The largest US investments for the development and implementation of cleaner energy sources were initiated under the Biden Administration. A significant part of this effort aimed to reduce carbon emissions, slow climate change and promote economic growth in a changing world. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the US government invested $265 billion and also created over 330,000 jobs in cleaner energy as of last summer. Investing in America was funded by the IRA and other legislation: The Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act. Importantly, communities with lower than median incomes benefitted the most.

The largest investments for water resources were also implemented under the Biden administration. These included critical projects to update water infrastructure (including rural water), water storage, conservation, dam safety, desalination, water purification and reuse, all necessary to ensure safe water for Americans. Further, the Biden administration supported projects to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems and to improve the health of fisheries and wildlife, which mitigate drought and improve climate resiliency. Former Secretary Deb Haaland explained “Access to clean and reliable water is essential for feeding families and communities, growing crops, sustaining wildlife and the environment, and powering agricultural businesses.”

In stark contrast, the current administration has i) withdrawn from the international Paris Climate Agreement, ii) rescinded EPA auto emissions and Department of Transportation fuel economy standards, iii) attempted to rescind IRA funds, iv) fired the EPA’s inspector general and froze federal funding for community environmental projects, along with too many additional anti-environment and anti-public health actions to list. The attack on and removal of environmental protections threatens the natural world, for which all humanity depends. It is an assault on all living beings.

Consequently, it is now more important to support and participate in projects, programs and organizations that heal and promote protections for Our Common Home on the local, state, national and/or international level. There is something that every person can do. We fully depend on the health of the earth, nature’s gifts of clean air, soil and water and more. From Catholic Climate Covenant, “We must work to influence our elected officials at all levels to uphold their duty to care for the Earth and its inhabitants, especially the poor and vulnerable.” And, “From reducing waste to supporting renewable energy, every small act contributes to the common good.”

Pollutants are defined as substances that have an adverse effect on life systems.  The recent California wildfires created huge amounts of pollutants, among the devastation and destruction. The typical pollutants from fires, particulate matter (small particles) and pollutant gases, were augmented by toxic substances from the burning of man-made materials. UCSD scientist Julie Dinasquet explained “These fires not only consumed vegetation but also massive amounts of urban infrastructure. This introduces a novel ‘urban ash’ component to the wildfire source, filled with exceptionally toxic materials.” She further stated “these fires pose a potential significant threat to both humans and ecosystems through the introduction of a large amount of toxic material in the system.”

Another concern from massive wildfires is the reach of these more complex pollutants. According to researchers from Scripps Oceanography, ash and debris from the fires were identified as far away as 100 miles offshore, impacting fisheries and the broader food web. Additionally, wildfires can affect the quality of surface waters. Major modifications to the land, such as loss of trees and plants that absorb rain and moisture, change the flow of water. The US EPA website explains that wildfires “severely affect water quality by causing soil erosion, increased flooding, and the flow of debris and potential contaminants.”

Municipal water in areas affected by wildfires may contain a variety of contaminants and can prompt advisories. Heated or burned pipes potentially leach chemicals, smoke can enter water pipelines, and the fallout of air pollutants can enter the water supply. Overall, the destruction from wildfire extends far beyond the loss of infrastructure, natural vegetation and other property damage. Last year, the World Meteorological Association released the statement “A vicious cycle of climate change, wildfires and air pollution is having a spiraling negative impact on human health, ecosystems and agriculture.”

This week, a breakthrough study was published in the journal Nature Medicine, a highly acclaimed science journal. The published work “Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains,” was carried out by 21 scientists. The scientists analyzed liver, brain and kidney samples from deceased humans and used a variety of methodologies to determine the amounts and types of plastic accumulated in the organs. They found similar masses of plastic in the liver and kidneys, while significantly higher masses of plastic were measured in the brain (7-30 times more). This suggests the plastic that enters our bodies accumulates more in the brain than the liver and kidneys.

Another important finding was the amount of plastic found in the organs of those who passed many years ago was significantly lower than those who have more recently passed. This is connected to the rapid increase in plastic production/exposure over the past two decades. It is critical to recognize that younger generations are exposed to plastics to a much greater degree than “older” generations. This study links greater accumulations of micro and nanoplastics particles (MNP) in the brain and other organs to present lifestyles inundated with more plastic materials. The article expresses this: “we postulate that the exponentially increasing environmental concentrations of MNP may analogously increase internal maximal concentrations.”

