No. 10: What you didn't know about composting and the EPA
Note: Title updated to better reflect issue content
I just blinked and it was August! Although I don’t plan for it to be, in a few weeks my life will be hectic again, but I’m hoping I’ll still have time for consistent issues. Anyways, enjoy this informative one for now!
Due to a lightning strike, a wind turbine blade ignited… and did some damage. Proof that even renewable energy options aren’t perfect. 😵💫
Things you didn’t know you could compost! 🪱
It’s not just for food scraps!
Pet hair and human hair
Cardboard (including toilet paper tubes)
Paper
Cotton balls
Used matches
Sticky notes (must be shredded first)
Dryer lint
Tea bags
But you CAN’T compost…
Onions (kills good microorganisms)
Pistachio shells (ONLY if you follow these instructions first)
Orange + lemon peels (too acidic)
Please answer this poll, I’d love to know! <3
Source: Pela, Help Me Compost
The history of the EPA & why it wasn’t started for the planet
It’s about Americans being concerned for decades, and one GOP member making progress?!
While a liberal senator (James E. Murray, Montana) introduced the Resources and Conservation Act in 1959, little change seemed to follow despite American concern. However it was eventually passed in 1976, laying the groundwork for future climate progress. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 then followed, which declared legislative intent to “create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony,” and “assure….all Americans safe, healthful, productive, esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings."
Fortunately 1970 was a monumental year in the U.S. for climate progress. Earlier that year/towards the end of 1969, President Richard Nixon proposed a 37-point message, asking for national air quality standards and guidelines to lower vehicle emissions and ceasing all dumping into the Great Lakes, among many others, resurfacing not long after as the EPA. April 22, 1970 was the first ever Earth Day, and on July 9, 1970 Nixon proposed the Reorganization Plan No. 3 consolidating several environmental responsibilities into the new Environmental Protection Agency, a bold move that left people skeptical.
This was due to no prior mention of Nixon intending to make progress in this area during his campaign, and because he previously vetoed the Second Clean Water Act, and was quoted telling his domestic adviser John Ehrlichman, “But just keep me out of trouble on environmental issues.” Yet four months after his inauguration (1969), established the Environmental Quality Council, as well as a Citizens' Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality.
Who’s to say he had a change of heart? After all, maybe he was just listening to his constituents, as public awareness (especially due to the impact of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring) was on the rise!
*WAIT! Read the Science History article; they did a WAY better job & check out the section below!*
Source: Wikipedia, EPA Archive, EPA History, Science History, OnTheIssues
$369 billion climate deal?!
Talk about politicians surprising everyone! If you haven’t heard of this arguably life changing, ambitious proposal but have heard of [Senator Joe] Manchin than you probably never would have thought they could be connected. But yes, it actually happened, and could be passed this week (fingers crossed!!!!).
It’s called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which aims to instate more regular usage of renewable/clean energy, benefiting consumers and companies alike. Companies could be incentivized to capture emissions (and reopen nuclear plants…), and consumers could receive tax breaks for investing in renewable/clean energy. This bill would also reduce emissions by an estimated 40% by 2030 (below the level of 2005)!
Source: The Cut, The Newsette, EcoSource
Articles to read
The seaweed startup world needs to slow down - Grist Excerpt: “Without close attention to its ecological impact, seaweed cultivation can bring negative results like marine eutrophication, in which there’s a harmful excess of nutrients; diseases that can spread to wild seaweed populations; and genetic alterations caused by monocropping.”
Your Pee Is a Problem for the Planet When You Eat Too Much Protein, Study Finds - Brightly Excerpt: “Currently, our overabundance of protein shows up as nitrogen-rich urea, which exits our systems, breaks down, and transmutes to greenhouse gases, lend[ing] to toxic algae blooms... Our dependence on protein can also result in less-than-safe drinking water, as wastewater is commonly released into waterways sans any nitrogen removal.”
More good news!
Hawaii receives its last shipment of coal before shuttering last power plant - CNN According to @Environment, “The owner of the coal plant said it will offer jobs at its solar, wind, and battery storage projects to the remaining 40 coal plant employees.”
Australia introduces new climate bill A similar idea to our’s, this bill is controversial, yet seemingly effective, with an emissions reduction target of 43% (although they are still on track for a 35% emissions reduction by 2050).
U.S. plans building of 500,000 charging stations - CleanTechnica With an ambitious budget of $7.5 billion and little chance of states intervening, this plan seems promising! Unfortunately though, it will exclude Tesla and CHAdeMO (like Nissan Leaf) drivers out. :( (Really liked the author’s take, check out the article!)
UN resolution recognizes right to clean, healthy environment - ABC A resolution was approved on Thursday (7/28) with an overwhelming vote 161-0. Although it isn’t legally binding, it’s proof countries care for universal recognition and right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment!
Finnish "sand battery" offers solution for renewable energy storage - Dezeen Polar Night Energy and Vatajankoski have created the first battery to store heat within a tank of sand with low cost and impact!
Wrap-up
Thanks for reading! Congrats on making it to the end, hope you feel relieved and informed. If you ever see something super cool you think I should feature, click this button to fill out a form to let me know (or email me directly, whatever’s easiest).
ALSO check out my poppin’ Twitter and Linktree (for all the links ;) and I’ll be back next week!
