Over the last week or so, I’ve collected environmental news that may be of interest to the C99 community. It is my intention to post a diary like this fairly regularly but not necessarily weekly. You won’t find an analysis of the news here or in-depth coverage, I’ll leave that to other c99 writers and to you in the comments. You can just skim the headlines and summaries or click on the links to read the complete articles. As the series progresses, you will see many of the same issues addressed repeatedly as we all struggle to adapt to climate change, clean our industries, and build renewable energy and more sustainable communities. This is just a snapshot of what came through my inbox this past week, it’s not complete. I didn’t have time to go through recent federal agency actions or catch up fully with some of the technology feeds or environmental and green community groups.

This past week, we celebrated Earth Hour on March 19th, International Day of Forests on March 21 with the 2016 theme of exploring the nexus of forests and water quality, and World Water Day on March 22. Also on March 22, the President held a White House Water Summit. In addition, a few climate reports were released recently, and their findings were none too good. As you can guess, these events shaped the news and many articles included in this diary are related to energy, climate, and water issues from a wide range of news sources and perspectives. Some of these may have been covered in the Daily Greens or by other diarists (I didn’t cross check).

And just in case we need a reminder about why we care: Environmental pollution kills, and related deaths are disproportionately concentrated in poorer countries around the world (Salon, 3/20).

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Purely Political

This article briefly summarizes some of the environmental views of the 2016 presidential candidates based on information available at InsideGov http://presidential-candidates.insidegov.com/ (Examiner, 3/21).

Candidate Clinton alleviates any concerns some may have over whether coal will be part of the energy future. In case you’re wondering, it will, according to a PoliticoPro article earlier this month and discussed here (AlterNet, 3/21 http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/clinton-coal-will-be-part-energy-m...). I wonder if this means, if elected, HRC would halt the Obama Administration’s new review of how the government leases public land for coal mining (TheHill, 3/24 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/274247-feds-start-public-la...).

Candidates for Portland’s mayoral job touch on ways they would invigorate the city’s green buildings and infrastructure (BizJournals, 3/23 http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2016/03/portlands-mayoral-h...).

In addition to the Clean Power Plan, President Obama has leveraged Executive Orders and other directives within the federal agencies to make movement on sustainability goals such as energy efficiency (HuffPost, 3/21 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-cohen/the-presidency-and-sustai_b_9...).

And on the TPP, I struggled with where to put this and figured “political” was as good a category as any. “A new Sierra Club report shows how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could undermine efforts to ban fracking and fight climate change” and lead to “controversial corporate trade lawsuits” (Food and Water Watch, 3/24 http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/news/study-documents-climate-threats-im...). Whereas, another article gives a completely opposite perspective on the TPP, calls it a “huge step forward” and says that it “promotes trade in green goods, protects environmental protection legislation, and identifies environmental protection as a priority for trade” (Global Trade Mag, 3/24 http://www.globaltrademag.com/global-trade-daily/commentary/trans-pacifi...).

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Research, Innovation & the Arts

Yeah, I know, I mentioned the TPP, and before we talk about climate and get really depressed, here are a few articles that highlight some potential eco-solutions and just plain fun eco-news.

NEW! Plastic eating bacteria discovered that may help combat PET pollution, well, everywhere! Scientists are exploring ways to harness the bacteria’s power in landfills and ocean cleanup projects (The Daily Beast, 3/21 http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/21/this-plastic-eating-bac... The Guardian, 3/10 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/10/could-a-new-plastic-e...). A big concern can be summed up as what goes in must come out; what toxins do these PET-loving bacteria poop? Yes, bacteria do excrete. From the Guardian article, “…breaking down ocean rubbish came with dangers of its own. Plastics often contain additives that can be toxic when released. WEF estimates that the 150m tonnes of plastic currently in the ocean contain roughly 23m tonnes of additives.” Yikes.

Tampa, FL, is trying out an innovative, yet incredibly simple, idea: installing baskets to collect trash and debris at their storm drains. These “stormwater baskets keep trash from entering Tampa Bay,” and they’ve installed 11 of them so far with 20 as a goal (WFLA, 3/21 http://wfla.com/2016/03/21/stormwater-baskets-keep-trash-from-entering-t...). Sometimes it’s the little things.

A new study of water conservation efforts in California found that reusing waste water has benefits beyond reducing potable water use, including improved resiliency of the water supply, greener public spaces, as well as reductions in energy use and GHG emissions (WaterTech Online, 3/17 http://www.watertechonline.com/study-highlights-environmental-and-health...). More water-related news is below, way below.

A London group is outfitting racing pigeons with the teensiest of sensors to serve as the front lines in the air pollution flight, er, fight (NPR, 3/17 http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/03/17/470809358/londons-newes...). Is anyone else thinking, “canary in a coalmine,” and feeling just a bit sorry for these new eco-warriors?

Researchers have used captured carbon emissions from smoke stacks to create a new form of concrete, which they’re calling CO2NCRETE (TechTimes, 3/24 http://www.techtimes.com/articles/143536/20160324/researchers-develop-su...). Now how do we make this commercially available?

And more about pesky air emissions. EPA regulations to reduce air pollutants from coal fired power plants have led to an increase in something called fly ash or coal ash. This has spurred business in recycling that ash to use as an additive to cement to form concrete (The Leaf Chronicle, 3/21 http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/2016/03/21/though-some-grumbl...).

Researchers at Ohio University are looking to grasses as a way to produce a new biofuel without the negative impacts associated with producing corn-based ethanol (such as nitrogen and carbon pollution). Two of the grasses being studied, once established, serve as a net carbon sink (The Columbus Dispatch, 3/20 http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/science/2016/03/20/01-ohio-unive...).

