Three climate actions to take this Earth Day

To celebrate Earth Day, PennFuture brings you three actions that you can take to help mitigate climate change. 

(1) Join us in thanking President Obama for his climate leadership by signing onto the United States’ Paris climate agreement pledge as a citizen signer 

This Earth Day, April 22, 2016, world leaders will gather at the United Nations in New York City to formally sign onto the Paris climate agreement. 

The historic agreement, negotiated by nearly 200 nations in late 2015, addresses the growing threat of global climate change with a pledge to hold the line on global temperature rise to “well below 2º Celsius above pre-industrial levels” and an aim to achieve carbon neutrality in the latter half of the century. 

In fulfillment of goals under the Paris climate agreement, the Obama administration has already taken significant action to mitigate climate change in the United States. This includes the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever limit on carbon pollution from the power sector, as well as the soon-to-be finalized federal methane rule. These measures are important first steps to ensure the transition to clean energy and a habitable planet for future generations. 

Lend your support President Obama’s climate agenda and to the Paris climate agreement as a citizen signer.

(2) Fight climate change in your own backyard 

Photo credit: Ronald Gibson via NWF

Believe it or not, gardeners are on the front lines of climate change. From unpredictable growing seasons to the spread of invasive species and pests, gardeners nationwide are experiencing the negative effects of a warming planet. 

As the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) state affiliate, we’re happy to share the following smart and simple tips from its “Gardening for Wildlife” program to help you fight climate change and protect wildlife in your own backyard: 

• Plant trees to absorb CO2 
• Replace invasive plants with native species 
• Reduce water consumption in your garden 
• Reduce use of gasoline-powered tools 
• Compost kitchen and garden waste 
• Recognize your yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation 

(3) Become a green power purchaser 

By purchasing green power, you can help expand the growth of solar and wind farms in Pennsylvania and beyond. Congress has extended Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to help tax credits solar and wind farms for the next five years. This will help give clean energy an extra push but we need smart consumers to show interest and keep these pollution-free energy sources growing. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Kubina via Flickr

Need more information on why you should make the switch to renewable energy? Or maybe just more information on how to make the switch? Check out the following short videos by PennFuture - Understanding Your Bill and Making the Switch. 

We hope you’ll take these actions on Earth Day to help mitigate climate change! In addition, feel free to join PennFuture for the many events that we are hosting or participating in throughout Earth Week! 

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta. 

Dom McGraw, PennFuture volunteer based in Philadelphia, contributed to this post.

Spotlight Erie, PA: Clean Power Plan training and DEP listening session

Erie, Pennsylvania: To most, this city is associated with tourist attractions such as Presque Isle State Park, Dobbins Landing, Waldameer Park, and the family favorite, Splash Lagoon. However, to the people that live here, it’s much more than that.

Like anywhere that’s considered home, it’s a place where they work, raise their kids, and interact with other members of their communities. Therefore, legislation such as the EPA’s Clean Power Plan greatly affects them, and many Erie residents say in a positive way.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this policy, here is a brief background: The Clean Power Plan is a recent effort to mitigate climate change and improve public health by limiting carbon pollution. It’s a flexible, state-driven approach, with Pennsylvania targeted to cut carbon 33.3 percent by 2030. Pennsylvania has until September 6, 2016 to submit their draft on how to achieve its goal and then another two years to submit the final, concrete plan. If Pennsylvania does not submit a plan, the EPA will implement its own federal carbon reduction strategy.

In order to meet these deadlines and craft a strong, customized implementation plan based on Pennsylvania’s unique energy mix, economy, and workforce, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held more than a dozen listening sessions and a 2-month comment period on the plan, open to anyone willing to speak. One of those hearings took place in Erie.

