sustain them.The Advantages of Coral BreedingCoral IVF not only mitigates short term reef loss, but also strengthens reefs in the long term. One study revealed that corals in the GBR that survived bleaching in 2016 had twice the average heat tolerance the following year. Research reveals that corals can pass on their adaptive strategies to their offspring. Experiments also reveal that heat-adapted corals can thrive in new environments and be an important source of reef regeneration globally. This technique can therefore be applied to any coral population. Further, the IVF process also can be done quickly, allowing scientists to respond to coral damage in an emergency.Climate change poses an insurmountable riskUnfortunately, climate change still poses a threat to IVF created coral reefs. By 2049, annual bleaching events will become the norm in the tropics. Research reveals that as global temperatures rise, coral will become less tolerant to heat related stress. In Australia, there has been a massive bleaching event every other year for six years. Due to the frequency of such events, coral's ability to reproduce is compromised for a number of years. As global emissions continue to rise, temperatures will continue to rise, inducing further heat-related stress. Eventually, coral may not be able to live in excessively hot ocean waters. Coral IVF is an effective strategy to prepare corals for future temperatures, but likely only up to a certain point.About our guestDr. Saskia Jurriaans is a marine scientist working on the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, a multi-organizational partnership between the Australian Institute Of Marine Science, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and others. On her team, she optimizes coral breeding techniques, as well as developing asexual coral reproduction methods to support the Great Barrier Reef.ResourcesAustralian Marine Conservation Society, What is Coral Bleaching?Coral Guardian, Why are coral reefs so important?Coral Reef Alliance, Biodiversity of Coral ReefsGreat Barrier Reef Foundation, What is Coral IVF?NOAA, Get Involved with the NOAA Coral Reef WatchFurther ReadingNOAA, Why are coral reefs important?Time, The Great Barrier Reef Is Being Depleted by Pollution and Climate Change. Could ‘Coral IVF' Save It?The Guardian, The Great Barrier Reef: a catastrophe laid bareThe Guardian, Why there is hope that the world's coral reefs can be savedThe Guardian, Scientists' experiment is ‘beacon of hope' for coral reefs on brink of global collapseFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/breeding-heat-resilient-coral-to-restore-at-risk-coral-reefs-with-dr-saskia-jurriaans/.

The Benefits of Restoring Aquatic EcosystemsFor over a century, native salmon populations in California have been adversely impacted by human activities such as mining, dam building, and overfishing practices, often leading to the loss of critical habitat and  decreased genetic diversity. With additional environmental stress from climate change, such as rising surface temperatures and changes in freshwater temperature and flow, salmon populations have been quickly declining. In addition, dams trap salmon into the warmest parts of the watershed, where they are more vulnerable to predators and have decreased breeding area necessary for their survival. Salmon are an incredibly important marine species, often referred to as a keystone species, as they play an essential role in the health and function of an ecosystem. Not only are salmon ecologically beneficial through their ability to disperse nutrients throughout streams and rivers, but they are also culturally significant to Indigenous people. Indigenous culture has historic ties to salmon, including reliance on the species for sustenance and livelihood. As a result, indigenous tribes have a particular attachment to and concern for salmon, and issues such as diminished water quality and the burdens brought about by climate change have a deep resonance. In order to restore salmon populations, Indigenous groups and environmental activists have advocated for increased restoration of watersheds, the reopening and improving of ecologically important areas, and the removal of dams that block natural salmon spawning habitats.  Dam Removal as Solution to Climate ChangeAs climate change reduces water flows in California and increases temperatures beyond which salmon can tolerate, certain populations of salmon have become endangered species. Drastically reduced population levels have brought about a wave of concern, as their absence can disrupt nutrient cycling, reduce food availability, and negatively impact the livelihoods of people who depend on salmon for sustenance, income and cultural value. The “California Salmon Strategy” outlines actions for state agencies to stabilize and promote recovery of salmon populations. The plan envisions coordination among multiple state agencies, Tribal Nations, and federal agencies for implementation. In the late 19th century, treaties between Pacific Northwest tribes and federal agencies gave tribes the right to hunt, gather, and fish in “accustomed grounds” in exchange for land. However, by the mid-20th century, these agreements had largely been abandoned by the federal government, with states outlawing traditional methods of subsistence fishing. Coupled with increased development and resultant large-scale habitat loss, salmon populations have been on a steady decline. Tribal governments have long opposed the construction of dams in California, raising concerns of the devastating effects such construction has had on their way of life and the biodiversity of river ecosystems.Therefore, one solution has been the removal of dams to allow for continual, unobstructed streams of water for salmon to move freely through. Large dams built in the early 1900s block salmon's access to over 90% of historical spawning and rearing habitat in mountainous streams. The largest river restoration project is currently taking place on the Klamath River, located in Southern Oregon and Northern California, where dam removal is predicted to improve water quality and restore access to more than 420 miles of habitat. The lack of access to these cold waters for spawning was one of the primary reasons for the steady decline of California's salmon population. Studies project that the removal of the Klamath Dam will reduce the river's temperature by 2-4 degrees, which salmon prefer as cold water holds more oxygen, allowing for improved metabolism and the preservation of salmon quality, spurring new population growth.In addition to dam removal, the California Salmon Strategy proposes expanding habitat for spawning and protecting water flow and quality in key rivers. By fostering collaborative efforts, the State of California and Tribal Nations hope to successfully restore salmon spawning habitats and reintroduce salmon through traditional ecological knowledge.Benefits of Salmon RestorationSalmon restoration will help restore genetic diversity, improve habitat, and foster resilience. Beyond ecological benefits, restoring salmon habitats will benefit local communities and restore their cultural significance. The removal of dams like that on the Klamath River has already been a huge success in reopening former habitat that historically supported diverse salmon populations, with significant salmon spawning showing signs of a rejuvenation of this endangered species. Challenges of Restoring Salmon Unfortunately, salmon will continue to face the threat of climate change, particularly due to the lack of cold, readily available water. Salmon's migratory lifestyle patterns are also under threat from climate change, as a lack of cold water prevents survival at different stages of the life cycle in order to reach their spawning habitats in time. One major concern of the dam removal process is the short-term increase in turbidity and water quality problems during the removal process. There also could be the potential for disrupted habitats and short-term fish mortality due to the changing water quality dynamics. However, water quality problems usually pass after the initial slug of sediment moves downstream, allowing for long-term benefits to take hold.About our guestRegina Chichizola, Executive Director of Save California Salmon is a long-term advocate for tribal water rights, clean water, wild salmon, and environmental justice. Chichizola is an advocate for the restoration of salmon populations through strategies like dam removal and wetland restoration. ResourcesCalifornia Trout: Klamath Dams RemovalUS Fish and Wildlife Service: Why are dams getting removed and how will this change our rivers?USGS: Simulating Water Temperature of the Klamath River under Dam Removal and Climate Change ScenariosFurther ReadingAmerican Rivers: The Ecology of Dam Removal: A Summary of Benefits and ImpactsCalifornia Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future: Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems in the Age of Climate ChangeKatherine Abbott et al: Incorporating climate change into restoration decisions: perspectives from dam removal practitionersNOAA Fisheries: River Temperatures and Survival of Endangered California Winter-Run Chinook Salmon in the 2021 DroughtScientific American: Climate Change Complicates the Whole Dam DebateUSGS: Shifting Practices of Dam Management and Dam Removal in a Changing WorldFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/removing-dams-on-rivers-to-ensure-climate-resilience-for-salmon-with-regina-chichizola

Reconductoring power grids to boost energy efficiencyThe 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 Grid For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/increasing-efficiency-through-power-line-reconductoring-with-umed-paliwal/