Can rotten tomatoes power Disney World for three months out of the year? Researchers say, yes. “We have found that spoiled and damaged tomatoes left over from harvest can be a particularly powerful source of energy when used in a biological or microbial electrochemical cell. The process also helps purify the tomato-contaminated solid waste and associated waste water.” (Inquisitr, March 2016 http://www.inquisitr.com/2921003/energy-from-rotten-tomatoes-researchers...).

Current research is leading up to a breakthrough in solar technology that could result in a new light, flexible material used to line glass – leading to more widespread use of solar energy (Co.Exist, 3/21 http://www.fastcoexist.com/3058070/a-new-efficient-solar-material-could-...).

Just announced: “$90 million in grants designed to advance conservation by decoupling food production from negative environmental impacts.” Take a look at the press release for more information, such as the staggering amount of land and fresh water used for food production, it’s a wowzer (The Nature Conservancy, 3/24 http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/pressreleases/more-than-90m-awarded-t...).

So, where do I sign up for this job in academia? A campus green group in Pasadena, CA, goes “dumpster diving to create green, functional art from the recyclable” (PCC Courier, 3/23 http://www.pcccourier.com/news/dumpster-diving-to-create-green-functiona...). Is it just me, or does this sound like a lot of fun?

Being chosen for this job would be pretty cool, too. Peoria, IL, is looking for an artist to highlight the city’s connection to water, and it is seeking designs of “water imagery, wet weather issues or ideas of green infrastructure” that would fit a 48’x14’ mural (PJ Star, 3/25 http://www.pjstar.com/article/20160325/ENTERTAINMENT/160329558).

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Climate & Energy

“If you’re a doubter on climate change, take notice.” This article laments the business as usual approach to climate change within the insurance industry, lays out some of the challenges, and identifies top corporate support for and against action (CFO, 3/23 http://ww2.cfo.com/risk-management/2016/03/hot-topic-climate-change-insu...).

Financing is key to infrastructure investments especially improvements that move us towards cleaner energy and greater energy efficiency, this interview (transcript) discusses the Infrastructure Bank and the emergence of green bonds (The Planning Report, 3/25 http://www.planningreport.com/2016/03/25/vx2016-s-where-s-money-highligh...).

The Hill has begun a three part series on energy policy modeled on “Truth or Consequences”. Part 1, linked to here, deals with whether clean coal technologies are actually effective (TheHill, 3/24 http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/274156-truth-or...).

EXXON’S BAD WEEK
“The Rockefeller Family Fund (RFF) announced this week it has sold its holdings in Exxon Mobil and plans to dump all of its other fossil-fuel investments ‘as quickly as possible.’” (Sustainable Brands, 3/24 http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/next_economy/sustainable...). In addition to RFF’s announcement, a new SEC ruling will lead to Exxon’s investors voting “on a slew of climate change initiatives, including putting a climate change expert on the board… .” (Think Progress, 3/25 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/03/25/3763138/exxon-investor-push/; references SEC ruling reported at Reuters, 3/24 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxon-mobil-shareholders-exclusive-idU...). Perhaps it’s been a bad month, considering the FBI may be looking into whether Exxon knew about climate change dangers ages ago? Exxon does still have friends; this guy blames Exxon’s woes on liberals. I’m not editorializing, he literally blames it on the “Left” and the “anti-industrial Left”. He also calls out Sen. Bernie Sanders for encouraging the investigations (Forbes, 3/25 http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertbradley/2016/03/25/exxonmobil-and-clim...).

RECENT CLIMATE FINDINGS
As many know, a recent analysis from the IEA found that global energy-related CO2 emissions have leveled off (2014, 2015) in spite of economic growth; however, NOAA recently observed record global levels of CO2 in 2015. In addition, WMO found, “The year 2015 will stand out in the historical record of the global climate in many ways” (including heat) and pointed to El Nino in the later part of the year as one of the contributing factors. Per WMO, January and February 2016 also set off-the-chart records for warming. Nature reported on a study that found the last time carbon releases have been this high was 66 million years ago. Lastly, the IEA reported that natural gas is set to displace coal as the number one energy source in the US. (International Energy Administration, 3/16 https://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2016/march/decouplin... National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 3/9 http://www.noaa.gov/record-annual-increase-carbon-dioxide-observed-mauna... World Meteorological Organization, Report WMO-No. 1167, link to pdf http://library.wmo.int/pmb_ged/wmo_1167_en.pdf; Global Post, 3/21 http://www.globalpost.com/article/6749194/2016/03/21/climate-changing-un... Nature, 3/21 http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo2681.html; and IEA, 3/16 http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=25392).

These announcements sent “shock waves” through the science community and spurred a virtual deluge of reporting on the findings, accelerated climate change impacts, and energy sources. I’ve linked to some of these articles directly below and others under more topical sections.

1. “How Can Global CO2 Levels Soar When Emissions Are Flat?” (ThinkProgress, 3/21 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/03/21/3761903/co2-levels-soar-emis...).
2. “This Huge Change in How We Get Energy Is Coming Much Faster than Expected” (The Washington Post, 3/21 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/03/21/thi...).
3. “2015 One for the Climate Record Books” (Climate Central, 3/21 http://www.climatecentral.org/news/2015-one-for-the-climate-record-books...),
4. “Scientists Warn of Perilous Climate Shift Within Decades, Not Centuries” (NY Times, 3/22 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/science/global-warming-sea-level-carbo...).
5. “Scientists Warn Drastic Climate Impacts Coming Much Sooner Than Expected” (Inside Climate News, 3/22 http://insideclimatenews.org/news/22032016/scientists-warn-drastic-clima...).
6. “What You Need to Know about the Irreparable Harm of Climate Change” (HuffingtonPost, 3/22 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-james-hansen/climate-change-irreparable...).
7. “Carbon Emissions Haven’t Been This High Since the Dinosaurs: A new study warns we’re entering ‘uncharted territory’” (HuffingtonPost, 3/23 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/carbon-emissions-highest-in-66-milli...).
8. “Past Emissions Cause Mounting Climate Havoc” (Climate News Network, 3/25 http://climatenewsnetwork.net/past-emissions-force-faster-climate-change/).
9. “A New Way To Add up the Global Warming Budget” (AZ Daily Sun, 3/25 http://azdailysun.com/news/local/a-new-way-to-add-up-the-global-warming-...).

