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The YEARS Project x Fossil Free Media

Minnesota Takes On the Fossil Fuel Industry

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is on a mission to make the fossil fuel industry pay up for driving the climate crisis and lying about it. That’s why he’s taking Exxon and some of its industry bedfellows to court.

Produced in partnership with our friends at Fossil Free Media.

BlackRock’s Greenwashing Problem

All of BlackRock’s talk about sustainability means nothing if they don’t sell their shares in companies that are extracting oil in near the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Gwich’in Indigenous people are on the frontlines of the destruction in the Arctic, and they’ve taken a stand against BlackRock’s greenwashing. Gwich’in leader Bernadette Demienteiff explains why fighting oil companies matters so much to her community.

How Fracking Companies Benefit From COVID19 While Communities Suffer

Fossil fuel companies are getting millions from the from the federal government’s paycheck protection loan program, but that hasn’t stopped energy companies from laying off workers. Antonia Juahsz and Patricia Nelson explain how that’s hurting one community in Colorado.

Fossil Fuels Vs. Indigenous Communities

The fossil fuel industry has a history of changing land agreements to gain access to oil, impoverishing Indigenous communities in the process. Yet, the government has abandoned these same communities in the face of the COVID19 crisis, while giving the industry billions.

Anishinaabe tribal attorney and Couchiching First Nation member Tara Houska and Navajo Nation member Alexander Piechowski-Begay talk about being left behind on their own land.

How Dirty Energy Manipulates Communities of Color

Dirty energy companies like Dominion use money to try to weaken African American communities’ resistance to projects that would burden those same residents. Black and Brown communities suffer disproportionally from oil, gas and coal pollution. Now, the NAACP is fighting back.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: JOEL BACH, DAVID GELBER and DREW MAGRATTEN WRITER & NARRATOR: MAYA LILLY SCRIPT EDITORS: JOEL BACH, MAGGIE BADORE, JOSH FUTTERSAK, DREW MAGRATTEN and MORGAN SCHACKER VIDEO EDITOR: ANNA PINCHUK MUSIC: EPIDEMIC SOUND ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE: UNICORN RIOT, ARTIVISM VIRGINIA

Bailout Of A Racist Polluter

The coronavirus bailout has given big polluter Marathon Petroleum a free pass to make Detroit residents sick. Journalist Alexis Goldstein and community activist Theresa Landrum tell us just how bad things already are in the city’s 48217 zipcode, which is the most polluted in the state of Michigan.

Redlining & The Climate Crisis

The racist financial and banking policy of redlining has been keeping families of color in debt since the 1930s. Redlining expert Gregory Jost and activist Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus explain how it’s also connected to the climate crisis today.

Years After Hurricane Katrina

As Hurricane Laura threatens the Gulf Coast, we also remember Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region 15 years ago. Rev. Lennox Yearwood from the Hip Hop Caucus tells us what we’ve learned since then and why it matters.

Racism Is Killing The Planet

We will never solve climate change without solving racism. That’s the message of three climate experts, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Hop Hopkins, and Anthony Rogers-Wright, who explain how fossil fuel companies justify Black communities’ suffering and ignore their calls for action on the climate crisis.

Are The Big Banks Racist?

Big banks have profited by exploiting the planet and people, including enslaved people. Dana Grigg and Rachel J. Robasciotti explain this racist legacy.

How Occidental Petroleum Wrote Its Own Bailout

At first, Occidental Petroleum had too many employees and too much revenue to qualify for federal aid. So how did the major oil and gas company ultimately get the bailout it wanted? Investigative reporter Zorka Milin explains how the company lobbied for rule changes.

Read more about Occidental’s lobbying.

The Federal Reserve is buying up troubled assets from the fossil fuel industry. That’s unprecedented and risky, explains Sarah Bloom Raskin, who is a former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

The Tanking Of Big Oil

Big oil wants the public to believe the pandemic is why the industry is in such bad shape. But that’s not the whole picture. Rachel Robasciotti explains that the industry was tanking long before then.

The Real Looting Of America

Big polluters are benefitting the most from the CARES Act while the majority of Black-owned businesses are getting shut out of loans entirely. When will we be ready to confront the REAL looting going on in America?

The latest number on big banks financing the climate crisis is here. Banks have funneled $2.7 trillion into fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement. All major global banks fail to seriously address the damage they’re doing to the climate. JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, and Bank of America topped the list of fossil fuel financiers.

See how your bank stacks up here.

A Big Reason UN Climate Talks Aren’t Working

The fossil fuel industry has been allowed to underwrite and sponsor the United Nations climate talks for years, including the recent COP25 in Madrid. This creates a massive conflict of interest for a conference that’s supposed to be solving the climate crisis. Sponsorships give oil, coal and gas groups access to events and delegates, creating opportunities to push to weaken the Paris Agreement.

In response, a youth-led group of activists is calling for an end to polluter funding at future COPs. Learn more about the #PollutersOut campaign.

The Fossil Fuel Industry Could Set Off A “Carbon Bomb”

There’s a carbon bomb beneath our feet and new research says we’re about to light the fuse. We explain the findings, and what it all means for the goals of the Paris Agreement.

President Trump is attempting to open the largest forest in the United States, Tongass National Forest, to the logging industry, but the public has the chance to weigh in before he takes action.

One third of all global warming has been caused by just 20 companies, and now we know exactly who they are. Here’s what’s even worse: these companies have known their products created pollution that could change our global climate. In this installment of #BigOilKnew, we walk you through the timeline of climate change denial.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reveals Exxon Knew

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned Dr. Martin Hoffert during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on civil rights. Dr. Hoffert was commissioned by ExxonMobil to study climate change, and what he reveals about what the company has known for decades is truly staggering.

The Amazon Rainforest is on fire, plunging Sao Paolo, the largest city in South America, into darkness. But this isn’t a new problem. Fires in the rainforest have increased over 80% in 2019 compared to the prior year. Here’s what you need to know.

William Pendley: The Public Land Official Who Wants To Sell All Of America’s Public Lands

William Perry Pendley is a conservative lawyer and career bureaucrat. President Trump made him head of the Bureau of Land Management. But now that he’s in charge of America’s public lands, Pendley wants to sell them off to the highest bidder.

President Trump Is Gutting The Endangered Species Act

President Donald Trump has announced sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, changes that will benefit big polluters at the expense of America’s most vulnerable animals.