What are public utility commissions (PUCs)? In the transition to clean energy, state public utility commissions (PUCs), which regulate electric, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater utilities, play an increasingly important role in achieving energy efficiency, enabling renewable energy, and implementing policies for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. PUCs  play a pivotal role in determining the energy mix, setting rates, and deciding on investments in infrastructure, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for example, has to balance  safety, reliable utility service, and reasonable rates through the regulation of various large investor-owned electric, natural gas, and water utilities. Utility commissions like CPUC are given a statutory mandate to ensure reasonable, adequate and efficient service to customers at just and reasonable prices. PUCs can issue regulations that impact electricity generation, the adoption of clean energy, and related emissions of pollutants and GHGs. PUCs can play an important role in shaping energy infrastructure, policy, and clean energy development.The Role PUCs play in shaping energy infrastructurePUCs were first created in the early 20th century to focus on overseeing operations and the utility investment in service while ensuring affordable rates. That role has evolved, and now PUCs often play a transformative role in transitioning towards a greener economy. PUCs have the ability to consider the impacts of GHG emissions, equity, grid reliability, distributed energy resources, and increased consumer choices in their policy decisions. PUCs oversee planning processes that affect a utility's resource portfolio and therefore its environmental profile. A new method of planning amongst PUCs has emerged known as Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), which compares the life cycle costs of different resource choices that factor energy efficiency into their analysis. Portfolio standards have also been added to IRP, which requires certain types of resources to be included in the utilities' mix of power procured, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. PUCs can also incorporate environmental considerations by increasing oversight of utility planning processes, setting prices, determining clean energy targets, and addressing utility incentives related to energy efficiency and distribution. PUCs thus have the ability to promote and shape clean energy adoption and development through their regulatory oversight. The Case for PUCsState PUCs have significant authority, often includingI the ability to accelerate decarbonization of the energy sector, mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve public health, and assist in reaching state energy goals. Updated PUC statutory mandates that reflect state energy priorities can contribute to their success in transforming the energy grid to become more energy efficient. Energy efficiency is a cost-effective mechanism to meet future demand for electricity. Energy efficiency reduces the amount of electricity needed to meet demand thereby benefiting the overall reliability of the electric grid. With more efficient systems, utilities and states will not need to build as much new transmission and generation, which can save money and improve environmental quality. Further, modern regulations to achieve such priorities and framing for the public interest can incorporate climate and environmental justice concerns. The Case Against PUCsOrganizational challenges such as outdated mandates, staff constraints, gaps in technical knowledge, misinformation, and quasi-judicial processes have created barriers to innovation amongst PUCs. Some PUCs still continue to view themselves as purely economic regulators, which does not accurately reflect the current decisions they are being asked to make. Additionally, the authority of PUCs varies widely from state to state. PUCs authority is established by state legislatures, thus their power only extends as far as their statutory authorization. The level of statutory authority delegated to PUCs by legislatures also varies widely. Barriers such as these have made it difficult for some  PUCs to develop more innovative mechanisms consistent with new environmental targets and the effort to achieve a zero-carbon US grid.While transitioning to clean energy promises long-term savings and environmental benefits, the short-term costs can be significant and potentially burdensome for consumers and businesses, posing political and fiscal challenges for PUCs. Stakeholder engagement in this transition will be vital. Labor issues also pose challenges as states transition away from  fossil fuels. In addition, challenges exist around regulatory complexities and the evolving federal and state policies. About Our GuestJill Tauber is the Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at EarthJustice. Jill leads the organization in achieving an equitable shift to clean energy through her litigation and legal advocacy work. Prior to serving as VP of Litigation, Jill worked as the Managing Attorney of Earthjustice's Clean Energy Program, focusing on achieving clean energy solutions across the country.ResourcesRMI: Purpose: Aligning PUC Mandates with a Clean Energy FutureRMI: The Untapped Potential of Public Utility CommissionsEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State Climate and Energy Technical Forum Background DocumentFurther ReadingColumbia Law: Public Utility Commissions and Energy EfficiencyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/public-utilities-commissions-with-earthjustices-jill-tauber/

How Sustainable Wood Helps Mitigate the Impact of Climate ChangeSustainable wood refers to the use of mass timber, which involves smaller pieces of wood that are dried and glued together in a perpendicular, crosswise pattern to form large slabs. This process can incorporate a closed-loop system that repurposes wood, promoting a circular practice that minimizes wood waste and reduces landfill usage, transportation needs, and carbon emissions. Additionally, the wood retains the carbon absorbed by trees during their growth, storing it in the floors and walls of buildings. As infrastructure demands increase, sustainable wood offers an environmentally friendly solution to meet these needs.Why the Construction Industry Needs Sustainable WoodSustainable wood, particularly through the use of mass timber, is gaining recognition as a critical climate solution in the construction industry. Traditional building materials like concrete and steel are carbon-intensive to produce, responsible for nearly 8% of global carbon emissions. In contrast, mass timber is derived from a renewable resource: trees. Through responsible forest management, trees can be harvested and replanted in a sustainable cycle, allowing forests to continue absorbing carbon dioxide. The wood used in mass timber stores this carbon long after the trees are cut down, effectively sequestering it in the walls, floors, and structures of buildings for decades or even centuries. This makes sustainable wood not only a viable building material but also a carbon sink, helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of new construction.The production of mass timber involves using smaller, fast-growing trees that are often thinned from forests to maintain ecological health. These pieces of wood are dried and glued in layers, forming large, strong panels that can be used for walls, floors, and even entire building frames. This technique reduces waste by making use of smaller trees or leftover wood that might otherwise be discarded. Additionally, mass timber is much lighter than steel and concrete, reducing the energy needed for transportation and lowering emissions from construction sites. The process can also incorporate repurposed or recycled wood in a closed-loop system, further contributing to the circular economy and minimizing waste.The climate benefits of sustainable wood go beyond carbon storage. Timber construction has a much lower embodied carbon than steel and concrete, which require energy-intensive processes to extract and manufacture. By substituting these materials with mass timber, builders can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. In regions where sustainable forestry practices are employed, this approach also supports local ecosystems by preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging the regeneration of forests. Importantly, mass timber's design allows for prefabrication, which reduces construction time and waste, making it not only a greener option but also an economically competitive one.As cities and communities around the world grapple with the need for affordable housing while also addressing climate change, sustainable wood provides a promising solution. By scaling up the use of mass timber in mid- and high-rise buildings, the construction sector can reduce its reliance on carbon-heavy materials, sequester large amounts of carbon, and promote sustainable forest management practices. This integration of environmental, economic, and social benefits positions sustainable wood as a key player in the transition toward a low-carbon future.The Future of Sustainable Wood: Making Construction Faster and Greener Sustainable wood, especially when derived through the use of mass timber, offers a range of environmental, economic, and structural advantages over traditional building materials. From a structural standpoint, mass timber is both strong and lightweight, making it a highly versatile material. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing it to be used in large, multi-story buildings while reducing the overall load on foundations and minimizing transportation costs. Additionally, mass timber is more fire-resistant than many people realize; when exposed to fire, the outer layer of the wood chars and insulates the inner core, slowing down the spread of fire and maintaining the building's integrity for longer than some steel structures. This combination of strength, fire resistance, and flexibility gives mass timber a competitive edge in construction.Economically, sustainable wood offers cost-saving opportunities through faster construction times and less material waste. Mass timber panels can be prefabricated off-site, reducing the time spent on construction and the labor costs associated with traditional methods. This efficiency not only lowers the overall cost of building but also minimizes disruption in urban areas. Furthermore, the use of repurposed or recycled wood supports a circular economy, where resources are reused rather than discarded, reducing the environmental impact and fostering a more sustainable construction industry. As demand for sustainable and affordable housing rises, mass timber presents a compelling, eco-friendly alternative to conventional building practices.One of the most significant benefits is its ability to sequester carbon. Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it's used in construction. By utilizing wood in buildings, the carbon is locked away for the lifespan of the structure, helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, materials like concrete and steel release large amounts of carbon during their production, contributing to climate change. This makes mass timber a powerful tool in the fight against global warming, especially when paired with sustainable forestry practices.Sustainable Wood SkepticismDespite its many advantages, the use of sustainable wood and mass timber as a building material does have some drawbacks and criticisms. One primary concern is the reliance on sustainable forestry practices. If forests are not properly managed, large-scale timber harvesting can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. The success of mass timber as a climate solution depends on responsible sourcing, including replanting trees to maintain the carbon-absorbing benefits of forests. Unsustainable logging practices or overharvesting could negate the environmental benefits of mass timber by releasing more carbon into the atmosphere and harming ecosystems.Another challenge is the perception of wood's durability and fire safety. While mass timber is engineered to be fire-resistant, some critics remain concerned about its performance in large-scale buildings. Public perception and regulatory hurdles can be barriers to adoption, as many building codes and fire safety standards are based on traditional materials like concrete and steel. These regulations may need to be updated to reflect the true performance of mass timber, but in the meantime, they can slow down its widespread use in urban construction.Additionally, there are economic concerns, particularly regarding initial costs. While mass timber can reduce construction time and labor costs, the price of sustainably sourced wood can be higher than that of conventional materials, especially if demand outstrips supply. The infrastructure for large-scale mass timber production is still developing, and until it reaches full maturity, the material may remain more expensive and less accessible than concrete or steel, limiting its adoption in some markets. Over time, these challenges may be addressed, but they highlight the need for careful planning, regulation, and investment in the mass timber industry.Who is Our Guest?Dr. Paul Mayencourt is a researcher and educator at studying low-carbon design solutions in architecture. He does much of his work in the Wood Lab at the University of California, Berkeley between the Department of Architecture and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Dr. Mayencourt specializes in mass timber, structural design, and structural optimization. ResourcesUC Berkeley: Forest to frame: Paul Mayencourt bridges forest management and sustainable constructionAmerican Wood Council: Mass TimberUC Berkeley: Continuing Berkeley's legacy in forest productsVox: The hottest new thing in sustainable building is, uh, woodSeattle Business Magazine: Cross-laminated Timber: the Future of Building?Further ReadingUrban Machine: https://urbanmachine.build/Hardware to Save a Planet: Podcast with Co-Founder of Urban MachineWashington Post: Forget the log cabin. Wood buildings are climbing skyward — with pluses for the planet.Swedish Wood: A global solution for a locally active industryDalberg: A Forest Economy for the Future: Generating social and economic dividends from more sustainable, circular sourcesFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-wood-from-mass-timber-with-dr-paul-mayencourt/