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS
If you’re feeling that the Earth is out to get you, this next batch of findings should confirm it. A recent study published in Nature has found, “Anthropogenic activities such as land-use change, agriculture and waste management have altered terrestrial biogenic greenhouse gas fluxes, and the resulting increases in methane and nitrous oxide emissions in particular can contribute to climate change.” We have changed the earth so much, that it can no longer be counted on to absorb carbon, in fact quite the opposite, it now contributes to emissions. (Eurek Alert, 3/9 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/ci-gg030816.php; Nature, 3/10 http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v531/n7593/full/nature16946.html; Ames Tribune, 3/19 http://amestrib.com/news/new-study-shows-terrestrial-biosphere-emits-hum... and TruthDig, 3/24 http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/now_even_soil_is_accelerating_climat...).

Now if you’re looking at this “ag is bad” finding as an excuse not to eat your greens, don’t. Another recent study identifies livestock production as a huge contributor (80%) to the overall food system’s GHG emissions (PNAS, 3/16 http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/03/16/1523119113.full). I guess more “bad ag” goes towards feeding livestock than humans. Among other things, the study recommends eating less meat and studied a range of possible diets. It attracted a lot of press, and here are two articles: one that highlights a 50% reduction (Big Think, March 2016 http://bigthink.com/natalie-shoemaker/what-the-world-would-look-like-in-...), another that calls for everyone to go vegan (PETA, 3/24 http://www.peta.org/blog/new-study-suggests-everyone-went-vegan-save-8-1...).

OFF SHORE DRILLING
President Obama has reversed his decision to open the Atlantic seaboard for offshore drilling. (State of the State Ks, 3/26; http://stateofthestateks.com/2016/03/26/obama-to-back-off-atlantic-coast... referencing March 15th decision, Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oil-atlantic-idUSKCN0WH1WI).

“A group of environmentalists is protesting the federal government’s Wednesday auction of offshore oil and gas drilling leases in New Orleans” (The Hill, 3/23 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/274025-greens-protest-gulf-...). Also covered here, “Maybe Stop Selling the Ocean,” from an observer on the scene (KESQ, 3/24 http://www.kesq.com/news/sutter-maybe-stop-selling-the-ocean/38674498).

METHANE
Bill McKibben focuses on methane and fracking in this thoughtful read, “Global Warming’s Terrifying New Chemistry: Our leaders thought fracking would save our climate. They were wrong. Very wrong.” (The Nation, 3/23 http://www.thenation.com/article/global-warming-terrifying-new-chemistry/).

Industry’s perspective on EPA’s recent announcement that they will expand rules to cut methane emissions from existing sources and discusses some of the technology used to detect leaks (MRT, 3/24 http://www.mrt.com/business/oil/top_stories/article_97bccb90-f207-11e5-a... referencing EPA announcement, 3/10 https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/03/epa-taking-steps-to-cut-methane-emissi...) And here is an opinion piece that calls on industry to do more, encourages EPA to consider the cost and make it easier for emerging technologies, and calls on Congress to provide tax credits (Denver Post, 3/25 http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_29685172/keep-up-methane-monitoring).

California regulators have introduced a plan for Southern California Gas Co. to offset emissions from the Porter Ranch methane leak, including to “pay to plug abandoned wells, install methane-gobbling digesters at dairy farms and help people buy more efficient furnaces and water heaters” (LA Times, 3/21 http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-gas-offset-20160321-story....).

VEHICLES
Perhaps better a better title would be: we have met our enemy and it is our neighbor’s SUV? Low gas prices are causing a surge in sales of gas-guzzlers (NY Times, 3/23 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/business/energy-environment/low-gas-pr...). The NYTimes article also addresses steps automakers are taking to comply with the next level of fuel standards. Another article also discusses meeting new standards, but focuses on onroad heavy-duty vehicles, like trucks. (CCJ Digital, 3/23 http://www.ccjdigital.com/next-round-of-epa-compliance-will-be-an-exerci...).

NUCLEAR
New York’s nuclear industry is in financial trouble and efforts underway to secure funding may be delayed (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 3/19 http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/2016/03/19/ny-eyes-...). And local environmental groups are calling on Gov. Cuomo to drop nuclear in favor of renewables (WRVO, 3/14 http://wrvo.org/post/environmentalists-call-cuomo-end-support-nuclear-po...).

In related news, the nuclear industry in Connecticut also is dealing with hard times and its future is uncertain (The CT Mirror, 3/23 http://ctmirror.org/2016/03/23/nuclear-powers-future-in-connecticut-is-o...).

South Carolina’s Gov. Haley is trying to block a shipment of plutonium from Japan that is slated to be stored in SC until the Department of Energy makes use of it (The Hill, 3/26 http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/274373-haley-calls-on-e...).

