IN BRIEF

1/31/2023

Volunteers Needed! 350 Chicago is looking for volunteers to help the Communication Committee and to write articles for our soon to be award winning newsletter. Time commitment is variable, depending on your interests and your availability. As you probably know, we don’t have much time left. If ever there was a time to get active, this is it. Interested? Email [email protected].

US Food Corporations Commit to Regenerative Farming. A group of US food companies have committed to expand their use of regenerative farming: a method of farming, that produces better food without dangerous chemicals, retains carbon and water in the land, regenerating the soil. Regenerative farming is a major solution to the climate Crisis. Companies involved include Mars, Pepsico, McDonalds and Unilever. Read more here.

Abundance of Lithium in Salton Sea Spurs Rare Earth Metal Optimism. The Salton Sea is a shallow, highly saline body of water east of San Diego and just south of Joshua Tree National Park. A series of geothermal plants on the shore of the Sea produce as by-product an immense amount of lithium. The lithium in just the Salton Sea alone equals the amount of lithium used in the world today. Even better, since it comes as a byproduct of geo-thermal plant, it is more ecologically friendly than typical lithium mining. To learn more, click here.

Natural Gas: Bad for Your Health, Your Wallet and Our Climate

And What You Can do About It

by Carter Robinson

Growing up, I was taught that cooking with gas was better than electric, and leads to tastier food. Rarely did people know why gas might be better than electric or induction stoves, and they certainly didn’t talk about the health, environmental and financial hazards that come along with natural gas appliances. Today, we are going to reveal the serious harm these beloved appliances cause to our loved ones and the world.

Let's start off with the health risks associated with gas appliances. A 2022 Stanford research paper found that gas stoves leave approximately 1% of the gas unburned, meaning the gas then fills your kitchen and house. This seepage of natural gas leads to unhealthy concentrations of nitric oxide and nitric dioxide gas (NOₓ) in your house, which quickly rise above US and Canadian standards for acceptable limits of NOₓ. While this can have consequences for everyone, children are most affected by this gas, due to their smaller, developing bodies. This 2022 research paper approximates that appliance gas is responsible for 13% of American children's asthma cases, and this article shows that residential gas can lead to learning deficits, negative cardiovascular effects and increased susceptibility to allergens. Natural gas in our households is dangerous for our children and their wellbeing.

Not only does natural gas hurt your kids, but it also warms the earth. Natural gas mostly contains methane, a very strong greenhouse gas. When methane is released into the atmosphere, it has about 80 times more climate warming power than carbon dioxide (CO₂). Methane doesn’t stick around nearly as long as CO₂, but in the short term it is very harmful to the environment and is a driver of climate change. The impact of America’s natural gas system on driving climate change should not be understated, it is believed that the methane in natural gas “could warm the planet as much as coal”. Our beloved gas stoves play a significant part in supporting this driver of climate change.

Additionally, the entire supply chain of natural gas, from the storage system to our appliances at home, often has many leaks, since methane is a small particle gas and is difficult to contain. While leaks should be fixed in the short term, in the long term the entire natural gas system needs to be re-evaluated, starting with decreasing our use of residential natural gas.

Lastly, our reliance on natural gas for our appliances is going to start hurting our wallets. Here in the Chicagoland area, the main providers of natural gas are significantly increasing their prices. People’s Gas seeks to increase their prices, estimated to increase average households monthly bills by $12. And Nicor Gas’s rate hike will likely increase bills by about $10 per month.

Luckily, there is already some movement in Chicago in changing how we use natural gas. The mayor has made recommendations to city council, based on communications with local advocates and business, on steps to cut Chicago’s emissions. Notably, one of the recommendations was to require new construction to be built without gas equipment. Now, we need the political will and public support to push these recommendations to become reality. Chicago’s election season is right around the corner, and now is the time to push our representatives to take a stand against natural gas. I recommend you call your aldermen and reach out to candidates running in your ward, and let them know that we cannot wait any longer to limit the use of natural gas. 