A week prior to the hearing, PennFuture and the NW PA Green Economy Task Force sponsored a free training event open to the public with PennFuture Energy Center’s Director Rob Altenburg speaking about the Clean Power Plan and how it will benefit Erie as well as the rest of Pennsylvania. The demographics of the group of trainees ranged from a senior at Penn State working on his final capstone project that focuses on the lack of an emissions reduction target in the updated Climate Change Action Plan to a member of the Erie County Planning Department. Although everyone’s knowledge of the Clean Power Plan varied, trainees were able to help one another draft their testimonies and providing inspiration to some who were still ambivalent on speaking.

Erie resident Karen Shor was unsure if she should speak or not, but ultimately decided to let her voice be heard. “I am here and will be at the hearing because I believe in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. As a Reform Jew, I don’t necessarily believe in heaven and hell. I believe that the only thing that lives on after we die is the work we do in this life. I want the world to be a better place because I was here. Plus, I firmly believe that ‘we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children’ and I want the children growing up to have a healthier place to live.

Guy McUmber, Northwest Branch Director of the Green Building Alliance (GBA), also attended the training and hearing, and was interested in the Clean Power Plan for other reasons, particularly how the Clean Power Plan can encourage high performance and healthy buildings. In his testimony he stated, “GBA believes the Clean Power Plan is an excellent opportunity for the Commonwealth to develop a progressive and comprehensive plan and related policies on energy efficiency and clean energy. Unfortunately, we have lacked this type of planning on a national and statewide level, although there have been many important programs created by individual states and municipalities. Having a coherent plan that ‘connects all the dots’ will lead to Pennsylvania making real progress in reducing fossil fuel usage and promoting cleaner alternatives.”

The hearing took place on October 29 at Blasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium and involved testimonies from people praising about their solar installations for their homes, as well as more touching anecdotes accompanied with pictures of a grandfather who had died of black lung disease due to unsafe mining practices. Of course, there were a few people in disagreement with the Clean Power Plan, but the majority demonstrating that they were indeed in favor in creating a healthier and safer environment for their community. In fact, according to a recent poll released by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, an average 61 percent of adults say they support the policy.

PennFuture would like to thank all who participated in the training as well as the hearing to help create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable Pennsylvania. 

Annie Regan is western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Pittsburgh.

24 Hours of Reality watch party in Pittsburgh

At PennFuture, we work hard every day to win environmental victories for your backyard, your local parks, and our shared planet. There are countless organizations around the globe who are also fighting for the health of people and planet, and the Climate Reality Project is one of them.

This Friday, the Climate Reality Project is presenting "24 Hours of Reality: The World is Watching," a global day of action and music to address climate change. PennFuture has strong ties to the Climate Reality Project as our president and CEO, Larry Schweiger, is a board member or the organization. A little less famous but involved nonetheless, I myself recently became a Climate Reality Leader after attending the training in Miami a little over a month ago.

In order to get the community in Pittsburgh involved, I’ve teamed up with Faith Nicholas, the Student Conservation Association fellow at the Higher Education Climate Consortium, to organize a watch party for the "24 Hours of Reality" so you can be a part of the action. Join us from 3 pm to 9 pm in Sanger Hall on Chatham University’s campus for live-streaming of the broadcast and also to hear about local initiatives fighting for our planet.

During this watch party, you'll be joining millions worldwide in urging our leaders to take action. Each hour, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore will share stories of progress from around the world and talk to influential artists, scientists, thought leaders, and policy makers about the exciting developments in clean energy and other areas that are bringing us to a global turning point on climate change.

This year's broadcast comes at a critical time for our climate, just before world leaders meet in Paris to create a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to attend for as long or as little as you like!
For more information and to RSVP go to the event page on Facebook.

Nicole Catino is Penn Future’s 2015 Student Conservation Association Green Cities Sustainability Fellow and is based in Pittsburgh. 

Key takeaways from Southeastern Pennsylvania DEP Clean Power Plan listening sessions

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hosted two listening sessions as part of their 14 stop tour to gather public input from citizens throughout the commonwealth on the Clean Power Plan. The first listening session of the day was held in Philadelphia, the second in Marcus Hook. 