How Climate Change Puts the Agriculture Industry at RiskSince the Industrial Revolution, our soils have lost between twenty and sixty percent of their carbon levels as a result of agricultural practice exacerbated by more common and more extreme droughts and floods resulting from climate change. Farmers have witnessed their crops endure mass devastation as a result of these unprecedented environmental disasters. Hence, the loss of carbon in soil threatens the stability of both the agriculture industry and global food security. Why Does Soil Need Carbon?Stable carbon storage in soil is crucial for healthy soil and supports resistance to climate vulnerability. But how? A 1% increase of carbon in soil equates to a two percent increase in its water-holding capacity, in turn creating more drought-resistant soil that can better weather extreme climate variability. By enhancing its water-holding capacity, as well as nutrient retention rates, stable carbon contributes to both the structure and function of soil. Consequently, soil health and productivity are contingent on soil's carbon content. By recognizing that stable carbon storage within their soil can lead to more nutrient-dense crops and bigger yields, farmers have a clear economic incentive to seek agricultural solutions that can reduce the current rate of carbon loss their crops are experiencing.The Future of Fungi: Building Resilient Soil EcosystemsBased in Orange, New South Wales, Australian biotech start-up Loam Bio has developed a new way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground. The solution, a microbial fungi-based seed treatment, is far less complex than one might initially think, simply requiring farmers to sprinkle the ground-up dust of fungal spores onto seeds actively used in their planting systems. As crops grow from those seeds, the fungal spores attach themselves to the roots. The tendrils of the fungus then extract the carbon that has been absorbed by the crop it latched onto.Plants, on their own, sequester carbon from the atmosphere—a process crucial to mitigating fossil fuel emissions. The microbial fungal treatment leverages that sequestration by reducing the plants' natural emissions of carbon. This particular type of microbial fungi, therefore, provides a level of protection against standard plant respiration, thereby reducing the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere and instead storing it in soil for a longer period than the natural carbon cycle. Loam Bio relies on a cross-disciplinary team ranging from geneticists to mycologists to plant physiologists to carbon methodology experts. For example, the fungi and other organisms involved in the treatment are pre-screened through a genetic selection process that evaluates whether they are safe to introduce to the agricultural landscape and can effectively interact with the herbicides and fertilizers that may be used in crop production. The success of the fungi, however, is ultimately dependent on the soil type and the climatic environment of the respective farm to which it is being applied via seed treatment. Soil Expert SkepticismWhile there is hope within the science community for the potential of the uptake of carbon in soil as a climate solution, some experts remain skeptical of whether the use of microbial fungi in field tests will translate to a meaningful impact on the carbon release of crops on operational farms.  Further testing and monitoring will be required for a full evaluation of the benefits and impacts.  The agriculture industry relies on intensive farming practices that are increasingly worsening soil erosion and overall decreasing the quality of farming soil, including depleting the soil's carbon content. Loam's Bio initiative provides one possible pathway to try and reverse this consequence of industrial farming. So far, Loam Bio has had some encouraging results, achieving soil carbon content levels of 6%—far surpassing the US average of 1-4%. This revolutionary treatment has the potential to transform soil into an invaluable carbon sink, even more than it is now.Who Is Our Guest?Tegan Nock is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Loam Bio. A sixth-generation farmer from central west New South Wales, Australia,  Nock combines her agricultural roots with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences from Charles Stuart University. In addition to her work at Loam Bio, Nock produced Grassroots: A Film About a Fungus, showcasing her passion for soil health and climate resilience. Featured in Netflix's Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Season 2, Episode 8: Eco-Innovators), Tegan shared insights on the seed treatment and the power of fungi to bolster stable carbon content in soil. Further Reading:Loam Bio: Carbon and Soil Health - Loam USSuccessful Farming: Loam Bio brings new carbon opportunities to the U.S.The New York Times: Can Dirt Clean the Climate?Interago: Why biostimulant seed treatments are better for regenerative farming » Interagro (UK) LtdCivil Eats: Fungi Are Helping Farmers Unlock the Secrets of Soil Carbon | Civil Eats For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/how-fungi-is-enhancing-soil-carbon-sequestration-underground-with-tegan-nock/

What is COF 999?UC Berkeley chemistry professor Dr. Omar Yaghi recently led a study which has the potential to be revolutionary in reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. “Covalent organic framework number 999,” or COF 999, is a yellow, powder-like material that has billions of tiny holes. Inside of these holes, researchers in Dr. Yaghi's lab have installed molecular units that can seek out carbon dioxide, enabling the substance to suck in and capture the carbon dioxide. COF 999 has a huge capacity for absorbing emissions; half a pound of the powder can absorb as much carbon dioxide as a tree captures in a year.The carbon dioxide problemThe quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached an all-time high, with a global average in 2023 of 419.3 parts per million. This immense amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes from a number of human sources, the most common of which is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, and contributes significantly to global warming and other environmental issues, including ocean acidification.Applying COF 999 In an interview with Forbes, Dr. Yaghi described the way he sees COF 999 being implemented as a solution. The powder can be made into pellets or a coating, and then integrated into facilities where flue gas –the gas that is released from industrial processes –is released. “This flue gas would pass through the material and because it just plucks out CO2, it cleans CO2 from that flue before it reaches the atmosphere.” According to the San Francisco Standard, Dr. Yaghi says that the powder “requires no energy, shows no signs of degradation even after 100 uses, and is made from inexpensive, commercially available materials.”  Another benefit is that the material only needs to be heated to 50 or 60 degrees Celsius, rather than to 120 like many other traditional materials necessary for carbon capture.In order to see significant change in the atmosphere's carbon dioxide concentration, we will need to couple preventing carbon dioxide emissions with direct air capture, which COF 999 can also do. According to Zihui Zhou, a UC Berkeley graduate student who worked in Dr. Yaghi's lab says, “Currently, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is more than 420 ppm, but that will increase to maybe 500 or 550 before we fully develop and employ flue gas capture. So if we want to decrease the concentration and go back to maybe 400 or 300 ppm, we have to use direct air capture.” It will take time, however, for scientists to be able to use COF 999 effectively. This is because the powder has not been tested in real-life scenarios, and therefore the costs and risks from the powder are largely unknown; for example, the powder might restrict air flow through filters when applied, reducing the practicality of the powder.  About our guestDr. Omar Yaghi is a professor of chemistry at the University of California Berkeley, and the Founding Director of the Berkeley Global Science Institute, whose mission is to build centers of research in developing countries and provide opportunities for young scholars to discover and learn. He is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences as well as the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. ResourcesClimate.gov: Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon DioxideForbes: This Powder Could Be A Gamechanger For Capturing CO2The San Francisco Standard: The new solution to climate change? A yellow powder you can hold in your fingersUC Berkeley News: Capturing carbon from the air just got easierSmithsonian Magazine: This New, Yellow Powder Quickly Pulls Carbon Dioxide From the Air, and Researchers Say ‘There's Nothing Like It'For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/cof-999-carbon-capture-with-dr-omar-yaghi/

What is mechanical textile recycling?Mechanical textile recycling is a process by which used textiles, particularly those made with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and linen, are broken down into their individual fibers and then spun into yarn or fabric for reuse in the production of new textiles.  Textile recycling has the potential to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with textile production.    Mechanical textile recycling involves a series of steps: It typically begins with the collection of used textiles, which are sorted according to their fiber type and quality.  Next, the textiles are cleaned and processed to remove impurities and contaminants such as buttons, zippers, and other non-textile materials.  Once the textiles have been cleaned and prepared, they are typically shredded or ground into small pieces. These pieces are then subjected to a series of mechanical processes—such as carding, combing, and drawing—to separate the fibers from one another.  The resulting fibers are then spun into new yarn or woven into new fabric. The new yarn or fabric can be used in a variety of products, such as clothing, linens, and industrial products, such as building insulation. Mechanical textile recycling could reduce demand for new clothing and other textiles, which could reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry.  The global fashion industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions: In 2018, it produced around 2.1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equaling between 4% and 10% of the global total—equal to or greater than the annual greenhouse gas emissions of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined.  About 70% of these emissions came from upstream activities such as textile production, preparation, and processing.  The remaining emissions came from downstream activities, including the disposal of textiles in landfills, where they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as they decompose. Mechanical textile recycling is a relatively new technology that faces certain technical and economic challenges, including limited ability to recycle synthetic fibers or fiber blends, and a lack of textile recycling infrastructure.  For now, according to CalRecycle, the best way to reduce the environmental impact of textiles is “by reducing the amount of textiles we purchase, use, and dispose.”   What does Material Return do, and who is Bobby Carswell?Material Return is a textile recycling cooperative based in Morgantown, North Carolina, that works with local manufacturers and national brands to transform textile waste into new products.  Material Return recently partnered with Smartwool, an American clothing producer, to collect 400,000 pairs of used socks to recycle them into yarn for use in new socks and other circular clothing products. Bobby Carswell is the research and development director at Material Return.    Sources:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8588244/https://calrecycle.ca.gov/reducewaste/textiles/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fmw8Ap7JAI0frmoXiZKR3_qeB1gWxDGp/viewhttps://textileexchange.org/climate+-dashboard/https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/fashion%20on%20climate/fashion-on-climate-full-report.pdfhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-12/fast-fashion-turning-parts-ghana-into-toxic-landfill/100358702https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/style/clothing-recycling.htmlhttps://www.thematerialreturn.com/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2022/05/12/400000-pairs-of-old-socks-will-be-spun-turned-into-recycled-yarn-by-material-return-smartwool-project/?sh=4ca5c2f95e9dhttps://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographic#:~:text=Textile%20production%20is%20estimated%20to,into%20the%20ocean%20a%20year. For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/bringing-local-textile-recyling-to-the-us-with-material-returns-bobby-carswell/