And the future is still unsettled about nuclear waste’s “final” resting place at Yucca Mountain in Nevada (The Hill, 3/18 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/273543-house-gop-keeps-up-p...). I did a report on Yucca Mountain ages ago, and even after wading through thousands of pages worth of EIS documents, images from a poster contest of how best to communicate “STEER CLEAR, OR DIE” to Earth’s possible inhabitants 10,000 years from now are what stays with me to this day.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS & RENEWABLES
Energy efficiency is making such a global impact in energy use reductions that it could be called a new fuel “source” (TruthDig, 3/20 http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/efficient_answers_to_climate_concern...).

“New York City’s requirement that all heating oil used here contain 2 percent biodiesel fuel is a generous handout to the biofuels industry — and a terrible deal for the environment and everyday New Yorkers. Yet now, the City Council wants to jack up the percentage — to 5 percent by year’s end, and to a whopping 20 percent by 2030.” (New York Post, 3/25 http://nypost.com/2016/03/25/nycs-big-green-bid-to-degrade-the-environment/).

Airlines are starting to make use of alternative biofuels, such as animal fats, oils and ag waste: United Airlines (Renewable Energy from Waste 3/22 http://www.rewmag.com/article/united-airlines-flies-commercial-scale-bio... and ChicagoInno, 3/14 http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2016/03/14/united-airlines-to-use-jet-f...) and Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand (Mashable, 3/13 http://mashable.com/2016/03/13/virgin-australia-biofuel/#18L6fpI5Ruqt).

Massachusetts has $700,000 in a rebate program to encourage residents to exchange older woodstoves for more efficient models (BioMass Mag, 3/24 http://www.biomassmagazine.com/articles/13070/massachusetts-invests-700-...).

Massachusetts is considering adding wind and hydro to their energy portfolio to help meet their GHG reduction goals (Lowell Sun, 3/23 http://www.lowellsun.com/latestnews/ci_29675964/mass-energy-sector-confr...).

“The Department of Energy will join a renewable energy company in planning and developing a 705-mile wind power transmission line project” (TheHill, 3/25 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/274326-feds-join-wind-energ...). The project will deliver energy from parts of Texas and Oklahoma to the mid- and south east.

If you’re curious about how renewable energy certificates from wind energy balance out, here is a case study from Ashville, NC (MountainXpress, 3/25 https://mountainx.com/news/deconstructing-renewable-energy-certificates/).

And more on renewable energy certificates from wind, a citizen’s group in Vermont has issued a complaint to the FTC alleging “consumer deception” by local energy groups “…in the description and marketing of wind-generated electricity” (EIN NewsDesk, 3/23 http://environment.einnews.com/article/317940898/q_gy8mkGC7tVBNUp).

Perhaps because of all the recent climate change news, there was a lot of reporting on solar energy. A lot. And not all of it happy-go-lucky. Here are some of the articles:
1. “Chicopee To Create Ordinance To Regulate Solar Farms,” because “eyesore” (MassLive, 3/18 http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/chicopee_to_create_ordina...).
2. “Solar Installation Complete Atop Future IKEA Las Vegas; Will Be Nevada's Largest Single-Use Retail Array When Store Opens May 18” (CRS Wire, 3/23 http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/38809-Solar-Installation-Complete-...).
3. “The Surprise New Boom Market for Residential Solar” (HuffingtonPost, 3/23 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greenbiz-group/residential-solars-new-bo_b...).
4. “Solar Projects Give a Second Life to Former Contaminated Sites in Massachusetts: Three projects developed by Syncarpha Capital and Pacolet Milliken are part of EPA’s RE-powering America's Land initiative” (C&D Recycling, 3/23 http://www.cdrecycler.com/article/solar-projects-massachusetts-contamina...).
5. California “Environmental Groups File Suit against Planned Solar Project” citing endangered species concerns (EIN NewsDesk, 3/23 http://environment.einnews.com/article/317906878/OSYcSUgkbf3EgxnM).
6. “Stormwater, Construction Traffic Among Concerns Raised about Planned Solar Facility” (Cumberland Times-News, 3/24 http://www.times-news.com/news/local_news/stormwater-construction-traffi...).
7. “Power to the People: An alternative energy company provides sustainability and economic security to some of Colorado’s rural areas” (Boulder Weekly, 3/25 http://www.boulderweekly.com/special-editions/boulderganic-magazine/powe...).
8. “The Dark Side of Renewable Energy: Kauai’s remarkable progress towards eliminating greenhouse gas emissions is shifting costs from the wealthiest to the lowest-income families” (Civil Beat, 3/25 http://www.civilbeat.com/2016/03/luke-evslin-the-dark-side-of-renewable-...).
9. “Sun shines on solar farm” (The Dunn County News, 3/25 http://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/sun-shines-on-solar-farm/arti...).

INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE & ENERGY NEWS
“Governments Weigh Climate Ambition in Wake of UN Climate Pact” (UN, 3/24 http://www.ictsd.org/bridges-news/biores/news/governments-weigh-climate-...). Here are more regional or country specific articles:
1. “EU Green Transport Target 'May Have Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions': Renewable transport goal has encouraged biofuels including those from palm oil and soybean, which are found to be worse than diesel oil for emissions” (The Guardian, 3/14 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/14/eu-green-transport-ta...).
2. “Philippines Starts Task of Meeting Climate Change Commitments” … “to reduce 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030” (Voice of America, 3/15 http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-starts-task-of-meeting-climat...).
3. “Japan Endorses Plan To Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions”… “26 percent in 2030 from 2013 levels and thereafter to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050” (Big News Network, 3/15 http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/242228771/japan-endorses-plan-to-slas...).
4. “Has Germany’s Energy Transition Come to a Fork in the Road?” (Environmental Leader, 3/15 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/03/15/has-germanys-energy-transi...). They slid a bit on the way to meeting their goals, but I do wonder whether Germany’s bump in emissions has anything to do in its bump in population from refugees.
5. “Bhutan Is Not Just Carbon Neutral, It's Carbon Negative” (Digital Journal, 3/19 http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/environment/bhutan-is-not-just-carbon...).
6. “Huge Petronas Canada LNG Project Runs into Further Delays” (Reuters, 3/19 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-lng-petronas-idUSKCN0WM00M).
7. “Marshall Islands To Ratify Paris Climate Agreement” (Climate Home, 3/21 http://www.climatechangenews.com/2016/03/21/marshall-islands-set-to-rati...).
8. “Improving Efficiency in Kenya's Forestry Sector Could Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 27%, Bring Annual Economic Benefits of $188 Million: Joint Kenya and United Nations report highlights measures that could contribute significantly to Kenya's Paris climate commitments” (UNEP, 3/21 http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=27068&ArticleID=3...).
9. “China’s Carbon Emissions Could Peak Sooner than Forecast: Country's 13th Five-Year Plan advances a broad goal to phase down coal and expand renewable energy” (Nature, 3/21 http://www.nature.com/news/china-s-carbon-emissions-could-peak-sooner-th...).
10. “Australian Prime Minister Announces Greener Policies” [A $760 million Clean Energy Innovation Fund] (FuelFix, 3/22 http://fuelfix.com/blog/2016/03/22/australian-prime-minister-announces-g...).
11. “Port Augusta 'Busting a Gut' To Reinvent Itself as a Solar City When Coal-Fired Power Is Switched Off: As the deadline for power stations to shut down approaches, the community rallies around a future in renewable solar energy” (The Guardian, 3/23 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/24/port-augusta-busting-...).
12. “Canada Ditches Government Limos for EVs, expands infrastructure: Canada's budget seeks to clean up transportation” (AutoBlog, 3/25 http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/25/canada-government-limos-evs-expands-i...).

CLIMATE IMPACTS
Flooding caused by climate change can contaminate drinking water supplies with e. coli and fecal matter (Huffington Post, 3/21 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/climate-change-is-contaminating-wate...).

Warm temperatures have spurred a brown algae outbreak – called the brown tide -- in the Indian River Lagoon, FL, causing a massive fish kill (Brevard Times, 3/20 http://news.brevardtimes.com/2016/03/brown-tide-causes-massive-fish-kill...).

“Coral Bleaching Hits the Great Barrier Reef after Australia Temperatures Break Records” (Think Progress, 3/21 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/03/21/3761979/great-barrier-reef-c...). The article goes on to say, “Around the world, reefs are in the midst of the third recorded global coral bleaching event, which started in 2014 and is the longest recorded bleaching event in history.”

“Climate Change Means London, New York Could Be Underwater in a Few Decades, Sooner Than Previously Thought” (International Business Times, 3/23 http://www.ibtimes.com/climate-change-means-london-new-york-could-be-und...).

“A warming climate is expected to bring higher temperatures and changes to precipitation, snowpack and water flow throughout the [Western]” United States a new Department of Interior report found. (The Hill, 3/22 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/273915-feds-climate-change-...).

A new study has found that: “Trees could become a carbon dioxide source instead of a carbon sink due to the ravaging effects of climate change in the future. Plants speed up their metabolic processes as temperatures rise. This will lead to a changeover from the forests being carbon sinks to carbon sources.” (I4U, 3/19 http://www.i4u.com/2016/03/107348/trees-release-less-carbon-dioxide-due-...).

U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds for disaster resilience contributed a $48 million federal grant to allow “the band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indians of Isle de Jean Charles to move away from their vanishing home. The funding for the relocation will make the tribe one of the first—and so far the largest—populations in the United States to be resettled because of climate change.” (Inside Climate News, 3/16 http://insideclimatenews.org/news/15032016/native-americans-federal-fund...).

“Up to 70 Percent of Northeast U.S. Coast Likely To Adapt to Rising Seas” (Homeland Security News Wire, 3/16 http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20160316-up-to-70-percent-of-n...). Important to note that “adapt” does not imply the coastlines will not be altered; it will in fact shift to accommodate higher sea levels. Not all of the area would be inundated, per this model, but it could wind up with more inland seas, barrier islands, and marshes.

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Green Communities & Resiliency

This is a fluid category used to explore the types of efforts that will need to be undertaken to mitigate some of the damage and adapt to climate change, as well as, how to create vibrant, green and resilient communities. You may find some good ideas to take back to your hometown. Some of this may seem like fluff, but if you add enough fluff together you can make pillow, a blanket, insulate your home, etc. You get my drift; it’s the big picture, not any one development. Remember, this is only about a week’s worth of news… this stuff comes into my inbox week after week after week. It adds up.

The White House announced several initiatives in celebration of World Water Day, including nearly $4B in water infrastructure investments, more than $1B from private industry for research in new water technology, an action plan on addressing long-term drought resilience, and about $35M in federal grants for “cutting-edge water science” (White House Press Release, 3/22 https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/22/fact-sheet-workin...). For example, a California project is piloting water recycling technology in hopes that further adoption will help alleviate drought conditions. (GovTech, 3/22 http://www.govtech.com/fs/infrastructure/White-House-Hopes-to-Spark-Recy...).

In the international community, “Asia has the largest number of people exposed to natural disasters, but African countries are the most vulnerable to them, largely because of political instability, corruption, poverty and inequality, a new global assessment shows.” (Reuters Africa, 3/23 http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN0WP0G9). A new fund will allocate $1.5B to urban sustainability directives in eleven developing countries to help plan for growth while reducing pollution (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 3/22 http://news.trust.org/item/20160322162247-61ce4/). This article, Are Indigenous Women Key to Sustainable Development, highlights the crucial and often under recognized role that women play in improving living conditions and “preserving resources and the land for future generations.” (IPS News Agency, 3/21 http://www.ipsnews.net/2016/03/are-indigenous-women-key-to-sustainable-d...).