Why Blackrock Got Seriously Pranked

Blackrock, the biggest investor in fossil fuels, announced it was pulling out of dirty energy entirely. There was just one tiny problem…it wasn’t true.

Exxon’s Car of the Future

One of the first modern electric cars wasn’t made by an auto-company. It was made by the oil industry. So why did they end up killing it off?

#WarOnOurFuture: Trump Censors Science

The Trump Administration is actively trying to get scientists to censor their reports, all to suit his political agenda.

Climate Mission Critical

America’s top military officials are warning of a major new threat on the horizon: climate change. 

You may never have heard of Bill Wehrum, but he’s been put in charge of your air at the EPA. Once you learn who he is and about his conflicts of interest, you may want to change that.

A new U.N. report says a million species are at risk of extinction. Where are the emergency meetings?

#WarOnOurFuture: Big Banks Back Big Oil

The big banks talk a big game about going green, so why are they pouring big bucks into fossil fuels?

#WarOnOurFuture: Environmental Inequity

Communities of color may not be producing the majority of America’s pollution, but they’re far more likely to be exposed to its effects.

#WarOnOurFuture: Dirty Money

In total, the 57 Senators who voted against the Green New Deal received 11 times more fossil fuel money than their colleagues. Do you think it influenced their votes?

#WarOnOurFuture: Open for Oil

Millions of Americans felt the pain of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but the Trump Administration made sure big oil and gas companies weren’t among them.

#WarOnOurFuture: Saving Grand Staircase

This land holds the secret to the dinosaurs, but the Trump Administration is trying to destroy it, and it’s lying about the reason why. Made in partnership with Earthjustice.

#WarOnOurFuture: Green New Deal Vote

Senator Mitch McConnell is fighting to bring the Green New Deal up for a vote, but it’s not because he’s become an environmentalist overnight.

#WarOnOurFuture: National Emergency

President Trump just declared a state of emergency on the border, but he’s ignoring the real emergency right under his nose.

#WarOnOurFuture: Manufacturing Doubt

Republican climate change denial began long before President Trump. A leaked Republican strategy memo helps sheds light on how we got to where we are today.

#WarOnOurFuture: The State Of Our Union

President Trump’s State of the Union Address was nearly an hour and a half long, but what he didn’t say speaks volumes.

Big Oil Knew: The Confusion Memo

An internal oil industry memo has surfaced, revealing a secret plan to wage a misinformation campaign on the American public.

The Coal Lobbyist EPA Chief

Andrew Wheeler spent most of the last decade working as a fossil fuel lobbyist. President Donald J. Trump is trying to put him in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Coal Ash in the Water

There’s no way to store toxic coal waste that’s completely safe. There’s also no way to mine and burn coal that doesn’t threaten communities, our waterways and our climate. Duke Energy needs to stop burning coal, clean up its toxic mess, and invest in abundant, affordable clean energy sources like solar and wind.

President Trump’s Assaults on Climate

In 2018, President Trump and his administration did everything in their power to get rid of environmental protections and make climate change worse. Here are seven examples.

#WarOnOurFuture: The Inferior Secretary

President Trump’s scandal-ridden Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is resigning, but his replacement could be even worse.

Coal’s Toxic Legacy

There are over 1,400 pits filled with toxic coal ash in the United States, and many are leaking.

Video made in partnership with Earthjustice.

Fowl Play

The Trump Administration is trying to open up another 9 million acres of public land to fossil fuel companies, whether it succeeds could all hinge on the Sage Grouse.

Drill Baby Drill

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of America’s last untouched pieces of wilderness. The Trump Administration is rushing to open it up to oil companies.

Burying the Truth

The Trump Administration tried to bury one of the most significant climate reports in American history, but this report is too important to ignore.

#WarOnOurFuture: Silencing Science

The Trump Administration is eliminating the EPA’s Office of the Science Advisor and that’s just one front in its all-out war on science.

#WarOnOurFuture #YEARSproject

#ClimateFacts: California’s Wildfires Are The New Abnormal

The wildfire ravaging California is now the deadliest in state history. This isn’t the new normal, it’s the new abnormal, and we need to talk about why.

Enemy of the Amazon

Newly elected President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro holds the future of the world’s largest rainforest in his hands. His plans for it put us all in jeopardy.

Exxon Knew In The 70s

Exxon knew about the dangers of climate change in the 1970s, according to internal company documents.

Paid Actors at Public Hearings

At a public hearing in New Orleans, paid actors were brought in to crowd out testimony from the real community concerned about a power plant.

No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge

Can politicians take money from big polluters and still represent the people? Over 1000 candidates running for office in the U.S. have said no! They signed the no fossil fuel money pledge.

Trump’s Dirty Power Plan

President Donald Trump is replacing the Clean Power Plan with a dirty one that could result in the premature deaths of over a thousand Americans every year. He hopes his plan will help the coal industry, but it will worsen climate change.

Trump’s Fiery Tweet

President Donald J. Trump blasted out a tweet about the largest fire in California history, but its contents has firefighters scratching their heads. 

Climate Denial In The Classroom

The Heartland Institute, which is backed by big oil interests, is trying to spread climate change denial in schools across the U.S.

The EPA’s Plan to Upend Emission Standards

Under the Trump Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency is rolling out a plan to upend auto-emissions standards across the nation. This new plan would allow cars to be less fuel efficient, permit more pollution, and cost consumers billions at the pump. That would be bad for our health and climate change.

Attack on the Endangered Species Act

The White House and Congress are making moves to seriously weaken the Endangered Species Act. That would be bad for both some of the most iconic animals in the United States and the global climate.

Glider Kit Trucks

On the day Scott Pruitt resigned from the Environmental Protection Agency, he handed a big giveaway to some of the biggest polluters on the road. In a memo, Pruitt announced the EPA will enforce a cap on how many glider kit trucks manufacturers can sell. This type of truck can pollute up to 55% more.

The New EPA Chief: Andrew Wheeler

Scott Pruitt has resigned from his position as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, but his replacement could be even worse. Meet Andrew Wheeler.

Stranded Assets Explained

Fossil fuel companies are some of the richest and most powerful in the world, thanks to their massive reserves of oil, coal and gas. But what happens when society realizes we can’t burn most of those reserves? Here’s why these companies should be worried about stranded assets.

Scott Pruitt Leaves the EPA

Embattled EPA head Scott Pruitt resigned after a series of scandals. We take a look back at his controversial tenure.

