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IN TODAY’S RADIO REPORT: More deadly floods, this time in West Virginia; Raging wildfire kills two in California, destroys hundreds of homes; Brexit could undermine international emissions agreement; Volkswagen to pay $15 billion in emissions cheating scandal; PLUS: TransCanada demands $15 billion from U.S. for rejecting Keystone XL pipeline… All that and more in today’s Green News Report!
Green News Report
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
6/28/2016
‘Green News Report’ – June 28, 2016 | With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen... · · · · · ‘Green News Report’ – June 28, 2016 | With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...
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IN ‘GREEN NEWS EXTRA’ (see links below): The inter-generational theft of Brexit and climate change; From Brexit to Climate, Little Engagement From Young People Washington State Must Fix Salmon-Blocking Pipes: Appeals Court; Study Finds Drilling and Fracking into Freshwater Formations; BP Oil Spill Cost Fishing Industry At Least $94.7 Million In 2010; Africa’s Charcoal Economy Is Cooking. The Trees Are Paying… PLUS: How The Battery Revolution Will Change How You Fly… and much, MUCH more! …
STORIES DISCUSSED ON TODAY’S ‘GREEN NEWS REPORT’…
- Historic, deadly floods hit West Virginia:
- Why the W.Va. floods were so deadly and destructive (USA Today) [emphasis added]:
An added level of misery for the state is that fewer than 2% of the insured homes there have flood insurance, Bowen said.
- West Virginia flooding: Governor adds seven counties to disaster request (AP)
- PGA Tour cancels Greenbrier Classic amid West Virginia flood (Chicago Tribune)
- VIDEO: West Virginia senator Joe Manchin on deadly flooding: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ (Fox News)
- West Virginia flood was ‘one in a thousand year event,’ Weather Service says; more heavy rain forecast (Washington Post)
- Governor Declares Emergency in 44 Counties After Floods in West Virginia (USA Floodlist)
- California; Heat-driven wildfire kills two, destroys hundreds of homes:
- In fire-ravaged Kern County, some residents return to evacuated areas to check on homes, pets (LA Times):
A devastating wildfire burning northeast of Bakersfield in Kern County continued to grow over the weekend and has now scorched more than 70 square miles, destroyed 150 homes and left entire communities under threat.
- VIDEO: Death Toll Could Rise in Central California Wildfire, Authorities Warn (NBC News)
- In fire-ravaged South Lake, residents wonder if more could have been done to save their homes (LA Times)
- ‘Brexit’ could undermine international climate agreement and research:
- Brexit: Environmentalists fear ‘bonfire’ of regulations designed to fight climate change and protect wildlife (Independent UK)
- Why Brexit Freaks Out So Many Scientists: The vote to leave the European Union could disrupt research as well as commitments to fighting climate change (National Geographic)
- Why an E.U. without Britain is bad news for the fight against climate change (Washington Post):
One oft-voiced concern is that the departure of Britain “” which has been a climate leader within the bloc “” could weaken the E.U.’s climate ambitions, on top of the general chaos expected to ensue as Brexit now unfolds (which will surely distract all parties from climate policy).
- 5 ways Brexit will transform energy and climate (Politico)
- Bloomberg, Figueres underline climate risks of Brexit (Climate Change News)
- Brexit Could Encourage British Companies To Pollute And Waste More (Huffington Post)
- How Brexit decision could backpedal UK’s recycling, plastics markets (Waste Dive):
Outside of waste and recycling, many other industries will greatly transform as a result of the Brexit decision.
- Transcanada seeks $15 billion in compensation for rejected Keystone XL pipeline:
- TransCanada Files $15B Nafta Claim on Keystone XL Rejection (Bloomberg):
TransCanada Corp. is seeking to recoup $15 billion for the Obama administration’s rejection of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, in a legal claim that highlights how foreign companies can use trade deals to challenge U.S. policy.
- TransCanada Files $15 billion NAFTA Case Against The U.S. Demonstrating Corporate Trade Deal Threats (Huffington Post):
The TPP would expand nearly the same exact corporate tribunal system that TransCanada is using more than any past U.S. trade deal, roughly doubling the number of corporations that could follow TransCanada’s example and could challenge U.S. climate and environmental safeguards in private tribunals.
- TransCanada formally seeks NAFTA damages in Keystone XL rejection (CBC):
TransCanada submitted a notice for an arbitration claim in January and had then tried to negotiate with the U.S. government to “reach an amicable settlement,” the company said in files posted on the pipeline’s website. “Unfortunately, the parties were unable to settle the dispute.”
- Volkswagen to pay $15 billion settlement in emissions cheating scandal:
- Volkswagen’s diesel settlement will fund range of clean air efforts (Reuters):
The settlement goes beyond compensation for consumers. Under the deal, VW will provide a total of $2 billion to fund programs directed by the state of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, development of zero-emission vehicle ride-sharing fleets and other efforts to boost sales of cars that do not burn petroleum. VW also agreed to put up $2.7 billion that EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said Tuesday would be used by government and tribal agencies to replace old buses, or fund new infrastructure at ports to reduce diesel emissions….Also on Tuesday, VW announced a separate settlement with at least 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that will cost at least $600 million.
