Tag: Global Warming

What do Texans Want on Earth Day 2024?

On By Kalpana SutariaIn CCLATX, Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

The year 2023 was the hottest year since 1850 exceeding the previous record set by 2016 per the Berkley Earth. Austinites experienced the record-breaking temperatures last summer with meteorologists raising alarms for outdoor workers. The state climatologist Dr. John Neilson-Gammon has assessment report of extreme weather in Texas as it continues to worsen.

The State of Texas is a leader in oil and gas production, and it leads the nation in wind power generation, and it is almost at the top in generation of solar power. It is also the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in our nation. Without Texas, our nation cannot decarbonize itself. If Texas were a country, it would be the eighth largest economy and the eighth largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Texas’ actions to curb emissions would hugely improve the environment.

With these facts, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s (CCL) leadership approached the Texas State Legislature in its 2023 session. Legislative sessions are held once every two years for 140 days. It is difficult for constituents to bring up issues to state lawmakers, when work of all committees and two state houses must be sorted through the number of bills filed, in a very short time. Important issues remain unaddressed.

Policy decisions made by Texas Legislature affect the energy industry as well as Texans. How we generate and transport energy has a profound impact on our environment. The major ask of 10,000 volunteers of CCL was to improve the electric grid that transmits electricity from power plants to consumers. The problem was that transmission lines were not adequate to transmit all renewable energy that was generated, creating a backlog. CCL volunteers held 66 meetings with the state representatives of both parties. A year later, the backlog still exists, and transmission lines are not fully fixed. Generated energy’s backlog, and transmission bottlenecks such as these cost Texans over $5 billion in 2022 and 2023. Consumers, the State, and the environment – all of them will benefit if lawmakers enact the right policies.

Methane leaks from oil and gas production in Texas hugely affect the environment because methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is 80 times more warming than carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). It stays in the air for decades rather than for centuries like CO2 does. Methane leaks and gas flaring are known to the authorities and oil and gas producers. Texas regulators have not enforced them fully. The new climate regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require the oil and gas operators to reduce methane leaks. Per EPA, these rules can prevent equivalent of 1.5 billion tons of CO2 being emitted between 2024 and 2038, almost equal to emissions by all power plants in the country in 2021. Fixing methane leaks helps the operators too, but still Texas has challenged the rules.

CCL supports climate solutions that grow economic opportunities, that are market based, cost effective, efficient and are implemented in a socially equitable manner. The climate crisis has highlighted the already existing inequities. It is worse for those who have fewer resources to live through any type of climate disasters – like flooding, drought, wildfires, sea level rise, extreme heat or cold – causing physical and psychological stress on people.

We must not forget that global warming continues to accelerate. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is delivering positive outcomes to combat the climate crisis. The State of Texas can take advantage of many available opportunities for emissions reductions in the IRA helping Texans. It has tax benefits for removal of accumulated carbon in the atmosphere for businesses.

On this Earth Day, we want lawmakers to implement all policies to lower emissions and improve health and well-being of Texans.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

April 2024

Notes

  1. Rohde, Robert (2024), Global Temperature Report for 2023.
  2. Texas Economic Development Corporation, “Texas Economic Strength.”
  3. Environment Texas, “The Top Ten Biggest Global Warming Polluters in Texas.”
  4. Grid Monitor, The Texas grid did its job during the freeze, but the job’s not done.
  5. IEA, Methane and Climate Change.
  6. Federal Register, EPA Methane regulations issued on March 8, 2024.

Pew Research: 63% of Americans Say Harm to People in the U.S. from Climate Change Will Get Worse in Their Lifetime

On By Carolyn M. AppletonIn Climate ChangeLeave a comment

An insightful study by Pew Research Center last fall showed a high percentage of Americans believe climate change will have a negative impact on the places where they live and work. When it comes to the personal impact of climate change, most Americans believe they will have to make at least minor sacrifices over their lifetimes because of climate change. Pew Research Center (October 2023)

Most young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 foresee worsening climate impacts: 78% think harm to people in the U.S. caused by climate change will get a little or a lot worse in their lifetime. Among Republicans, those aged 18 to 29 are, “25 points more likely than those aged 65 and older to say human activity contributes a great deal to climate change (35% vs. 10%). By comparison, similar majorities of both younger and older Democrats say human activity contributes a great deal to climate change.”

