| April 2024: "C" Change is Here! |
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April 2024: C Change is Here!
Welcome back to C Change!
This month, we will explore how policy initiatives guide sustainable action and discover the science behind some of the pressing environmental issues of our time. For instance, learn how the Green Climate Fund funds and rewards innovative projects promoting sustainable living, and how implementing green infrastructure in our cities will help create resilient communities prepared for the future. Additionally, consider the carbon-absorbing effects of sea sponges and how they can serve as indicators for climate change, and the increasing stakes of rising sea levels in New England!
Here are this month’s topics:
1. PFAS contamination poses a significant threat to both human health and the environment, persistently endangering communities worldwide with its lasting consequences. Despite ongoing regulatory efforts, effectively addressing PFAS contamination remains a complex challenge that requires urgent and comprehensive action. To safeguard public health and preserve environmental integrity, there is a critical need for robust regulation, comprehensive monitoring, and corporate accountability in combating the pervasive threat of forever chemicals.
2. New England’s coastal charm, recognized for its beauty and cultural significance, faces an ominous threat from rising sea levels fueled by global warming. The extensive coastline is particularly vulnerable to events like flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. Already witnessing these devastating effects over the past decade, urgent action is needed to preserve the region’s economic, environmental and social fabric, prompting a call for critical measures to safeguard the cherished coastal communities and landscapes from an increasingly perilous future.
3. Earth’s oceans intake a quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions produced. A type of sea sponge called sclerosponges has been found to produce a calcified skeleton that can document temperature rises. ABC Science surmised that these sclerosponges show that we may have exceeded the recommended global temperature rise.
4. Embracing green infrastructure is one attractive way to make cities and our communities more sustainable for the future. By implementing technologies like permeable pavement to absorb stormwater or strategies like green roofs to lower ambient temperatures, we can make cities more comfortable to live in while ensuring they are resilient for the future.
5. The Green Climate Fund is an initiative designed to promote international cooperation for sustainable development and protecting the environment. It raises funds for these projects and helps developing countries meet their climate needs as well. The GCF has already achieved several projects and is spurring new financial development for future endeavors to help protect our planet.
By appreciating both the challenges and potential opportunities to preserve our planet, we will be better prepared to take action and make a difference. Earth is our only home; it’d be best that we do all we can to make sure it stays our home, for ourselves now and for future generations of all life.
Sustainably,
Eric Magers
Executive Director
Autumn Marsh
Climate Action Fellow
Soham Arekar
Climate Action Fellow
Jacob Greenlee
Newsletter Department Manager
Sources Cited:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 18). Potential health effects of Pfas Chemicals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html
2. NASA Global Climate Change. (2023). Vital Signs | Ocean Warming. Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet; NASA. https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ocean-warming/
3. Kruijff, P. de. (2024, February 5). Sea Sponge Study suggests Earth has already surpassed 1.5C of warming. World may already be 1.7C warmer according to Puerto Rican sea sponge record - ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/sc...
4. Green Infrastructure: How to Manage Water in a Sustainable Way. (2022, July 25). NRDC. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/g....
5. UNCCD 16th session of the Conference of the Parties. (n.d.). UNCCD. Retrieved March 31, 2024, from https://www.unccd.int/cop16#:~...
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| APRIL HIGHLIGHTS |
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| What We Read (and Learned!) This Month |
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| Unveiling the Perils of Forever Chemicals |
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| Soham Arekar |
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In the intricate tapestry of modern life, a silent menace lurks beneath the surface, imperceptible yet insidious. Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), have emerged as a pressing environmental and public health concern, permeating our water, air, and soil with lasting consequences. In this article, we delve into the shadowy realm of forever chemicals, uncovering their ubiquitous presence, persistent nature, and profound impact on human health and the environment. Forever chemicals, a class of synthetic compounds characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, are engineered to resist degradation and withstand extreme conditions. Used in a wide array of consumer products and industrial applications, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, and food packaging, PFAS have infiltrated our daily lives with stealthy persistence.
Unlike fleeting pollutants that dissipate over time, PFAS defy conventional decay mechanisms, persisting indefinitely in the environment. Their resilience allows them to travel vast distances through air and water currents, contaminating ecosystems far beyond their point of origin. Despite efforts to mitigate their spread, PFAS continue to accumulate in soil, sediment, and living organisms, posing a perpetual threat to environmental health.