BUILDING GREENER COMMUNITIES
“St. Louis Park Gets B- on Students' Climate Report Card: High school club gives the city low grades on some environmental efforts” (Start Tribune, 3/22 http://www.startribune.com/st-louis-park-students-push-city-council-to-t...). The students also recommend a resolution for the city council to adopt a climate plan.

How can a community help with urban food justice activism? Great interview with author Garrett Broad on his new book, More than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change. (Streets Blog LA, 3/25 http://la.streetsblog.org/2016/03/25/more-than-just-food-looks-at-role-o...).

“Officials Outline Plans for Managing Climate Change,” including incentives for energy efficiency. Best quote: “The goal is to have a Back Bay, which is still inhabitable in 2100.” (Beacon Hill Times, 3/25 http://beaconhilltimes.com/2016/03/25/officials-outline-plans-for-managi...).

This blog gives a good review of a Climate Change Resilience Study and a draft Environmental Action Plan for Tacoma, WA (Exit 133, 3/22 http://www.exit133.com/articles/view/how-will-tacoma-cope-with-climate-c...). Lots of good ideas in this one.

“Berkeley City Council heard updates on the city’s resilience strategy at a special meeting” (Daily Californian, 3/16 http://www.dailycal.org/2016/03/16/berkeley-city-council-hears-updates-c...). The city is part of the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities program.

A new community river park and other investments are paying off in Lincoln, MT, from a boom-to-bust town to reinvention through its parks and outdoor recreation attractions and business (Missoulian, 3/18 http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/community-investments-in-l...).

Clarksville, TN, is a newly designated Valley Sustainable Silver Community, “recognized at the Silver Community level for its LEED-certified buildings, repurposing of Veterans Plaza, and comprehensive 20-year plan with intentions for green space, pedestrian-friendly development and community gardens.” (The Leaf Chronical, 3/18 http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/money/business/2016/03/18/communit...).

Chambersburg, PA, has its eye on the sustainable prize and has been working several years to evaluate and adjust its community programs--such as security, stormwater, connectivity--to seek gold level Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification. (Public Opinion, 3/18 http://www.publicopiniononline.com/story/news/2016/03/18/chambersburg-ai...).

Harrisburg, PA, has a bid out for planning, consultancy assistance on complete streets, multi-model transportation design, transit-oriented development, bike and pedestrian use, and sustainable communities. (NAPC, 3/19 http://www.pennsylvaniabids.com/bid-opportunities/2016/03/19/6919127-Tra...).

Density: High rents and a shift in housing needs are leading to a rise in co-living. Here’s an example (LA Times, 3/18 http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tech-coliving-20160224-...).

Some San Mateo residents can participate in a RethinkWaste voluntary “pilot program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diverting waste from landfills…. If the pilot goes well, it could help local residents meet state mandates requiring Californians divert 75 percent of their waste from landfills by 2020.” (The Daily Journal, 3/21 http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2016-03-21/city-reconsideri...).

Parks and trees play a role in sustainable communities. The Branch Out Program, Columbus, OH, plans to plant 20,000 new trees in April and altogether 300,000 by 2020 (Columbus Underground, 3/22 http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-hopes-to-plant-20000-new-tre...). West Lafayette, IN, also is planning to plant new trees in several areas as well as replace large amounts that had been damaged by disease. Best quote: "If you've been out there, it's desolate." (JC Online, 3/21 http://www.jconline.com/story/news/local/2016/03/20/city-moving-forward-...). And Washington, DC, has issued a Green Area Ratio (GAR) requirement to help the district meet its 40% canopy goal (in its Sustainability Plan), it has been losing canopy due to intensified development in the area. (Proud Green Building, 3/25 http://www.proudgreenbuilding.com/news/greenery-overshadows-energy-costs...). Buckhead in Atlanta, GA, will have two new parks soon, authorization to purchase the lots has been approved (Neighborhood Newspapers, 3/23 http://www.neighbornewspapers.com/view/full_story/27134431/article-Atlan...). The city of Eatonton, GA, was recognized for its 15 year commitment to trees (Eatonton Messenger, 3/24 http://www.msgr.com/articles/2016/03/24/eatonton-saluted-recognizing-imp...).

GREEN/COMPLETE STREETS
Connectivity is an element of complete or green street initiatives, which incentivize multi-modal transportation, transit, as well as bike and pedestrian space and safety. Starkville, MS, is adding pedestrian and bike paths (Starkville Daily News, 3/20 http://starkvilledailynews.com/content/connectivity-options-expanding-st...). Shelburne, VT, is planning 21 projects to improve connectivity, including pedestrian and bike paths (Shelburne News, 3/24 http://www.shelburnenews.com/2016/03/24/new-bicycle-pedestrian-map-propo...). Chicago’s famous 606 path--the world’s longest elevated bike path was finished in June 2015--gets new lighting for public safety. Chicago, IL, has a goal to have “a walking/bicycle trail within half a mile of every single resident by 2020” (Public Works Mag, 3/15 http://www.pwmag.com/streetlighting/worlds-longest-elevated-bike-trail-l...). Streets make up 12% of the city of Charlottesville, VA; and they’ve been working two years to plan “complete streets” initiatives as well as a “Streets that Work” manual that includes plans for streets that accommodate bikes and pedestrians. The plan has yet to be adopted (Charlottesville Tomorrow, 3/24 http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/23334-street-planning-initiat...). Buffalo, NY, is poised to approve funding for complete street projects this year (TWC News, 3/24 http://www.twcnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2016/03/24/buffalo-complete-stre...). Buffalo also has 200 red bikes coming this summer as part of a “bike share” program, joining 60 other US cities with similar programs (Biz Journals, 3/21 http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2016/03/21/new-buffalo-bike-shar...).

