Climate Calendar

Philip Ignato , Nicholas Park and Sydney Hintz

We live in an exciting time period. In the past couple of years, Congress passed serious climate bills that are moving us towards a green future. 2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates billions of dollars to Virginia to improve public transportation, install electric-vehicle charging stations, strengthen the electrical grid and bolster natural disaster defenses. And last year’s Inflation Reduction Act tops that. Noted as “the most significant climate change legislation in U.S. history” by the Environmental Protection Agency, the IRA is set to be the catalyst for a green economy. Climate progress is happening and impacting you. Because of this, we, members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby at the College of William and Mary, are writing to highlight the most important climate news you should know for 2023.

First, the IRA’s incentives for individuals. The IRA provides incentives for energy efficiency and electrification projects such as purchasing electric vehicles and installing home insulation, electric heating and electric stoves. These projects are known to be the most effective ways a person can lower their carbon footprint. As an added bonus, they can also lower electricity bills and improve indoor air quality. It’s important to note that this part of the act will only succeed if people take advantage of the incentives. If you want to address climate change with the IRA and bring your home’s tech into the future, we have the following suggestions for you: Use Rewiring America’s online IRA calculator to see how much money you’d get, conduct either a professional or DIY energy assessment to identify your opportunities for cashing in, and upgrade!

We realize that the majority of people reading this don’t own a house. If you fall into this category, you can still make a difference by letting other people know about the IRA’s incentives (i.e., your parents).

breakup, specifically at night. It is a generally neutral place as I don’t think many people “hangout” outside of Zable unless it’s game day. Our recommendation is that you wait till the evening to breakup as there will not be many students walking by the gates. Another reason it is a decent place to breakup is there are no miscellaneous objects lying around in case your ex-significant other is more than upset.

All in all, the thing to keep in mind when breaking up with someone is doing it in a place where you both are comfortable. The moment one party is uncomfortable the breakup becomes much harder. Also, please don’t breakup with people over text: it is shallow, and I think we are all old enough to look someone in the eyes and shatter their heart. Don’t call them to break-up either (also very shallow). For everyone who is in a relationship this Valentine’s, we wish you many more to come; but if you ever decide that “many more to come” is too many then please feel free to use our advice. For all our single people out there, just remember relationships are totally overrated (we are for sure kidding). Happy Valentine’s everyone!

Andre Poniewozik‘26 is a sociology major and is currently involved in Radio Club andVinlyTap. He plays guitar and is obsessed with theTV show Survivor. Contact at asponiewozik@wm.edu.

Avi Joshi‘26 is an English major and is an active member of Phi Mu Alpha and big supporter of Metal Club. He plays the drums and likes to read. Contact at asjoshi@wm.edu

Next, the battle to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative . RGGI is a cap-and-trade program that incentivizes utility companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by charging them for the pollution they produce. The money generated is given to enhance natural disaster defenses and low-income energy efficiency projects. This policy is an effective way to address both the causes (reducing carbon emissions) and effects (natural disaster funding) of climate change. Despite these benefits, Governor Youngkin’s administration is making it a priority to end Virginia’s participation in RGGI. Last December, Virginia’s State Air Pollution Control Board voted to withdraw Virginia from RGGI. A legislative oversight committee objected to this decision, but nevertheless, the battle over RGGI continues. Between Jan. 30 and March 31, a comment period will be open for citizens to voice their opinions on RGGI. As of Feb. 3, only 566 comments have been submitted.

This means that adding your voice would matter. In addition to this, there will be ample opportunities this year to support RGGI (i.e., writing letters to the editor, contacting your politicians, attending rallies). The best way to learn more about these opportunities is by reaching out to an environmental organization in your area.

Let’s not forget why we are doing this. Southwest Virginia experienced severe floods and mudslides due to excessive rainfall in July 2022, and the state’s coastal region is threatened by sea level rise. Today, burning fossil fuels is vital to modern society. However, if this status quo continues, the stability of tomorrow’s climate will be in peril. Because of this, it’s imperative for us to take action to protect the well-being of present and future generations.

The challenges are daunting, but there is more hope now than ever before. The most effective ways Virginians can participate are by taking advantage of the IRA’s incentives and supporting RGGI. We can prevent the worst effects of climate change, and this is how you can help.

PhilipIgnatoff‘23isaPhysicsMajorwhoco-leadsthechapterofCitizens’Climate Lobbyoncampus.Heplanstousehiseducationtodeveloptechnologiesneeded toaddressclimatechange.Inhisfreetime,helikestoread,becreativeandeatlong mealsatSadlerwithfriends.Contactatpignatoff@wm.edu.

NicholasPark‘23isapre-medicalstudentmajoringinBiologyandminoring inCAMS.HeisanattendingmemberofthechapterofCitizens’ClimateLobby oncampuswhoplanstobecomeaninfectiousdiseasespecialist,withafocuson utilizinghiseducationtohelptreatpatientswhoaredirectlyorindirectlyaffected byclimatechange-exacerbateddisasters.Inhisfreetime,helikestoreadandwatch sciencefictionandresearchfactsanddiscoveriesrelatedtopaleontologyandextreme meteorology.Contact atnkpark@wm.edu. SydneyHintz‘26isanIntegrativeConservationandEnvironmentalPolicydouble majorwhoisamemberofthechapterofCitizens’ClimateLobbyoncampus.She hopestoworkinenvironmentalpolicyandsciencecommunication.Shehasworked withthenonprofitPlanetWomenandtheCommonDescentPodcast,andsheis currentlyworkingonadocuseriesonwomeninconservationwiththeInstitutefor IntegrativeConservationandresearchondielverticalmigrationinthepelagicocean withVIMS.Sheenjoyscrafting,listeningtomusicandplayingwithdogs. Contactat slhintz@wm.edu.