As we look ahead to a new year, we asked some of our team to forecast what trends and issues they think will impact water in 2022. Here’s what they had to say. (Photo by Mobile Baykeeper)
On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new federal protections to cut methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. These proposed rules are a step in the right direction, and a signal that the Biden administration is ready to confront the climate crisis head-on by cutting methane pollution. But, they must be strengthened before they are finalized.
In an excellent in-depth report from Vox—featuring our very own Larry Baldwin—learn more about the egregious environmental and humanitarian impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in North Carolina. As noted in the video, though Smithfield Farms claims their proposed hog waste biogas project solves their pollution problem, this project would only worsen pollution in the front line communities most at risk.
Gomti River Waterkeeper
"Working as a Waterkeeper, having a strong sense of ‘social dynamics focus’ offers me invaluable experiences with real-world problems and communities." Gomti River Waterkeeper Venkatesh Dutta reflects on his work as part of the Waterkeeper movement for our blog.
Jordan Cove LNG
Pembina, the Canadian company that tried to impose a fracked gas pipeline and export terminal on communities across Southern Oregon, filed a formal request asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to cancel its permit for the project.
Plastic Pollution
A pernicious and increasingly common form of plastic pollution comes by way of the innocuously named nurdles, the lentil-sized “pre-production pellets” that serve as the building blocks for plastic products.
COP26
Inside the COP, we saw a mixture of gleeful optimism and paralyzing complexity. Outside the COP we saw impatience and anger at how empty rhetoric distracts from what may be our one remaining chance to limit the effects of the climate crisis.
U.S. Oil & Gas Leasing
We joined conservation groups in submitting formal comments urging cancellation of February’s federal oil and gas lease auctions.The Biden administration is legally required to prevent harm from the leasing program’s greenhouse gas emissions, not just disclose it.
Guayllabamba Waterkeeper
For the ancestral inhabitants of Quito, Ecuador, the creeks of the Guayllabamba River were important cultural. Unfortunately, over time the streams lost their ecological quality and many of them became sources of environmental contamination.
About a million people live along Georgia’s Flint River, and Gordon Rogers has been the Flint Riverkeeper since 2009. Working in a heavily politically divided area, Rogers feels driven by a sense of accountability to the people who live along the river. “It is completely nonpartisan. That’s the secret sauce,” says Rogers. “It’s all about the river.”
Daru Setyorini grew up along the Brantas River in Indonesia. Her happy childhood memories of the river—and her family—led her to take on the role of Brantas River Waterkeeper. “We want a healthy and resilient river so we can all enjoy it. Maintaining this natural resource can provide economic benefits to people and support the development of the next generation.”
Waterkeeper Alliance is proud to endorse ecoAmerica's 11th annual American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2022) this March. 2022 presents new opportunities for climate solutions, but to build the political resolve for action we need a broader diversity of Americans to stand with us. ACLS 2022 is designed to ensure that all climate leaders, especially community-focused leaders, are empowered with the connections and tools they need to take action.