What does this mean for Citizens’ Climate Lobby? We need to enlist more young people as volunteers and advocates in our work, but also, we need to do a better job of convincing people of all ages and political persuasions that climate change is a real threat. We have work to do.

An important finding of the Pew Research report that is key to Citizens’ Climate Lobby is, “when it comes to the federal government, 47% think it can help a lot to reduce the effects of climate change; 40% say this about cities and communities.”

This is where Citizens’ Climate Lobby excels. Our organization empowers people of all ages and political persuations to work together on climate policy. Our supporters are organized into more than 400 chapters across the United States – including the Austin Metro Chapter – building support in Congress for a national bipartisan solution to climate change.

In order to pass climate policy, Congress must hear a chorus of many different voices. Citizens’ Climate Lobby works with members of Congress across the political spectrum to find common ground on climate change action.

How can you help? Join our chapter. Our secure conversation platform managed by the national office makes it easy to learn about climate change and key action items online, at your own convenience. Monthly meetings and occasional social events are held during the year, as are “tabling” events throughout the community (volunteers welcome). This coming June, consider attending the June Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.: June 8 – 11, 2024 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Texas in particular is at risk because of global warming. The EPA notes in its 2016 report, “What Climate Change Means for Texas”:

Texas’s climate is changing. Most of the state has warmed between one-half and one degree (F) in the past century. In the eastern two-thirds of the state, average annual rainfall is increasing, yet the soil is becoming drier. Rainstorms are becoming more intense, and floods are becoming more severe. Along much of the coast, the sea is rising almost two inches per decade. In the coming decades, storms are likely to become more severe, deserts may expand, and summers are likely to become increasingly hot and dry, creating problems for agriculture and possibly human health.

It is our hope that responsible business and elected leaders from all political viewpoints will realize climate change has – and will continue to have – a significant impact on the ever growing population of Texas. And not all of that impact will be positive. There are many things that can be done to better prepare our state and its citizens, including creating and adjusting policies at the local, state and national levels.

If you fall into the above leadership categories, reach out to Citizens’ Climate Lobby for assistance with timely, factual information. We are on point at your convenience and that of your staff members, and as always, we are nonpartisan in our approach.

To reach our Chapter, the following are available to assist, or use the secure contact form on this website to reach us. Thank you!

Media – Kalpana Sutaria: kalpana.sutaria@usa.net
Lobbying – Bruce Miglin: bmiglin@comcast.net
Group Organization and Development – Cynthia Lesky: cynthia.lesky@gmail.com
Grassroots (tabling) – Jessy Eubanks: jessyeubanks@gmail.com

United States Senate

Constitution of the United States

Written in 1787, ratified in 1788 … the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words – “We The People” – affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens. The supremacy of the people through their elected representatives is recognized in Article I, which creates a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The positioning of Congress at the beginning of the Constitution affirms its status as the “First Branch” of the federal government.

LTE Under Consideration: COP28 – Progress, Yes! But We Need More

On By Kalpana SutariaIn CCLATXLeave a comment

Re: December 14, 2023, Statesman article, “Nations across globe agree to transition away from fossil fuels”

Nearly 200 nations agree for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels. A step in the right direction with spirit of cooperation but it is a small step. In 2015, nations agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial times. Despite ramping up of renewable power and energy efficiency to reduce emissions, warming has reached 1.2 degrees Celsius above the mid 1800s. Temperatures are trending up, not stabilizing due to large amounts of CO2 that has collected in the atmosphere that would continue to warm even if we stop burning fossil fuels today.

Like the Paris Accord, these agreements by nations are non-binding and aspirational. The COP28 agreement allows loopholes to powerful oil producing countries.

What can citizens of these countries do?  Reach out to your lawmakers, demand investments and policies to lower use of fossil fuels for improvement to health and well-being of people.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

December 14, 2023

LTE Under Consideration: Thanksgiving for Our Planet

On By Kalpana SutariaIn MethaneLeave a comment

Thanksgiving is a great holiday for enjoyment of food, family and friends. Variety and quantity of foods make this holiday a perfect time to think about leftovers and food waste. Bloomberg reports that some 312 million pounds of food will end up in U.S. trash cans this week – worth $600 million.

