Each Wednesday, we bring you an update on one of our program areas. This week: Climate & Resiliency. Read other recent updates on our blog: Healthy Waters, Protected Lands, Ecological Restoration, Legal Actions.
Federal
Save the Sound Commends Passage of Inflation Reduction Act
Yesterday, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill that aims to cut emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 through an unprecedented $369 billion investment in clean transportation and energy solutions, and advancing environmental justice.
“We are pleased to see Congress finally take meaningful action on climate. The Inflation Reduction Act’s historic $369 billion investment in clean transportation and energy solutions complements the efforts of Connecticut, New York, and other states in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will help to put us on the path to meeting our international climate obligations,” said Charles Rothenberger, climate and energy attorney at Save the Sound. “Funding from this program will accelerate priorities we have been working on for the last decade—from more affordable EVs for all income levels, and the infrastructure required to deploy them, to clean energy solutions that will save families money and clean up the poor air quality that plagues our residents.”
Read more about last week’s passage on our blog.
New York
Climate Week NYC 2022
In conjunction with the United Nations and the City of New York, next month Climate Week NYC will mark its fourth year as the biggest global climate event of its kind. This event brings together influential leaders in climate action representing government, business, and activists.
As the organizers of Climate Week NYC, Climate Group hosts in-person events including the Climate Week NYC Opening Ceremony and The Hub Live. Click here to read more about this extraordinary event!
Connecticut
Advancing Solar for Environmental Justice
One way to reduce our state’s dependence on fossil fuels is by advancing solar energy in environmentally distressed communities so that they directly benefit from a growing clean energy economy.
Right now, the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking input on opportunities to enhance the benefits of the Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Program for state-designated environmental justice communities. Bid preferences for the SCEF program should be designed in a way that maximizes benefits for environmental justice communities, minimizes harm to those communities, and is fair to project developers.
Click here to tell DEEP you support equitable advancements in solar energy for environmental justice! You may also submit written comments to deep.energybureau@ct.gov with the subject line “SCEF Written Comments” by Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
28 Connecticut Municipalities Pass Pro Climate Resolutions
With a vote of the Greenwich Board of Selectmen, the Town of Greenwich has become the 28th Connecticut municipality to pass a climate action resolution. The resolution authorizes creation of a Sustainability and Clean Resiliency Plan to be completed by December 2023.
Momentum to elevate climate change as an emergency through local civic action comes at a time when the state is not on track to meet statutory emissions targets. Save the Sound is helping lead the way in pursuit of strong climate action.
Click here for coverage of last week’s vote in the Greenwich Time, or you can read about our climate resolution efforts here. Special thanks to our Summer Climate Policy Intern Nicole Freitas and the Greenwich Environmental Advocacy Group for their advocacy!
Youth Leaders
Scholar-Activist Unites Her Community Around Environmental Justice
Katharine “Kat” Morris is a 24-year-old scholar-activist for environmental justice. She graduated in 2021 from the University of Connecticut with a Master of Public Policy. Last month, Kat hosted an event called Seaside Sounds for Environmental Justice at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. Read more about Kat’s story here.
Save the Sound Intern Engages Youth with Recycling Education
In this blog crafted by our Summer Climate Policy Intern Adrienne Baxter, we recap a recycling education-focused workshop we co-hosted last month with the Nonprofit Accountability Group (NAG) and Sunrise Movement Connecticut.
Our team would like to give a special thanks to NAG and Sunrise for their collaboration, and Adrienne for assembling recycling education materials for youth—and for all their great work this summer!