What is Community Choice Aggregation?Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a system that allows local governments to purchase power directly from an energy supplier other than the existing utility. This means that while the existing utility continues to deliver the power, the CCA buys and generates the power itself, potentially from renewable sources. CCAs continue to pay fees to the existing utility for energy transmission and backup power.        While not required, CCAs can set ambitious climate goals that exceed state-mandated targets and drive decarbonization efforts by investing in emerging clean energy technologies. CCAs can take risks to transform their energy sources and grid in ways that traditional investor-owned utilities may be reluctant to try. When successful, CCAs can reduce electric rates for consumers and drive investment in local energy programs. But CCAs without sufficient capital may face financial and operational challenges.    CCA programs are authorized in various states, including California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia. How does it work?In states with enabling legislation, local governments can create a CCA by holding public hearings and passing a law authorizing CCAs. Participation in CCAs is voluntary, with most programs having opt-out provisions. This means customers are automatically enrolled in the program unless they choose to opt out and continue receiving electricity from their current supplier. Some CCAs may have opt-in provisions, requiring customers to actively enroll in the program. Customers under CCAs continue to receive delivery and maintenance services from their existing utility and receive a single utility bill reflecting the change in electricity generation sources and prices.What are the pros and cons?Advantages of CCAs include the potential for retail electric rate reductions, the ability to shift to greener power resources quickly, local control over electricity generation aligned with local goals, expanded consumer choices, and the potential to stimulate local job creation and renewable energy development. However, there are also challenges associated with CCAs, including dependence on enabling state legislation, navigating CCA regulations and ordinances, administrative costs, consumer confusion over opt-in and opt-out clauses, and potential resistance from utilities in traditionally regulated electricity states facing new competition from CCAs.What is Central Coast Community Energy?Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a CCA program that has procured and provided electricity to residents and businesses in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara counties in California since 2018. It is governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency.3CE recently approved a contract to build the world's largest Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) facility, which will provide 500 megawatts of energy storage. 3CE will reserve 200 megawatts of that capacity to help achieve its goal of serving 100% clean and renewable energy to its customers in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara counties by 2030. The CAES technology uses underground caverns to store compressed air, which is later released to generate electricity, offering long-duration storage beyond the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries, and supporting grids reliant on intermittent renewable energy.Further ReadingEPA, Community Choice AggregationNational Renewable Energy Laboratory, Community Choice Aggregation: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impacts on Renewable Energy Markets (2019)CalCCA, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA): What is it?National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Helping Communities Reach Renewable Energy Goals (Mow 2017)Local Energy Aggregation Network (LEAN), CCA by StateMetropolitan Area Planning Council (Boston, MA), Start a Community Choice Aggregation Program (2014)National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Status and Trends in the Voluntary Market (2020 data), presentation materials (Heeter 2021)Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), 3CE to Purchase 200MW of Long Duration Energy Storage from Hydrostor (2023) For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/municipal-investment-in-clean-energy-tech-through-community-choice-aggregation-with-rob-shaw/

Climate Change and the Law of the SeaSea level rise due to climate change will directly impact at least 70 countries, many of them small, low-lying island nations. Though their contribution to climate change is very little, they face some of its worst consequences. This is not a new issue, and tension has been building since the late 1980s. In 1989, the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, issued an international declaration, the first of its kind, calling attention to sea level rise due to climate change, and how it impacts its land. Island states often have small land area, but, under international law, have jurisdiction over a larger area of their surrounding seas for economic purposes. What if an island loses territory due to sea level rise? If so, it could lose its economic zone. This is also a national security question; could another nation then legally take over this economic zone? Currently, the international law framework, called the Law of the Sea, does not answer these questions even though the  livelihoods of millions are at issue. A 2021 declaration by Pacific Island nations calls for maritime boundaries to stay where they are now regardless of sea level rise. However, this requires the endorsement of other nations. The United Nations, up until now, has paid comparatively little attention to this issue, but, through its study group on sea-level rise, the UN is aiming to engage non-low-lying island nations, and attempt to resolve these and other questions. Climate Refugees Need Protected Status Under the LawBy 2050, there could be 1.2 billion climate refugees, according to the international think tank International Environmental Partnership. But these refugees often do not fit the legal definition of “refugee”, including individuals displaced in the United States. Becoming a “refugee” under the law confers special status; it protects from deportation, for example. In 2013, a man from Kiribati, a country undergoing severe sea level rise, applied for refugee status as a “climate refugee” in New Zealand. His application was denied, and he was repatriated to Kiribati. The man subsequently filed a complaint with the UN Convent of Civil Liberties, claiming his right to life had been violated. The man lost his case, because his life was not found to be under immediate danger. However, the wording of the UN's ruling in the case asserts that those fleeing a climate crisis cannot be sent home, thereby creating a non-binding international construct. This case illustrates some of the complexities raised by climate refugees and how they are currently viewed in many of the world's legal systems.  Sea level rise is not only an issue of the future but already an issue of the present. Who is Dr. Nilufer Oral?Dr. Nilufer Oral is director at the Center for International Law at the National University of Singapore. She is also a member of the International Law Commission at the United Nations and co-chair of the study group at the UN on sea level rise in relation to international law. Read MoreSink or swim: Can island states survive the climate crisis? | | UN NewsStatement by Ms. Nilüfer Oral, Co-Chairs of the Study Group on Sea level rise -- Interaction with members of the ILC 2020Nilufer Oral--COP 26International Law as an Adaptation Measure to Sea-level Rise and Its Impacts on Islands and Offshore Features | Request PDF For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/adapting-ocean-governance-for-a-world-of-rising-seas-with-dr-nilufar-oral/

Food Waste is a Global Problem with a Big Carbon FootprintOne-third of all food produced is wasted every year – approximately 1.3 billion tons. The UN Environment Program estimates that 3.3 billion tons of CO2 are emitted annually from the resources used to produce wasted food. In the United States alone, 133 billion pounds of edible food, valued at $161 billion, is wasted every year. Replate's SolutionEnter Replate: a technology-based nonprofit that works to reduce food insecurity and waste while mitigating food waste´s effects on climate change. The organization provides a solution for businesses to donate surplus food to nearby nonprofits operating throughout the United States and the Middle East. Replate's services are designed to prevent such food waste through source reduction and donating meals to communities experiencing food insecurity. Its algorithm connects donor organizations to nonprofits, diverting food from landfills while increasing food access. How Replate WorksTheir organization operates through a web app. Donors can schedule pick-up services, then track the environmental and social impact of their donations. Nonprofits can sign up to receive donations using an online form. Replate then works to understand these organizations' capacity and food needs before drop off. Replate works with hundreds of corporations including Netflix, Boston Consulting Group, Whole Foods, Chipotle, Walmart, and more to match businesses with communities in need. Since its founding, Replate has recovered over 3.6 million pounds of food, delivered over three million meals, and served 301 nonprofits. It estimates that to date the program has saved 985 million gallons of water and diverted 3,686 tons of carbon emissions.Connections to California Composting GoalsAs organic material like food and agricultural waste decomposes, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas eighty-four times more potent than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over a 20-year period. Enacted in January 2022, California's Short-Lived Pollutant Reduction law SB-1383 targets is trying to address methane emissions due to organic waste. SB-1383 is expected to reduce California's methane emissions from organic materials in traditional landfills by an estimated twenty percent. As part of the law, large food service providers, distributors, and industries falling under the Tier 1 category—food service providers, food distributors, wholesale food vendors, supermarkets and grocery stores over 10,000 square feet—are required to reduce their organic waste material disposal. Platforms like Replate can help businesses reduce their food waste and comply with SB-1383. Maen Mahfoud is the founder and CEO of Replate. Witnessing the alarming levels of food insecurity, and enormous amounts of food waste in the Bay Area, his knowledge of the massive effects of food waste on our planet motivated Mahfoud to launch Replate in 2016. Maen is a DRK entrepreneur, a 2023 recipient of the James Irvine Foundation Leadership, and was sponsored by Harvard Business School's Executive Program. Mahfoud holds a Master's in Public Health from Imperial College London, a degree in Molecular Biology from UC Berkeley, and a Human-Computer Interaction for User Experience Design Certificate from MIT.  For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/optimizing-food-waste-recovery-through-algorithms-with-maen-mahfoud/

Steel ProductionGlobally, 1.9 billion metric tons of crude steel were produced in 2022. Over the past 15 years, the global demand for steel production has nearly doubled, as this versatile product can be found in nearly all modern infrastructure such as buildings, ships, vehicles, machines, and appliances. Conventionally, steel is made from iron ore (the world's third most produced commodity by volume), which is a compound derived from iron, oxygen, and other minerals. Through a blast or electric furnace, in which electricity is used to create high-temperature environments to melt the reactants, the final product of steel is generated following a molting refining process. Unfortunately, steel production is extremely energy-intensive and accelerates air pollution through the release of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. On average, 1.83 tons of CO2 is emitted for every ton of steel that is produced. Steel production accounts for nearly 7-11% of total global greenhouse gas emissions emitted annually. Steel production not only has harmful environmental impacts, but can negatively impact human health leading to respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and cancer. What is Green Steel?To mitigate the harmful environmental and health effects of conventional steel production, many researchers  are working on green steel as an alternative. Green steel is a form of steel production that is powered by hydrogen or renewable energy, which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and minimize waste. Green steel can be accomplished through various methods, whether by reducing carbon-based agents, moving from blast to electric furnaces, or decreasing reliance on fossil-fuel based inputs. In traditional steel production, CO2 emissions generally arise from the use of coal and coke to remove oxygen from iron ore. Green steel utilizes hydrogen rather than coal or coke. When burned, hydrogen emits only water, so this phase of manufacturing is free of carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, water is the only byproduct which can then be used to produce more hydrogen, forming a closed loop system. Throughout production, green steel utilizes either wind, solar or hydro to power the furnaces instead of fossil power. Scrap materials of used steel can also be utilized, reducing the need for extracting additional primary materials. The Future of Green SteelGreen steel production is on the forefront of innovative design in equipping regions like the Rust Belt with strategies to significantly revitalize their current operations. Last March the Biden-Harris Administration announced a $6 billion funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate decarbonization projects in energy-intensive industries like steel production. Such  investments aim to spearhead the transition to renewable energy sources, focus on investment in new carbon technologies, enable markets to build cleaner products, and benefit local communities. Additionally, a transition to hydrogen-based electric manufacturing could increase jobs in the steel and energy industries by 43 percent. Overall, green steel can conserve resources, promote economic growth, and assist in decarbonization. Scaling Up the Technology is Proving TroublesomeSteel has posed to be one of the most challenging industries to decarbonize. On a large scale, clean hydrogen production will require billions of dollars in investment to achieve a full transition. Currently, the cost of production of green steel is higher than conventional steel due to the high investment and electricity costs required. Labor, finance, and advanced technology will be essential in scaling up green steel production.About the Guest Adam Rauwerdink is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Boston Metal, a Massachusetts based start-up working towards decarbonizing steelmaking and advancing efficient, sustainable metal production. Boston Metal utilizes Molten Oxide Electrolysis, a technology platform powered by electricity. In order to effectively scale up green steel production.ResourcesBoston Metal website​​Decarbonising the steel industry with new fossil-free production methods (AFRY AB, 2024)Environmental impact of steel production (TheWorldCounts, 2024)Mozaffari et al., Effects of occupational exposures on respiratory health in steel factory workers (Frontiers in Public Health, 2023)Myers, Steel built the Rust Belt. Green steel could help rebuild it. (Grist, 2023)Steel: Definition, Composition, Types, Properties, and Applications (Xometry, 2023)Rossi, The Race to Produce Green Steel (Undark, 2022)For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/advancing-sustainable-steel-production-with-adam-rauwerdink/