In the U.S., nearly 40% of all food is wasted and half of it by households. Food in trash cans goes to landfill that produces methane that is 80 times more potent than carbon in the atmosphere. The EPA reports that 58% of methane emissions come from food waste in U.S. landfills. It is on par with combined annual emissions of 15 coal-fired power plants.

Giving leftover foods to friends and freezing it for future use saves you money and reduces planet warming emissions not just on the Thanksgiving Day but every day by reducing food waste.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

November 24, 2023

Reading

LTE Under Consideration: Inflation Reduction Act’s First Anniversary

On By Kalpana SutariaIn Inflation Reduction ActLeave a comment

This summer, we have experienced record breaking heat with drought conditions affecting all lives including the trees. It is particularly trying for children’s activities. We can do something about it now so that the children can enjoy a better environment.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law by President Biden last year. It has encouraged investments in clean energy manufacturing projects creating upward of 170,000 jobs. There are rebates and tax credit available for homeowners to take advantage of solar panels, energy efficiency and electric appliances.  We need to tell our state leaders to get this benefits for Texans since federal dollars must pass through the state. Other “red” and “purple” states are already taking advantage of federal dollars.

With massive clean energy investment possibilities in the IRA, we can lower harmful emissions, improve air quality and health, have respite from the heat and benefit of new jobs for workers.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

August 2023

@CCLATX in Washington, D.C., a Recap and Thanks!

On By CCLATXIn CCLATXLeave a comment

Enthusiastic and motivated members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby from across the nation met with members of Congress. The final numbers are in! During last week’s lobby day on Capitol Hill, our volunteers held an incredible 436 lobby meetings on Capitol Hill. That’s 160 House Republicans, 182 House Democrats, 45 Senate Republicans, 46 Senate Democrats, and 3 Senate Independents.

The photographs above are courtesy of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Austin Metro Chapter volunteers and other Texas volunteers met with elected officials from all districts of Texas. Our primary ask was to get permitting reform done to expedite renewable energy projects through required process. The Inflation Reduction Act that passed in 2022 provides federal funds to invest in renewable energy, which will provide hundreds of thousands of new jobs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and thereby lower global warming emissions. This is the first time large investments are allocated for clean energy projects in a bill to address climate change.

The photographs above are courtesy of Kalpana Sutaria and Austin Metro volunteers.

In order to combat climate change and reduce emissions, it is essential we speed up the rate at which we build electricity transmission to ensure we can connect new wind and solar to the grid. If we do not build clean energy infrastructure faster, we will only achieve about 20% of the potential carbon pollution reduction from the climate policy that is already in place.

Lawmakers recently reached a deal on the debt limit, which included some permitting reform measures, but it is just a small piece of what is needed. We still need to speed up approval of additional power lines to transmit clean energy if we are going to meet our climate targets. Austin Metro Chapter volunteers also believe strongly that communities should have their voices heard on the environmental and other impacts of proposed energy projects.

Before the lobby meetings in Washington, D.C., our volunteers attended the international 2023 Climate Lobbying Reboot June Conference, where they heard from inspirational speakers such as Dream.org Green for All National Campaign Director Jameka Hodnett; Dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University Rachel Kyte; Democratic Representative Scott Peters (CA-50); and Ambassador Francis Rooney III, who was the Republican representative for Florida’s 19th Congressional district from 2017 to 2021.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings together volunteers from across the political spectrum to advocate for legislation to help solve the climate crisis. Volunteers meet regularly with their members of Congress to ask them to support federal policy to lower the heat-trapping emissions altering and polluting our climate. Learn how to join by following this link.

Thank You

The Austin Metro Chapter would like to thank the following elected officials and their dedicated staff members for taking the time to meet with us. We deeply appreciate your time and attention.

  • Congresswoman Kay Granger | TX12
  • Congressman Randy Weber | TX14
  • Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee | TX18
  • Congressman Michael C. Burgess | TX26
  • Congressman Colin Allred | TX32

And:

Why We Do This

Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers from both sides of the aisle consistently contact their Representatives and Congressmen and Congresswomen to ask for climate action. Texas already sees dramatic impacts from a warming climate. Our leaders must support policy to reduce carbon emissions with the speed needed, and we deeply appreciate their efforts.

Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported an increase in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in 2022, a clean energy transition is swiftly happening in the United States. Just three months after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, 100,000 climate-friendly jobs were created and families that take advantage of clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits from the bill are set to save more than $1,000 per year.

