2022 Sustainability Supplement by The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer 2022 Sustainability Supplement in Observance of Earth Day

Building for Mother Nature’s Wrath

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Building for Mother Nature’s Wrath

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Despite our awareness of natural disasters ripping across the nation and destroying entire communities in their paths, the devastation has created historical roots and traumatic memories. With each cycle of storms, fires, floods, and erosions, the nation’s architects and builders developed new and innovative measures to minimize the damaging forces. Still, the impact of climate change has forced those working to make structures withstand disasters seek reliable and sustainable solutions, in 5 Dr. Shantella Y. Sherman (Photo by India Kea) real-time. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report recently on mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the report, as much as 72 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 came from cities. This means that redesigning our cities to be more sustainable must function as a key component to reducing emissions and halting the dangerous impact of climate change. Particularly in places like the nation’s capital, where a development boom has literally clogged neighborhoods with new buildings – some fitted in narrow spaces against existing structures -- new construction can play a critical role in carbon production. Buildings generate nearly 40 percent of annual global CO2 emissions. For instance, buildings release carbon dioxide directly when they use equipment that relies on combustion, including boilers and furnaces used for space heating which consume fuels like natural gas and heating oil. Also, water heaters use fossil fuel combustion as a heat source, and Onsite power generation contributes to building emissions if the energy input is a fossil fuel like diesel generators or steam microturbines. “Green spaces are disappearing across the country as more suburbanites return to urban spaces and push a demand for housing that seems to have no reasonable end,” agronomist and Ward 6 resident Carrie Pumans told the Informer. “When you see buildings springing up everywhere they must not only meet demands for housing, but must also provide strategic, forward-thinking designs that does not further tax the environment.” According to Architecture 2030, achieving zero embodied emissions will require adopting the principles of: Reuse, including renovating existing buildings, using recycled materials, and designing for deconstruction; Reduce, including material optimization and the specification of low to zero carbon materials; and Sequester, including the design of carbon sequestering sites and the use of carbon sequestering materials. “The world of the supertall is at once a victory of The Washington Informer wants you mankind soaring to new heights and a controversial marker of society’s inequity and climate change,” to be cognizant of the carbon footprint said Stefan Al, an architect and urban designer, who believes that understanding the technological innovations in supertall buildings is the first step made through development, and the in creating sustainable cities of the future. “The supertall is a barometer of our society’s highs and new and innovative technologies delows. It is a window into our future that may allow us to rethink our ways.” signing new structures to soften the It is also estimated that just three materials – concrete, steel, and aluminum – are responsible for 23 percent of total global emissions (most of this impact of Mother Nature’s wrath. We used in the built environment). The Washington Informer wants you to be cog- offer you historical examinations of nizant of the carbon footprint made through development, and the new and innovative technologies past destructions, emerging protocols designing new structures to soften the impact of Mother Nature’s wrath. We offer you historical and designs, and sound advice from examinations of past destructions, emerging protocols and designs, and sound advice from professionals in the field, including iconic architect, Mel- professionals in the field, including vin Mitchell. Read, Learn, Take Action! Dr. Shantella

iconic architect, Melvin Mitchell.

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...Sustainability Efforts Work

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), presented in April 2022, emphasized emissions must be dramatically reduced within this decade and decline to net zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “If we are to make the Paris Agreement mean anything at all then we must work together,” states Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. “This means everyone from individuals, businesses, governments, and other parts of civil society have to commit to a transformative shift in the global economy as we know it.” Did You Know… there are many great results upon which we must build to reach those projected goals. Here are a few:

93%

93 percent of the world’s 250 largest companies report on sustainability.

Did You Know

100+ countries have policies on sustainable consumption and production.

Consumers believe the five most important sustainable practices are waste reduction, reducing carbon footprint, sustainable packaging, ethical working conditions, and respect of human rights.

Coastal eutrophication is expected to increase by 20 percent in large marine ecosystems by 2050.

In 2017, renewable energy made up 17 percent of the world’s energy consumption. The net per-capita landfill rate dropped from 3.2 to 2.4 pounds from 1990 to 2018.

green week

Join the

GREATER WASHINGTON REGION

CLEAN CITIES COALITION

for

Learn More at

GWRCCC.org 202.671.1580

60-70 percent of the world’s ecosystems are degrading faster than they can recover.

Join the

for

TUESDAY

Global temperatures are estimated to rise by 3.2 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Water scarcity could displace over 700 million people by 2030.

2016 and 2020 are tied for the warmest years on record.