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Oregon State University is offering a free online course on how to design sustainable landscapes using permaculture. Registration is open until May 1. (Oregon Live, 3/26 http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2016/03/permaculture_osu_course.html).

Ashland is offering its residents free workshops on emotionally coping “with a massive earthquake, economic breakdown, climate change or other natural or manmade disaster” to help them keep a level head. It was held 3/26&3/27. I’m a little late on this notice; but community education on preparedness is important, so I kept it in as an example. (Ashland Daily Tidings, 3/24 http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160324/NEWS/160329895).

During April, the Little Lakes Sustainability Network is holding a series of free information workshops to “inform home owners, renters, businesses and municipalities about ways that they can increase energy efficiency and reduce costs” in Livingston County, MI (The LCN, 3/20 http://www.thelcn.com/lcn05/workshops-explore-ways-to-improve-energy-eff...).

Rethinking Cities: The University of Utah is offering a symposium on green infrastructure and resilient cities on March 31 & April 1. It’s actually reasonably priced for the general public and students and the agenda looks very informative. (Utah.edu http://law.utah.edu/event/wallace-stegner-center-21st-annual-symposium-g...). Can we have more of this please!?

“Sustainability Experts Meet at NJIT to Discuss Smart Growth in the Northeast” the meeting appears to have focused on revitalizing waterfronts highlighting brownfields redevelopment and drew 200 land use experts, officials, and developers. (NJIT, 2016 http://www.njit.edu/features/sceneandheard/brownfields-conference-2016.php).

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
“Environmentally-Sustainable Steel Mill to be Built in Rural Oklahoma with New Markets Tax Credit Funding: Investment by National New Markets Fund will help develop advanced micro mill facility and bring 300-plus jobs to Choctaw Nation Native American community” (PR NewsWire, 3/21 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/environmentally-sustainable-stee...).

As part of a White House Initiative, Battle Creek, MI “and five other cities — Flint, St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo., Elkhart, Ind., and Youngstown, Ohio — would be home to revitalization of urban land into tree farms, urban agriculture and green infrastructure projects.” The growth period will span 15 years and at the end of the project, the land can be replanted or repurposed. (Battle Creek Enquirer, 3/24 http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2016/03/24/battle-cr...).

GREEN BUILDINGS
This article does a pretty good job highlighting, briefly, the growing movement towards energy efficiency and even zero net emissions in the building market along with incentives from cities and local governments – pushing the market even as national governments delay action. (Co.Exist, 3/25 http://www.fastcoexist.com/3058072/because-national-governments-wont-cit...).

Union City is finding new ways to build, they’re going green. Best quote: “If everyone was building this way or if we were rehabbing older buildings this way, most of our infrastructure problems would disappear.” (Hudson Reporter, 3/20 http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27129669/article-Everything-ol...).

The president of the U.S. Green Building Council, Rick Fedrizzi, penned an article on the next step in the greening of Pittsburgh, which has seen a green building “renaissance” in the last few years, which is to work on greening its schools. The article segues to the great investment needed across the country on our schools, many of which haven’t seen much TLC in a very long time. (Pgh Post Gazette, 3/22 http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/03/24/The-greening-of-Pit...) And go to the Center for Green Schools http://centerforgreenschools.org/state-our-schools to read the March 23rd report on the state of our schools that Fedrizzi referenced, again, none too good.

Speaking of schools, Uruguay has just opened the first sustainable school in Latin America. Construction of the school “used 2,000 tires, 5,000 glass bottles, 2,000 sq. meters (21,500 sq. feet) of cardboard and 8,000 aluminum cans. The school gets its electricity from solar panels and wind turbines, and the building is equipped to generate electricity, provide heating and running water, and grow organic foods.” Wow. (Latino Fox News, 3/17 http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2016/03/17/uruguay-opens-latam-fir...).

Michigan is in the middle of a Battle of the Buildings, an annual competition to promote energy use reductions. Winners will be announced in April. (mLive, 3/22 http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/03/michigan_battle_of_th...).

The business editor for the Gazette calls on Colorado Springs to “focus on sustainable construction.” Best quote: “Good businesses make good neighbors, and good neighbors think about the impact of their actions on the community.” (The Gazette, 3/21 http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-must-focus-on-sustainable-constructi...).

GREEN AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
This article gives a few great case studies of affordable and housing that’s gone green. (Huffington Post, 3/23 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/f-kaid-benfield/meet-the-new-green-face-o_...). And here’s one on making affordable housing energy efficient so that residents can see cost savings (Vox, 3/20 http://www.vox.com/2016/3/20/11264384/low-income-housing-energy-efficient). A recent study by Southface and the Virginia Center for Housing and Research, found “that green buildings do lower utility costs by more than 14 percent. Estimated monthly utility bills save resident families $100 per year, and $120 per year for senior citizens.” (Thought Leaders, 3/22 http://leadership.saportareport.com/sustainable-communities/2016/03/22/t...). This article explores partnerships in three cities that worked to install solar on affordable housing projects (ULI, 3/25 http://urbanland.uli.org/sustainability/making-solar-work-affordable-hou...). Lastly, this article addresses how unaffordable affordable housing can be when public transportation isn’t available and transportation costs soar, based on research from the University of Texas at Arlington (EurekAlert, 3/21 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/uota-urs032116.php).