Jim Bridenstine

As a Congressman, Jim Bridenstine spent years as a vocal climate change denier. It took him less than a month leading NASA to change his mind. He now believes the climate is changing and that human activity is playing a large part in causing it, and is determined to further understand the problem.

Trump’s War on Solar

President Trump is waging a trade war on imported solar panels, but American workers are the first casualties.

Can Costa Rica Go 100% Renewable?

Can Costa Rica, already a renewable energy champion, completely eliminate fossil fuels? New President Carlos Alvarado Quesada thinks so, and he has a plan to do it by 2021.

SOURCES:
[i] CommonDreams.org. Costa Rica Will Become World’s First Carbon-Free Country by 2021, New President Says. Mar. 10th. 2018. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/10/costa-rica-will-become-worlds-first-carbon-free-country-2021-new-president-says
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Reuters.com. Costa Rica’s new president promises plan to speed clean transport. Apr. 30th. 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costa-rica-politics-renewables/costa-ricas-new-president-promises-plan-to-speed-clean-transport-idUSKBN1I11M5
[v] Independent.co.uk. Costa Rica to ban fossil fuels and become world’s first decarbonised society. May. 10th. 2018. https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/costa-rica-fossil-fuels-ban-president-carlos-alvarado-climate-change-global-warming-a8344541.html

Memo From The White House: Ignore Climate Science

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to prop up fossil fuels, but his own government agencies keep reporting on the climate change threat. A newly obtained memo reveals one of his solutions: Just ignore them.

SOURCES:
[i] WashingtonPost.com. In an internal memo, the White House considered whether to simply ‘ignore’ federal climate research. May. 23rd. 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/05/23/in-an-internal-memo-the-white-house-considered-whether-to-simply-ignore-federal-climate-research/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2bf7f7a5cf9a
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] NASA.gov. Long-Term Warming Trend Continued in 2017: NASA, NOAA. Jan. 18th. 2018. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/long-term-warming-trend-continued-in-2017-nasa-noaa
[iv] WashingtonPost.com. In an internal memo, the White House considered whether to simply ‘ignore’ federal climate research. May. 23rd. 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/05/23/in-an-internal-memo-the-white-house-considered-whether-to-simply-ignore-federal-climate-research/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2bf7f7a5cf9a
[v] Science2017.globalchange.gov. Climate Science Special Report. https://science2017.globalchange.gov/

Fossil Fuel Handouts

You won’t believe how much taxpayer money the U.S. government is spending to prop up fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas.

17 States Sue Trump’s EPA

U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is trying to make cars less fuel efficient. But California and 16 other states are stepping up to stop him, by suing the EPA to keep clean fuel efficiency standards.

SOURCES:
[i] OAG.CA.GOV. Petition for Review. May. 1st. 2018. https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/2018-05-01%20Petition%20Revised%20MTE.pdf
[ii] NPR.org. States Sue The EPA To Protect Obama-Era Fuel Efficiency Standards. May. 1st. 2018. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/01/607447344/states-sue-the-epa-to-protect-obama-era-fuel-efficiency-standards
[iii] NBCNews.com. 17 states and D.C. sue Trump administration to maintain vehicle fuel-efficiency standards. May. 1st. 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/17-states-d-c-sue-trump-administration-maintain-vehicle-fuel-n870531
[iv] OAG.CA.GOV. Petition for Review. May. 1st. 2018. https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/2018-05-01%20Petition%20Revised%20MTE.pdf
[v] EPA.GOV. Midterm Evaluation of Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Model Years 2022-2025. 2017 https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/midterm-evaluation-light-duty-vehicle-greenhouse-gas#previoussteps
[vi] Ibid.

Scott Pruitt’s Legacy

U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testified to Congress to defend himself amid mounting allegations of waste, cronyism, and corruption. But his political scandals might not be the worst legacy Mr. Pruitt leaves behind.

SOURCES:
[i] NYTimes.com. Scott Pruitt Met With Lobbyist Whose Wife Rented Him a $50-a-Night Condo. Apr. 21st. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/21/climate/pruitt-hart-condo-epa-lobbying.html
[ii] WashingtonPost.com. First-class travel distinguishes Scott Pruitt’s EPA tenure. Feb. 11th. 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/first-class-travel-distinguishes-scott-pruitts-epa-tenure/2018/02/11/5bb89afc-0b7d-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html?utm_term=.a5a0fb8f8d0f
[iii] TheHill.com. Pruitt flew coach when taxpayers were not paying for his travel: report. Apr. 6th. 2018. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/382060-pruitt-flew-coach-when-taxpayers-were-not-paying-for-his-travel
[iv] TheHill.com. Internal email contradicts Pruitt’s story on raises: report. Apr. 9th. 2018. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/382331-internal-email-contradicts-pruitts-story-on-raises-report
[v] NYTimes.com. E.P.A. Officials Sidelined After Questioning Scott Pruitt. Apr. 5th. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/business/epa-officials-questioned-scott-pruitt.html
[vi] Newsweek.com. pruitt directly oversaw efforts to erase climate change info from epa website, emails reveal. Feb. 2nd. 2018. http://www.newsweek.com/scott-pruitt-personally-oversaw-efforts-erase-climate-change-information-epa-798069
[vii] WashingtonPost.com. EPA’s new science advisers add more industry experts, conservatives to the mix. Nov. 14th. 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/11/04/pruitts-new-science-advisers-add-more-industry-experts-conservatives-to-the-mix/
[viii] WashingtonPost.com. Scott Pruitt calls for an ‘exit’ from the Paris accord, sharpening the Trump White House’s climate rift. Apr. 14th. 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/04/14/trumps-epa-chief-scott-pruitt-calls-for-an-exit-to-the-paris-climate-agreement/?utm_term=.c0ab7e4c2357
[ix] Insideclimatenews.org. Trump’s EPA Starts Process for Replacing Clean Power Plan. Dec. 18th. 2017. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18122017/clean-power-plan-trump-epa-repeal-replace-obama-climate-change-power-plant-emissions
[x] TheHill.com. EPA loosens rules on some ‘major’ air pollution sources. Jan. 25th. 2018. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370786-epa-loosens-rules-on-some-major-air-pollution-sources
[xi] NYTimes.com.Calling Car Pollution Standards ‘Too High,’ E.P.A. Sets Up Fight With California
Image. Apr. 2nd. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/climate/trump-auto-emissions-rules.html

Ryan Zinke is for the Birds

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told a group of fossil fuel executives that wind power kills too many birds to be environmentally friendly. We put together a list of things that kill more birds than wind turbines to put that in perspective.