As we've written before, the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is a federal standard that provides states the flexibility to develop their own carbon reduction strategy. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal sets an overall reduction of 33.3 percent for Pennsylvania, but does not mandate how Pennsylvania must reach its goal. The DEP is using the public listening sessions to inform how they craft Pennsylvania's state climate plan. 

Policy Director, Matt Stepp, giving testimony at the Philadelphia hearing.
More photos may be found on PF's Facebook page.

There were some key takeaways from the two sessions that are worth highlighting:

• Speakers at both sessions overwhelmingly supported the CPP.
• While news coverage of sessions like these tend to highlight speakers on both sides of the argument, its important to note that the number of supportive speakers far outweighed those against the CPP. Of the approximately 60 speakers at both sessions, only 5 testifiers did not fully support the CPP. What's more, the opposing testimonies came from only three different speakers, as two of them gave repeat performances. The makeup of the listening sessions was indicative of what we've already learned from earlier polling: Pennsylvania voters overwhelming support the CPP. 
• Supporters of the CPP represent diverse interests and backgrounds. 
• Speakers who spoke in favor of the CPP represented many different perspectives - business, faith, environment, public health, parents and grandparents, and youth. A common thread unifying supportive speakers was each person's interest in creating a sustainable environmental and economic future for the commonwealth.
• Pennsylvanians are ready for a transition to a zero-carbon energy future. 
• Many speakers urged the DEP to think of Pennsylvania's 33.3 percent carbon reduction goal as a floor, rather than a ceiling. Speakers urged the DEP not to rely heavily on natural gas as we transition away from carbon pollution-producing energy sources. Instead, the state must strive toward additional investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Bolstering Act 129 and increasing our goals under Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) were oft-cited measures that the General Assembly should take in order to facilitate the commonwealth's transition to a clean energy economy under the CPP. 

For those who could not make it to these Southeastern PA listening sessions, you have the option of speaking at any of the remaining 7 listening sessions or you may submit written comments by November 12. 

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.

"Beat the Heat" with PennFuture and friends on July 30

This summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize its Clean Power Plan -- the first federal standard on carbon pollution from power plants. This is big news and an historic achievement toward mitigating climate change. What's more, the rule is a step toward a zero-carbon, clean energy future. 

We need to show strong support for the Clean Power Plan, which will have significant public health benefits and will create jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. It will also provide states the flexibility to implement plans tailored to their unique situations. 

Will you join us during your lunch hour to support the Clean Power Plan? PennFuture and many partner organizations will gather for rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to show support for the Plan. Bring a friend, hold a sign, and enjoy FREE ice cream. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

When, where and more:  

Pittsburgh Rally:
Thursday, July 30: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Courtyard of Pittsburgh City-County Building, 414 Grant St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219
Updated location: Courtyard at the Allegheny County Courthouse (Enter on Fifth St.), 436 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
There will be a brief lineup of speakers and FREE ice cream for attendees. 
Please let us know you'll attend by registering on our website.

Philadelphia Rally:
Thursday, July 30: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Outside of Senator Casey's Office, 2001 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
There will be a brief lineup of speakers and FREE ice cream for attendees. 
Please let us know you'll attend by registering on our website.

Katie Bartolotta is PennFuture's southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.

Pennsylvanians have reason to be ticked off about climate change

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer, a time when Pennsylvanians take advantage of the many outdoor resources the Commonwealth has to offer. From hiking to fishing to camping, there are a range of activities in which outdoor enthusiasts and their families can engage.  

But here in Pennsylvania, our amazing outdoor resources are accompanied by a not-so-pleasant feature – the prevalence of ticks due to climate change. The black-legged tick, commonly known as the “deer tick,” transmits Lyme disease and poses a huge threat to outdoor recreation.

The threat of ticks isn’t new, but there is heightened concern this summer as warmer winters, caused by climate change, have allowed ticks to expand their habitable range. Increased exposure to ticks increases the risk of contracting Lyme disease, a serious threat to public health. Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms including fever, headaches, and chronic joint and nervous system impacts.