RISEE Act

In addition, during their meetings in Washington, D.C. the Austin Metro Chapter shared information about the RISEE Act. The Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act, introduced in the 118th Congress by Senators Whitehouse (D-RI), Cassidy (R-LA), Representatives Fletcher (D-TX) and Weber (R-TX), would develop dedicated funding streams for coastal infrastructure and resilience efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities and businesses most threatened by sea level rise and coastal erosion. This bipartisan legislation would establish a new revenue sharing model between the federal government and coastal and Great Lakes states for federal offshore wind money generated beyond six nautical miles from a state’s coastline. To read more about RISEE, see the downloadable document below.

risee-actDownload

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter

and

Susan Adams

CCL Regional Coordinator for the Third Coast

Earth Day 2023

On By Kalpana SutariaIn Earth DayLeave a comment

We all deserve to breathe clean air and drink clean water. There is nothing partisan about it. It was because of concerns about clean air and clean water that the Earth Day tradition began. Thousands of students and other groups fought against oil spills, pollution from factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, species extinction and loss of wilderness. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, urban and rural dwellers, farmers, business and labor leaders came together demanding better environment.

By the end of 1970, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created and the U.S. Congress passed environmental laws including the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Clean Air Act and in 1972 it passed the Clean Water Act. These laws have saved lives, improved air quality and health.

For two decades, concerns about increased use of coal, oil and gas were raised by not only NASA’s climate scientists but by ExxonMobil’s own scientists. Increased use of coal, oil and gas added pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. In 1988, Dr. Hansen testified in the U.S. Congress expressing concerns of global warming. By 1990, Earth Day was globally celebrated by nations for global action. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, human activities have produced 40 percent more atmospheric concentration of CO2, from 280 ppm to 414.7 ppm in 2021. Carbon dioxide emissions reached record high in 2022.

Seventeen out of eighteen warmest years have occurred since 2001 according to NASA.

As concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions increase in the atmosphere, extreme weather events have intensified, our climate has destabilized and pollutants and pollen counts have gone up. Austin is known for problems of pollen allergies throughout the year. Pollen allergies have become much worse with increase in CO2, warmer temperatures and tail pipe emissions resulting from traffic congestion. Austin had 25 “Ozone Action Days” in 2022 which tops the combined total for past eight years. Short term measures like reduction in use of gasoline powered vehicles, equipment and manufacturing and long term measures like transitioning to cleaner energy sources are needed to reduce warming and ground level ozone. People suffering from pollen allergies feel the effects of ground level ozone along with increase in pollens from ragweed, grass, mold, trees and other pollutants. Sneezing, headaches, post nasal drainage and general sense of tiredness are the symptoms that I suffer from, even after taking appropriate measures.

Texas is a leader in oil and gas production. A non-profit group, Carbon Mapper has detected methane leaks near drilling sites in Texas. Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of CO2 for 20 years after its release. Methane emissions cause 25% of global warming today. Lack of enforcement of permitting rules on oil and gas operations continue to add to global warming by releasing methane into our environment.

Texas faces many water issues including groundwater pollution, aging infrastructure, drought and flooding. Abandoned oil and gas wells are polluting Texas farms, ranches, and underground water. Texas Railroad Commission (TRCC) which oversees orphan wells in Texas, has reported 140,000 inactive wells. Until these wells are plugged, water contamination is likely to get worse affecting health of humans and cattle.

Clean air and clean water are critical and so are reductions in polluting emissions. There are policy proposals introduced in the U.S. Congress to transition towards clean energy sources but we need a political will and bipartisan approach to drive this transition for improved quality of life for all.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin

April 20, 2023

Carbon fee and dividend still needed in the climate war 

On By CCLATXIn Inflation Reduction ActLeave a comment

Published as, “Opinion: More legislation needed in the global warming fight”

Climate activists celebrated the August 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act for its many provisions dealing with climate. True, those provisions were watered down in order to secure passage, and they are far less than what is needed. But that it passed at all was a big surprise, after previous hopes for legislative climate action had been dashed.

However, more comprehensive climate legislation is still much needed, as we are badly losing the war on global warming. In the Paris Accords of 2015-16, 196 nations pledged to pursue efforts to limit earth’s temperature increase to no more than 2.7°F (=1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels — with a fallback ‘in case we fail’ goal to limit warming to less than 3.6°F (2°C). Worldwide greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) are at their highest atmospheric concentrations and emissions levels ever recorded, and they are projected to continue rising for at least several years. Virtually no climate science expert believes we will achieve the Paris 2.7°F goal.