APRIL 19 11 am - 12 pm

Earth

Day

Happy Hour

Virtual Event

Platform

Thursday

sions, the degradation of the ea ful emis Harm and global warming are looming cha rth’s s llenge e c r u d sustainable solu s. reso s practical an tions! discus

April 21, 2022 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Expert Panelists: Principal Earth Sky Community Solar Sierra Club of Prince George's County

Elliott Negin

2100 14th St, NW Washington, DC 20009 Closest to Metro: U Street, Yellow & Green

Kelly Crawford

Senior Writer Concerned Scientists

M O D E R A T O R

Provision No. 14

David Brosch

Hon. Mary Cheh

Council Member District of Columbia Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee

Associate Director Air Quality Division DC Department of Energy & Environment

Antoine Thompson Executive Director GWRCCC

https://greenweek2022.eventbrite.com

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Green Drinks

The Greather Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Hosted on the

Remarks from

Global sea levels have risen eight inches in the last century.

April 19-23, 2022

Hosted Signature Drinks & Lite Hors D'oeuvres Cash Bar

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 2022 SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF EARTH DAY / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

New Innovations in Sustainability By Lee Ross WI Staff Writer

GREEN LAUNDRY LOUNGE

The next-level laundromat concept Green Laundry Lounge opened its doors to the public at the end of January. Its owner, Jay Desai, called it a weird kind of concept. “This type of upscale laundromat is something we don’t have anywhere else in all the Carolinas,” he said, adding that he’s not even sure such a concept exists anywhere else in the country. Set within The Palms at Brushy Creek, a strip mall at 3120 Brushy Creek Road just in front of the Brushy Creek Townes townhouse complex, the new laundromat/cafe concept aims to be many things at once. Up front is a cafe, serving up coffee from Due South Coffee Roasters, local beer and canned wine, and unique Indian cafe food from David Porras, head chef of the James Beard-nominated restaurant Oak Hill Cafe. A lounge area offers iPads and comfortable couches and chairs made from recycled material. Meanwhile, along a wall adorned with an Indian- and Greenville-themed mural from local artist Douglas Piper, eco-smart Electrolux washing machines hum (in total 22 washers and 22 dryers, payable by card or coin, at a rate of $3 to $14), while on the other side of the building, machines that utilize a modern “wet-cleaning” method of dry-cleaning articles of clothing without using environmentally harmful chemicals. Everything is geared toward sustainability and environmental care, Desai said. The detergents are all eco-friendly. Dryer sheets, which pack a powerful combination of

harmful chemicals to both the environment and to personal health, have been replaced with hand-woven woolen balls that do a better job of removing wrinkles without the damage. To-go coffee cups are made from recycled materials, as is all the furniture in the lounge. The decorative wall in the center of the cafe is made of reclaimed wood from old barns. “I’m a pretty eco-focused kind of guy,” he said. “We are blessed with nature here in this Greenville-Greer area, and I would just like to do something if I can to support that.” He’s aware most people likely don’t equate sustainability with laundry but says that challenge drove him to work harder to bring his vision to life, to convince people in the area what he’d imagined. “Reinventing what a laundromat can be was kind of a challenge, kind of weird as well, but at the same time it’s fun and now when people walk in and see what this is, everyone is happy,” Desai said.

TARGET TESTS FIRST NET ZERO ENERGY STORE

Target Corporation announced in March 2022, its most sustainable store to date, as the site will generate more renewable energy than it needs annually to operate and will test multiple innovations to reduce the building’s emissions. The Vista, California, store’s retrofit, and new features will inform Target’s investments in new stores and remodel programs that support its long-term growth and help guide the retailer’s efforts to achieve its sustainability goals. The store will generate renewable energy through 3,420 solar panels across its roof and newly installed carport canopies. The site is expected to produce up to a 10 percent energy surplus each year that it can transmit back to the local power grid, and Tar-

get has applied for net zero energy certification from the International Living Future Institute. The building also features elements to further reduce emissions, such as powering its HVAC heating through rooftop solar panels, instead of natural gas. Additionally, the store switched to carbon dioxide refrigeration, a natural refrigerant, that Target will scale chain-wide by 2040 to reduce its direct operations’ emissions by 20 percent. “We’ve been working for years at Target to shift toward sourcing more renewable energy and further reducing our carbon footprint, and our Vista store’s retrofit is the next step in our sustainability journey and a glimpse of the future we’re working toward,” said John Conlin, senior vice president of properties, Target. “Our new stores and remodel programs are designed to help achieve our sustainability goals as we test, learn and scale our innovations over time across our operations.” Target is building on the many ways it innovates through its stores and facilities to support the company’s sustainability strategy Target Forward. The retailer has committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions enterprise-wide by 2040, and since 2017 Target has already reduced

its direct operations’ emissions by nearly 27 percent. One of the ways it intends to reach its net zero goal is through sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources for its operations by 2030. “Target continues to be a top corporate solar user, and we’re excited to see Target double down on its clean energy commitments with new solar carports and energy efficient buildings through this innovative and sustainable retrofit,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “We commend the Target team for their leadership and commitment to sustainable operations as the retailer continues to raise the bar for how companies can invest in their business and create a more sustainable future.”

BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY NEEDS

Experts warn that nearly 4.3 million U.S. homes are at risk of a 100-year flood event, 2 million of an elevated wildfire risk and that all households will experience higher temperatures. Moreover, homes, according to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, account for about 20 percent of the greenhouse gases produced in the nation. Thus, the housing industry — including the National Association of Realtors and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) — is moving aggressively to get Americans over the next three decades interested in new and retrofitted homes that could better withstand adverse conditions and achieve net-zero carbon production. “Many of our members are responding to buyers’ demands for

homes that are more energy efficient and resilient by incorporating more sustainable features into their homes,” said Susan Asmus, NAHB’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs. “By designing projects to withstand natural hazards, be healthier for occupants and more durable over the long term and selecting heating and cooling systems and appliances that use water and energy more efficiently, they not only help balance environmental and community needs, but are able to distinguish their businesses, homes and projects within the marketplace.” Ron Jones, president of Green Builder Media believes the construction and real estate industry could do a better job of protecting trees, which in turn would protect the habitat for wildlife, when they are constructing houses. “I think we do a really poor job as an industry of embracing the natural environment around us and maximizing the appreciation that people can have by being appropriate about what we build and where we put it,” Jones said. “We simply miss the point. If we look at tract development and cookie-cutter subdivisions and just the whole concept that you just sort of wipe everything clean and make an empty canvas and then stick stuff on it, to me, is sort of a shame.” The company, Jones said, has given trees the best chance to survive and thrive during the construction process. Trees, he said, are viewed as a natural part of the project, not an impediment to it. “One of the magical elements of this particular project is that Green Builder has been there long enough to have an appreciation for just how present those trees, individually and collectively, are and how they define space in such an important way,” he said. SS

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Building Tomorrow's Energy Grid Today Pepco is working to create a smarter, stronger and cleaner energy grid for our customers, while driving to meet the District’s energy and climate goals. We work every day to modernize and strengthen the local energy grid. We are also planning for the future, enhancing the grid through forward-looking projects like the Capital Grid and DC PLUG initiatives. These efforts will create more capacity for renewable resources like rooftop solar and enhance grid resiliency during increasingly severe weather. Learn more about what we’re doing for you at pepco.com/Grid

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Washington Gas Committed to a Cleaner Anacostia River

CALL

811

Michelle Musgrove Vice President of Customer Experience Washington Gas

BEFORE YOU

DIG

EVERY DIG… EVERY TIME… This includes, but is not limited to:

• • • • • •

General digging Gardening Landscaping Home improvements and/or major construction Excavation Demolition

As it flows through the heart of our city, the waters of the Anacostia River touch our lives and landmarks while inviting us to enjoy nature by foot, bike, and boat. Its story begins at our banks and continues into oceans around the world. This is your river. And it is ours. For more than 170 years, the Washington Gas family has called DC and the shores of the Anacostia River home. Our ongoing goal is to improve quality of life for our neighbors and for the landscape where we all work, live, and play. We are proud to have improved the Anacostia and its surrounding areas through donations, tree planting, and trash collection, as well as new bike paths and other infrastructures. Our current partnership with Anacostia Riverkeeper helps to sponsor largescale volunteer clean-up efforts. Employees, friends, and families have already joined forces in 2022 to remove and recycle more than five tons of glass, plastic, and rubber from the river, with multiple clean-ups scheduled throughout the year. A river is forever changing, and

flexible clean-up practices can help stay in sync with its needs. We support advanced practices to pinpoint root causes of pollution, allowing focused clean-ups that minimize mass dredging. The vibrancy of the Anacostia River affects us all and ripples well beyond our everyday quality of life. We are honored to be environmental stewards and responsible corporate citizens and thank you for the trust you place in us. Caring for our river is just one way we hope to assist others and give back to our communities. SS

When using mechanized equipment, it is REQUIRED BY LAW to CALL Miss Utility at 811 before digging.

C.A.R.E.

washingtongas.com

Call before you dig. Allow time for marking. Respect the marks. Excavate carefully.

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DID YOU KNOW? Since 2018, our eBill customers have helped save over 15,000 trees. To join our growing number of PAPERLESS BILLING customers, visit washingtongas.com/ebill to enroll.

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How the DCPSC is Creating a Clean Energy Future Submitted by DC Public Service Commission Can you imagine a time when the District of Columbia is the healthiest, greenest, and most livable place in the country? A city where 100% of our energy supply comes from renewable energy sources? Charging stations for electric vehicles are plentiful, a common part of the city’s infrastructure? With energy efficient buildings and homes, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption at an all-time low? This is the clean energy future that the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) is committed to making a reality. The District has adopted some of the most aggressive renewable energy standards anywhere in the country — as the local utility regulator, the DCPSC plays an integral role in realizing this clean energy future. The CleanEnergy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 man-

dates that 100% of the District’s energy supply comes from renewable energy sources by 2032. By 2041, at least 10% of that energy must come from solar energy generated within the District and greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to 50% below the 2006 baseline by 2032. The act also requires the DCPSC to consider the “effects on global climate change and the District’s public climate commitments” in its decisions. Clean Energy Initiatives Renewable energy resources power the District without the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The DCPSC has certified more than 13,600 solar facilities, including 261 Community Renewable Energy Facilities, in the District as of April 2022. The DCPSC also approved new rules requiring that 5% of Pepco’s default electric service come from renewables. The Commission also continues to monitor an AltaGas merger commitment to develop 10 MW of

clean energy in the District. Investing in infrastructure allows the District to make smart choices that will support its climate goals for years to come. The DCPSC approved the third phase of DC PLUG, a project improving the reliability and re-

COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES See how a growing number of CREFs across the city are making solar power a reality for more District residents.