SOURCES:
[i] Axios.com. Fact-checking Zinke’s claim that wind turbines kill 750,000 birds a year. Mar. 2018. https://www.axios.com/fact-checking-zinkes-bird-death-claim-1520379825-0dbede05-9934-42f6-988b-58c9e3fbe280.html
[ii] ThinkProgress.org. CHART: How Many Birds Are Killed By Wind, Solar, Oil, And Coal?. Aug. 26th. 2014. https://thinkprogress.org/chart-how-many-birds-are-killed-by-wind-solar-oil-and-coal-230d2a939bbb/

Scott Pruitt Gets Sweet Deal on Rent from Fossil Fuel Lobbyist

U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is so cozy with the fossil fuel lobby, they’re basically living together. But his way-below-market apartment rental in D.C. is just the tip of his unethical spending iceberg.

SOURCES:
[i] ABCNews.go.com. Pruitt arranged condo deal through energy lobbyist, source says. Mar. 30th. 2018. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pruitt-arranged-condo-deal-energy-lobbyist-source/story?id=54121795
[ii] ibid.
[iii] ABCNews.go.com. EXCLUSIVE: EPA chief Pruitt joined by family in condo tied to lobbyist ‘power couple’. Mar. 30th. 2018.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-epa-chief-pruitt-joined-family-condo-tied/story?id=54125092
[iv] ABCNews.go.com. Pruitt arranged condo deal through energy lobbyist, source says. Mar. 30th. 2018. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pruitt-arranged-condo-deal-energy-lobbyist-source/story?id=54121795
[v] Ibid.
[vi] NYTimes.com.E.P.A. Announces Repeal of Major Obama-Era Carbon Emissions Rule. Oct. 9th. 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/09/climate/clean-power-plan.html
[vii] CNBC.com. EPA chief Scott Pruitt took first-class, military, charter flights that cost taxpayers more than $163,000 in first year alone: Report. Mar. 21st. 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/21/epa-chief-scott-pruitt-took-flights-costing-taxpayers-163000.html
[viii] Ecowatch.com.Report: EPA Hires 12 More Bodyguards for Pruitt, Costing $2M Annually for Full Security Team. Oct. 23rd. 2017. https://www.ecowatch.com/epa-pruitt-bodyguards-2500198933.html
[ix] Newsweek.com. scott pruitt spent more than $40,000 on epa private phone booth. Mar. 14th. 2018. http://www.newsweek.com/scott-pruitt-phone-booth-epa-expenditure-844989
[x] USAToday.com. EPA ethics counsel: Scott Pruitt’s $50-a-night room deal wasn’t ‘prohibited gift at all’. Mar. 30th. 2018. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/03/30/reports-epas-scott-pruitt-made-50-night-room-deal-energy-lobbyists-wife/472670002/

Driving Towards Denial

President Donald Trump’s EPA is preparing to rollback federal regulations requiring cars to be cleaner and more fuel efficient. This, amid auto-industry lobbying to cast doubt on the proven scientific links between tailpipe pollution, human health, and climate change.

SOURCES:
[i] TIME.com. How Drivers Will Decide the Fate of the Climate. Dec. 1st. 2017. http://time.com/5039882/donald-trump-carbon-emissions-auto-industry/
[ii] NYTimes.com.U.S. Sets Higher Fuel Efficiency Standards. Aug. 28th. 2012.

[iii] Blog.UCSUSA.org. Automakers Turn to Climate Deniers in Quest to Lower Fuel Economy Regulations. Mar. 19th. 2018. https://blog.ucsusa.org/dave-cooke/automakers-turn-to-climate-deniers-in-quest-to-lower-fuel-economy-regulations?_ga=2.248397447.1694123490.1522339611-672865297.1521077822&_gac=1.37474324.1521077822.EAIaIQobChMIoKv-t5jt2QIVgYTICh3clQzUEAAYASAAEgITk_D_BwE
[iv] Ibid.
[v] ThinkProgress.com. Car companies hire climate science denier to do hit job on clean cars. Mar. 22nd. 2018. https://thinkprogress.org/car-companies-hire-climate-denier-to-attack-clean-cars-e533fd00420c/
[vi] Blog.UCSUSA.org. Automakers Turn to Climate Deniers in Quest to Lower Fuel Economy Regulations. Mar. 19th. 2018. https://blog.ucsusa.org/dave-cooke/automakers-turn-to-climate-deniers-in-quest-to-lower-fuel-economy-regulations?_ga=2.248397447.1694123490.1522339611-672865297.1521077822&_gac=1.37474324.1521077822.EAIaIQobChMIoKv-t5jt2QIVgYTICh3clQzUEAAYASAAEgITk_D_BwE
[vii] NYTimes.com. Automakers Shift Gears on Climate Change. Mar. 22nd. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/climate/climate-change-sylvia-earle.html
[viii] VOX.com. Power plants are no longer America’s biggest climate problem. Transportation is. June. 13th. 2016. https://www.vox.com/2016/6/13/11911798/emissions-electricity-versus-transportation
[ix] UCSUSA.org. Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards for Cars and Trucks, Model Years 2017 to 2025. June. 2016. https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/06/Fuel-Economy-Standards-2017-2025-summary.pdf
[x] Bloomberg.com. California’s Ready to Retaliate If Trump Cuts Auto Rules, Sources Say. Mar. 27th. 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-30/epa-chief-s-50-a-night-rental-said-to-raise-white-house-angst

VW Beyond Dieselgate

Volkswagen, rocked by a massive emissions cheating scandal, has announced plans to create the largest electric car fleet in the world. Do you think the company can turn over a new leaf? 

SOURCES:
[i] Bloomberg.com. VW Just Gave Tesla a $25 Billion Battery Shock. Mar. 13th. 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-13/vw-secures-25-billion-battery-supplies-in-electric-car-surge
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] TheGuardian.com. VW scandal: emissions cheats could face criminal charges. Feb. 2nd. 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/02/vw-scandal-emissions-cheats-could-face-criminal-charges
[v] TheGuardian.com. W scandal caused nearly 1m tonnes of extra pollution, analysis shows. Sept. 23rd. 2015. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/22/vw-scandal-caused-nearly-1m-tonnes-of-extra-pollution-analysis-shows
[vi] NBCNews.com. Volkswagen Slapped With Largest Ever Fine for Automakers. Apr. 21st. 2017. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/judge-approves-largest-fine-u-s-history-volkswagen-n749406

Monumental Disinformation

As President Donald Trump prepares to auction off huge swathes of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments, new documents have come to light revealing the truth behind his decision to shrink them.

