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Hi everyone,
We have new LTE Topics uploaded (and pasted below).
Other new media resources include a press release on inflation and climate change and a new editorial packet.
Take care out there — it's been a heavy news week.
- The Russia Ukraine conflict: As heartbreaking news from the conflict dominates headlines, it also highlights the importance of energy independence. Sound climate policy also adds to national security. Russia is able to weaponize oil and gas distribution in Europe because of the world’s dependance on fossil fuels; oil prices jumped to near $100 a barrel within hours of the conflict beginning. You could write that we should not be beholden to autocrats and market manipulation from oil monopolies. A faster transition to clean energy would lead to more stable energy economies worldwide.
- Inflation and climate change: As the Senate works to advance climate policies, some members of Congress are pointing to inflation as a reason to delay. You could write that inflation is a concern for many Americans right now, but a fee on pollution with a carbon cashback payment returned to Americans would offset higher household costs. We cannot afford to delay climate policy; extreme weather, made worse by climate change, was a major inflationary force of 2021. We need dependable, affordable clean energy, free from oil monopolies' market manipulation. Encouragingly, a new report has found that clean energy would be more reliable; U.S. electricity blackouts could be avoided across the nation by switching to solar, wind, and water energy sources. A Deloitte Economics Institute report also shows climate action could add $3 trillion to the U.S. economy by 2070 if we rapidly decarbonize — failing to act could cost $14.5 trillion.
- Wildfire and climate risks are soaring: A United Nations report says worsening heat and dryness could lead to a 50 percent increase in wildfires. Meanwhile, sea levels along the coastal U.S. will likely rise by a foot or more by 2050 if we fail to act on climate. A new IPCC report scheduled for release on climate change impact, adaptions, and vulnerability is expected to be damning. And, if we needed any more evidence that climate change should be addressed, pollution is causing more deaths than COVID; weather disasters affected 1 in 10 homes in the U.S. last year; 2021 was tied for the 6th warmest year. These alarming reports and records will continue to come without urgent and effective climate policy.
- Black History Month: As we celebrate Black History Month, your letter could highlight the work of Black environmentalists and activists. You could also write about how it's important to move beyond the celebration of Black History Month into meaningful advocacy for African-American communities that are often disproportionately impacted by climate change. You can find out more about climate change in the African American community here.
- Good news for zero-emission heavy duty vehicles: A new study for the Environmental Defense Fund predicts electric freight trucks and buses will become cheaper to purchase and operate than their combustion engine counterparts in the next five years. Electrifying such vehicles could reduce a quarter of all climate pollution from the transportation sector. You could write that implementing a federal carbon tax policy would encourage other sectors to move quickly to lower emissions and improve air quality.
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