DCPSC.org/cleanenergy

siliency of the electric distribution system by placing overhead distribution lines underground. The DCPSC also approved Pepco’s Capital Grid Project, a longterm initiative to address aging infrastructure, enhanced system resiliency, improved reliability, and load growth. In addition, the DCPSC has approved PROJECTpipes, a 40-year accelerated pipeline replacement program to upgrade the natural gas distribution system. Energy efficiency programs reduce the amount of energy used by homes and businesses, offer financial savings and help reduce the environmental costs of producing energy. The DCPSC promotes and supports energy efficiency through multiple programs, such as the #WinterReadyDC that provides weatherization kits and resources on energy conservation throughout winter. Consumers can also choose their electricity supplier on DC Power Connect, where more than 95% of offers include some

percentage renewables in the fuel mix. The Commission hosted the first Clean Energy Summit: Path to Decarbonization in September 2021 to discuss how utility regulators and industry leaders can advance progress toward national and local clean energy goals. Through stakeholder working groups meetings, community hearings, and consumer campaigns, the DCPSC has continued to extend its ability to reach District consumers. The Path Forward The DCPSC has created a climate policy proceeding to consider whether and to what extent utility or energy companies are meeting and advancing the District’s energy and climate goals. As part of this process, the DCPSC is reviewing Pepco’s Climate Solutions Plan, WGL’s Climate Business Plan, and other filings to see how they would help meet the city’s energy and climate goals. For more information on past and future DPCSC initiatives, visit dcpsc.org/cleanenergy. SS

The DCPSC has created a climate policy proceeding to consider whether and to what extent utility or energy companies are meeting and advancing the District’s energy and climate goals. As part of this process, the DCPSC is reviewing Pepco’s Climate Solutions Plan, WGL’s Climate Business Plan, and other filings to see how they would help meet the city’s energy and climate goals. WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 2022 SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF EARTH DAY

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As the local energy utility regulator, we play an important role in fulﬁlling the District’s clean energy goals.

TRACK OUR PROGRESS AND LEARN MORE AT

DCPSC.org/cleanenergy

Solar panels at Nationals Park are just a few of the many installations across the District that are helping the city realize its clean energy future.

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THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 2022 SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF EARTH DAY / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Environmental Sustainability and The Housing Market Iconic Architect Melvin Mitchell Weighs In

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Staff Writer Sustainability remains a top focus for many policymakers and structural leaders within the District and around the globe. This year, the Earth Day theme: Invest in Our Planet, pushes each person around the world to find constructive ways of working towards healthier, ecologically sound living. The manufacture of safe, sound, and healthy, structures as well as warding off the horrific levels of carbon associated with new buildings, stand at the forefront of sustainability conversations. Legendary architect and President of Bryant Mitchell Architects, PLLC, Melvin Mitchell, sat down with the Informer to discuss the impact of climate change on new developments and methods architects are using to meet the challenges. With a nearly 50-year run leading a Black-owned architecture firm based in Washington, D.C., Mitchell also shared his thoughts on the District’s sustainability goals amid the current housing market. WI: The world is moving toward environmentally sound structures. What does that mean for you as an architect? MM: Well, [I’m] glad to see it coming. [It’s been a] long time, glad to see it is here. But that’s really replaced, and trumps everything else that has preceded the notion of sustainability, energy efficiency, [and] just [overall] being in peace, and compatible with the planet, the earth, the environment - that’s really what architecture is ultimately about, and how it has to be measured. I am glad to have lived to see this coming.

WI: How does the environment affect the placement of new buildings, and how stable structures and buildings now stand? How does this affect the infrastructure of these homes? MM: Well, the District like any place else, you have to look at the bigger picture in terms of geography, geology, topology, all of those things. I mean ultimately, this still is just something built in a swamp, so a lot of things become complicated, and muddled [within] that. But in the final analysis it is still the case here where we have got to follow the facts, and follow the reality of what really is there, and what provisions and precautions need to take place in order for what we built to be sustainable, safe, and sound. Those things have to all fall into place.

