A regional resource for Cape & Islands climate advocates
December 2, 2021
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Let the sunshine ... let the sunshine in! |
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Climate Collaborative's Jim Wolf talks solar and climate crisis, makes national news |
Many Americans are already preparing their homes for the impacts of climate change
By Chris Conte, Fox News, November 17, 2021
HYANNIS, Mass. — With climate change creating more intense weather events across the country, many Americans are looking to better prepare their homes for the impacts of severe storms.
As the sustainability program director for Cape Air, Jim Wolf is intensely involved in the fight to combat climate change. Watch the video.
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Why Putting Solar Canopies on Parking Lots Is a Smart Green Move
Solar farms are proliferating on undeveloped land, often harming ecosystems. But placing solar canopies on large parking lots offers a host of advantages — making use of land that is already cleared, producing electricity close to those who need it, and even shading cars.
By Richard Conniff, Yale School of the Environment, Nov. 22, 2021
Fly into Orlando, Florida, and you may notice a 22-acre solar power array in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head in a field just west of Disney World. Nearby, Disney also has a 270-acre solar farm of conventional design on former orchard and forest land. Park your car in any of Disney’s 32,000 parking spaces, on the other hand, and you won’t see a canopy overhead generating solar power (or providing shade) — not even if you snag one of the preferred spaces for which visitors pay up to $50 a day.
This is how it typically goes with solar arrays: We build them on open space rather than in developed areas. That is, they overwhelmingly occupy croplands, arid lands, and grasslands, not rooftops or parking lots, according to a global inventory published last month in Nature. Read more.
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Cape Cod Commission prepares model
solar bylaw
Cape Cod Commission, Nov. 24, 2021
Climate change is a major challenge facing Cape Cod and transitioning our regional energy sector to renewable forms of energy, including solar energy, is essential. At the same time, ensuring that the region has the resources to facilitate local renewable energy development while protecting our most sensitive resources and public health, safety, and welfare is critical.
In response to a recommendation in the region’s Climate Action Plan and to aid communities in regulating and establishing reasonable standards for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the Cape Cod Commission prepared a model solar bylaw for large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations. This bylaw provides guidance to Cape communities as they seek to enhance renewable energy opportunities in appropriate areas. Read more. Download the Model Bylaw.
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Long Pasture awarded $100,000 for solar panels
Bronwen Walsh, The Barnstable Patriot, November 17, 2021
CUMMAQUID — Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary has been awarded a matching challenge grant of $100,000 for the installation of nearly 80 solar photovoltaic panels on its newly opened Discovery Center and a planned outdoor classroom.
The challenge grant was given by the Tern Foundation of Eastham, which has supported numerous renewable energy projects across Cape Cod to help nonprofits transition to solar power. Read more.
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Energy & The Built Environment |
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Join the EV charging revolution by taking advantage of Eversource's EV Charging Station program
Eversource.com
Through the program, Eversource is helping increase access to electric vehicles by supporting 100 percent of the infrastructure costs for thousands of new charging stations across Massachusetts. Learn more about how you can support electric vehicles, or apply to be an EV Charging Station host site.
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Eversource is nearing full enrollment for its current round of funding for this program. but are accepting applications, with approved projects placed on a waitlist until additional funding is available.
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A bill in the Legislature empowers utilities to offer clean, renewable thermal energy in order to enlist those companies in the effort toward networked ground source heat pumps, technology already being used cost-effectively in many of our communities.
By Cynthia Stone Creem and Lori A. Ehrlich, Opinion, The Boston Globe, Nov. 23, 2021
As we prepare for colder weather, the choice has already been made for many residents that they will be burning euphemistically named “natural gas,” or methane. This fuel, which is no more natural than any other fossil fuel, is not only responsible for massive property damage and loss of life following explosions, as we saw in the Merrimack Valley disaster three years ago — it is also a potent fossil fuel, responsible for 27 percent of climate-altering emissions statewide, second only to transportation and significantly greater than even the energy generation sector. Read more.
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In the Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod
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Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod announces start of new Falmouth project featuring net zero homes
On Saturday, December 4, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod will raise walls and begin volunteer construction on 6 new affordable homes on Willett Way in Falmouth...
The Falmouth Habitat homes will be a mix of two to three bedrooms and the price to the homeowner will be $150,000 to $168,000. Habitat Cape Cod homes are typically net zero possible, with solar panels, and air source heat pumps, which don’t use fossil fuels or combustion, for less environmental impact while lowering the homeowner’s energy cost.
In the past 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has developed over 155 affordable homes on Cape Cod, with 12 more under volunteer construction this year. Local families help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. And the Homes are deed restricted to remain affordable in perpetuity. Read more.