Mobilizing Investors to Build a More Sustainable Global EconomyAs 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 them For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-investing-for-a-climate-proof-economy-with-kirsten-spalding/

What is carbon mineralization?As defined by the U.S. Geological Survey, “carbon mineralization is the process by which carbon dioxide becomes a solid mineral, such as a carbonate…The biggest advantage of carbon mineralization is that the carbon cannot escape back to the atmosphere.” This generally occurs by injecting carbon dioxide underground into certain rock formations so the carbon dioxide takes on a solid form: trapped and unable to reach the atmosphere. How does carbon mineralization work?Two of the main methods in which carbon mineralization occurs are ex-situ carbon mineralization and in-situ carbon mineralization. With ex-situ carbon mineralization, carbon dioxide solids are transported to a site to react with fluids—like water—and gas. In-situ carbon mineralization is the opposite—fluids containing carbon dioxide are funneled through rock formations in which it solidifies. Both of these methods result in carbon dioxide trapped in a solidified form. In a third method of carbon mineralization, surificial mineralization, carbon dioxide reacts with alkaline substances—such as mine tailings, smelter slags, or sedimentary formations—which result in the carbon dioxide taking on a solidified form. In the case of in-situ carbon mineralization or surificial mineralization, carbon dioxide can react with surface water rather than an artificial fluid, replicating natural processes of carbon mineralization.Currently, the biggest drawbacks and barriers preventing carbon mineralization from taking hold as a major climate solution lie in cost and research uncertainties regarding environmental risks. In terms of cost, the price for carbon mineralization is high: 5 million dollars per well to inject carbon dioxide into rock formations. Further, the risks for groundwater and its susceptibility to contamination through this method is unknown, and the potential side effects of contaminating water formations could be devastating for ecological communities which thrive off of these water systems.Who is our guest?Dr. Rob Jackson is a professor and senior research fellow at Stanford University, and author of Into the Clear Blue Sky, a novel on climate solutions. His lab focuses on using scientific knowledge to shape climate policies and reduce the environmental footprint of human activities. Currently, he chairs the Global Carbon Project, an effort to measure and control greenhouse gas emissions.ResourcesUSGS: U.S. Geological SurveyScienceDirect: A holistic overview of the in-situ and ex-situ carbon mineralization: Methods, mechanisms, and technical challengesNational Center for Biotechnology Information: Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda.Frontiers: An Overview of the Status and Challenges of CO2 Storage in Minerals and Geological FormationsFurther ReadingThe New York Times: How Oman's Rocks Could Help Save the PlanetClimate Break: Rerun: Using Concrete for Carbon Removal with Dr. Erica DoddsFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/carbon-capture-mineralization-with-dr-rob-jackson/

Methane in the Atmosphere: A Serious RiskMany of the solutions we often hear about when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions revolve around reducing carbon emissions, as carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. Methane, however, is the second most common greenhouse gas, emitted through agricultural practices, landfill waste, coal mining, and oil and gas operations. While methane generally receives less attention than carbon dioxide when it comes to climate solutions, recent studies have shown that it is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, methane has a global warming potential 28-34 times higher than CO2 upon emission, which increases to 84-86 times over a 20-year period. How does methane enter our skies?The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past century. Both everyday infrastructure in older cities and major leaks at oil and gas fields add to the quantity of methane into the atmosphere. As for the source of these leaks, they are largely caused by equipment failures or faulty pipes and vessels. 2,595 gas incidents have been reported in the US from 2010 to 2021, adding up to 26.6 billion cubic feet of methane gas emitted. Methane impacts both the climate system and public health; breathing methane can cause damaged airways, lung diseases, asthma attacks, increased rates of preterm birth, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and heightened stroke risk.  What can we do?Mining operations can be improved to reduce methane leaks and oil and gas operations can greatly reduce emissions throughout the system. As our tools of measurement and technology improve, the world has realized the greater need to attack methane emissions, which led to the Global Methane Pledge in 2021. In this pledge, 158 countries and the EU pledged to make a distinct effort to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. Part of reducing methane emissions involves switching from fossil fuels to electricity generated from renewable sources.  According to Environmental specialist and Stanford professor Dr. Rob Jackson, our skies will become cleaner once we switch to cleaner, electrical energy sources, including electric heat pumps to cool and heat our homes, electric water heaters, and especially electric stoves. According to the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, methane emissions from gas stoves in America—when scaled to the 20-year global warming potential of the gas—were “comparable to the carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 500,000 gas-powered cars.” Health-wise, a study conducted by Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability and PSE Healthy Energy found that “children who live in homes with gas stoves had a 24% higher risk of lifetime asthma and a 42% increased risk of having asthma currently.” Dr. Jackson says that making the switch to induction stoves is not only energetically cleaner and prevents the likelihood of gas leaks, but it also prevents us from being exposed to toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and benzene gasses that come from gas stoves.Some potential drawbacks: the cost of electricityWhile induction stoves and a cleaner, electrical society sounds optimal, there are some challenges and barriers to making this a reality. First of all, not every person can afford to implement an induction stove and replace their functioning gas stove, as home renovations, rewirings, and big purchases such as a new stove cost a great deal of money. In this way, income inequality plays a major role in the way climate change impacts different people in society. Dr. Jackson uses the example of a person living in a lower-income community; surrounded by older, poorly-maintained appliances, people in these types of homes often breathe dirtier air indoors than outdoors. This is why Dr. Jackson proposes that the shift to clean energy be gradual; fueled by regulations and government support. Without social support, equal access to cleaner energy cannot be achieved.In terms of major gas leaks, change is hard to make as an individual. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the best thing we can do is to fight for national policy to repair and prevent leaks wherever they occur: whether at mining facilities or under our sidewalks. This is a difficult task, as all individuals can do is push for political action, however agreements such as the Global Methane Pledge seem to be steps in the right direction.Who is our guest?Dr. Rob Jackson is a professor and senior research fellow at Stanford University, and author of Into the Clear Blue Sky, a novel on climate solutions. His lab focuses on using scientific knowledge to shape climate policies and reduce the environmental footprint of human activities. Currently, he chairs the Global Carbon Project, an effort to measure and control greenhouse gas emissions.ResourcesUS Environmental Protection Agency: Overview of Greenhouse GasesUNECE: The ChallengeMIT Technology Review: Methane leaks in the US are worse than we thoughtPIRG: Methane Gas LeaksEnvironmental Defense Fund: How Methane Impacts HealthGlobal Methane Pledge: About the Global Methane PledgeJournal of Environmental Science and Technology: Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential HomesAmerican Chemical Society Publications: Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air PollutionEnvironmental Defense Fund: How to stop natural gas leaksFurther ReadingThe New York Times: Did I Turn Off the Stove? Yes, but Maybe Not the GasFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/identifying-and-fixing-natural-gas-leaks-in-cities-with-dr-rob-jackson/