I have frequently and confidently communicated the presence of massive amounts of microplastics released in our world and the critical need to reduce plastics. The studies establishing connections to negative human health outcomes have been underway and are rising. While the authors of this study wrote “These data are associative and do not establish a causal role for such particles affecting health,” one part of the article explains, “Brain samples from decedents with diagnosed dementia..exhibit far greater MNP concentrations than brain tissues from participants without dementia.”

Overall, more studies are reporting adverse changes in body function from MNP, and providing more evidence to reduce exposures, especially for children. Reduce the amount of foods and drinks you consume that are wrapped in plastic. Reduce the plastic in your kitchen. Reduce your plastic clothes, blankets and fabrics, especially the highly fibrous ones (fleece). Say no to plastic whenever possible. If you have time, contact companies that use/overuse plastic and ask them to find suitable substitutes or cut down on plastic.

In heavy consumerism societies, gestures of kindness and appreciation are frequently linked to waste and overuse of resources. We are “programed” to give stuff. As an example, most specialized candies are individually wrapped and now packaged in plastic containers. Not so long ago, these candies were lightly packaged in cardboard boxes. Businesses and organizations have opted mostly for the cheaper, plastic option. Plastic packaging is polluting our world and we need to address it on all levels, even with candy. A recent publication titled “The past, present and future of plastic pollution” states “plastics are a hazard to humans, impact tourism and recreation, threaten rivers, coasts and ocean life and are an aesthetic problem that reveals essential and unpleasant facts about human attitudes, foibles and behaviors.”

Consumers have choices. Instead of accepting over-packaged goods, consumers can refuse or look for alternatives. When more people reject plastic packaged goods (yes, I know there are too many instances where this is impossible), the trajectory of this problem will change. The amount of plastic that has been produced - keeping in mind we have NO real solution for plastic waste and pollution which will reside for centuries or longer - is over 9.5 billion tons, according to Our World in Data. The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) projects this to triple by 2060, if limits are not put on plastic production. Consumers must say no to plastic, especially single use plastic, every day. It is time to ditch the excuses and pay attention to our choices.

As Valentine’s day approaches, a time of kind gestures and enormous consumerism, consider sustainable gifts or actions instead of plastic wrapped, carbon-intensive, chemical-laden merchandise. Reduce the stuff. Other gift options include donations to a worthy cause and experiences such as shows, sports events or concerts. Small acts of kindness, which often have wonderful rippling effects, have been shown to be far more meaningful than stuff. Stanford University psychiatrist and author, Dr. Anna Lembke, explains that convenience and abundance are making us unhappy, lonelier and more depressed.

“It costs zero dollars to be kind.” “The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with joy are goodness, beauty, and truth.” ― Albert Einstein “It is in giving of ourselves that we receive..” – St. Francis

Dealing with climate change involves both mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation of climate change – policies and functions that reverse or at least slow down the warming of the earth – have not been imposed quickly and effectively at any level. How many people have chosen to purchase energy that is produced by clean sources instead of fossil fuels or reduce their energy use? How many people truly understand climate change? How many municipalities have made plans to combat climate change? In my most recent experiences with college students, few really understand climate change, the causes and the implications. My local government recently dismissed the creation of a sustainability committee, in part, to contend with climate change.

Climate change adaptation has been taking place for years in many places. Some municipalities have implemented strategies intended to lessen the disastrous effects of climate change or have devised plans for cooling centers, protecting water resources, etc. With unprecedented, higher global temperatures, the power of nature is difficult to predict. Journalist Christopher Flavelle (NY Times) recently wrote “L.A. Fires Show Limits of America’s Efforts to Cope With Climate Change,” explaining that the state of California had anticipated some aspects of climate change disasters. Yet, provisions such as stricter building codes and increased resources for firefighting did not impede the horrific fires that have destroyed areas of southern California beyond anyone’s imagination.

One climate advisor suggests that greater thought and planning are needed for effectual adaptation to climate change. A new publication by OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) highlights four steps for effective climate adaptation policy making, all of which necessitate educated policy makers. These are based on their key message “Global average temperatures are approaching 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels, exacerbating the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Governments need to act urgently to promote adaptation to climate change impacts.”

