Climate Action, Climate Change, Eco, Environment, EPA

Big Cities Banning Cars Downtown | Cutting Carbon Direct Action

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 24, 2021 by Climate Journalist Noreen Wise; Image Credit: AdobeStock

Nailing low hanging fruit will result in a much needed dent in carbon emissions quickly and efficiently.  A recent example is the14th Street car ban in NYC. Not only does it cut carbon, it subsequently improves the overall downtown “experience,” making street and sidewalks safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians, cutting air pollution, as well as dramatically reducing the amount of time it takes to get from point A to B. According to Curbed, the travel time for buses to cross lower Manhattan on 14th, has now been cut in half.

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Climate Change, Eco, Environment, Ethics

Miami Destined To Be Under Water

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 21, 2021, by Michael Wells; Image Credit: AdobeStock

By 2100 the ocean will cover one-third of Miami. This means at least eight-hundred thousand people or one-third of the population will be displaced, making a large portion of the city uninhabitable. With this in mind, in 2019,  the State of Florida passed a law, which removed the requirement that a property owner obtain a permit before chopping down a tree. Now trees can be cut down with impunity. Miami’s sea level rose one foot from the early 1900s until 1993, and it rose five inches since 1993. It is only a matter of time before the whole city is flooded.

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Environment, Nature

Chopping Down Trees Creates Legal Liability

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 19, 2021 by Attorney Michael Wells; Image Credit: AdobeStock

Trees provide everything from oxygen to habitats for animals, yet they are chopped down with impunity. The damage to the environment is incalculable. To put it into perspective, however, half the number of trees exist now than those in existence when humans first evolved; fifteen billion trees are cut down annually; and ten percent of climate change is attributable to chopping down trees. Environmental carnage aside, legal liability and criminal liability exist for cutting down trees that do not belong to the harvester.

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circular economy, Climate Action, Nature, soil, sustainability

Big Sur Slide Signals Need for Immediate Action on Climate | Soil

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 16, 2021 by Catherine Zacuto, M. Ed.

Big Sur just lost a section of its famous coast-hugging highway, and it’s not the first time. The super-scenic roadway boasts magnificent views of giant Redwoods to the east and bluest of blue Pacific Ocean to the west. Drivers struggle to keep eyes on the road as the jaw-dropping views captivate their passengers. Being perilously close to the edge of the continent, though, has its dangers. Two recent catastrophic breaks in the road resulted in sections of the highway plunging into the Pacific, hundreds of yards below. Scientists and residents are finding connections between climate change and the damage done to their beloved two-lane road.

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Climate Change, Eco, Environment, EPA, Ethics, Wildlife

Golf Courses and the “Good Life” May Kill You

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 12, 2021, by Michael Wells

You do not need to be a character in a Lifetime movie to be poisoned by arsenic. Same goes for some other deadly chemical. Just spend time on a golf course or near one. Contrary to what golf affocinadios claim, golf courses are not good for the environment even though many of the courses look like a cross between Xanadu and Shangri La. Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides and other chemicals abound on golf courses, according to Fred Siegel’s book Environmental Hazards: Are you Exposed?, and they seep into the soil and run off onto property nearby.

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circular economy, Climate Action, Nature, soil, sustainability

Let’s Fix Our Soil So It Can Store More Carbon

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 9, 2021 by Catherine Zacuto, M. Ed.

What can be done about climate change? A lot! Many of us are busy making significant changes in our everyday habits to become more sustainable and lower our carbon footprints. However, there are a few tricks that have yet to be applied on a grand scale, and now’s the time. If you compost, you are part of a growing wave of people concerned about soil health. Because soil stores a significant amount of carbon, keeping it there is vital in the fight against climate change. This is especially significant in agriculture, with its vast acreage. Soil, not to be confused with dirt, is an ecosystem in itself, with millions of microbes and insects which are responsible for plant growth. Maintaining a natural, undisturbed  balance in the soil’s ecosystem leads to a higher level of carbon storage as well as strong, healthy crops. “No-till” farms help make this happen. They are an arrow in our quiver of weapons to fight climate change.

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Climate Action, Climate Change

The Footprint of Our Food | Vegan Scene

Washington (CAR) Analysis | June 8, 2021 by Sarah J. Kings; Image Credit: AdobeStock

Many of us know about the widely successful climate campaign #Change1Thing. The idea is fantastic. People need to feel empowered; we need to feel like there is something we can do to combat the massive problem we are facing. #Change1Thing does that! With each metal straw and every reusable bag, consumers feel like they are slowly turning the wheels in the right direction. Still, if you are looking at your latest zero waste purchase, and wondering if this is enough to reduce your carbon footprint, then you’re in the right place.  

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Climate Action, Climate Change, Eco, Environment, EPA, Health, soil

Environmental Justice for Gordon Plaza | Systematic Failure to Protect Health

Washington (ONGC) Analysis | June 7, 2021 by author and climate journalist Noreen Wise

Gordon Plaza is a subdivision in the New Orlean’s Desire neighborhood that was developed on the ASL hazardous waste site in the early 1980’s. The first residents, excited about securing their little piece of the pie, moved into their new homes in 1981, 40 years ago. Most of the houses are modest ranches with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, on 5,000 square ft lots. The properties were federally funded and intentionally marketed as affordable housing to low income wage earners seeking an opportunity to move on up. 

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circular economy, Climate Action, Environment, Ethics, Wildlife

Top 5 Vegan Beauty Brands | Vegan Scene

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 2, 2021 by Sarah J. Kings

Consumer ethics has never been such a hot topic!  Compassionate and eco-friendly shoppers are searching for resources and products everyday. With many making changes in their diet and fashion choices, there has never been a better time to switch out your old cosmetics and trade them in for vegan alternatives. Vegan beauty brands do not rely on animal cruelty and animal products or biproducts to create makeup. Here is a list of five major vegan and cruelty free beauty brands that are focused on both ethics and sustainability. 

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Climate Action, Climate Change, Health

What To Do if You’re Feeling Like Miley | Vegan Scene

Washington (ONGC) Analysis | June 1, 2021 by Sarah J. Kings

Whether you have been vegan for a long time or are new to the scene, you probably saw that Miley Cyrus made headlines last September after her interview with Joe Rogan on September 3rd. Cyrus shocked listeners and fans when she revealed that she is no longer vegan. Miley ditched meat in 2013, and since has been a major advocate for animal rights and veganism.  She has been actively involved in PETA campaigns and has spoken publicly about animal abuse on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She even has the “Vegan Society Approved” symbol tattooed on her arm. So how could the woman that PETA declared to “Mrs. Vegan,” just leave the team? 

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