Impacts of Heat Waves on Human HealthAcross the United States, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves. A heat wave is defined as a persistent period of high temperature days. Although unusually hot days are a natural part of day-to-day variations in weather, heat waves are becoming more common alongside the rapidly accelerating climate crisis. In major cities across the country, the number of heat waves has increased steadily, from two heat waves per year in the 1960s to six per year into the 2010s and 2020s. In the 1960s, the average heat wave was 2.0 degrees above the local 85th percentile threshold, while the average heat wave during the 2020s has been 2.5 degrees above the local threshold. Approximately 210 million Americans, or two thirds of the population, live in counties vulnerable to health threats from high temperatures. As temperatures increase, the number of heat-related illnesses, emergency room visits, and deaths simultaneously increase. As we head further into the 21st century, adaptive measures to protect human health from the effects of extreme heat waves will be necessary in the face of rising climate risk.Protecting yourself during extreme heatOver the past three decades, heat waves have been the leading cause of weather-related fatalities across the nation. In addition to rising heat-related illnesses and deaths, extreme heat can also worsen health outcomes from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and acute kidney injury. Extreme temperatures compromise the body's ability to regulate its internal temperature, resulting in illness, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia. Individuals living in densely populated cities are extremely vulnerable to the urban heat island effect, which exacerbates high heat temperatures as man made surfaces absorb sunlight during the day and radiate the stored energy at night as heat. Children, the elderly, people experiencing homelessness, low-income communities and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at the greatest risk to the adverse effects of extreme heat. As temperatures continue to rise, it is necessary that individuals take on adaptive measures to protect themselves from the health risks posed by extreme heat. Action can be taken on both a policy and an individual level. Local governments can take steps to help residents reduce their vulnerability to heat through heat management plans and vulnerability assessments. For example, officials can create early warning systems and urban cooling centers for individuals to find refuge. On an individual scale, when you need to go outside, taking preventive measures such as sun protection, hats, and umbrellas is vital to stay cool. Trying to stay inside as much as possible and finding refuge from the heat will help one avoid the risks of heatstroke. More educational initiatives will be vital in informing individuals on risk factors, symptoms, and treatment steps to keep people safe and informed.Benefits of protecting oneself during extreme heat During periods of extreme heat, it is important to take proper care of yourself in order to mitigate the health effects that result from high temperatures such as dehydration, heat stroke, exhaustion, and slowed cognitive function. Taking extreme heat seriously is vital, as the effects of extreme temperatures can be as serious as sudden events like heart attack or stroke. Prolonged periods of heat and humidity make your body work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, so taking such precautions is necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones. As extreme heat-related weather events become more common, becoming accustomed to the ways you can keep yourself safe is imperative in a warming world.More progress can be madeIf we fail to take adaptation measures on both an individual and policy level, we will be unprepared to respond to the impacts of extreme heat. As extreme heat rises in prevalence, more awareness on the ways to respond to increasingly high temperatures can help individuals adapt to such events. Currently, heat is already the weather phenomenon that kills the most people in the United States, so taking care of yourself, family, and neighbors during heat waves is essential to saving lives. For residents who do not have the resources or cooling systems in place to seek protection during a heat wave, the use of cooling centers in cities can provide short-term relief. Important to note, however, is that the increased use of cooling systems will heighten electricity costs due to increasing demand, thereby generating more greenhouse gas emissions from rising power generation. If leaks are to occur, concerns can also arise around the potential release of potent refrigerant gasses, which worsen climate change and damage the ozone layer. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle in that air conditioning is used to treat extreme temperatures, but effectively worsens the climate crisis in doing so. More innovative solutions will be necessary to curtail emissions while keeping individuals safe. Beyond individual actions during times of crisis, cities also need to help their residents respond to rising temperatures in the long-term by redesigning public spaces, planting trees to provide cooling, painting rooftops white to repel sunlight, and incorporating new cooling technologies in buildings and homes. About our guestDr. David Sklar is an Assistant Dean at the Arizona State University School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, is a Professor at the ASU College of Health Solutions and works as an emergency physician. Former Editor in Chief of Academic Medicine, Dr. Sklar now works as a senior advisor in health policy and health professions education at ASU Health. Dr. Sklar works to increase awareness on mitigative steps individuals can take to decrease their health risks from extreme heat events.ResourcesIndiana University: Adaptation strategies for extreme heat and public healthNRDC: Climate Change and Health: Extreme HeatEPA: Climate Change Indicators: Heat WavesWHO: Heat and HealthNIH: Temperature-related Death and IllnessFurther ReadingPenn State: Climate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humansArch Daily:How to Adapt Cities to Extreme HeatWhite House: Planning Tools for Combatting Extreme HeatFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/staying-safe-in-extreme-heat-with-dr-david-sklar/

The Current State of US Energy ConsumptionThe United States consumes vast amounts of energy and spends enormous amounts of money every year to fuel our economy, business, and lifestyle. The US accounts for 4% of the world's population, yet uses 16% of the world's total energy. The production and consumption of energy are major drivers of global climate change, hazardous air pollution, habitat destruction, and acid rain. In 2022, US consumers spent $1.7 trillion on energy, amounting to around 6.7% of GDP. Annual energy costs were $5,159 per person in 2022, a 30% increase from 2021. In order to mitigate the large-scale impacts of excessive energy consumption, policymakers are calling for an urgent restructuring of the energy system through increasing efficiency. Energy efficiency is the use of less energy to perform the same task or result, often being achieved through more efficient heating and cooling systems, manufacturing facilities, and appliances and electronics. Simply, energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy required to provide products and services. Many lower-income households are burdened by rising electricity costs and increasing risks from extreme weather events but do not have the resources to fund energy-efficient systems in their homes. To address this disparity, new energy efficiency standards for affordable housing are being developed in order to lower costs and improve climate resilience for households unable to afford high energy prices.Current Initiatives in the USThe Biden Administration has taken a lead in issuing new minimum energy standards for homes built with federal dollars in an attempt to save costs for renters and homeowners. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the USDA announced the adoption of the Minimum Energy Standards for new single and multi-family homes. The standards are expected to decrease cost expenditures for residents, reduce energy use and pollution, improve resident health, and increase resilience in extreme weather events. The adoption of such energy standards will incorporate cost-saving insulation, air sealing, and efficient windows, lighting, heating and cooling systems in HUD and USDA supported properties to decrease energy bills for families. It is projected that energy efficiency improvements of 37% will decrease energy costs by more than $950 a year for homeowners. Overall, minimum energy standards are projected to expand housing affordability, minimize health risks, and improve resilience of homes during extreme weather.Advantages of energy efficiency standardsEnergy efficiency can increase affordability and reliability for homeowners by reducing total energy demand and peak electricity demand. Peak electricity demand is the highest demand for electricity at any one point in time, which utilities are required to have the capacity to meet. Peak demand is driven by patterns of energy use in the market, with most production occurring in the afternoons. Energy efficiency programs utilize a demand-side management (DSM) strategy to reduce energy demand specifically during these high-volume, peak hours. For homeowners, energy efficiency improvements are cost-effective as they can lower utility bills by reducing the amount of power needed. Further, energy efficiency can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and enable the growth of renewable energy, thereby decreasing GHG emissions. Updated minimum energy standards are expected to reduce 6.35 million metric tons in carbon emissions over the next three decades, generating an annual cost savings of $13.9 million. Energy efficiency also spurs the creation of new jobs in research, production, installation, and sales. In 2022, more than 2.1 million Americans worked in energy efficiency, with this only growing as we transition to a greener economy. There are many social, economic, and environmental advantages that come alongside transitioning towards an energy-efficient economy,Drawbacks in achieving energy efficiency Although there are many advantages to achieving energy efficiency, there exists roadblocks in achieving the current goals being set. First, innovative technologies rely upon very specialized knowledge, requiring expert research in the field. As well, a large concern in the development of these technologies are the significant upfront costs, through initially high levels of investment in research and development. For projects that are just starting up, it can be difficult to secure funding, potentially leading businesses to solely focus on short-term goals. On the consumer side, there may be a lack of acceptance or awareness of these new technologies prohibiting their take up in the market. To achieve universal acceptance, technologies must attain the energy savings and functionality that consumers expect. Scaling up these technologies can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring complex supply chain logistics, techniques, and manufacturing. Government policies, such as the new energy efficiency standards for lower-income households, will be vital in encouraging innovation and investment to accelerate this transition.Who is our guest?Mark Kresowik, Senior Policy Director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, is a strong advocate for centering marginalized communities in policies that work to improve energy efficiency. Mark works to shape local, state, utility, and federal-level policies across the country. ResourcesUSAID: From the American People, Energy Efficiency BasicsOffice of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Energy Efficiency: Buildings and IndustryCase Western Reserve University: Energy-Efficient Building Technologies: Challenges and OpportunitiesNatural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Lora Shinn, Energy Efficiency: The Clean FactsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: New Update: HUD and USDA Announce Adoption of Minimum Energy Standards that will Lower Monthly Costs for Homeowners and RentersCenter for Sustainable Systems: U.S. Energy System Factsheet (University of Michigan)Further ReadingU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Minimum Energy StandardsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Minimum Energy Standards FAQsUS Housing Consultants: HUD and USDA Announce Adoption Cost-Lowering Minimum Energy StandardsFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/standardizing-energy-efficiency-with-mark-kresowik/.