On this note, soon you will be able to get a rebate to switch from gas stoves to either induction or electric stoves, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Billions have been set aside to financially support people to make the switch to green appliances, (electric stoves, dryers and water heaters, and heat pumps) and will be available for the public late this year. Illinois is currently sorting out how to distribute the money, which will go through the Department of Energy, and 350 will spread the word on how to use these rebates when they come out. These rebates are significant, and for many, will cover purchasing the new appliance and the installation costs. Find out how much you might be able to get in rebates at this website from Rewiring America. So, while we wait for that money to become available, start looking into which appliances should get a green upgrade in your household!

350 Chicago will keep following this issue, provide support to advocates pushing this initiative, and let you all know how to continue supporting this movement in future newsletters.

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Sustainable Travel Tips: Reasons to Fly Less in 2023

by Miki Graf

During the climate crisis, planning a vacation can be a task that is more stressful than exciting. In an effort to help make difficult decisions easier, we want to offer some tips to help you start planning your next trip to be as sustainable and relaxing as possible. In this issue, we discuss the benefits of taking fewer flights and embracing slower and more sustainable travel options.

1. Reduce CO₂ emissions. It’s no secret that planes emit a lot of CO₂. Commercial aviation makes up about 2.4% of the total carbon emissions associated with human activity. The impact of flight emissions alone is nearly 1 billion metric tons of CO₂  per year. At high altitudes, these greenhouse gasses stick around longer and have greater warming effects, according to climate researcher Dr. Eloise Marais in an interview with BBC News. If you’re traveling less than 700 miles to get to your destination, consider taking the train or motorcoach. Taking a diesel-fueled train instead of flying can save between 22-34 kgs of CO₂ per passenger for distances of up to 700 miles*. Motorcoaches (like Greyhound) have similar, though slightly lower, emissions compared to diesel trains. If you plan to travel farther than 700 miles, carpooling with 3 or more travelers is likely the most sustainable option, especially if you can take a fuel efficient or electric vehicle. 

2. Flights are getting more expensive. The price of plane tickets has gone up over 42% over the past year, mainly due to staffing shortages. By choosing a destination closer to home and traveling by train, coach, or by carpooling, not only will you lessen the impact on the environment, you’ll also save money. If you choose a rail trip, check Amtrak’s regular deals and promotions before booking your travel plans.

3. Avoid the lines and the stress. Flying can be very stressful–not only do you have to get to the airport at least an hour or two early, you have to wait in long lines and abide by TSA rules. Train and bus travel usually only requires you to arrive at the station 20-30 minutes before departure, and if you’re not flying, you don’t have to deal with TSA lines, rules, or pre-checks, and you can bring that 20 oz iced coffee with you.

4. Enjoy the journey. One of the highlights of a road or rail trip is often the time spent traveling. When traveling with friends or family, a shared car journey is a great opportunity to listen to an audiobook together, play a game, or talk about your plans for when you arrive at your destination. 

It’s important to acknowledge that all the modes of travel discussed here have negative environmental impacts. To determine which options are more sustainable than others requires taking into account the distance of the route, as well as the number of travelers. The Union of Concerned Scientists has a helpful guide to choosing the most sustainable option depending on your destination and the number of travelers. We hope these facts and suggestions are helpful and that you’ll give slower travel a try this year!

*At distances of around 750 miles or more, diesel trains can create as much or more CO₂  emissions as a flight to the same destination due to the inefficiency of train routes.