- Volkswagen agrees to record $14.7 billion settlement over emissions cheating (CNN Money):
The settlement is only a preliminary step in the case; the automaker still faces possible criminal charges, as well as civil penalties for Clean Air Act violations. The Department of Justice is investigating possible criminal charges against both the company and individuals, said Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
‘GREEN NEWS EXTRA’ (Stuff we didn’t have time for in today’s audio report)…
- The inter-generational theft of Brexit and climate change (Guardian UK):
Experts warned of the dangerous consequences that would result from Brexit, but the majority of older voters chose to ignore those risks. Prudent risk management was trumped by ideology, and today’s youth will have to bear the brunt of the consequences.
- From Brexit to Climate, Little Engagement From Young People (Dot Earth, NYT):
Britons’ “Brexit” vote to leave the European Union provides the intellectual equivalent of a cold shower, offering a sobering reminder that, far more often, most young people are deeply disengaged “” even when an issue could affect their demographic slice most.
- People Near Wyoming Fracking Town Show Elevated Levels of Toxic Chemicals (Inside Climate News):
Researchers tested air pollution in Pavillion, Wyo., along with local residents, suggesting a link between the toxic chemicals released and biological impacts.
- How The Battery Revolution Will Change How You Fly (Climate Progress):
On Friday, NASA named an all-electric plane “” the X-57 “” as its latest futuristic aircraft. The X-57 will be powered by 14 electric motors driving propellers integrated into a new, narrow wing design. The battery revolution is truly taking flight: NASA has begun working on an effort “to help a significant portion of the aircraft industry transition to electrical propulsion within the next decade.”
- Washington State Must Fix Salmon-Blocking Pipes: Appeals Court (Reuters):
Washington state must repair road culverts that are blocking salmon from swimming to spawning areas because the pipes violate fishing rights protected by tribal treaties, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.
- In Calif., Study Finds Drilling and Fracking into Freshwater Formations (Inside Climate News):
The overlap of oil and gas development and water sources underscores the vulnerability of California’s groundwater, and the need for monitoring, the authors said.”
“In California’s farming heartland, as many as one of every five oil and gas projects occurs in underground sources of fresh water, according to a new study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - BP Oil Spill Cost Fishing Industry At Least $94.7 Million In 2010 (NOLA.com):
The BP oil disaster cost the Gulf of Mexico’s commercial fishing industry $94.7 million to $1.6 billion and anywhere from 740 to 9,315 jobs in the first eight months, according to a new study by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
- How The Caribbean’s Charred Forests End Up Firing America’s Barbecues (E&E News):
Lust for charcoal is leading to murders, political unrest and the chopping of prime forests on the most populous island in the Caribbean, and a portion of the bounty winds up used to fuel barbecue grills in the United States.
- Africa’s Charcoal Economy Is Cooking. The Trees Are Paying (NY times):
When Julien Andrianiana started selling charcoal 14 years ago, he was just one of a few dealers around. Most households in Toliara, a coastal city in southwestern Madagascar, still used firewood for cooking.
- Solar Power to Grow Sixfold as Sun Becoming Cheapest Resource (Bloomberg):
The amount of electricity generated using solar panels stands to expand as much as sixfold by 2030 as the cost of production falls below competing natural gas and coal-fired plants, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
- U.S., Canada, and Mexico Vow 50% Clean Power By 2025 (Washington Post):
The leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico will pledge Wednesday to source half their overall electricity with clean power by 2025, according to administration officials.
- Asbestos-Related Cancer Costs Canadians Billions (Toronto Globe & Mail):
A first-ever estimate of the toll of asbestos-related cancers on society pegs the cost of new cases at $1.7-billion per year in Canada, and notes that is likely an under-estimate.
- City Failed to Test for Lead in Water at Day Care Centers, Audit Says (NY Times):
The New York City department charged with overseeing day care centers routinely failed to test the centers’ water for lead “” and for years falsified reports that the tests had been completed, in order for the centers to receive operating permits “” according to a sharply worded audit released on Friday by the city comptroller, Scott M. Stringer.
- Oakland Council Votes To Block Coal-Shipping Plan (SF Chronicle):
The Oakland City Council voted unanimously Monday to block the handling and storage of coal in Oakland, effectively halting a developer’s controversial plan to ship coal from the port.
- Want to fight climate change? Here are the 7 critical life changes you should make (Grist) [emphasis added]:
So, given the imperfections of this world, what is a lone wolf such as yourself to do? Here are some conclusions gleaned from this study: 1. Buy the most fuel-efficient car you can afford, then drive it as little as possible….
FOR MORE on Climate Science and Climate Change, go to our Green News Report: Essential Background Page
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