Staying Educated About Climate ChangeAs climate change intensifies, the heightened frequency of natural disaster weather-related events is quickly becoming the new reality. Whether it be prolonged wildfire seasons in Northern California or destructive hurricanes off the Florida coast, citizens across the country are beginning to bear the burden of a changing climate. For those of us yet to experience the full force of such events, our primary means of gathering information on natural disasters is through the media. Without the media's coverage of extreme climatic events, it is difficult for people not directly impacted to be fully aware of the dangers of a changing climate. While climate change impacts more people every year, severe impacts still feel like an abstract, distant concern that may never affect them personally. In order to reframe this perception, climate storytelling, which includes steps for action and recovery, is becoming foundational towards building empathy in the wake of the climate crisis.What is Climate Journalism?Climate journalism, the process of collecting and distributing accurate information on extreme weather events and climate change-related impacts, has been an essential element for informing the public about the effects of a changing climate. Following Al Gore's 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, climate journalism increased by 1,000 percent in the media from the year 2000. This increase in viewership is most likely attributed to the rise of ethical concerns relating to the climate crisis as more people began to suffer the effects of natural disasters. The majority of Americans, approximately 54%, now identify climate change as a major threat to the country's well-being. Media Matters found that news and morning shows such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox spent a total of around 23 hours discussing climate change in their annual 2022 reporting. Unfortunately, climate coverage still only accounts for around 1% of corporate broadcasting, even though the climate crisis is rapidly worsening.Keeping the Public Aware and PreparedClimate journalism not only raises awareness for the public, but can provide steps for change in combating one of the most pressing issues of our time. People need accurate information in order to make informed decisions. Strong, reliable reporting can provide citizens and policymakers the information needed to prepare for and adapt to the potential impacts climate change brings. Climate journalism can offer hope to the public, providing people with the voice and power to make a difference. By including climate change in the media, people can begin to see the incoming reality of this crisis, inspiring citizens to take action.The Struggles of Climate CoverageUnfortunately, there remain many obstacles that hold back media organizations from prioritizing climate coverage. Climate-related disasters can be hard to access, difficult to watch, and politically polarizing. Media outlets may struggle to gain large viewership, deterring them from covering climate events. Further, the various approaches to climate journalism can create discrepancies in the type of media coverage disseminated. For example, should climate topics be covered locally or nationally? What solutions should climate journalism focus on? Such a broad scope may distract from the realities currently being faced. Unfortunately, media coverage of environmental issues still only occupies a very small proportion of total media. There remains a need for increased resources, strategies, and investment in climate and environmental journalism. Further, many major news outlets publish misleading promotional content for fossil fuel corporations, greatly impacting the opinions of viewers on such controversial issues. There are, of course, many examples of excellent climate change coverage.  Our modest effort at Climate Break, as a small example, focusing on climate solutions and the wide variety of actions and initiatives being developed around the world, is designed to provide quick insights into climate solutions.  Who is Jonathan Vigliotti?Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News correspondent, is just one example of the many climate journalists directly involved in the movement to inform the public on the effects of climate change. Vigliotti's work as an environmental journalist has taken him to over forty countries and territories across six continents. Author of Before It's Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America, provides personal insights into the everyday lives of Americans affected by climate change, presenting a compelling argument for the urgency of taking action now. Vigliotti believes that climate journalism has the power to spark change through the use of accurate, inspiring, and thought-provoking reporting. Further ReadingShäfer & Painter, Climate journalism in a changing media ecosystem: Assessing the production of climate change-related news around the world (WIREs Climate Change 2020)MacDonald, How broadcast TV networks covered climate change in 2022 (Media Matters)Tyson et al., What the data says about Americans' views of climate change (Pew Research Center, 2023)BBC, Why climate change should be at the heart of modern journalism (2023) For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-climate-journalism-to-connect-weather-events-and-climate-with-jonathan-vigliotti/

What are “Resilience Hotspots”?Technology and high-tech solutions are not the only responses to climate change. Nature can also be a powerful form of climate resilience. Resilience hotspots are small pockets of nature that, when restored and maintained, act as barriers to climate impacts. For instance, wetlands can insulate shores from storm surges and trees can provide shade in urban heat islands. In this way, climate adaptation can go hand-in-hand with integrating nature into our cities. The Science of Nature-Based SolutionsWhile many natural areas can have climate benefits, wetlands and urban green spaces are particularly significant ecosystems in terms of climate adaptation. How do these natural protections from climate change work in the first place? Wetlands are areas where the soil is saturated with water either seasonally or year-round. They often provide crucial protection from the heavy rainfall and storms, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Acting as a sort of sponge, wetlands have the ability to absorb and temporarily store the excess water from these events. When a storm hits, wetlands are a “speed bump” to floodwaters, slowing and holding back storm surge and flooding that otherwise  causes damage to nearby cities and towns. According to NOAA, such protection by wetlands saves US coastal communities a whopping $23 billion a year. In many areas of the US, wetlands have been degraded by nearby urbanization or drained for development, leaving these areas more vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. As a result, restoring wetlands has become a priority as a strategy to increase climate resilience in these areas.Urban green spaces protect against a different climate impact: extreme heat. Because urban surfaces tend to be densely covered in heat-absorbing materials like asphalt or concrete, cities absorb a greater proportion of heat from the sun's rays. This, combined with greater concentrations of greenhouse gasses in cities, leads to a situation where cities can be up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than nearby green spaces, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. With the temperature increases associated with climate change, the heat island effect poses great risks for heat-related illness and death. Urban green spaces break up the dense cover of manmade material with parks, green roofs, and shade-providing trees, creating natural areas that reflect sunlight, take up greenhouse gas emissions and provide aesthetic and mental health benefits. How to Build Resilience HotspotsSo how can we implement these nature-based climate solutions into our cities? The resilience hotspots approach uses a patchwork of crucial sites integrated into towns and communities. By focusing on places with great potential to mitigate climate damage, this approach promotes the benefits of nature-based solutions while working with the existing urban infrastructure. In the San Francisco Bay Area of California, for example, existing wetlands have the potential to store water and reduce storm surge during storm events if they are enhanced, thereby protecting a great number of low-lying urban places. Greenbelt Alliance has identified eighteen key areas across the Bay Area that have great natural potential to mitigate climate damages and are located in or near communities that will bear greater impacts from climate change. Working with community partners, they plan and implement restoration projects that enhance the ecosystem and increase resilience.  Equity also plays an important role in designing resilience hotspots. A process that involves community organizations in the restoration of their environment integrates local expertise and insights and can promote equitable outcomes. By combining science and equity, restoration, equity and resilience can operate collectively. Resilience hotspots can be a natural tool for mitigating climate damages and for advancing climate justice.About our Guest Sadie Wilson is the Director of Planning and Research at Greenbelt Alliance, where she manages resilience hotspots work and advocates for climate smart planning and policy. During her Masters in City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley, she contributed to research at many Bay-Area focused institutions including the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, The Center for Cities and Schools, and The Terner Center. Further ReadingGreenbelt Alliance, About the Resilience HotspotsNOAA, Coastal Wetland BenefitsCBS News, Quick Explainer on Urban Heat IslandsEPA, How Inequity affects Heat IslandsQuaranta, Dorati & Pistocchi, Economic Benefits of Urban Greening (Scientific Reports, 2021)Greenbelt Alliance, Read some of Sadie's work For a full transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/resilience-hotspots-natures-role-in-urban-climate-adaptation/

Induction-Range Stoves:Gas stoves have recently been in the news as a source of harmful pollutants in the home and generators of greenhouse gas. The adoption of energy-efficient induction-range stovetops could offer a solution. Induction cooktops use electromagnetism to generate heat from directly within cookware, preventing the levels of energy loss seen in conventional gas or electric cooktops. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is not coming for anybody's gas stove, despite a recent frenzy over concerns of bans on gas stovetops, so cooks around the country can pick the stove tops of their choosing. But as a handful of journalists have pointed out, the notion that gas stove tops are better for cooking than electric, really a matter of opinion, could have something to do with advertising investments by the American Gas Association. In fact, many chefs actually prefer induction cooktops to gas, and their environmental benefits are substantial. Induction stoves contain an electromagnetic coil that generates a magnetic field when turned on. That magnetic field creates metallic resistance from compatible cookware, generating heat from within itself. Conversely, conventional gas and electric stoves transfer heat to pots and pans through a flame or electric coil. In that heat transfer, energy is lost. Induction has an energy efficiency of 85%. Electric stoves and gas stoves are 75-80% and 32% energy efficient, respectively, making gas the least energy efficient stove type. Across the United States, only about 32% of households use gas ranges, but in some states, like California, the number is closer to 70%. Energy Star estimates that a widespread shift to induction ranges would collectively save the United States over $125 million in energy costs and over 1000 GWh of energy.Plug-in Induction-Range Stoves:While Induction stoves are highly energy efficient, and can save consumers money on their energy bills, the upfront cost can be significant. According to Consumer Reports, a typical induction stove can range from roughly $1000 to $4000. Their installation can sometimes require upgrades to the home's electrical wiring, which can add additional cost and complicates the process. Battery-powered induction-ranges like those in production by Channing Street Copper Company can be plugged in directly to standard electrical outlets. Plug-ins remove the complication of updating electrical panels or installing special high-voltage outlets, but they can be more expensive, costing consumers roughly $6000. However, a purchase of a standard induction or plug-in induction range may qualify consumers for rebates at federal and local levels. Sam Calisch is an engineer and scientist working on decarbonization and electrification. He is the co-founder of Channing Street Copper, where he leads technology development. For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/an-induction-range-no-rewiring-required/