The enduring presence of PFAS presents a grave risk to human health, with mounting evidence linking exposure to a litany of adverse health effects. From increased risk of cancer and impaired immune function to developmental abnormalities and reproductive disorders, the toxic legacy of forever chemicals reverberates through generations. Vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, infants, and frontline communities, bear the brunt of PFAS contamination's devastating toll.
In the face of mounting evidence and public outcry, regulatory agencies have begun to reckon with the pervasive threat of forever chemicals. Efforts to regulate PFAS have yielded mixed results, with inconsistent standards and gaps in oversight hindering progress. Nevertheless, grassroots movements, advocacy campaigns, and legal actions have mobilized communities to demand accountability and enact meaningful change.
As the specter of forever chemicals looms large, the imperative for action grows ever more urgent. To confront this existential threat, we must adopt a multi-faceted approach that encompasses robust regulation, comprehensive monitoring, and proactive remediation efforts. Moreover, we must cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and corporate responsibility to prevent further proliferation of PFAS and safeguard public health and environmental integrity.
As we peer into the depths of the forever chemical crisis, we are confronted with a stark reality: the perils of PFAS are not confined to the realms of science fiction but are palpably present in our daily lives. By unveiling the hidden dangers of forever chemicals, we illuminate a path forward—one defined by collective action, unwavering resolve, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. Together, let us confront the perils of forever chemicals and forge a future where clean water, clean air, and a clean environment are not just aspirations but fundamental rights for all.
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| Rising sea levels: What is in store for New England? |
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| Hayley Wheeler |
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Nestled in the northeastern corner of the United States, New England is renowned for its captivating beauty, charming coastal towns, and picturesque shorelines. Our region’s coastal landscapes have long enchanted residents and tourists alike, serving as a seasonal haven for recreation, commerce, and cultural heritage. However, there lies a growing concern: The looming danger of rising sea levels, driven by global warming, presenting a grave threat to the New England states and their cherished coastlines.
According to NASA and the World Economic Forum, as temperatures continue to climb, polar ice caps melt at an accelerating rate mixed with the combination of heat being released from the ocean, contributing to the gradual inundation of coastal areas. New England, with its extensive coastline, is particularly vulnerable to this, facing heightened risks of flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. One research article published at the American Meteorological Society by Jianjun Yin at the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona goes into depth on the acceleration of sea level rise along the US East Coast from 2010-2022, further explaining that major hurricanes and their sister storm surges have caused “significant to catastrophic” coastal inundation and socioeconomic damage, which was all due to the warming of ocean currents along the coast + multidecadal epochs (series of long-duration changes, units of geological time) of enhanced sea level variability at the East Coast the gauge records. Another geophysical research letter published by Advancing Earth and Space Sciences goes into detail on the uncertainty in future regional sea level rise, quoting that “A warmer and fresher ocean or a melt-back of continental ice will increase seawater volume, leading to a rise in sea level.” On a regional scale, sea levels are influenced by ocean currents driven by wind and buoyancy, which plays a role in redistributing heat and salt within the ocean.
Presently, communities along the New England coast, especially in states not as protected by Long Island Sound’s land barrier such as Massachusetts and Maine, are already witnessing the effects of sea levels rise through more frequent and severe storms, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources. Sea walls and other coastal defenses are being built in not just the United States, but also in countries such as Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom. But these defenses in and of themselves can also cause erosional issues and habitat destruction - if they are built on coastal wetlands, which are native to New England, this can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - therefore exacerbating climate change, stated by Victoria Masterson, Senior Writer for the World Economic Forum. Areas within the Sound are also witnessing these effects, especially throughout coastal towns in Rhode Island and Connecticut that attract tourists throughout the summer that have limited access due to destruction, erosion, and ocean currents. Since Long Island Sound acts as a tidal estuary it can decrease wave action and tide effects, but recently due to climate change impacts, this area is no longer a safe space for harbors and communities.
So, when is the tipping point? Published by both Yankee & Gale agencies, Ian Aldrich writes on the impacts to Martha’s Vineyard and nearby New England regions from the past decade of powerful storms and the challenges we will face if we do not act soon; “More than 250,000 Maine residents lost power, wind gusts topping 147 mph scoured New Hampshire's Mount Washington, and rising sea levels brought coastal towns like Gloucester, Massachusetts, to a grinding halt.” If these trends go unaddressed they will only become more dangerous as the years progress; foretelling a progressively hazardous future for the Northeast region of the United States, with significant economic, environmental, and social consequences.
