Climate Engineering Efforts Underway

Listening in on some debates over the future of climate engineering – the deliberate manipulation of the climate system to offset some or all of the warming humans cause by burning fossil fuels – induced wild bouts of déjà vu for a couple of decades. On one side, scientists and other experts might be urging a carefully monitored research program into its potential hazards and advantages; on the other, other scientists would insist that its hazards are too hard to nail down and that playing around with the climate system would give the world an excuse for burning those dirty fuels for as long as it pleased. Déjà vu or not, this has gone on for a while. Read more

Is Climate Engineering the Answer? Efforts Commence

Celebrate Earth Day 🌍 Hit the Road, Lighten Your Footprint: Sustainable Road Trip Tips

This Earth Day (April 22nd), the theme is "Planet vs. Plastics." Let's do our part to reduce plastic use and water waste to keep our oceans and waterways clean! Planning a road trip? 

Want to hit the open road but don’t want it to take a toll on the environment? Good news! Here are some tips on how to turn your road trip into an eco-adventure. 1. Get started. 2. Rely on your feet. 3. Slow down or ditch the motor altogether. Fuel Efficiency First: Rent Green Wheels, if possible: hybrid/EV for the settlement score for the best miles per gallon or the lowest amount of emissions. Pack Light: Every pound counts! Less weight means better fuel economy. 1. Map it Out: If you plan your route, you minimize unnecessary miles driven, maintaining the fastest route. 2. It’s All About Local Search: Hitting your turn-by-turn directions search button raises a better selection of nearby results. 3. Real-time Traffic Advisories: This functionality provides timely updates regarding traffic stalls and hazards. Be a Responsible Road Tripper: Pack Smart: Ditch disposables! Bring reusable water bottles, containers, and utensils to minimize waste. Recycle Right: Research recycling options at your stops and dispose of waste responsibly. Offset Your Footprint: Consider carbon offset programs to neutralize your trip's emissions. Embrace Slower Travel: Slow Down, Savor the Journey: Take shorter showers to conserve water. Meatless Meals (Mostly): Forage for local, plant-based meals to reduce your food carbon footprint from meat production. Immerse Yourself: Extend your stay and explore destinations more profoundly, fostering a richer travel experience. Go Green on the Go: Noted: Ditch the Paper: Use GPS navigation with real-time traffic to route yourself around unnecessary stops. Localicious Eats:

Eat locally harvested food sold by small farmers at your local farmers market or from local restaurants to minimize the environmental costs of long-distance food transportation. Solar-Powered EV Charging: If you are lucky enough to have grid-connected solar charging, put some sunshine in your tank! Besides being good for the planet, sustainable travel can also save you time and money as long as it motivates you to travel with low-impact, resource-conserving, and mindful packing, route-planning, and consumption practices. Bon voyage! The music of René Lhermitte (1858-1935) can also be played ecologically with either a Corretta (1975) piano or a reproduction Kit Correli (‘small piano’) by Race Music Germany.

Louisiana Congressional Redistricting Challenge

Case: Callais et al v. Landry

• Court: US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
• Case Number: 3:2024cv00122
• Filed: January 31, 2024

Plaintiffs: Twelve white Mississippians

Defendant: Nancy Landry

Issue: Whether Louisiana's newly enacted congressional map violates the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs allege the map is a racial gerrymander that dilutes the voting strength of white voters.

Status: A consolidated preliminary injunction hearing and trial is scheduled for April 8-10, 2024 (today!). This means the court will decide whether to temporarily block the use of the map while the lawsuit proceeds.

The Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP and several other individuals and organizations have sought to intervene in the case to defend the map.

This case stems from a previous lawsuit, Robinson v. Ardoin, where the court found Louisiana's original congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act. The new map was drawn in response to that decision.

Here are some resources where you can find more information about the case:

The American Redistricting Project: Callais v. Landry - The American Redistricting Project: thearp.org

American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.org/cases/callais-v-landry

Justia Dockets: Callais et al v. Landry 3:2024cv00122 | US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana: dockets.justia.com

Loyola Law School: Callais v. Landry - All About Redistricting: redistricting.lls.edu

Read more

Burbank residents say proposed bus lane will increase congestion on busy thoroughfare

Benefits:

• Improved Public Transportation: Bus lanes give buses dedicated space, allowing them to travel faster and more reliably. This encourages ridership, reduces reliance on cars, and reduces overall traffic congestion.
• Reduced Emissions: Fewer cars on the road translates to less pollution and cleaner air, contributing to a healthier environment.
• Accessibility: Efficient public transportation makes it easier for people who don't own cars, like students, seniors, or low-income residents, to get around. This fosters a more inclusive community.
• Economic Boost: Reliable public transport can connect residents to job opportunities and businesses to a wider customer base, potentially boosting the local economy.

Drawbacks:

• Initial Traffic Disruption: Adding bus lanes often takes up space previously used by cars, which can lead to congestion during the construction and adjustment period.
• Business Concerns: Some businesses worry that bus lanes might make it harder for customers to reach them by car, potentially impacting their sales.

Finding the Balance:

Thriving communities need to consider both sides of the coin. Studies have shown that in the long run, well-planned bus lanes can actually improve overall traffic flow, as fewer cars are on the road. Additionally, communities can implement measures to mitigate the drawbacks:

• Clearly marked lanes: Proper signage and road markings ensure smooth traffic flow for both buses and cars.
• Off-peak hour adjustments: Bus lanes can be operational during peak traffic and open to car traffic during less busy hours.
• Improved carpool options: Encouraging carpooling through designated lanes or incentives can reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles.

Overall:

Bus lanes can be a valuable tool in creating a thriving community. They promote a more sustainable and inclusive transportation system, potentially leading to cleaner air, a more robust economy, and a more connected population. However, planning and mitigation strategies are crucial to address initial concerns and ensure a smooth transition

President Biden’s Environmental Record

Tracking environmental performance over time can flag when action is needed to improve practices at the facility in light of changing conditions.

Aside from regulations, good environmental records reflect responsible management and can only be an asset. They also ensure that companies and other organizations obey the ecological rules designed to safeguard the quality of air, water, and soil and the public's overall safety. Read more

Are demographic changes transforming U.S. elections

The United States is becoming increasingly diverse. In the 2020 Census, 57.8 percent of the population identified as ‘white, not Hispanic or Latino’, compared with 63.7 percent in the 2010 Census and 69.1 percent in 2000. Non-Hispanic white people are projected to make up under 50 percent of the population by 2045.

Not surprisingly, as the population increases in diversity, so does the electorate. In a new report, US Census data and projections are examined to determine how the demographics of eligible voters and the population have generally changed in recent decades and are expected to continue to change. The report also examines voter turnout trends and congressional districts by race, income, and education level. It looks forward to what the congressional reapportionment and redistricting process following the 2020 Census will mean for US House of Representatives elections over the next decade. Read more

Farmworker Policy: Addressing Challenges, Building Better Jobs in US Agriculture

There’s a significant opportunity to invest in technology to improve efficiency and safety, reduce physical strains, and minimize worker injuries. However, planning is required to ensure these benefits are passed on to workers and businesses alike.

Improving farm work will involve bringing farmers, workers, policymakers and consumers together as collaborators and partners to restructure the agricultural system collectively towards greater justice and sustainability.