A Review of Second Nature: Scenes from a World Remade by Nathaniel Rich By Shay Banton & Anjana Balaji “Second Nature: Scenes from a World Remade” by Nathaniel Rich is a fresh approach to climate discussions using a series of narrative journals to lend readers a new perspective on how we impact, interact with, and adapt to nature. In altering everything natural in this world, the book makes it apparent that we have made ourselves an “integral part of nature” which also means we can be part of the solution that saves it. The title of the book can be interpreted as a play on the phrase “Sec ..read more

,Providing Coal-Reliant Communities and Dislocated Industry Workers with Self-Driven Transition Options through Technical Assistance Guided Loan Matching and Robust Lost Wage Subsidies By Shay Banton A Response to the Prompt: Assume the role of an energy advisor to President Biden. President Biden is concerned about climate change, and a just transition for those communities reliant on coal for jobs. He is aware that coal is diminishing from its once powerful role in the energy sector because of economic and regulatory reasons. He is also mindful that Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, a ..read more

The last six months have brought transformations in the United States, principle of which is a change of presidential leadership and with that several gains and milestones in the fight to combat climate change. Yet despite these achievements, the very climate of climate change mitigation has become increasingly polarized, making it difficult to muster support for climate action as tribalism has entrenched along party lines. On the Biden-Harris Administration’s Immediate Priorities webpage, climate change is listed as a second priority to tackle, just below controlling the COVID-19 emergency (T ..read more

Image credit: Shutterstock/Red Monkey Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is produced via electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable energy sources. The term green hydrogen is used to distinguish it from grey hydrogen that is produced via steam-methane reforming of natural gas, and blue hydrogen that is produced via steam-methane reforming of natural gas with carbon emissions captured. Green hydrogen is more expensive to produce than blue or grey hydrogen (,Deign, 2020). However, the price is projected to fall as renewables get cheaper and the electrolyzer technology matures ..read more

I would be remiss not to mention the atrocities that are happening in Ukraine. The brazen attack from Russia is every form of inhumane and they must be held accountable. As the world watches Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfold, the fossil fuel industry wasted no time in broadcasting their view on national security. The American Petroleum Institute called on the White House to accelerate drilling for oil to "ensure energy security at home and abroad" just hours before the invasion began. They argue that more drilling will reduce energy costs at home and support Europe who gets around 40% of na ..read more

Image Credit: Dr da Rosa The Biden administration is calling for an increase in electric vehicles and charging stations as part of its clean transportation future. Reaching this goal requires federal legislation to coax the country in the right direction. States have already implemented electric vehicle promoting legislation— today we’ll take a look at California, New York, and Texas legislation to see where the country stands. California is an electric vehicle paradise. There are a plethora of legislation and incentives pushing for the public to change to electric vehicles. There are rebate ..read more

Image courtesy of Dr. da Rosa This is the second in a four-part series of blog posts about living “green” in Washington, DC. Each article will feature tips for DC-based readers to take pro-environmental behaviors, as well as data about the effectiveness of those behaviors. For non-DC readers, each blog will include suggestions for finding similar avenues for action in your own community. ,Part 1: Transportation This blog will focus on ways to reduce your environmental impact through choices about food consumption and food waste. Almost any book, blog, podcast, or Instagram post about personal ..read more

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