Quotes from over a decade ago underscore the human resistance to changes for the greater good. “Climate change increasingly poses one of the biggest long-term threats to investments.” (Christina Figueres, secretary UNFCCC) “We are the last generation that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Future generations will judge us harshly if we fail to uphold our moral and historical responsibilities.” (Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General United Nations) Will humanity and its leaders take climate change seriously, work together and make appropriate sacrifices?

Damage caused by fossil fuels tends to focus on climate change outcomes, for good reason, and occasionally on massive disasters, such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. Coal waste, mostly known as coal ash, is another untenable outcome of the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. Coal is a massive mixture of materials and has been used as a common energy source since the late 1800s. The carbon content of coal burns, which leaves a significant portion of unburned coal, or coal ash, after its combustion. According to the US Department of Energy, there are “2 billion tons of coal ash stored in over 1,000 impoundments scattered across the United States.”

In 1955, a huge coal burning power plant was completed near Knoxville, TN and it held the title of the largest coal burning plant in the world for over a decade. The coal ash generated at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant was stored in a huge, unlined pit and reached a height of 60 feet. The enormous toxic waste pile collapsed 16 years ago; it released over a billion gallons of coal ash slurry that covered 300 acres and contaminated two rivers. According to James Bruggers’ recent reporting, “It took seven years, but the disaster prompted the Obama administration to adopt the first national regulations managing coal combustion wastes in 2015, including a requirement for closing unlined ash pits like the one at Kingston.”

Just this past year, the EPA finalized a new rule that will require all coal power plants – including those that no longer accept coal ash - to clean up coal ash dumps. The 2015 rule did not require older pits to comply. Unlined coal ash pits commonly leak contaminants into groundwater. According to EarthJustice, “The EPA designated coal ash a national enforcement priority last year and has ramped up enforcement actions, acknowledging that there is widespread noncompliance with existing coal ash regulations.”

The workers who cleaned the coal ash damage from the Kingston plant suffered various illnesses as a result of their exposures to the coal ash toxins. Their employer, Jacobs Engineering, failed to protect its workers and settled a lawsuit for $77.5 million in damages for 220 out of the 900 workers, thanks to an incredibly courageous attorney. https://insideclimatenews.org/.../tva-toxic-disaster.../...

2 billion tons and counting as long as coal continues to be used as fuel…

Modern solar energy is based on materials that convert sunlight to electricity or heat. The first solar cell, credited to Charles Fritts in 1883, provided a sun to energy conversion efficiency of 1-2%. After years of research on improved materials and designs (especially the last 30 years), the current silicon-based solar cells offer up to 22% efficiency, and more complex materials can reach 47%. Other types of solar cells are on the horizon as the research world continues to seek more durable, affordable materials with higher energy conversions.

Thanks to the declining costs of solar panels and government incentives for clean energy, solar energy has become more affordable and it continues to expand in multiple markets. In 2010, the median income of households that installed solar panels was $141,000 compared to $115,000 in 2023, according to a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. For comparison, the median income of US owner-occupied households is $94,000. This trend of more affordable solar energy is expected to continue.

University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable systems offers some facts on solar energy:

1) The sun provides an enormous amount of power daily; on average, 173,000 TW (terawatt = a trillion watts) of solar radiation continuously strike the Earth, compared to the global electricity demand of around 3.0 TW.

2) In 2023, the amount of global (photovoltaic) solar energy grew by 447 GW to 1,624 GW.

3) It is likely that the 2024 global investments in solar power ($500 billion, or 17% of total energy) will exceed all other energy generation sources combined.

Dan Rather recently wrote about President Jimmy Carter’s efforts to protect our natural environment: “Carter was far ahead of his time on many issues, especially the environment. He was an early advocate for green energy and energy conservation, famously installing solar panels on the White House. Imagine where the world would be today if it had followed his lead instead of mocking him.”

From the National Museum of American History: “Carter had 32 solar panels installed on the White House West Wing roof in the summer of 1979. These panels were used to heat water in the household for seven years until President Ronald Reagan had them removed in 1986.”

The Yale Climate Connections website summarizes President Carter’s visions, concerns and efforts on solar energy. Here is a passage:

“Carter, in his State of the Union address the year the panels were installed, presented an ambitious plan to put America on a clean energy path: 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2000. Part of his idea was to go far beyond simple hot water solar collectors and direct government research funds toward the development of photovoltaic cells, the kind that could put energy into the grid.” (https://yaleclimateconnections.org/.../the-forgotten.../)

RIP, President Carter.