There is no question that the U.S. cannot resolve the global warming problem by itself. All nations (especially China) need to take immediate action to slash their greenhouse gas emissions. But this should not dissuade the U.S. from taking responsibility to deal with our own emissions. As leader of the free world and historically the highest emitter of greenhouse gases, we bear a special responsibility to lead by example.

Granted, compared to previous decades, recent U.S. progress in switching away from fossil fuels seems impressive. It is simply not fast enough. U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (all greenhouse gases, not just CO2) decreased by only 2 percent from 1990 to 2021. We need additional federal policy to accelerate reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions.

What is needed is a ‘carbon fee and dividend’ policy, which places a fee on greenhouse gas emissions and returns those fees to taxpayers. This approach has been endorsed by a large number of businesses (including Exxon-Mobil), prominent individuals and organizations (e.g., the Climate Leadership Council, whose members include 27 Nobel Laureate economists, and over 3,000 U.S. economists). Carbon fee and dividend has the benefits of being the climate policy that involves least government intrusion in the affairs of business and brings a positive cash flow to most taxpayers (both of which should make it the least objectionable option to members of Congress), and it will have a net positive long-term impact on the economy and jobs creation. The most important benefit is that, if crafted properly, it can be effective enough to achieve U.S. climate goals.

The wise man Yogi Berra purportedly said ‘It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.’ It is indeed tough to determine precisely how hot earth will end up getting because the answer depends almost entirely upon decisions we humans might or might not make: take immediate drastic action; do little or nothing; do something lukewarm in between. It is still possible we could limit warming to 2.7°F – but extremely improbable. All nations would have to take the immediate drastic action path; it won’t happen. The world is now on the ‘lukewarm’ path, one expected to lead to a 4.5-7.2°F rise by century’s end.

Yes, this is a wide range of uncertainty. But even if warming ends up at the low end of this range, it will be disastrous for humans and many other of earth’s plant and animal residents. There is zero uncertainty that we need to take more powerful action now to halt the warming. A carbon fee and dividend policy is the best option for the U.S. to address our greenhouse gas emissions problem.

Mark Warren

Member, Citizens Climate Lobby Austin Chapter

Austin American-Statesman

March 2023

LTE: Methane Has More Than 80 Times the Warming Power of Carbon Dioxide

On By CCLATXIn MethaneLeave a comment

Re: February 5, 2023 article, “How can we best measure Methane?”

Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide for twenty years after its release. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the EPA is preparing to charge a fee, the first ever to reduce global warming, on the amount of methane released.  How to measure the amount is a major dilemma.

Oil and gas companies have equipment to measure methane but they are not deploying them fully. Currently, they can pollute our environment without any consequences. They even burn excess hydrocarbons or use “flaring” which is allowed only for safety.  This practice is widely prevalent in the Permian Basin which TCEQ could stop by enforcement of the current permitting rules.

If these companies don’t want to pay fees, they could follow the permitting rules and seal methane leaks and start a transition plan to clean energy methods to become a part of the solution to stabilize our climate.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Citizens Climate Lobby Austin Chapter

Submitted to the Austin American Statesman and to the Times-Picayune in Louisiana

February 2023

LTE Under Consideration: The Year 2022 and Climate

On By CCLATXIn Clean EnergyLeave a comment

The year 2022 was a remarkable year for the climate.

  • The U.S. emissions went up by 1.3%
  • It was the 6th warmest year according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It should have been cooler being a Le Nina year.
  • According to Dr. Hansen, 2022 was 0.04 degree Celsius warmer than 2021 likely because more energy is coming in than going out.
  • The 10-warmest years on record have occurred since year 2010.
  • The US had 18 one billion plus dollar climate disasters.

We had news to celebrate 2022. Inflation Reduction Act was the largest ever climate bill that was passed by the U.S. Congress. Volunteers of Citizens Climate Lobby have work to do by reaching out to the state and city governments and ensure that allocated federal dollars are invested in clean energy sources to bring the emissions down.

This will improve our health and quality of life.

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Citizens Climate Lobby Austin Chapter

Submitted to the San Antonio Express News

January 2023