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Some Environmental Justice, Finally

by Rich Foss

Minorities and lower income people in America have long faced environmental hazards right outside their back door from corporations that target these communities.  Oil companies build their refineries next to these to poor and minority communities because they have little political power to stop them. They endure chemical leaks, fires, regular explosions, toxic emissions, skyrocketing incidences of disease such as asthma and cancer.  So many people have died of cancer in Lousiana, that they have named an 85 mile stretch of the state between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, ‘Cancer Alley.’ In this stretch, petrochemical plants, oil pipelines, oil refineries and many other fossil fuel facilities poison the people in Cancer Alley.  Now, with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of fall 2022, funds are being made available by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of President Biden’s Justice-40 initiative and Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.  This executive order compelled the EPA to spend 40% of the money “flow to overburdened communities that face disproportionately high and adverse health and environmental impacts.”  Finally these communities will be recognized.

“Every American deserves access to clean air and water—no matter their zip code, the color of their skin or the size of their paycheck,” Senator Tammy Duckworth said. “That’s why, as co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, I’m proud to announce today’s grant funding, which will help deliver results for environmental justice communities that have been ignored for too long. Access to clean air and clean water isn’t ‘only’ an environmental issue—it’s a matter of health and safety, systemic racism and persistent discrimination against those in low-income communities. I’m hopeful that today, we’re making important advances toward ending this crisis.”  It is vital that these fossil fuel and chemical companies be held responsible, and pay for this cleanup.  Pre-Application Webinars are available; click here to access the article that will allow you to register for these webinars.  

Closer to home, Mayor Lightfoot in Chicago recently unveiled new grant opportunities aimed at “catalyzing climate action across Chicago by nonprofit organizations and small businesses.” This grant money will focus less on addressing the ecological sins of the fossil fuel sector in the past, and focus more on providing money to help those most vulnerable to the devastating consequences of climate change itself.  The money, partly provided by the Department of Planning and Development's Chicago Recovery Plan Initiative, is named the Climate Infrastructure Fund, which will give money to residents so they can make energy efficiency improvements in homes and buildings.  The money will also help offset the costs of an electric car and aid many other green initiatives as well.  In addition, the press release reveals that there will be 3 other similar funds established to allow Chicagoans develop sustainable solutions at the neighborhood level.  According to the press release, “Applications will be scored on criteria related to climate mitigation and resilience factors, equity impact, and project readiness.”  Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Chicago says, “We are thrilled to provide direct resources to our community organizations and small businesses on the frontlines of the climate crisis and to support their vision for a sustainable future.”  Hopefully, the promise to make the availability of these funds equitable will be fulfilled, and poor and minority communities in Chicago will get the help they need.

Do you have an idea for a project in your neighborhood?  For more information on proposal requirements and how to apply, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders should visit Chicago.gov/ClimateFund.  Click here to access Chicago’s 2022 Climate Action Plan in full.

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Spark Joye, President Biden: Declare a Climate Emergency, and Stop Line 5!

by Ebonee Stevenson

We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of those who braved bitterly cold temperatures here in Chicago for our action.  This action was part of the Jan 20th National Day of Action in honor of Joye Braun. 

During the action we remembered Joye Braun, a true warrior, and force of nature. Braun worked as the National Pipeline Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network and was the organization’s representative in The People Vs Fossil Fuels Coalition, an organization of more than 1,200 groups – including 350 Chicago – pressuring the federal government to declare a climate emergency. Unfortunately, Joye made her transition last year at the age of 53, but her legacy continues to live on through us.

In her honor, we demanded President Biden take bold and decisive climate action by declaring a climate emergency. January 20th marks the two-year anniversary since Biden took office. By declaring a Climate Emergency, President Biden could:

1. Ban crude oil exports.

2. Stop the flow of fossil fuel investment abroad.

3. Accelerate renewable energy and electric transportation funding.

The action also marked the two-year anniversary since our movement’s fight culminated in President Biden revoking the Keystone XL pipeline’s permit.

We also put pressure on Biden to halt the permitting of the Line 5 oil and gas pipelines. The drinking water of millions of people in the Great Lakes region including Chicago is at stake. The President has the authority to stop the permit for Line 5 just as he did with Keystone XL.

Please be on the lookout for details about the mass action we are organizing here in Chicago for Earth Day 2023.

In Solidarity.

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