WI: D.C. is a small city, and we are now building on it at a much more rapid rate than we have seen in the city’s past. What do you think about the uptick of new housing developments being built today in the District? MM: As an architect, my information is towards density. See, the whole issue of sustainability and environmentalism is once we crossed the threshold and became an urban society, an urban people, and once we entered this period that we are in, you have to realize that the most sustainable, from an environmental point of view, way to do things in an urban setting is through density. So, you’ve got a lot of people being accommodated. D.C. as a landmass and a land area is really relatively small; it is less than 100 square miles, really. However, the current population which is just under 700,000 people, is still

down from what it once was. If you go back as recently as the late 40s, into the 50s, D.C.’s population was approaching 900,000 people that lived within those cornerstones, those boundaries. A lot of them started to leave when you had some things happen, [as far as] school desegregation, and then the building of the beltways, and then even further the mass transit overlay - so all of these things have come into play. The D.C. and development that you are looking at now, I need to tell you to strap on because it is just beginning. It is going to get closer probably to the point of 800,000 to 900,000 people. The problem is that during our hay day when we were starting to take off from the whole Black power movement, we thought that the concept of Chocolate city [when the city was] 70-75 percent Black, would last forever. Well, it [has not] as you can see. As D.C. itself grows in population, the percentage of Black people here is going to continue to decrease. It has already dropped from a high of 70 percent twenty years ago to what it is now, which is just below 50 percent and dropping. It is going to level off probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 35-40 percent. However, there is something right next door which we call the 9th ward, we’re talking about Prince George’s County more specifically. That too was once 900,000, and they were practically all White. Now, as D.C.’s [Black population] goes down, it continues to go up [in Prince George’s County]. So, it is really the most fluent, and the most heavily populated Black municipality probably in the country. When you put the two of them together, D.C., and Prince George’s County,

you will continue to have a substantial Black population in terms of power, culture, and all of those things. Things take different forms and shapes that we haven’t predicted, and couldn’t predict, so you have to keep all of that in mind in terms of where this is going. WI: Let’s take a look at climate change. How would you say that climate change has impacted the way that your company designs, or the materials that are used when you build projects today? MM: Buildings constitute about forty percent of things, which is energy consumption. That [coupled with] the whole carbon issue, and what it is doing to the climate. That is the biggest target. So, any practice, architecture, building, development, etc., that does not approach things within that framework [will eventually be] something that is not going to exist, it is not going to be reliable or able to sustain itself because all of the forces are moving in another direction. Shaping your environment, your

practice, your progression around sustainability - that is not an “I would like to, or it would be nice.” That is a matter of survival. WI: My last question for you; What, if any, would you consider to be the drawbacks to some of the new technology as far as the sturdiness and safety of the new structures? MM: Let me give you an example for instance. You see a lot of construction happening that were once built completely in concrete and steel but are now being built as wood construction. And there are some engineering reasons in which that could be. But ultimately, even though that has the appearance of being less safe, it is not necessarily. There are technological ways of overcoming the safety issues. But ultimately, it is more environmentally sustainable in terms of energy consumption, all of these things. So, appearances are never what they appear to be. You have got to look deeper into what is really going on here. SS

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OPC Combatting Climate Change with Equity in Electrification By Sandra Mattavous-Frye People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia The Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) is pleased to contribute to the Washington Informer’s Sustainability Supplement in observance of Earth Day. I welcome this opportunity to highlight a recent study OPC commissioned: Equity Assessment of Electrification Incentives in the District of Columbia. OPC has long been at the forefront of initiatives that foster a clean and healthy environment. Now, unrelenting climate change necessitates a laser focus on how to quickly move the needle forward. District residents need easy access to ways to power and heat their homes, ride public transportation, and drive without adding to the pollution that causes climate change. Equally alarming and demanding attention is the impact of environmental injustice on the District’s most vulnerable communities. The 2022 Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” To invest in our planet, we need to invest in climate change solutions that benefit underserved communities so that all District communities can thrive. How can we best combat climate change? How can we make sure climate solutions are just, equitable, affordable, and resilient? One potential pathway is “electrification,” switching energy and transportation systems to electricity powered by “green” energy sources to reduce climate change emissions and other air pollution, and to transition away from burning fossil fuels. Because equity must be a central driver of any climate change plans, OPC commissioned an Equity Assessment of Electrification Incentives in the District of Columbia. The study by Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) found

that about 27% of the District’s population resides in a so-called “environmental justice community.” They are more likely to be near environmental hazards, are disproportionately exposed to air pollution, and bear the brunt of climate change. Low-income residents in the District are also more likely to face a “severe” energy burden—the percentage of household income spent on energy costs. One in 14 District residents are “severely” energy-burdened, meaning they pay more than 10 percent of their income in energy costs. To help ensure that any climate change solutions also address environmental injustice, the study examined the distribution of existing programs that promote electrification and made key recommendations to ensure future investments in electrification equitably benefit District communities, including vulnerable neighborhoods. AEC identified priorities that should influence decision-making, including community engagement and ensuring that electrification programs do not make energy bills more unaffordable for consumers, especially for those already facing a high energy burden. Programs should prioritize the most equitable funding sources, possibly including federal funding, grant funding, regional funding, and taxpayer funding instead of utility bill surcharges requiring low- and moderate-income residents to fund programs through increases in their energy bills. There are no easy answers to combating climate change but there are solutions that can help make our communities stronger and healthier. All of us must do our part to advance these solutions. And consumers must fully participate in opportunities that bring them to the table to contribute their ideas and express their concerns.