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NZ-21 Conference:
Extended by
Popular Demand!
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White House creates new energy division to coordinate climate change policies
By Maxine Joselow, The Washington Post, November 24, 2021
The White House has launched a new energy division of its Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and appointed Sally Benson, a well-known energy expert at Stanford University, to a high-level position to coordinate climate change policy.
The announcement... illustrates that the White House is racing to fulfill President Biden’s ambitious commitments to combat climate change, particularly as Republicans ramp up their attacks on the administration over high gas prices ahead of the holiday season. Read more.
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Future depends on beating climate crisis
Sheila Place, Guest Columnist, The Cape Cod Times, November 29, 2021
View Comments
For the second time in a little over two weeks, the tornado warning sounded, and I went down to the lower level with my lantern and my cell phone, so I could keep track of the frightening climate event threatening overhead, hoping there was enough charge in my phone for whatever was approaching.
A climate activist for over 20 years, I have given up wondering, 'What will it take to wake us up?' Clearly a lot more and worse, is headed our way, and there’s the sobering thought that maybe we’re too late. Read more.
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Climate change is an existential threat
By Carol Magenau and Suzanne Ryan-Ishkanian, Guest columnists, The Cape Cod Times, November 28, 2021
We are writing in response to the Nov. 6 editorial by Marc Thiessen entitled 'Climate Change is not an existential threat.' Mr. Thiessen is a proponent of unfettered capitalism, and his solution to climate change is to 'unleash the free market to increase prosperity and innovation.'
Much of what Mr. Thiessen wrote was based on arguments by Bjorn Lomborg, who has authored a book that attempts to downplay the level of emergency in global warming. Read more.
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Student Journalist Zoe Simmons Honored For Environmental Coverage
By Alan Pollock, Cape Cod Chronicle, November 24, 2021
HARWICH — Zoe Simmons, a student in the Nauset schools, has leveraged the power of her school newspaper to spread environmental awareness. Her good work caught the attention of the nonprofit group CARE for the Cape and Islands, which named her their 2021 Youth Award recipient.
When she entered Nauset Regional Middle School as a sixth grader last year, the Harwich resident was looking for a way to put her writing ability to good use but disappointed to find that the school lacked a newspaper of its own. “I helped to start it,” the 12-year-old said. “The newspaper’s called the Nauset Current.” The paper has published several times, and its next issue is expected next month. Read more.
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Mayors Cite Electric Vehicles As Top Climate Tech Priority
A recent survey shows U.S. city leaders are putting net-zero vehicles at the top of their climate agendas, along with public buildings, solar energy and LED lighting
By Josyana Joshua, Bloomberg News, Nov. 23, 2021
Electric vehicles have made it to the top of U.S. mayors’ climate agendas, according to a new survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. More than half of the 103 mayors surveyed called EVs the most promising technology for reducing energy and carbon, while almost as many cited low-energy buildings as an important technology. The findings show increased interest among city leaders in zero-emissions vehicles, mirroring President Joe Biden’s emphasis on EVs in his climate policies. Read more.
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Final Cape Rail Study report published by Cape Cod Commission
Cape Cod Commission, November 24, 2021
Enhanced rail service could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region, according to the final Cape Rail Study that was released in early November.
The Cape Rail Study evaluates the potential of year-round passenger rail to the Cape Cod region, and provides data and information about projected ridership, auto usage, emissions, and costs. The study was led by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) with support of consultant teams and the Cape Cod Commission. It was guided by an Advisory Group consisting of elected officials and representatives from the Towns of Bourne, Wareham, and Middleborough; representatives of local interest groups; and representatives of regional agencies and organizations. Read more.
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Here’s How Much Food Contributes to Climate Change
Animal-based foods produce about twice the emissions of plant-based ones, a new comprehensive study finds
By Andrea Thompson, Scientific American,
September 13, 2021, Graphic credit: Montañez
As with most things related to people, the food we eat comes with a carbon cost. Soil tillage, crop and livestock transportation, manure management and all the other aspects of global food production generate greenhouse gas emissions to the tune of more than 17 billion metric tons per year, according to a new study published on Monday in Nature Food. Animal-based foods account for 57 percent of those emissions, and plant-based ones make up 29 percent.
The researchers hope the paper’s detailed breakdown of how much each agricultural practice, animal product, crop and country contributes to carbon emissions can help focus and fine-tune reduction efforts. Read more.
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Inside The World’s Largest Synthetic Meat Factory
Upside is trying to make lab-grown meat scalable, affordable and desirable to consumers who like the taste of the real thing.