Disaster Unpreparedness Agency

The agency tasked with preparing U.S. for disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just left the country woefully unprepared for climate change.

SOURCES:
[i] NPR. FEMA Drops ‘Climate Change’ From Its Strategic Plan. Mar. 15, 2018. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/15/594140026/fema-drops-climate-change-from-its-strategic-plan
[ii]Globalchange.gov. National Climate Assessment
https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
[iii] NPR. FEMA Drops ‘Climate Change’ From Its Strategic Plan. Mar. 15, 2018. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/15/594140026/fema-drops-climate-change-from-its-strategic-plan
[iv] Ibid
[v] Bloomberg. FEMA Strips Mention of ‘Climate Change’ From Its Strategic Plan. Mar. 15th. 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-15/fema-strips-mention-of-climate-change-from-its-strategic-plan

Mike Pompeo: The Congressman From Koch

Does it matter that Rex Tillerson is out as Secretary of State? It does when you meet his replacement, the so-called Congressman from Koch Mike Pompeo, a climate change denier.

SOURCES:
[i] The New York Times. Rex Tillerson Out as Trump’s Secretary of State, Replaced by Mike Pompeo. Mar 13th, 2018

[ii] The Nation. The Koch Brothers’ Favorite Congressman Will Be in Charge of the CIA. Nov 18, 2016 https://www.thenation.com/article/the-koch-brothers-favorite-congressman-will-be-in-charge-of-the-cia/
[iii] Ibid
[iv] Motherboard. A Secretary of State Pompeo Would Be Bad for Climate Issues. Dec 1, 2017 https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbzg93/secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-climate-change-denier
[v] OpenSecrets.Org. Mike Pompeo, Kansas. https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cycle=Career&type=I&cid=N00030744&newMem=N
[vi] League of Conservation Voters. National Environmental Scorecard: Mike Pompeo. http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/mike-pompeo
[vii] The Kansas City Star/McClatchy. Pentagon, Trump are at odds on climate change — and Democrats are taking advantage. Jun 29, 2017
http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article158716619.html
[viii] E & E News. Tillerson exit might bring climate disbelief to State. Nov 30, 2017
https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060067727
[ix] Ibid.
[x] Ibid.
[xi] Politico. Trump’s climate science doubters. Mar 6, 2018 https://www.politico.com/interactives/2018/climate-science-doubters/
[xii] E & E News. Tillerson exit might bring climate disbelief to State. Nov 30, 2017
https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060067727

Trump’s Renewable Energy Budget Cuts

President Donald Trump has called for a 72% cut in renewable and energy efficiency spending, which would seriously hinder the U.S.’s ability to keep up with cutting-edge energy technology. Will Congress approve this plan?

SOURCES:
[i] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fastest Growing Occupations 2016-26. Jan 30, 2018. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm
[ii] WashingtonPost.com. White House seeks 72 percent cut to clean energy research, underscoring administration’s preference for fossil fuels. Feb. 1st. 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white-house-seeks-72-percent-cut-to-clean-energy-research-underscoring-administrations-preference-for-fossil-fuelsv/2018/01/31/c2c69350-05f3-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html?utm_term=.d34df9ac0b77
[iii] Energy.Gov. About the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. https://energy.gov/eere/about-office-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy
[iv] VOX.com. Wind and solar power are saving Americans an astounding amount of money. Aug. 18th. 2017. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/8/18/16160456/wind-solar-power-saving-money
[v] EESI.org. Fact Sheet – Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (2017). Feb. 15th. 2017. http://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-jobs-in-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-2017
[vi] Ibid.
[vii] Energy.Gov. Department of Energy FY 2017 Congressional Budget Request. Feb. 2016. https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/FY2017BudgetinBrief_0.pdf
[viii]CNBC.com. Trump once again seeks to slash funding for clean energy in 2019 budget. Jan. 31. 2018.https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/31/trump-again-seeks-to-slash-funding-for-clean-energy-in-2019-budget.html
[ix] Ibid.

During his State of The Union speech, President Trump told Americans, that we have endured floods and fires and storms. He just never explained why.

SOURCES:
[i] Reuters, 2017 was second hottest year on record, after sizzling 2016: report, Jan, 4th 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-temperatures/2017-was-second-hottest-year-on-record-after-sizzling-2016-report-idUSKBN1ET1JF
[ii] LaTimes.com. San Francisco sets all-time heat record downtown at 106 degrees during state’s hottest recorded summer. Sep. 1st. 2017. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-heat-wave-weekend-20170901-story.html
[iii] WashingtonPost.com.The grim scope of 2017’s California wildfire season is now clear. The danger’s not over. Jan. 4th. 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/national/california-wildfires-comparison/
[iv] WashingtonPost.com.Harvey unloaded 33 trillion gallons of water in the U.S.. Sept. 2nd. 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/08/30/harvey-has-unloaded-24-5-trillion-gallons-of-water-on-texas-and-louisiana
[v] NPR.org. One-Third Of Florida Residents Told To Evacuate Before Hurricane Irma Makes Landfall. Sept. 9th. 2017. https://www.npr.org/2017/09/09/549802448/one-third-of-florida-residents-told-to-evacuate-before-hurricane-irma-makes-land
[vi] BBC.com. Hurricane Irma: Two-thirds of Florida without power. Sept. 12th. 2017. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41234292
[vii] TheAtlantic.com. After Four Months, Much of Puerto Rico Still Dark and Damaged. Jan. 29th. 2018. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/01/after-four-months-much-of-puerto-rico-still-dark-and-damaged/551756/
[viii] Time.com. Hurricanes, Floods and Wildfires Cost the U.S. a Record Amount of Money in 2017. Jan. 8th. 2018. http://time.com/5093043/natural-disasters-cost-us/
[ix] TheHill.com. Trump: We are getting out of Paris climate deal. June. 1st. 2017.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/335955-trump-pulls-us-out-of-paris-climate-deal
[x] TheAtlantic.com. Trump’s Coal Bailout Is Dead. Jan. 9th. 2018. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/trumps-coal-bailout-is-dead/550037/

Trump Debunked On Climate Change

President Donald Trump finally articulated his position on climate change in an interview with Piers Morgan…and it couldn’t be more divorced from reality. Here’s a much needed fact check.