Climate Change and Anxiety: Some Data Climate or “eco” anxiety refers to people feeling distressed about climate change and its impacts on our ecosystems, the environment, and human health and well-being. It is rooted in a deep existential dread concerning the future of the planet. Symptoms include feelings of grief, loss, anger, sadness, and guilt, which in turn can cause jitteriness, nervousness, increased heart rate, shallow breathing, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, or insomnia due to worry or concern about the effects of climate change. According to Grist, Google searches for “climate anxiety” soared by 565 percent in 2021. And according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, an all-time high of 70 percent of Americans express worry about climate change. In September 2021, the largest study of its kind found that the climate crisis was causing widespread psychological distress for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 across 42 countries from both the global North and South. Over 45 percent of teens and young adults said that climate anxiety was affecting their daily lives and ability to function; 56 percent said they thought that "humanity is doomed" and nearly 4 in 10 said that they were hesitant to have children because of climate change. From Solastalgia to Soliphilia: how Native American Ecology can lead the wayThe steps people must take to address their climate anxiety depends on each individual, as people are affected by climate change in different ways. For example, some people have lost homes or even loved ones, while many others have witnessed these catastrophic events unfold on their phone screens.Dr. Melinda Adams describes this trauma as “solastalgia,” originally coined by Australian philosopher Glen Albrecht to describe the distress caused by the destruction or loss of one's home environment. This concept helps people to understand and express the “psychoterratic,” or the relationship between human mental health and the earth's own well-being. Many have taken legal and political action to deal with their solastalgia. For example, last year Montana youths sued the state for its failure to recognize that approving fossil fuel projects was unconstitutional without further review of the impacts to the climate. Others have drastically altered their lifestyles, opting instead to practice underconsumption to limit their personal contributions to the changing climate. Dr. Adams has another solution, reminding those who suffer that the definition of solastalgia also includes hope. Hope can lead us either into action or ecoparalysis. It is within this framework that Dr. Adams introduces Native American cultural burnings as a way to achieve soliphilia, “the political affiliation or solidarity needed between us all to be responsible for a place, bioregion, planet, and the unity of interrelated interests within it.'' Cultural fires or “good fires,” which involve lighting low-intensity fires to heal the surrounding ecosystem, can exemplify this step. Not only do these fires restore degraded soils, decrease vegetation or fuel overgrowth, encourage re-vegetation and biodiversity, but they also deepen the spiritual ties people have to the land they inhabit. Fire therefore has a regenerative power, both spiritually and ecologically, as participants share stories and strengthen communal and spiritual bonds with one another during these ceremonial burnings. As a member of the N'dee San Carlos Apache Tribe, Dr. Adams takes Glen Albrecht's theory of the “psychoterratic” and frames it as a relationship between siblings. Subsequently, as siblings, humans and the land must help each other survive. By treating the earth as a more-than-human sibling, and by practicing cultural burns, participants can begin to heal from their solastalgia. Directly engaging with a regenerative process such as “good fires,” “grounds people's intentions and allows for deeper connections—to place and among one another.” “[C]eremonial fires create opportunities for social, environmental, and cultural healing among young persons (Native and allied)” (Tom, Adams, & Goode at 3). Essentially, the strengthening of community through spiritually uplifting activities alleviates climate anxiety by showing young people that there are people out there who share their concern for the climate and are motivated to do something about it. Who is our guest?Dr. Melinda Adams is a member of the N'dee San Carlos Apache Tribe and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas. A cultural fire practitioner and scholar, her research focuses on the revitalization of cultural fire with Tribes in California and more recently with Tribes in the Midwest. Her work with Indigenous communities combines environmental science, environmental policy, and Indigenous studies methodologies. Read more about Dr. Melinda Adams here.ResourcesCornell University: Climate Change & Eco-AnxietyIt's Not Just You: Everyone is Googling Climate Anxiety (Salon)Leiserowitz et al., Dramatic Increases in Public Beliefs and Worries About Climate Change (Yale Program on Climate Change Communication)Hickman et al.,  Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey (The Lancet Planetary Health)Tom, Adams, and Goode,  From Solastalgia to Soliphilia: Cultural Fire, Climate Change and Indigenous Healing (Ecopsychology)Further reading UC Davis: Melinda Adams: Flame KeeperClimate Designers: Podcast: Deep Dive with Dr Melinda Adams: Solastalgia & Soliphilia Yale: Yale Experts Explain Climate AnxietyFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/how-native-american-ecology-can-tackle-climate-anxiety-with-dr-melinda-adams/.

Wildfires and climate change: a brief overview North America is no stranger to wildfires. As of August 15, 2024, 29,917 fires this year have burned more than 5.2 million acres, according to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. While this year's number of wildfires is below the annual average of 35,691, the yearly acres burned is above the average of 3.8 million acres of the past 10 years.While wildfires are a naturally occurring phenomenon, their frequency is heavily influenced by climate change, especially on the west coast of the United States. Wildfire risk increases depending on a number of factors, including temperature, soil moisture, and the presence of trees, shrubs, and other fuel. Additionally, climate change dries out organic matter or “fuel” in forests, resulting in a doubling of the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015 in the western United States. As climate change creates warmer and drier weather conditions, wildfires will likely become more frequent; studies show that an average annual warming of one degree celsius would increase the median burned area per year by as much as 600 percent in some types of forests. Ultimately, as temperatures warm globally and drier conditions ravage the country, these fires will spread farther and become harder and harder to extinguish. “Good” fire: an ancestral solution to our wildfire problem  As the planet warms, many have turned to ancient methods to mitigate the effects of climate change. Notably, Dr. Adams borrows the concept of “good” fires from Native American cultural fires practices, where low intensity fires are lit to heal the surrounding ecosystem. In order to positively change the public's relationship with fire, fire agencies in California and Native American tribes have started using this term. Generally, “good” or cultural fires not only restore degraded soils and decrease vegetation or fuel overgrowth, but also deepen the spiritual ties people have to the land they inhabit. Specifically, good fire increases organic matter, keeps soil surfaces vegetated through the regrowth of plants, and encourages biodiversity. In California, many ecosystems rely on fire for its regenerative powers. Dr. Adams notes that fire connects to water, soil health, and the health of animals and surrounding areas. It can also mitigate invasive species growth and eliminate harmful pests that are killing a lot of trees, making them more susceptible to catching fire and starting larger forest fires. As a result, fire promotes many benefits for ecosystem health.Dr. Adams writes that as a member of the N'dee San Carlos Apache Tribe, she maintains a sacred attachment to the land, and believes that humans and the Earth are relatives. Subsequently, as siblings, humans and the land must help each other survive. Following these teachings around our relationship to more-than-human sibling and reciprocity, “good” fire participants can achieve “futurity” (intergenerational exchanges) that will safeguard future protection of the environment and human communities. Listening to these Native American Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) could lead the way to developing a more sustainable relationship to the planet and, in doing so, mitigate the effects of climate change.Mother Earth: how climate matriarchy can save the planet The concept of “good” fire stems from Indigenous Matriarchal Ecology. Many Native American tribes are matriarchal, such as the Cherokee and the Navajo. Applying traditionally “matriarchal” values such as care, tenderness, and love to environmental conservation could be an effective climate change solution. Inclusivity and the centering of Indigenous women's knowledge can also allow opportunities to enhance plant and soil health, remediation, and rematriation of the quality of our plant and soilscapes to provide a prosperous support structure that enables ecosystems to thrive.By practicing Indigenous Matriarchal Ecology, cultural fire participants can collectively start seeing the Earth as a Mother: one who gives life and receives it in return. This is why Dr. Adams and her colleagues focus on the role the soil can play in the fight against climate change through the practice of Matriarchal Ecology. Dr. Adams writes that applying a soil health approach to ecology in tandem with cultural fires can play an important role in climate mitigation by storing carbon and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. By restoring degraded soils and adopting soil conservation practices, such as cultural fire and Indigenous Matriarchal Ecologies, “good” fire practitioners can enhance the Earth's carbon sequestration capacity and build resilience to climate change. Furthermore, these soil improvements on formerly mined and degraded lands could make soilscapes more resilient to erosion and desertification, while maintaining vital ecosystem services. And hopefully, these practitioners can inspire others, non-Native and Native alike, to develop a better understanding of and relationships with the planet.Indigenous Matriarchal Ecologies can highlight the positive effects of cultural fire on environmentally degraded soils, while simultaneously building native plant and soil resilience toward climate and cultural futurity that all communities can enjoy.Who is our guest?Dr. Melinda Adams is a member of the N'dee San Carlos Apache Tribe and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas. A cultural fire practitioner and scholar, her research focuses on the revitalization of cultural fire with Tribes in California and more recently with Tribes in the Midwest. Her work with Indigenous communities combines environmental science, environmental policy, and Indigenous studies methodologies.ResourcesCenter for Climate and Energy Solutions: Wildfires and Climate ChangeCalifornia Native Plant Society: Native Plants and Climate Change: Indigenous Perspectives Further reading UC Davis: Melinda Adams: Flame KeeperClimate Designers: Podcast: Deep Dive with Dr Melinda Adams: Solastalgia & Soliphilia For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/regenerating-our-ecosystems-with-good-fire-with-dr-melinda-adams/.

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 stability In 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.Dr. 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. Dr. 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/.

A New Sustainable CultureThrough 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 ReadingCanary 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/.

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 solutions One 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 emissions For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/eliminating-contrails-to-increase-aircraft-sustainability-with-matteo-mirolo/.

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 leaks The 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 done While 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 changeUNEP. 2023Satellite Data to Methane Action: UNEP's Methane Alert and Response SystemClark, Aaron. Bloomberg, 2023.The Climate Sleuth Uncovering Methane Leaks for the United NationsFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/locating-methane-leaks-with-satellites-with-dr-timiebi-aganaba/.

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/.

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/

IntroductionPeople 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/.

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 communicationLocal knowledge in climate adaptation research: moving knowledge frameworks from extraction to co-productionBook: Addressing the Climate Crisis: Local action in theory and practiceWhat is climate change communication? For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/what-does-effective-climate-communication-look-like-with-dr-candice-howarth/

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/

Mobilizing Investors to Build a More Sustainable Global EconomyAs 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 them For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-investing-for-a-climate-proof-economy-with-kirsten-spalding/

Reconductoring power grids to boost energy efficiencyThe 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 Grid For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/increasing-efficiency-through-power-line-reconductoring-with-umed-paliwal/

What is Carbon MineralizationCarbon 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 AttractiveUnlike 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. SourcesAbout - Foundation For Climate RestorationMaking Minerals - How Growing Rocks Can Help Reduce Carbon EmissionsCarbonCure For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-concrete-for-carbon-removal-with-dr-erica-dodds/

Mass mobilization in climate activismBy 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 Action For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/mass-mobilization-for-climate-with-dana-fisher/

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 SolutionSBT'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 ConsumersThis 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/

A Need for Clean EnergyEnergy 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 Air For a transcript of this episode, visit https://climatebreak.org/generating-electricity-from-air-with-jun-yao/