** As U.N. report warns of dire climate consequences, Western states poised to innovate
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Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Natural gas flare in New Mexico's Permian Basin | Blake Thornberry, Flickr ([link removed])
An authoritative report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that humans have pushed our climate into unprecedented territory ([link removed]) , all but ensuring communities around the globe will experience increased drought, flooding, and fires for at least the next 30 years. While extractive industries have sowed doubt about the science of climate change, the sprawling report labels the findings ([link removed]) "overwhelming" and "established fact."
While the report does paint a bleak picture of a future without ambitious action, it also establishes a roadmap to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. In the best case scenarios, countries rapidly phase out the development of fossil fuels, curb methane emissions, and find innovative ways to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In the United States, the federal government and many Western states are taking action to curb climate pollution and bolster a clean energy economy. Just in the last week, the Biden administration announced plans to speed the adoption of electric vehicles ([link removed]) , the Interior Department moved forward with three major renewable energy projects ([link removed]) , and the Bureau of Land Management is expected to soon announce recommendations on how to reform the system governing oil and gas drilling on public lands.
In Nevada, voters recently approved ([link removed]) a landmark resolution to obtain 50% clean energy by 2030, and the state legislature adopted a resolution to support conserving 30% of America's lands and waters by 2030. New Mexico recently adopted ambitious standards ([link removed]) to reduce methane pollution from oil and gas development. And Colorado enacted stringent oil and gas regulations ([link removed]) to protect public health and the environment.
The United Nations report is dire, with Secretary General António Guterres calling the findings ([link removed]) "a code red for humanity." However, the opportunities are also clear—nations and communities across the United States can seize the opportunity to conserve the natural places we hold dear while capitalizing on innovation and clean energy.
Quick hits
** Dixie, Bootleg, Goose. How wildfires get their names
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NPR ([link removed])
** Dixie Fire moves into Lassen Volcanic National Park in California
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Redding Record Searchlight ([link removed])
** Humans have pushed climate into unprecedented territory, swift action demanded, finds authoritative U.N. report
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | The Atlantic ([link removed])
** Utah looks to quadruple oil output from Uinta Basin with massive rail project
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | KUER ([link removed])
** Opinion: Precious landscapes like Dinosaur National Monument need protection from orphaned wells
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
** Inside the battle to conserve a sprawling national forest in California
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National Geographic ([link removed])
** Facing 70 pages of violations, Colorado oil company may lose right to operate in state
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Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | KUNC ([link removed])
** Opinion: Public lands honor the past, provide hope for the future
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Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Utahns are already choking on wildfire smoke, facing historic drought conditions and suffering sweltering heat waves. This colossal waste of public funds advances a filthy oil train that will only make our climate emergency worse.”
—Wendy Park ([link removed]) , senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity
Picture this
** @ArchesNPS ([link removed])
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And suddenly it’s August! The summer is starting to wind down and fall is on the way. Take a moment to reflect and think about the memories you made. Did you go on a road trip? Experience a new place? What memories will you put in your summer scrapbook? NPS/Elsie Fisher
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