SOURCES:
[i] ChicagoTribune.com. AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s half-baked claims on climate, economy. Jan. 29th. 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-bc-us–fact-check-week-20180129-story.html
[ii] PMM.Nasa.Gov. What’s in a Name? Global Warming vs. Climate Change. Dec. 5th. 2008. https://pmm.nasa.gov/education/articles/whats-name-global-warming-vs-climate-change
[iii] Climate.Gov. NOAA Climate.gov Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Global Warming. Feb. 25th. 2014. https://www.climate.gov/sites/default/files/Climate_gov_GlobalWarming_FAQ_15Aug13.pdf
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] ChicagoTribune.com. AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s half-baked claims on climate, economy. Jan. 29th. 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-bc-us–fact-check-week-20180129-story.html
[vii] NSIDC.org. Arctic sea ice at minimum extent. Sep. 19th. 2017. http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2017/09/arctic-sea-ice-at-minimum-extent-2/
[viii] Climate.Nasa.Gov. Arctic Sea Ice Minimum. https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice/
[ix] ChicagoTribune.com. AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s half-baked claims on climate, economy. Jan. 29th. 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-bc-us–fact-check-week-20180129-story.html

Mercer & the Museum of Natural History

Rebekah Mercer’s foundation may have given $4 million to the American Museum of Natural History, but over 200 climate scientists are demanding she step down from the Museum’s board.

SOURCES:
[i] NYTimes.com. Scientists Rebel Over a Trump Ally at the Natural History Museum. Jan 25th. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/climate/rebekah-mercer-natural-history-museum.html?login=email&auth=login-email
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] DeSmog Blog. How Donald Trump Kingmaker-Billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer Have Poured Millions Into Climate Science Denial. Jan 12, 2017. https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/01/12/trump-kingmaker-billionaires-robert-rebekah-mercer-pouring-millions-climate-science-denial
[iv] NYTimes.com. Scientists Rebel Over a Trump Ally at the Natural History Museum. Jan 25th. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/climate/rebekah-mercer-natural-history-museum.html?login=email&auth=login-email
[v] NewYorker.com. Hedge-Fund Tycoon Behind the Trump Presidency. Mar. 27th. 2017. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/27/the-reclusive-hedge-fund-tycoon-behind-the-trump-presidency
[vi] Press Release. 200 Top Scientists Urge American Museum of Natural History to Kick Climate Denial Funder Rebekah Mercer off its Board. Jan 26th. 2018. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aFKocbQgxYTXPloaARAN-AcWizLL06n0kcZhJuABQd0/edit?usp=sharing
[vii] NYTimes.com. Scientists Rebel Over a Trump Ally at the Natural History Museum. Jan 25th. 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/climate/rebekah-mercer-natural-history-museum.html?login=email&auth=login-email

Trump’s Solar Trade War

President Donald Trump slapped a huge tax on foreign made solar panels. He claims it will create jobs but it won’t. Instead it could stop the thriving American solar industry in its tracks.

SOURCES:
[i] https://www.seia.org/news/presidents-decision-solar-tariffs-loss-america
[ii] https://www.seia.org/news/seia-opposes-section-201-petition
[iii] https://www.seia.org/blog/solar-installer-fastest-growing-job-america
[iv] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-china-is-dominating-the-solar-industry/
[v]https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2017-09/Profiles%20in%20Manufacturing_09-07-17.compressed.pdf
[vi] https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/SEIA-USTR-Testimony-Packaged-Full.pdf
[vii] https://www.seia.org/blog/solar-installer-fastest-growing-job-america
[viii] https://www.seia.org/news/presidents-decision-solar-tariffs-loss-america
[ix] https://www.eenews.net/assets/2017/10/02/document_gw_02.pdf
[x] https://www.seia.org/research-resources/seia-prehearing-remedy-brief
[xi]Ibid.

Trump’s Offshore Drilling Announcement

President Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke have announced plans to open up nearly all US waters to offshore drilling, raising widespread opposition on both sides of the aisle. What do you think?

SOURCES:
[i] The New York Times. “ Trump Moves to Open Nearly All Offshore Waters to Drilling.” Jan. 4, 2018.

[ii] Ibid
[iii] Huffington Post. Trump Administration Proposes Massive Expansion Of Offshore Drilling Jan. 4, 2018.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-turmp-offshore-oil_us_5a2fe66ae4b078950283bee3
[iv]The New York Times. “ Trump Moves to Open Nearly All Offshore Waters to Drilling.” Jan. 4, 2018.

[v] The Washington Post. “Trump administration plans to allow drilling off all U.S. Waters” Jan. 4th 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/01/04/trump-administration-plans-to-allow-drilling-off-all-u-s-waters/?hpid=hp_no-name_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&tidr=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.ab0baa253c37
[vi] Ibid
[vii] Ibid
[viii] Ibid

WarOnOurFuture: National Security Threat

President Donald J. Trump has announced a new national security strategy for the United States, removing climate change from the list of global threats. Maybe he should have consulted with the U.S. Military first?

SOURCES:
[i] Propublica, Trump’s Defense Secretary Cites Climate Change as National Security Challenge. Mar 14, 2017. https://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-defense-secretary-cites-climate-change-national-security-challenge
[iia] Congressional Record, 115th Congress, 1st Session Issue: Vol. 163, No. 177. Nov 1, 2017.
https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/11/1/house-section/article/H8374-1
[iib] Stars and Stripes. Trump Differ on Climate Change. July 1, 2017.
http://slite.dma.mil/issues/july2017/20170701.pdf
[iii] Climate Security Consensus Project, Statement, Sept 2016. https://climateandsecurity.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/climate-and-security-consensus-project-statement-2016_09.pdf
[iv] U.S. Department of Defense. Quadrennial Defense Review 2014. Mar 4, 2014. https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/features/defenseReviews/QDR/2014_Quadrennial_Defense_Review.pdf
[v] Washington Post. Drought helped cause Syria’s war. Will climate change bring more like it? Sept 10, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/09/10/drought-helped-caused-syrias-war-will-climate-change-bring-more-like-it/?utm_term=.7cdbbb7a06aa
[vi] Inside Climate News. Rising Seas Are Flooding Virginia’s Naval Base, and There’s No Plan to Fix It. Oct 25, 2017. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10252017/military-norfolk-naval-base-flooding-climate-change-sea-level-global-warming-virginia
[vii] Time. A Melting Arctic Could Spark a New Cold War. May 12, 2017. http://time.com/4773238/russia-cold-war-united-states-artic-donald-trump-barack-obama-vladimir-putin/

War on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Congress is trying to sell off the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to pay for America’s latest round of tax cuts. But their math doesn’t add up, leaving the taxpayer short over $950 million, and one irreplaceable wilderness.