OPC’s website, www.opc-dc. gov, has information on how to reduce your energy use, conserve water, and learn more about District government decisions af-

fecting climate change solutions. Sign up there for the OPC Connection, our monthly newsletter, and we’ll keep you informed on key developments. Rest assured,

OPC will continue to proactively address these important issues as we advocate, educate, and protect DC consumers. SS

Who We Are

The Office of the People’s Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, OPC is the advocate for District consumers of electric, water, natural gas, and telephone services. The Office’s mandate is to advocate for the provision of safe and reliable utility service at rates that are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory; to assist individual consumers in disputes with utility companies; and to provide technical assistance and consumer education to the community and stakeholders. OPC carries out its mission through the work of the following divisions. The Climate Action Division works to ensure that OPC is effectively incorporating District of Columbia sustainability and climate goals into all aspects of our education, outreach, and advocacy. People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye launched this Division in 2020 to ensure climate action policy considerations are an integral part of OPC’s operations at a time when climate change threatens the future of our world as we know it. The Litigation Services Division represents consumers in legal matters involving utility companies before the DC Public Service Commission, federal regulatory agencies, and the DC Court of Appeals; and engages in diverse energy, telecommunications, technical, and market monitoring functions. The Consumer Services Division provides education and outreach to consumers on utility and energy issues; assists in the resolution of consumer complaints; and provides technical assistance to lay advocates seeking to participate in the regulatory process. The Water Services Division serves as a voice for water consumers by investigating complaints related to DC Water services, rates, and billing; represents ratepayers at DC Water administrative hearings and rulemaking proceedings, as well as the DC Court of Appeals; and educates water consumers about their legal rights and responsibilities. Contact Information: Phone: (202) 727-3071 Email: info@opc-dc.gov Website: opc-dc.gov Twitter & Instagram: @DCOPC

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T-Mobile is Taking Bold Steps to Build a Better World Submitted by T Mobile Whether it’s being first in the U.S. wireless industry to set science-based carbon emissions targets, achieving its 100% renewable energy goal, reducing waste, or responsibly managing the lifecycle of its products, T-Mobile is taking immediate and ambitious action to create a more sustainable future. In 2018, the company set an industry first by joining the RE100 pledge and committing to source 100% of its total electricity usage with renewable energy by the end of 2021. A few years and one historic merger later, it’s achieved that goal. “T-Mobile put a stake in the ground as the first telecom to commit to going all in on renewable energy by the end of 2021,” said Mike Sievert, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. “Now

we’re the first to hit this milestone years ahead of others. This was no easy task, but we set a goal and we achieved it. Thanks to amazing efforts from a team who was unwavering in our commitment to reduce our impact on the planet, the Un-carrier is powering America’s largest, fastest, and most reliable 5G network with 100% clean electricity.”

GOING ALL IN TO MOBILIZE FOR A THRIVING PLANET.

When the company sources its electricity from renewable energy, like wind and sunlight, it knows that not only will those sources never run out, but they also aren’t releasing harmful greenhouse gases in the process—and that’s good for people and the planet. Hitting its

renewable energy goal is only one of the milestones on T-Mobile’s path to building a more connected and sustainable future. How does it achieve 100% renewable electricity? The company’s energy comes from purchasing electricity from the U.S. electric grid, which is powered by a variety of energy sources, including renewable resources that are tracked using Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). T-Mobile is committed to funding the creation of new, clean power projects, including large-scale wind and solar farms – and acquiring RECs in a variety of ways. Its 2021 renewable energy portfolio included a mix of Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, a green direct tariff, retail renewable agreements, community solar projects, and unbundled RECs to complement its energy reduction efforts. Energy powers T-Mobile’s entire business—including its Un-carrier network, stores, offices, and

more. Responsibly managing its energy use is an opportunity to make a huge difference for the environment and within the wireless industry. That’s why the company is committed to using energy

more efficiently and sourcing it more sustainably. To change wireless for good, T-Mobile constantly looks for ways to make sustainable choices that benefit its customers and the planet. SS

THE ONLY NETWORK POWERED BY

100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY T-Mobile is committed to taking climate action and reducing our carbon footprint. That’s why we recently announced that we’re the only U.S. wireless provider to meet our RE100 pledge and invest in enough renewable energy to power our network with 100% clean electricity. This is just one of the ways that T-Mobile is changing wireless for good and working to build a more sustainable future for society and the planet.

#UnstoppableTogether T-Mobile matches its own annual electrical usage with renewable energy from a portfolio of sources including: virtual power purchase agreements, a green direct tariff, renewable retail agreements, and unbundled REC purchases. For more information visit t-mobile.com. T-Mobile, the T logo, Magenta and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. © 2022 T-Mobile USA, Inc.