Urgent action is imperative to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and safeguard the resilience and beauty of New England’s coastal communities and beaches for generations to come.
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Sources:
1. Aldrich, I. (2024, January-February). TIPPING POINT: Amid extreme weather and an encroaching sea, Martha's Vineyard must answer a critical question: Will the fabled island change, or be changed by, its climate future? Yankee, 88(1), 92+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A779458365/AONE?u=anon~91dc23eb&sid=googleScholar&xid=4e6dae41
2. Hu, A., and C. Deser (2013), Uncertainty in future regional sea level rise due to internal climate variability, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 2768–2772, https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50531
3. Masterson, V., & Hall, S. (2022, September 29). Sea level rise: Everything you need to know. World Economic Forum; Centre for Nature and Climate. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/rising-sea-levels-global-threat/
4. NASA Global Climate Change. (2023). Vital Signs | Ocean Warming. Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet; NASA. https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ocean-warming/
5. Yin, J. (2023). Rapid Decadal Acceleration of Sea Level Rise along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts during 2010-2022 and Its Impact on Hurricane-Induced Storm Surge. Journal of Climate, 36(13), 1–38. https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-22-0670.1
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| How Sea Sponges Help |
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| Autumn Marsh |
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Sea Sponges are a commonly underappreciated member of our aquatic ecosystem. What if you knew that Sea Sponges are one of the major contributors to the oceans’ carbon sinks? Or that there’s new research offering critical perspective-changing information about how much hotter the planet might be than previously thought?
While we are behind in realizing the importance of combating climate change, sea sponges have been doing the majority of the work for us this entire time. According to the United Nations, the ocean takes in about 25% of carbon dioxide emissions produced. The ocean also helps by producing a large portion of the oxygen we need while absorbing much of the access heat that comes from greenhouse gasses. Sea sponges are responsible for outputting silica into the ocean, which is necessary for the lifecycle of diatoms. Diatoms are a type of algae encased in glass, in their photosynthesis process they make carbon dioxide into organic carbon and oxygen. According to the European Commission, what’s different about diatoms is that when they die they take carbon dioxide to the sea floor with them and lock it down there. In studying the skeletons of sea sponges, the European Commission discovered that they produce upwards of 48 million tons of silica per year, increasing the ocean's carbon sink size by 28%.
That’s not the only remarkable discovery from the skeletons of sea sponges recently. In the current fight against global warming, it is crucial to keep the warming below 2 degrees Celcius and ideally less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. New research on sea sponge skeletons shows we may have already exceeded the 1.5-degree international policy.
According to ABC Science, a type of sea sponge called sclerosponges produces 0.25 millimeters of calcified skeleton yearly. It was found while studying the calcified layers of sclerosponges that these layers can date back to the early 1700s before the Industrial Revolution began when we started using fossil fuels enough to progress global warming to the point we’re at today. ABC Science surmises from the study that we’ve hit 1.7 degrees Celcius, 0.2 degrees above what scientists have been fighting to stay under. Science Media Direct quotes Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald stating that at this rate, we’re likely to hit the desired maximum of 2.0 degrees Celcius by the end of the 2020s. Meaning if we don’t change things now, by 2030 we will have exceeded the absolute maximum temperature increase scientists recommend.
Even scientists who weren’t involved in the study have confidence in the data produced. ABC Science included scientists such as Georgia Falster, a paleoclimatologist, who stated that this newly produced data lines up remarkably well with the data that scientists have been collecting since the 1900s from ships. This means the data is also verified by the hand-collected data that had been utilized to measure greenhouse gas emissions for around a century.
This isn’t good news for climate change and applies increased pressure on us to utilize as many systems as possible to reduce carbon dioxide as quickly as possible. Changing resource utilization combined with the push to fight for legislation that will force industries and big businesses to use climate-friendly energy sources. As individuals, we need to do what we can to become more climate-friendly through our daily actions and choices, while big businesses need to be forced into taking action that will protect our planet and reverse the damage that has been done.
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| The Green Fund |
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| Laila Salgado |
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In the face of climate change, the need for global action has never been more pressing. One crucial initiative is the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Established at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the GCF promotes international cooperation and gives financial support aimed at fostering sustainable development and climate resilience in the most vulnerable regions of the world.
Origins and Objectives
The Green Climate Fund was founded in 2010 during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Cancun, Mexico. Its primary goal is to mobilize funds from both public and private sources to assist developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations, the GCF pledges to allocate resources equitably, ensuring that those most in need receive the necessary support.