Not a pretty picture. 

In 2013, Pennsylvania reported nearly 5,000 cases of Lyme disease, more than any state in the country. Nationwide, the rate of reported cases has nearly doubled since 1991. It’s important to note that these figures only include reported cases – it’s possible that the actual number of cases is ten times greater than that. (Kudos to Senator Bob Casey for addressing the underreporting problem and advocating for better tracking of the disease and increased Center for Disease Control (CDC) funding.)

So how do we protect ourselves from these pests while also enjoying outdoor recreation activities? On an individual level, one should avoid piles of leaves and wear repellent containing DEET. One should also check their clothing and shower within two hours of visiting a tick-prone area. On a global level, taking action to combat the source of the problem – climate change due to carbon pollution – is critically important. This summer, it is expected that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize its Clean Power Plan, a rule that will set limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants.

Outdoor enthusiasts should contact their federal and state elected officials and encourage them to support a robust and effective Clean Power Plan both on the national level as well as its implementation on the state level. Your voice is important in protecting the enjoyment of our natural resources for all!

For more information, check out National Wildlife Federation’s Climate Change Bites Fact Sheet.

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.

Gina McCarthy rocks!

PennFuture is in the midst of encouraging -- well, pushing actually -- the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt federal standards to limit industrial carbon pollution from coal-burning power plants. At long last!

Given Congress' refusal to #ActOnClimate, President Obama is using his executive authority to move our stubborn country along. Hence, the EPA's work to set limits on the amount of CO2 that existing and not-yet-built power plants can emit.

I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Gina McCarthy, the EPA Administrator on Tuesday, February 25, when I attended a White House briefing on the President's climate action plan. The White House invited about 150 faith and community leaders from across the country to update us on what the Administration is doing on climate, and to learn from us what's happening in local communities across the country.

Gina McCarthy has been a clean-air hero of mine for a decade now. She first caught PennFuture's eye when we were working to pass Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard back in 2004. Gina was Connecticut's Commissioner of Environmental Protection then, leading in states' efforts to move away from filthy fossil fuels used for electricity production, and moving towards wind, solar, and energy efficiency.

We've been following her career ever since, and so were delighted when she was confirmed as EPA Administrator last year.

Administrator McCarthy talked to the group of us gathered for the briefing this week with passionate, smart, and inspired thinking. She stressed what clear-thinking people already know: "Whatever we do that's good for addressing climate change is also good for our economy." (Hmm. Where have I heard something very similar before? "Every environmental victory grows the economy."). She pointed out that unchecked climate change is not just a threat to public health and the planet, but a threat to the economy as well, adding that  the new rules "will put money in your pocket, grow jobs, and move people from poverty into the middle class." Sounds like a plan to me!

Gina's mantra for energy efficiency? "Go forth and save money!"

During Q&A, one committed activist asked why the rule on existing power plants (due to be formally released for public comment later this year) wouldn't set the tolerable amount of CO2 emissions from power plant at zero -- the ideal situation. Gina answered thoughtfully: "I have read carefully the legislation [Clean Air Act] that governs what my agency can do, and I am being very careful that we're within the law, so that we can't be accused of that 'overreach' thing that could ruin our efforts." And then, with that wonderful McCarthy wit, she added that she couldn't do simply whatever she wanted to do, since "nobody had died and made her queen," as much as she might enjoy being queen.

I had the opportunity to meet Ms. McCarthy before the briefing, and handed her a pile of comment cards from Pennsylvanians in support of the proposed rules to limit carbon emissions.

Those 100+ cards represent thousands of comments already sent to the EPA from Pennsylvanians supporting the rules.

If it's not yet May 9, 2014 when you're reading this, then it's not too late for you, too, to weigh in  and tell the EPA to require any new plants that will come online to be on a tight carbon budget. Please -- it really matters. And we know that Gina is listening.

Joy Bergey is PennFuture's federal policy director and is based in Philadelphia.