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, STORMWATER, AND FLOODING
“Sea-level Rises: Why Flooding Is the Next Big Business Risk: A new breed of insurers, risk analysts and designers is aiming to help businesses and homeowners prepare for rising sea levels” (The Guardian, 3/18 http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/mar/18/sea-level-ri...).

“EPA gives UNC-Chapel Hill funding to help communities across the country that are facing challenges with water infrastructure” through EPA’s WaterCARE (Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence) project (UNC, 3/24 http://uncnews.unc.edu/2016/03/24/epa/).

After 10 years, a management plan for Fountain Creek is taking shape and will involve multiple projects along the waterway to control flooding (The Pueblo Chieftain, 3/25 http://www.chieftain.com/news/4592767-120/pueblo-creek-fountain-projects). Best quote: “A demonstration flood control pond near the Northside Walmart will probably wash out before it can be repaired and the creek itself looks like a bomb hit it, he said.” The river goes from placid to a tempest lickety split and, apparently, it’s been dangerous.

“Rhode Island is seeing increasing storm and flooding events as a result of climate change and sea-level rise,” said Grover Fugate, executive director of the council. “The Northeast is seeing this at a more intense rate than the rest of the country.” Rhode Island will see a portion of nearly $1M in federal funds from NOAA to build green infrastructure and shore up coastal resiliency. (Jamestown Press, 3/24 http://www.jamestownpress.com/news/2016-03-24/News/State_awards_money_fo...).

“The City of Hoboken is entering the final lap in obtaining approximately $8.1 million in state aid to bolster the water mains and green infrastructure of Washington Street.” (Hudson Reporter, 3/23 http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27134907/article-Hoboken-in-fi...$8-1-million-in-state-aid-for-Washington-Street-improvements?instance=top_story).

“D.C.’s marketplace for stormwater retention credits wasn't taking off, but a new investment could change that.” This is a good read on both green infrastructure and credit trading. (City Lab, 3/18 http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2016/03/stormwater-runoff-credits-natur...).

Grand Rapids, MI, has come “out of the sewer.” The city recently completed a massive upgrade to its sewer system to separate the sewage and stormwater lines, and spends millions more each year replacing pipes and maintaining the system. It has led to a near elimination of sewage overflows. (Bridge, 3/22 http://bridgemi.com/2016/03/grand-rapids-comes-out-of-the-sewer/).

Los Angeles County, CA, has had a stormwater plan since 2012, but the cities lack a way to pay for it and abide by their permits—a cost that could reach $20B over 20 years. They are looking for a stay in enforcement until a solution can be found. Fines for non-compliance are up to “$10,000 a day by the state and $37,500 per day from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” (Whittier Daily News, 3/22 http://www.whittierdailynews.com/environment-and-nature/20160322/la-coun...). At the White House Water Summit for World Water Day, “The City of Los Angeles commits to capture an additional 12 billion gallons of stormwater per year by 2025.” (Huffington Post, 3/23 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-petersen/how-la-is-capturing-stormwat...).

As you can see, states and cities are concerned about flooding and also are trying to comply with federal permits related to stormwater. In order to do so, more and more cities are looking to establish stormwater fees to help cover the costs of sewer and stormwater maintenance and green infrastructure improvements. The fees do not always take (some are voted down) and are not always well received. Best quote, from a resident in Elyria, OH, on the stormwater fee: “It’s probably not going to be enough,” Jackson said. “The city will have to do even more because this problem is just going to get worse. With global warming, we will see larger rain events and our sewers are just not equipped to handle the water.” In the last week, here are a few cities that have been exploring these fees or enacted them:
1. White Township, IN https://www.indianagazette.com/news/indiana-news/white-township-supervis...
2. Pleasant Ridge, MI http://www.candgnews.com/news/public-hearing-be-held-proposed-change-sto...
3. McAlester, OK (lowering it) http://www.mcalesternews.com/news/local_news/city-looks-at-stormwater-fe...
4. Fayetteville, NC (deadlock) http://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/news/peoples_business/fayetteville-city...
5. Elyria, OH http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2016/03/25/residents-welcome-stormwat...
6. Ocala, FL http://www.ocala.com/article/20160324/ARTICLES/160329874
7. Park Ridge, IL http://canmua.net/world/stormwater-fee-inches-toward-council-vote-park-r...
8. Peoria, IL http://www.pjstar.com/article/20160322/NEWS/160329778
9. Albany, OR http://democratherald.com/albany/city-council-considers-road-safety-and-...
10. New Bern, NC (voted to nix it) http://www.newbernsj.com/news/20160323/aldermen-reject-stormwater-fee-ch...)
11. Surprise, AZ http://kjzz.org/content/281535/surprise-approves-proposed-2-stormwater-f...
12. Pekin, IL http://www.pjstar.com/article/20160321/NEWS/160329893
13. Cannelton, IN (establishing stormwater department) http://www.perrycountynews.com/content/board-address-stormwater-issues-c...
14. Chesterfield, VA http://www.richmond.com/news/local/chesterfield/article_420174ad-0f76-5c...
15. Raleigh, NC http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article67850...
16. Fulton, MO http://kbia.org/post/proposed-sales-tax-could-help-fix-fulton-s-stormwat...
17. Milton, MA http://milton.wickedlocal.com/article/20160325/NEWS/160326711
18. Moses Lake, WA (raising it) http://www.ifiberone.com/news/moses-lake-approves-annual-utility-rates-i...

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Spring Cleaning Special

How do you reduce some of the environmental cost of having a killer wardrobe? Recycle it. (TriplePundit, 3/1 http://www.triplepundit.com/special/cotton-sustainability-c-and-a-founda...). According to the article, “The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, next to big oil.” Wow.