SOURCES:
[i] The Hill. GOP on verge of opening Arctic refuge to drilling 12/03/17 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling
[ii] The Washington Examiner. Murkowski confident Arctic drilling can raise $1 billion 11/02/17 http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/daily-on-energy-murkowski-confident-arctic-drilling-can-raise-1-billion/article/2176964
[iii] Anchorage Daily News. Small bidders snatch up land near ANWR in state oil lease sale 12/07/17 https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/12/06/small-bidders-snatch-up-land-near-anwr-in-state-lease-sale/

[iv] Bureau of Land Management. BLM Offers Largest Number of Tracts Ever for Oil and Gas Lease Sale Within the NPR-A https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-offers-largest-number-tracts-ever-oil-gas-lease-sale-within-npr
[v] Anchorage Daily News. Small bidders snatch up land near ANWR in state oil lease sale 12/07/17 https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/12/06/small-bidders-snatch-up-land-near-anwr-in-state-lease-sale/
[vi] Center for American Progress. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 101. 10/10/2017 https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/10/10/440559/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-101/
[vii]Slate. I Want My Oil Yesterday! Why It Takes So Long to Drill in Alaska 11/10/05
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2005/11/i_want_my_oil_yesterday.html
[viii] Center for American Progress. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 101. 10/10/2017 https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/10/10/440559/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-101/
[ix] Ibid

Video Still: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

President Donald Trump just eliminated 2 million acres of protected federal lands from Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Is that even legal?

ALEC

Is renewable energy being held down where you live? It might be because fossil fuel companies are literally writing the laws, with help from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

SOURCES:
[i] Center for Media and Democracy. ALEC Exposed. https://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/What_is_ALEC%3F
[ii] ALEC’s Climate Change Denial. http://alecclimatechangedenial.org/corporate-funders/
[iiia] The New York Times. Rooftop Solar Dims Under Pressure From Utility Lobbyists. July 8, 2017. https://nyti.ms/2tUYma2
[iiib] Center for American Progress. The Latest Threat to Electric Cars. March 31, 2017. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/03/31/429641/latest-threat-electric-cars/
[iv] Bloomberg. Koch-Funded Group Prods Trump’s EPA to Say Climate Change Not a Risk. November 15, 2017.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-15/coal-funded-alec-prods-trump-to-say-climate-change-not-a-risk
[v] The Natural Resources Defense Council. EPA’s Endangerment Finding: The Legal And Scientific Foundation For Climate Action. May 2017. https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/epa-endangerment-finding-fs.pdf
[vi] Scientific American. One Big Legal Obstacle Keeps Trump from Undoing Greenhouse Gas Regulation. April 26, 2017. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-big-legal-obstacle-keeps-trump-from-undoing-greenhouse-gas-regulation/
[vii] Center for Media and Democracy. Corporations that Have Cut Ties to ALEC. https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Corporations_that_Have_Cut_Ties_to_ALEC
[viii] ALEC’s Climate Change Denial. http://alecclimatechangedenial.org/corporate-funders/

Bears Ears National Monument

President Donald J. Trump has just announced that he is shrinking the Bears Ears National Monument by nearly 90 percent and the Grand Staircase-Escalante monument by nearly 50 percent.

SOURCES:
[ia] https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/937765325252255744
[ib] http://wapo.st/2AuV6CS?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.b7394da96392
[ii] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-10/trump-takes-aim-at-western-monuments-that-may-hold-oil-riches
[iii] http://wapo.st/2AuV6CS?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.b7394da96392
[iv] http://westernvaluesproject.org/zinke-releases-energy-burdens-report-full-of-special-interests-giveaways/
[v] http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/compass-points/2017/11/17/businesses-ask-trump-administration-to-leave-national-monuments-intact
[vi] Ibid.
[viia] Ibid.
[viib] http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/1508800071cax86xesbqk
[viii] http://westernvaluesproject.org/statement-trump-bets-again-on-scandal-plagued-interior-secretary/
[ixa] http://wapo.st/2fphB2X?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.7964beaa1a28
[ixb]
https://www.nrdc.org/trump-watch/trump-administration-review-ban-uranium-mining-near-grand-canyon

Inside The Heartland Institute

The climate change denial movement didn’t happen by accident. We take you inside a secret meeting where powerful interests plan to make the biggest issue of our time one that politicians are afraid to talk about.

Still Photo: Tony Webster

Election Day 2017

This year’s election was a big win for climate change advocates. It’s time to #VoteOnClimate.

Clean Car Cover-Up

Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen all announced big plans to build electric cars. But if they want to be green, why are they also trying fight the efforts to lower pollution from cars?

Tell these manufacturers to pull out of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers’ campaign to weaken fuel-efficiency standards. Call or tweet them TODAY:
Toyota: (800) 331-4331 / Tweet @Toyota
Volvo: (800) 550-5658 / Tweet @VolvoCarUSA
Volkswagen: (800) 822-8987 / Tweet @VW

SOURCES:
[i] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/27/toyota-mazda-denso-to-form-joint-venture-to-develop-electric-vehicles.html, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/05/business/energy-environment/volvo-hybrid-electric-car.html, https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/11/volkswagen-to-offer-electric-versions-of-all-of-its-vehicles-by-2030/
[ii] https://autoalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Letter-to-EPA-Admin.-Pruitt-Feb.-21-2016-Signed.pdf
[iii] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/auto-sales-hit-new-record-as-americans-buy-more-gas-guzzling-cars/
[iv] https://www.vox.com/2016/6/13/11911798/emissions-electricity-versus-transportation
[v] https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/building-a-better-world-together-september-2016/

Draining the swamp?

During his campaign, Trump promised to ‘drain the swamp.’ But instead, he’s appointed many fossil fuel lobbyists to staff important agencies. Meet the swamp family.

