Talking Climate tidbits

From Katharine Hayhoe's last newsletter:

Did you know...plant-rich diets and reducing food waste are the two biggest ways to reduce household emissions.

The good news:

These days, climate solutions are already making a real difference. In the U.S., according to a new EPA report, all the EVs and hybrids already on the road have measurably reduced U.S. carbon emissions from vehicles. New, instant rebates of $7500 on qualifying new EVs and $4000 on used ones will help the U.S. begin to catch up to China, where 42% of passenger cars are already plug-in hybrids or fully electric vehicles. No country can rival Norway, though. There, plug-in fully electric cars make up 90% of registered personal vehicles. And now, EVs can charge as they drive - if you live in Detroit or Frankfurt, that is.

What about electricity? Solar is now the cheapest form of electricity in most countries around the world, saving people money that can be used for other important things: like teacher salaries!

Back in 2021, a school district in the small town of Batesville, Arkansas made headlines when it announced that it would raise its teachers’ salaries by up to $15,000 a year thanks to all the money it saved from putting in a solar array. Within a year, their school superintendent heard of at least thirty other school districts in the area that were doing the same.

In the last decade, schools across the U.S. have tripled the amount of solar installed on their campuses. One school in Heart-Butte, Montana took a different approach with the money they saved. As Cara Buckley writes, “the school superintendent, Mike Tatsey, arranged for three-quarters of the energy credits generated by the district’s new solar panels to help lower the electric bills of households in the community, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He believed that freeing up extra spending money for staples like groceries and shoes could have a ripple effect in classrooms. “When they come to school, because of that little bit of extra hope we’re able to give, they’ll be ready to learn,” he explained. Isn’t that amazing?

And I'm not going to share the bad news, but just skip to three actions we might consider taking for climate change abatements. 

“Make a resolution to discuss your support for climate solutions--like clean energy and clean transportation--more frequently with your family, friends, neighbors & co-workers. Doing so is good for you, them, and the climate.” 

Second, look at where you bank. A new analysis reveals that if your bank lends to carbon-intensive industries, just $1,000 in your account could produce as much carbon as a flight from NYC to Seattle. That surprised even me! Bank Green evaluates banks across many different countries. It will tell you how yours is doing, and suggest greener alternatives you might want to switch to.
 
Third, try out some new plant-based recipes to add to your regular meal schedule (this easy vegan curry is our new go-to) or sign up for “Veganuary,” eating vegan for January. At the Veganuary website, you’ll find cooking guides, recipes, and they’ll even send you a free e-cookbook. According to Project Drawdown, which tracks over a hundred different types of climate solutions, plant-rich diets and reducing food waste are the two biggest ways to reduce household emissions.
 
Jonathan Foley is Project Drawdown’s executive director. Looking at climate progress this past year, he says he feels “more hopeful today than I’ve ever been, despite the fact the reality of climate change is becoming more and more clear.” I agree!

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On the second suggestion, my bank wasn't evaluated by them yet, so they suggested I ask my bank to invest in green alternatives. I don't think I am able to do that at this point. Just where I am.

Last week I informed some lunch friends at the St. Center that people were now doing meatless Mondays to reduce methane production from cattle. I guess they didn't even know methane was a problem. (So I looked up and here's an article by National Geographic telling about animals and methane. HERE.)

I decided to get the Veganuary emails...always like to try new recipes and this sounds like a great source!

Today's inspiration:

Many people live their lives struggling against the current, while others use the flow like a mighty wind.