Environmental news digest 10/26/20

    Earlier this July, Joe Biden announced a $2 trillion climate plan which highlighted carbon capture, fracking, economic policies, and expansion of renewable technologies as "transition methods" to a net zero carbon economy. In Biden's own words from the second presidential debate these policies are in support of a "managed decline with rapid transition to renewable energy."

    One of technology featured is carbon capture which captures carbon from factory smoke stacks and car exhaust. While this does not reduce the initial carbon generated, carbon capture does lead to less carbon entering the atmosphere and cleaner air. Carbon capture can help retain jobs in areas with factories and is supported by labor unions. Carbon capture also has the possibility of creating new jobs and has been made a profitable technology through tax incentives. 

    Biden also said that he will reduce tax incentives on the fossil fuel industry and increase spending on renewables. Fracking while emitting less carbon than coal is equally devastating to the environment in the areas around fracking sites. Additionally the use of chemicals is toxic to the local ecosystem and pollutes drinking water. While some scientists say carbon capture is necessary to avoid 1.5 C warming,  what is the best way this technology can be coupled with the addition of new renewables and electric cars?

    Over the last twenty years 90% of grasslands in the South have been lost. Meadows, savanna, and grassland are highly endangered regions and their range has been reduced by development, farming, changing climate conditions, and faulty conservation. This change has affected the local ecology, biodiversity, and the climate in those regions. However, a new effort has been made to enact better conservation and bring awareness to these areas. Southern grasslands are home to the most diverse group of plants and animal species in North America and new insect species like grasshoppers are even being discovered today. An effort has been made to preserve more land and low temperature burns are being used as conservation strategies to reduce the risk of large wildfires as seen in many parts of the world today. Additionally, a seed bank has been founded with the hopes of categorizing and preserving the rich biodiversity found in Southern grasslands. 

    It is hard to say why Union's ranking has decreased, but it may be because other campuses have become more environmentally friendly with sustainability initiatives in their dining halls, full campus composting, greener management of outdoor spaces, and renewable energy. Union has been an environmentally friendly school for many years and last year with the break through in the divestment movement the school has begun taking steps to green its financial portfolio. However, since covid there has been an increase in food and food packaging waste. Recently to reduce waste, the school has supplied a Union branded reusable utensil kit and tote bags for students to use around campus. While these measures are good, Union no longer looks for LEED certification or environmental procedures in new construction or renovation. Environmental consideration was questionable during the construction of the new integrated science and engineering complex. 

    Recently I have been working with music faculty and facilities to look into greening developments in the Taylor music center. This week we are walking through the space to look at power usage and measures to reduce the building's environmental impact.

Thank you so much for reading!