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TAKING ACTION TO REDUCE OUR

CARBON FOOTPRINT

At T-Mobile, we are celebrating Earth Day with action. On April 22nd, we’re offsetting the carbon emissions of wireless device use for our 100+ million T-Mobile customers through The Nature Conservancy’s Working Woodlands Program. Together, we can build a more sustainable future.

#UnstoppableTogether Calculated based on approximate daily electricity consumption for total prepaid and postpaid customer phones, tablets, laptops, wearables, portable hotspots, IoT devices, and IHBB gateways assuming year-end FY2021 subscriber figures, an eGRID 2020 U.S. average emission factor and AR5 GWP values. T-Mobile, the T logo, Magenta and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. © 2022 T-Mobile USA, Inc.

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THE ONLY NETWORK POWERED BY

100 CLEAN ELECTRICITY %

T-Mobile is committed to taking climate action and reducing our carbon footprint. That’s why we recently announced that we’re the only U.S. wireless provider to meet our RE100 pledge and invest in enough renewable energy to power our network with 100% clean electricity. This is just one of the ways that T-Mobile is changing wireless for good and working to build a more sustainable future for society and the planet.

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Breathing while Black

How a Fertilizer Plant Uncovered a History of Geographical Racism and Segregation Airielle Lowe WI Contributing Writer / Howard University Nearly 600 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire at the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant, located in Winston Salem, North Carolina on Jan. 31. The fire burned for four days straight, with firefighters being unable to approach and contain the fire, due to the risk of a deadly explosion with the potential to kill thousands. Instead, residents within a mile radius were told to evacuate, temporarily displacing a reported 6,000 residents. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical used to make fertilizers and explosives and can burn if in contact with combustible material. Upon combustion, the chemical can also produce toxic oxides of nitrogen. In 2013, a fertilizer plan in West, Texas reportedly containing as much as 270 tons of ammonium nitrate, exploded after a fire broke out, killing 15 people and injuring 200 more. Although the fire that ravaged the plant has since been contained, with residents given permission to return to their homes, three lawsuits have been filed against the company for negligence, as well as the potential health concerns faced by residents with the release of dangerous chemicals into the air and local waterways. Although Director of Forsyth County Environmental Assistance and Protection Minor Barnette told Fox8 that the air quality near the plant had improved greatly since the beginning of fire, there has been little update on the status of local water supplies since the initial one given. Soon after the fire ended, officials reportedly warned residents to stay away from local creeks due to chemical detection in the following statement: “City officials are warning the public to stay out of Muddy, Mill and Monarcas creeks downstream from the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant and to keep pets and other animals out of the creeks due to elevated levels of chemicals in the water resulting from the fire at the plant.” Though the air quality has been deemed “breathable” and residents

have returned home, the fire at the Winston Weaver has still left lasting, negative impacts on a community forced to pack up and leave at a moment’s notice, confused as to how they could live so close to a plant holding a significant amount of dangerous chemicals, without ever being notified. The chances of a fertilizer plant catching on fire are exploding are liable to happen anywhere in the nation and as such, affect any community who lives close by—however, African Americans are 75 percent more likely to near industrial facilities that produce hazardous waste than others, and more likely (along with other people of color or POC) to be exposed to air pollution. As such, they are more likely to suffer from asthma, cancer, etc. than other races. As reported by the News&Observer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool, “about 51 percent of the roughly 6,500 people who live within a mile of Winston Weaver are Black and 26 percent are Hispanic.” The area within a mile of Winston Weaver is also reportedly in the “91st percentile nationally for exposure to fine particulate matter in the air, the 93rd percentile nationally for exposure to ozone, and the 92nd percentile for cancer risk from air quality.”

And this is not a coincidence, but by design, as is the case with many communities of color disproportionately located near industrial areas.

GEOGRAPHICAL RACISM IN WINSTON SALEM

In 1904, a water reservoir cracked, and 800,000 gallons of water poured into the street, killing nine people and destroying eight houses. The area of destruction nicknamed “The Pond,” attracted African Americans after its rebuild as it was one of the few places they could find a place to live. In June 1912, Winston-Salem’s Board of Aldermen enacted an ordinance that prevented Black people from owning or living on prop-

The area within a mile of Winston Weaver is also reportedly in the “91st percentile nationally for exposure to fine particulate matter in the air, the 93rd percentile nationally for exposure to ozone, and the 92nd percentile for cancer risk from air quality.”

erty in certain areas, as well as white people. The topography of The pond created stagnant rainwater, which became home to industrial runoff from nearby factories. Through various practices enacted by city officials, Black people were unable to move out of their neighborhood or improve upon it, and The Pond became one of the worst neighborhoods within the city. Although the 1912 ordinance was later ruled unauthorized and The Pond eventually underwent a “slum clearance project,” Winston-Salem continued to enact laws to divide the city by race and discourage white communities from allowing African Americans inside them. This included the creation of a highway known as U.S. 52, which not only cut into the Black community located east of the highway, but also segregated Black residents from the white on the west. The Weaver fertilizer plan sits on the about a mile west of the highway, and a majority of the residents around the plant are reportedly low-income people of color.

