@jane_mercer
Shared by Jane Mercer
We Don't Have Time
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Meet Roy McGowan, the winner of We Don’t Have Time’s American University Climate Idea Contest. This contest was part of We Don’t Have Time’s COP27 Broadcast; Forward Together: How to Ensure the Climate Transition is Just and Equitable. Roy McGowan’s idea was innovative and logical and could be used to manage rainwater and lessen the likelihood of flooding in the DC area. He introduced the idea of implementing bioswales in DC in order to manage stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. A bioswale is a vegetated channel or ditch in the ground, usually next to roadways, that allow water to flow in where it can then be naturally filtered by the native plants growing inside the bioswale. We Don’t Have Time sat down with McGowan to hear more about his climate idea, as well as more about who he is as a person. He has always been interested in sustainability and urban planning, and is a sophomore in college. He is a member of the Kogod Sustainability Club at American University as well as an EcoRep for American University’s Office of Sustainability. As he was walking around AU’s campus one day, he saw a bioswale near the new Hall of Science building, and something clicked in his mind. “We are at the highest point of DC, with stormwater management, how can we divert it from these high risk areas [downtown]?” DC was built on a marshland, and many areas are susceptible to flooding as a result. Specifically, says McGowan, the Museum of American History is the most prone to flooding in downtown DC. Implementing bioswales throughout DC is a great way to naturally divert and filter stormwater, decreasing the toll of climate change on the capital city. According to McGowan, the first step towards implementing bioswales in the DC area would be finding suitable roadways for this solution, potentially using GIS technology. Although there are upfront costs associated with performing an analysis of city roadways, the long-term benefits far outweigh these costs. In our interview, McGowan outlined the three types of problems involved with design thinking: wicked problems, complex problems, and easy problems. “Wicked problems are climate change as a whole, and complex problems are things that fall under that umbrella. So they are more so just big ideas that can be easily implemented.” In this situation, as McGowan stated, the wicked problem would be climate change. It is an enormous issue with many complexities surrounding it. However, a complex problem would be the issue of stormwater runoff and a lack of biodiversity in cities. There are solutions to this complex problem that are not as daunting, such as McGowan’s bioswale idea, that could have a large impact on the wicked problem. McGowan also emphasized the concept of feasibility. Of course, the main goal is always to solve the wicked problem of climate change, but in order to have the biggest impact, you have to start by zooming in on the issues and tackling a more specific problem. Once you do that, you can start chipping away at the overall climate crisis. In the words of Roy McGowan, “We have to start somewhere, and we have to start today.” Click here to read Roy’s winning climate idea: Click here to watch We Don’t Have Time’s COP27 Broadcast This article was written by Jane Mercer. For any questions, please reach out to jane.mercer@wedonthavetime.org
Jane Mercer
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On October 6th, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced they will be releasing new strategies to aid Texas in resisting the impacts of climate change. Raising temperatures and varying precipitation patterns are rapidly changing Texas, and issues such as water shortages and invasive pests will have an increasingly large impact in the future. Last month, severe flooding was devastating to parts of Texas, which makes these new strategies very necessary and timely. Before this announcement, EPA plans had not been updated since 2014. The areas of focus that will be addressed with these new strategies include drought, flooding, and extreme storms and weather. In doing research for these new strategies, the EPA found that the most glaring and potentially impactful vulnerabilities to climate change include severe droughts, sea level rise, more intense coastal flooding, stronger hurricanes, longer-lasting heat waves, and extreme rainstorms. Although the updates have not been fully released yet, there are some measures that are known: The EPA will be "increasing inspections at industrial facilities along the Gulf Coast that are vulnerable to hurricanes; incorporating climate change adaptation measures into environmental permitting; and increasing enforcement on water systems that fail to comply with federal rules." Further, the EPA will be expanding outreach programs and efforts to more vulnerable communities that live along the Gulf Coast. The stakes are high for Texans who are suffering the impacts of climate change. The EPA has failed to make any updates to the plans for this region in nearly a decade, but this new announcement offers hope for the future of creating resiliency for communities who are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Story first reported by the Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/06/epa-plan-texas-climate-change/
Jane Mercer
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Dogs Have Been Trained to Detect Invasive Species In a study conducted by researchers with the University of Waikato and the University of Canberra, dogs were found to be able to sniff out invasive species of carp in bodies of water. Carp are multiple species of fish which live in freshwater, and are considered to be invasive in parts of Africa, Australia and most of the United States. Dogs have been used to sniff out substances for a long time now, but only recently has this training been implemented for environmental purposes. Researchers worked with a Labrador named Ruby to test canine capacity to smell invasive carp, and the results were very promising. With dog treats as an incentive, Ruby was able to identify the smell of carp, even if the water was very diluted or contaminated with other species of fish. Ultimately, Ruby could detect just 1 kg of carp within 2 million liters of water. This strong sense of smell is so accurate and precise that it is comparable to lab equipment. The obvious benefit to using dogs over equipment would be that the dogs are significantly less expensive and fragile. Using dogs to detect invasive species is still an evolving project, but it could be the future of environmental conservation. Story originally reported by EuroNews: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/06/natures-best-friend-scientists-train-dogs-to-sniff-out-dangerous-invasive-species
Jane Mercer