By Brian Schildhorn and Ashlee Vance, Bloomberg News, November 24, 2021
Upside Foods—formerly Memphis Meats—opened the largest synthetic meat factory in the world. It’s designed to grow thousands of pounds of chicken, beef and pork. Backed by Bill Gates and Richard Branson, the company is betting consumers will go for vat-grown meat.
Given the amount of damage done to the atmosphere and environment by the global meat industry, and the growing demand for products seen as sustainable, the moment for fake meat may have arrived. In this episode of Hello World, we explore the cutting edge technology being deployed to make faux meat scalable, affordable and most importantly desirable among consumers who want it to taste like the real thing. Read more.
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Get rewarded when your community saves energy!
Mass Save® application priority deadline is December 3 with a second, newly extended application deadline of January 10
Through The Community First Partnership, the Sponsors of Mass Save® are looking to team up with your municipality or community-based organization on outreach initiatives in Environmental Justice communities that help residents and small businesses save money and energy.
Benefits to your town or organization for participating include:
- Helping reduce your communities energy burden – up to $180K in grant support.
- Connecting with and providing your constituents with access to energy-saving resources to lower their energy use.
- Earning incentives for encouraging residents and small businesses to save.
- Helping your community reach its climate/sustainability goals.
- Promoting your team’s energy efficiency goals with marketing resources, training and technical assistance from your local Program Sponsor(s).
The deadline to apply for 2022 participation is December 3, 2021 at 5 p.m. A second, extended deadline for application is January 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. The Sponsors of Mass Save invite you to view a recording of their recent information webinar and email them if you have any questions. Visit this link for more information and to apply!
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Ready-to-Go: State and Local Efforts Advancing Energy Efficiency
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) releases toolkit for local and state governments
The new ACEEE toolkit provides a resource for local and state governments, and their partner organizations, as they prepare to deploy current and future federal funding opportunities. It first discusses six guiding principles for governments developing energy efficiency programs, synthesizing lessons learned from examples and centering equity considerations. Following this discussion of guiding principles, the toolkit provides descriptions of 17 example programs across the United States. These programs address housing, transportation, workforce development, and other topics. Each project description summarizes the program, identifies successes and challenges, and highlights key ways that the program can be applied to other governments’ work. Read more. Download the Toolkit. Suggested Citatio
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Chatham CAN takes action! Climate warrant articles passed at Town Meeting 2021 can serve as model for towns across region
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Webinars, Events, Hearings |
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Public Hearing on three important water, natural resource and climate-related bills next Tuesday
Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Environment (ENRA) to take up critical Cape water supply, natural resources, and forest protection bills
Tuesday, December 7
1:00 - 4:00 PM
You are invited to attend this virtual public hearing, advocate for these bills, and/or submit written comments of support. Testimony requires pre-registration (by Sunday at 5:00 pm.). Each person has up to three minutes to speak and a live-streaming option is offered.
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H.4022 - An Act to Protect Cape Cod's Environment and Water Supply, sponsored by Representative Dylan Fernandez, Falmouth - This bill would require any proposal for new or expanded activity within the Massachusetts Military Reserve that will result in the alteration of ten or more acres, including but not limited to habitat destruction or clearcutting of forested land, to be categorically required to complete a full Environmental Impact Report under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. Read text here
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H 912 - An Act Relative to Forest Protection, sponsored by Representative Michael Finn, 6th Hampden District - This bill would designate all 412,000 acres of park, forest, and watershed lands administered by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as parks or reserves. It would expand the existing system of parks and reserves where natural processes are allowed to proceed with minimal human management, similar to the stewardship of our National Parks. Read text here.
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H 1002 - An Act Relative to Increased Protection of Wildlife Management Areas, sponsored by Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, 1st Hampshire District - This bill would expand and make permanent the existing system of reserves on public Wildlife Management Areas administered by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It would direct the designation by 2030 of at least 30%, or about 51,000 acres, of the agency’s lands, consistent with the latest biological and climate science, and would give these areas permanent protection. Read text here.
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021
2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
The Union of Concerned Scientists, Massachusetts Sierra Club, and Alternatives for Community and Environment invite you to a webinar on the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule,
Cars, trucks, and buses are the largest source of global warming emissions in the Commonwealth and are also a major contributor to health-damaging local air pollution.
Right now, decisionmakers are considering a regulation that would allow the state to target the most polluting trucks on the road: medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The ACT rule is a first-of-its kind regulation that, if adopted, would result in an increasing percentage of electric trucks per year in the states that adopt it. By focusing on the dirtiest, most polluting vehicles, Massachusetts will take a step forward in cleaning up the air for all, and one among many that the Commonwealth should take to electrify trucks. Read more.