Key Functions and Mechanisms
At its core, the Green Climate Fund operates as a financial mechanism to channel resources towards climate-related projects and programs. It collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and the private sector, to maximize the impact of its investments.
One of the distinctive features of the GCF is its emphasis on innovation and transformation. Rather than simply providing funding for projects, the GCF encourages initiatives that promote sustainable development and resilience-building. This means supporting projects that incorporate renewable energy solutions, enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities, and facilitate the transition to low-carbon economies.
Furthermore, the GCF has a country-driven approach, allowing nations to determine their own priorities for climate action. By empowering local stakeholders and fostering ownership of projects, the GCF ensures that interventions are tailored to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each country.
Achievements and Impact
The Green Climate Fund has made significant advancements. It has approved numerous projects across various sectors, ranging from renewable energy and energy efficiency to agriculture, water management, and infrastructure development. These projects have not only helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions but have also strengthened the resilience of communities against climate change.
Moreover, the GCF has spurred climate finance on a global scale. By leveraging public funds and private investment, it has unlocked additional resources for climate action and amplifying its impact.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its successes, the Green Climate Fund faces several challenges. One major obstacle is the need for sustained and predictable funding. While the GCF has received pledges from various countries, meeting its long-term financing goals could be a demanding issue.
Additionally, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective governance is essential to maintain the credibility of the GCF. As the demand for climate finance grows, we must streamline processes, enhance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and uphold standards of integrity.
The Green Climate Fund has the potential to promote climate action and foster global sustainability. However, this will require collective effort from the international community.
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| Green Infrastructure |
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| Kyleigh Adams |
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The common image of a futuristic city is full of sleek monochromatic metal buildings and bleak concrete infrastructure illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights. In order for humanity to have a livable future this image needs to change. To create a sustainable future the infrastructure should work with nature instead of against it. To combat rising city temperatures and water pollution, green infrastructure is a viable solution to sustain us now and in our future. The EPA simply explains that the function of green infrastructure filters and absorbs stormwater. Back in 2019, when the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act was passed a list of green infrastructure practices were provided. Which includes plant and soil systems, permeable pavement, and landscaping to store, and infiltrate or evapotranspirate stormwater. Stormwater pollution is a serious issue that is worsening because of climate change and its long lasting effects, which includes damaging water quality, sewage overflow, and flooding. Not only does it affect physical structures but also heavily impacts the health of the people in those urban areas.
The Natural Resources Defense Council provides a helpful list of types of green infrastructure that could be implemented into metropolitan areas. A common one that is often overlooked is green roofs. Simply put, green roofs are roofs with landscaped vegetation. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but there are many positive attributes these roofs have that help urban areas. Green roofs provide extra insulation and can be up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than regular dark roofs, and can even decrease city temperatures as much as five degrees. Not only is this great for city temperature and air quality, but it is cost-effective by lowering energy costs. Since these roofs are covered in plants, they are also helpful with sequestering rain and carbon pollution. Green roofs can retain 40% to 80% of total rainfall, helping to keep the plants alive and slowing down runoff. This also slows down or altogether prevents flooding and erosion within the city. Implementing green roofs into urban infrastructure will help with temperature control, rainfall pollution, carbon pollution, decrease energy usage, and create new jobs.
A program created by the Nicholas Institute at Duke University known as the “Infrastructure Sustainability Learning Initiative” or ISLe, is a network meant to help government officials, engineers, developers, and financiers connect and learn about sustainable infrastructure. By connecting sustainability experts with urban planners, construction contractors and city government officials’ new knowledge is shared and implemented into how a city is built and functions. The most important part of sustainability is the connection of all aspects of life and how a society functions. Implementing change in one sector is a great start, but to make it work in the long run it needs to be applicable to society as a whole. Green infrastructure is a great way to showcase this idea since not only do we need to conserve our remaining natural habitats, but we also need to adapt the way our urban areas function to make real change.
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Sources:
1. US EPA. (2018, July 3). What is Green Infrastructure? US EPA. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure.
2. Green Infrastructure: How to Manage Water in a Sustainable Way. (2022, July 25). NRDC. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/green-infrastructure-how-manage-water-sustainable-way#benefits.
3. Infrastructure Sustainability Learning (ISLe) Initiative. (n.d.). Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/project/infrastructure-sustainability-learning-isle-initiative.
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