SOURCES:
[i] http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/334073-dems-prod-trump-interior-nominee-over-lobbying-history
[ii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/02/trump-appoints-critic-of-renewable-subsidies-as-acting-head-of-doe-renewable-energy-office/?utm_term=.648735593b9e
[iii] http://www.energyandpolicy.org/edison-electric-institute-brian-mccormack-rooftop-solar/
[iv] http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/assistant-secretary-of-interior-for-insular-affairs-who-is-doug-domenech-170807?news=860269
[v] http://nmpoliticalreport.com/228364/meet-trump-staffers-doi-en/
[vi] https://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/09/12244/revealed-extensive-koch-links-new-right-wing-250-million-mega-fund
[vii] https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epas-chief-staff
[viii] https://thinkprogress.org/epa-loves-coal-fb91af401934/
[ix] https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060054069
[x] https://www.ecowatch.com/pruitt-patrick-traylor-2440855827.html
[xi] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/13/trumps-expected-choice-for-the-leading-usda-science-job-isnt-a-trained-scientist/?utm_term=.7b0fedc301ac
[xii] http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politicos-weekly-transition-blast/2017/04/major-developments-in-trumpworld-this-week-219912
[xiii] https://www.desmogblog.com/heritage-foundation
[xiv] https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/6/13/15681498/trump-government-fossil-fuels
[xv] https://insideclimatenews.org/news/13102017/trump-kathleen-hartnett-white-ceq-nominee-climate-change-fossil-fuels-supporter-texas
[xvi] https://dirtydeputies.org/

Utility companies knew about the link between fossil fuels and climate change for decades. But instead of sound the alarm bells, they’ve worked hard to make sure you say in the dark about the facts.

SOURCES:
[i] http://www.energyandpolicy.org/utilities-knew-about-climate-change/
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3537700-ViewScan-0002.html
[v]  http://www.energyandpolicy.org/utilities-knew-about-climate-change/

What is the FERC?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is a little known government agency, but it has tremendous power to determine how Americans get their power for years to come. And it’s and badly in need of reform. #WarOnOurKidsFuture #YEARSproject

SOURCES:
[i] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/blackout/regulation/ferc.html
[ii] http://www.npr.org/2017/07/17/536708576/natural-gas-building-boom-fuels-climate-worries-enrages-landowners
[iii]    https://www.eenews.net/energywire/2017/09/20/stories/1060061139
[iv] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/opinion/trump-oil-public-lands.html
[v] https://thinkprogress.org/more-bad-news-for-fracking-ipcc-warns-methane-traps-much-more-heat-than-we-thought-9c2badf392df/
[vi] https://insideclimatenews.org/news/07092017/new-york-pipeline-permit-rejected-natural-gas-valley-lateral-ferc-climate-change
[vii] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/blackout/regulation/ferc.html
[viiia] https://www.desmogblog.com/2016/05/20/exposed-spectra-energy-funded-nec-lobbied-ferc-commissioner-lafleur-s-reappointment-then-ferc-approved-spectra-s-gas   
[viiib] https://energy-dialogues.com/nagf/speaker/neil-chatterjee/
[viiic] https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/08/15/trump-ferc-commissioner-rob-powelson-accepted-gifts-energy-industry-state-regulator
[ix] http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-names-energy-industry-adviser-to-chair-ferc/article/2628679
[x] https://thinkprogress.org/federal-agency-with-power-to-buck-trump-on-climate-e531eb29da1d/
[xi] https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=04c09f42-76f4-4fbd-a127-fd13c502ea6f

Can Solar Survive Under Trump?

President Donald J. Trump now has the power to upend the $29 billion solar industry, putting hundreds of thousands of American jobs at risk. The question is will he choose to use it?

SOURCES:
[i] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-18/little-known-lender-s-stand-threatens-a-29-billion-solar-market
[ii] http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/324334-solar-has-become-americas-fastest-growing-non-partisan
[iii] https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/09/21/stories/1060061281
[iv] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/solar-jobs-2016_us_5898f826e4b0c1284f27bc43
[v] http://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-sector-steels-for-tariff-fight-after-itc-harm-ruling/505668/

Would a Pence Presidency Be Better for the Environment?

As the investigations continue, some have called for President Trump’s resignation or impeachment. But would Mike Pence be better for the environment?

SOURCES:
[i] http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/mike-pence
[ii] ibid
[iii] http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/06/26/before-being-dismantled-indianas-efficiency-program-was-effective-2/
[iv] http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/07/23/vice-president-mike-pence-trumps-triumphs-are-many-after-only-six-months-and-hes-just-getting-started.html
[v] http://www.indianadg.net/gov-pence-finishes-extreme-makeover-of-ind-efficiency-rules-the-real-story-behind-sea-412/ https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/412
[vi] https://www.thenation.com/article/vice-president-mike-pence-would-be-a-dream-for-the-koch-brothers/
[vii] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-s-vp-doubts-climate-change1/
[viii]https://www.desmogblog.com/mike-pence
[ix]ibid

Warming Seas and Hurricane Harvey

When Hurricane Harvey hit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, they were running up to 7°F above normal. Will this be the storm that changes the climate debate?

How We Build After Harvey

Hurricane Harvey serves as a powerful lesson for a world adjusting to climate change. We need to start planning for more flooding, in more places, and that means our leaders need to get it right.

SOURCES:
[i] 8/28/2017 press conference
[ii] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-infrastructure-idUSKCN1AV1ZI
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/8/28/16213268/harvey-climate-change
[v] http://www.npr.org/2017/02/07/513905161/trumps-energy-shift-could-bring-higher-gas-prices-analysts-say
[vi] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/trump-says-environmental-reports-should-shrink-to-a-few-simple-pages/2017/06/09/ee63b5b8-4d31-11e7-a186-60c031eab644_story.html
[vii] http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/21/politics/white-house-climate-change-committee-dismantled/index.html
[viii]  https://projects.propublica.org/houston-cypress/
[ix]  https://medium.com/living-beyond-floods/71-properties-uninsured-in-areas-impacted-by-hurricane-harvey-f70f91ab0323

NEW VIDEO! Trump: Building In Harm’s Way

President Trump proposed a major infrastructure plan that ignores climate change in a dangerous way.

Trump’s Plan to Green America

Trump promised Americans that his administration would protect the environment. But he’s not keeping his word.

Donald Trump Pulls Out of Paris Agreement

After President Donald J. Trump announced he was pulling the United States out of the Paris Agreement, the governors of Washington, New York, and California announced they were forming the United States Climate Alliance, keeping their states on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

If you live in one of these states, call your governor and thank them. If you don’t live in one of these states, ask your governor to join the alliance.

Trump and China

President Donald J. Trump and Xi Jinping lead the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters. But they have two very different climate change policies.

Coal in Trump’s America

President Trump signed an Executive Order rolling back the Clean Power Plan, one of President Obama’s signature efforts to fight climate change. But will it bring back coal jobs?