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Mayflower Wind to hold open Education & Workforce Development Office Hours
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
99 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721
Register (in person event; pre-registration required)
Mayflower Wind invites you to join them at their new Fall River location for an Education and Workforce Development Office Hours event. Learn more about the Mayflower Wind project and talk with members of the team. Kelsey Perry, Mayflower Wind’s Community Liaison Officer, will give a short presentation about the Mayflower Wind project, an outlook on future workforce opportunities, and how students can get involved in the offshore wind industry.
AGENDA
5:00 - 5:30 pm - Arrival - Light snacks & refreshments provided
5:30 - 6:00 pm - Presentation – Education and Workforce Development
6:00 - 6:30 pm - Q & A
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Ready to Go: Opportunities for Cities and States to Deploy Federal Funding to Advance Clean Energy and Equity
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy presents webinar on federal funding initiatives for cities and states
Thursday, December 9, 2021
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Recent and pending federal funding initiatives, including the American Rescue Plan Act and bipartisan infrastructure bill, may provide billions of dollars that can help cities and states reach their goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance equity in their communities. Governments can learn from example programs to efficiently and effectively leverage these generational opportunities. Join ACEEE and panelists to learn more bout how your government can strengthen its new or expanded energy programs.
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Climate Education & Communication |
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Harvard EdCast: How Climate Change Is Taught in America
What are kids being taught about climate change in American schools, what part of the discussion is causing friction, and what are the potential effects a generation miseducated on this topic?
By Jill Anderson, Harvard School of Education, Nov.12, 2021
Award-winning journalist Katie Worth wanted to know what children learn about climate change in America. As part of her research, she visited several states, talked to teachers, scoured text books, and spoke to students and their families. It turns out climate change education is just as contentious in the classroom as it is in politics.
“There were disagreements among teachers about how to approach it. Sometimes teachers were educating their kids about it, and the kids would push back because they'd heard at home that it was a hoax. Sometimes parents were mad that the kids were learning about it or that they weren't learning about it. So it's a hot topic on the ground, even for children,” Worth says. “This is like the classroom has really become a battleground in this adult political conversation around climate change. That misinformation that has permeated the adult world is of course filtering into the world of children.” Read more and listen to the recording.
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Searching for Hidden Meaning in Climate Jargon
By The New York Times Climate Desk, Oct. 31, 2021
Governments are committing to net zero. Sustainable products are being sold to you on Instagram. Banks are pushing E.S.G.s. As climate change gets worse, it seems like everyone wants you to know that they’re doing something about it. But what do those words mean? Are they really communicating information — or obfuscating?
There’s a long history of choosing words that are meant to advance an agenda. Two decades ago, a pollster named Frank Luntz famously advised Republicans to say “climate change” instead of “global warming,” a phrase that sounded less alarming, to try to stave off calls for urgent action.
A lot has changed since then, but what hasn’t is the power of words to shape the way people think about climate risks. Read more.
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A Look Behind the (Recycling) Curtain
Wonder what REALLY happens to your recycling?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re an above-average recycler who feels good about doing your part to reduce trash and use of natural resources.
RecycleSmart.org
Recycle Smart MA just launched the Recycling Road Map, a new, interactive webpage that goes behind the curtain to explain the recycling life cycle. Because after our recycling leaves the curb, how many of us really understand the next steps in the journey? From sorting recyclables and producing marketable commodities, to creating a "new" feedstock for manufacturing goods and returning those items to retailers, this webpage explains it all. Click here to view the interactive recycling roadmap.
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Recycling pays dividends in 18 Cape & Islands towns
Cape & Islands recycling programs earn $200,000 in state support
The Barnstable Patriot, November 22, 2021
BARNSTABLE — Eighteen towns on Cape Cod and the Islands have been awarded a combined total of $207,350 through the state's Recycling Dividends Program (RDP), Barnstable County announced Monday.
Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the program recognizes municipalities that have implemented policies proven to maximize the reuse and recycling of materials and waste reduction. Read more.
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We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to reach carbon neutrality — or net zero — on Cape Cod and the Islands of Massachusetts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and activism among organizations, programs, and individuals committed to mitigating the climate crisis. We depend upon the generosity of our stakeholders to conduct our work. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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The Climate Action Alerts newsletter is curated and crafted by Fran Schofield. If you have a climate story from your home, school, workplace, town or organization, please be in touch! And don't forget to share this action alert with your friends and suggest they subscribe here.
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