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This past Monday, the nonprofit think tank Carbon Tracker and the Global Energy Monitor launched the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels. This registry is a public use database that tracks the world’s fossil fuel reserves, production, and emissions, and includes data from over 50,000 oil, gas, and coal fields in 89 countries. This information encompasses three-quarter of the world’s fossil fuels, and is the first database of its kind. Prior to the launch of the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels, much of this data was only available privately for purchase. This database is a huge step towards transparency and accessibility for the fight against climate change. The database allows a user to view snapshots of any country’s fossil fuel production, usage, and reserves. Other information includes the warming potential of that country, range of certainty, historical trends, as well as possibilities for the future based on various scenarios. Each country also has a ranked list of which fossil fuel extraction projects produce the most emissions, so that users can stay informed about what projects are having the most adverse effects on the environment. The registry provides a great deal of relevant information, and has the potential to change the way people view fossil fuels and their role in climate change. There are many possible uses for this database. For one, it could be used to visualize different warming scenarios as well as the impacts of not reducing emissions all across the world. It could also be used to hold governments accountable for their promises about fossil fuels. Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, discussed the database in a press briefing, stating that the UNEP will use the tool to their full advantage. The Global Registry of Fossil Fuels is a massive leap forwards for accessibility to critical climate information, and it will be very exciting to see what initiatives the database will be used for, as well as how the site continues to evolve and grow. Find the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels here: https://fossilfuelregistry.org/ Story first reported by the AP: https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-russia-ukraine-science-climate-and-environment-caf483a62b314ad5842f2d3e70badd73
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This is such a great and important initiative! 💚
Shared by Jane Mercer
We Don't Have Time
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Welcome the We Don't Have Time Hub from #ClimateWeekNYC Live 🗽 Full program: https://wedonthavetime.org/climateweeknyc Did you miss something? Don't worry. You can re-watch all segments previously broadcast on: https://www.wedonthavetime.org/climateweeknyc (scroll down to the schedule and click on the segment you want to watch). Watch the Road to COP27 broadcast from Climate Week NYC here: https://youtu.be/bo5jL_K5BQs
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Join the dialogue. Ask questions to the speakers and discuss with others by engaging in this comment section. Did you miss something? Don't worry. You can re-watch all segments previously broadcast on: https://www.wedonthavetime.org/climateweeknyc
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Money will always come and go. A company's profit should never override doing the right thing for the environment and the clients that the company is providing a product and/or service to. This is a test to see if we can truly work together to repair past negative actions and to put nature first.
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Hemp can be used to produce thousands of products. I employ you all to learn about it and explore the opportunities it presents. For example, hempcrete (not a concrete substitute, rather an insulation product) is comprised of hemp hurd and hydrated lime – it is a carbon negative product. The International Code Council is currently reviewing hempcrete to be an approved building material.
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Already registered, looking forward to it!
Jane Mercer
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Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24th! National Public Lands Day falls on the fourth Saturday of every September in the United States. This is a day meant for people and governments to show extra appreciation for United States National Parks. National parks are critically important for conservation. They allow people to experience the beauty of nature in a way that is safe for the land as well as the plants and animals who call that park home. Additionally, they preserve ecosystems and natural landscapes that may have otherwise been lost to development. National parks protect ecological biodiversity of unique landscapes, and should be celebrated everyday. In order to celebrate this national holiday, consider donating time or money towards national parks. If there is a park preservation event or donation opportunity near you, and you have the means, think about supporting national parks in these ways. Additionally, it is the perfect day to set aside time to go on a hike, explore a trail, or even a scenic drive through a national park to experience firsthand what these monuments have to offer. Learn more about National Public Lands Day at this link: https://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/september/national-public-lands-day.htm In order to find a national park near you, try this link: https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm
Jane Mercer
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10 Sustainability Steps for Earth-Conscious Students 1. Shop locally as much as possible– bulk food, farmers markets are all good options. 2. Wash your clothes with cold water! Did you know that every household that switches to cold water washing could eliminate about 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year? 3. Opt for a drying rack instead of using your dryer- save the planet and save on your electricity bill! 4. Try to include more public transportation and walking in your commute instead of driving to work or school. 5. Bring your own mug or cup to your favorite coffee shop, instead of buying a new plastic or styrofoam cup every day! Sometimes you can even get a discount for doing this. 6. Unplug all electronics when not in use– again, this can save the earth and your wallet! 7. Create recycling and composting systems in your dorm, house, or apartment. 8. Strive to reduce single-waste plastic use, and instead buy more reusable containers that will last much longer. 9. If you have a yard or garden, try planting native plants using that space! This reduces your water bill, and will also look more natural and appealing. 10. Instead of buying the latest trending clothes from Amazon, try spending a day at a thrift store with your friends to see what sort of cool, unique pieces you can find!
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Thanks for sharing, these are easy tips for most :)
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Super great idea!
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Awesome!