At the time of its creation in 1939, the plant was located outside of city limits; however, when houses began to be built in the area, African Americans were more likely to be able to afford the area near the plant than others due to geographical racist practices.

A LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM

Winston-Salem is not the only North Carolina city guilty of geographical and environmental racism and injustice. In Eastern North Carolina where the majority of industrial animal farms reside, communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted complain of contaminated water from hog waste and rancid smells from decomposing animals and rotten eggs. A study from the North Carolina Medical Journal found that communities located near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have higher, “infant mortality, mortality due to anemia, kidney disease, tuberculosis, septicemia, and higher hospital admissions/ED visits of LBW infants.” North Carolina is reportedly the second highest poultry producer in the country, and there are no restrictions for poultry operations as it pertains to waste dumping. And to the northeast in Warren County, North Carolina, the state government decided that a poor, rural Black community would be the sight for toxic waste dumping in 1982. Although residents protested for six weeks, the toxic waste was eventually deposited in a landfill in the community. However, Ben Chavis, the leader of the movement who coined the term “environmental racism” after being arrested, sparked a national movement. Although the battle was lost in Warren County, across the nation Black Americans and POC are fighting again a history of environmental racism, first stipulated by geographical racism during an era of segregation and Jim Crow laws. The first step is to recognize this legacy, in order to prevent further industrialization efforts in Black communities—as with the Winston Weaver plant. SS

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Going Green

By DOEE Sustainability Staff With every Earth Month comes countless articles on “going green.” But what does it mean to “go green”? Are you “going green” with envy? Are you “going green” with illness? In most contexts, to “be green” is to live your life sustainably. To color all your actions with a shade of awareness on how it could affect the environment, equity, and economic development. “Going green” just might be at the crossroads between a healthy, long-lasting future and turbulent disruptions to our way of life. Of course, it is easier said than done. Like every lifestyle change, “going green” requires time, effort, and the willpower to stick it out. Luckily, here at Sustainable DC we have a series of actions and resources on our website to help you do just that. During the Sustainable DC 2.0 development process, our team held a series of city-

wide surveys and community focus groups. We found out that District residents would like to know more about how to “go green” and make the city a healthier, greener, and more livable place. This engagement, in combination with a review of the Sustainable DC 2.0 actions that residents can best influence, resulted in the ten action categories available on our Go Green webpage. All actions are available in Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, to inform as many DC residents as possible. They also include programs and other resources available in the District, to help each of us to take action. “Going green” does not have to be tedious solo undertaking. It is a change we all benefit from and there are resources that can help you reap those benefits. Like most things, creating a sustainable DC is a team effort. Help us help you go green! SS

YOUR HOME MAY QUALIFY FOR UPDATES!

During the Sustainable DC

Was your home built before 1978?

2.0 development process,

Do you have at least one child under 5 years old living there?

our team held a series of

You may be eligible for funding to paint, renovate and update your eligible single-family property, thanks to the Department of Energy and Environment!

citywide surveys and community focus groups. We found out that District residents would

Call (202) 299-3316! Depending on household needs, this program can address the following: • Roof leaks • Mold • Asbestos • Chipping Paint • Vermin Infestation

• Fire and Electrical Hazards • Removal/Replacement of Lead-Positive Doors, Door and Window Frames/Sills • Inoperable Appliances

like to know more about how to “go green” and make the city a healthier, greener, and more livable place.

Visit bit.ly/DOEEHomeUpdates to apply!

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YOUR HOME MAY QUALIFY FOR UPDATES! Was your home built before 1978? Do you have at least one child under age 5 living there? You may be eligible for funding to paint, renovate and update your single-family property, thanks to the Department of Energy and Environment! Depending on the household needs, the program could address: • • • • • • •

Roof leaks Mold Asbestos Chipping Paint Vermin Infestation Fire and Electrical Hazards Removal and Replacement of Lead-Positive Components (Doors, Door Frames, Window Frames/Sills, Etc.) • Inoperable Appliances and Health & Safety

Income Eligibility Requirements Homeowners must have an annual income below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). See below: Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Visit bit.ly/DOEEHomeUpdates to apply! Or call (202) 299-3316! S-17 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 2022 SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF EARTH DAY / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

80% AMI $72,250 $82,550 $92,900 $103,200 $111,450 $119,700 $127,950 $129,000

Our Vital Earth is Worth the Investment in Climate Solutions we don’t face price shocks every time there’s a world crisis and fall behind in global innovation.

Submitted by Environmental Defense Fund For the next four months, Congress will be making one of the most important decisions of our lifetimes. Whether or not to invest in clean electricity and transportation, create millions of jobs, advance environmental justice, and protect generations to come from the climate crisis. The alternative is to continue our deadly and expensive dependence on fossil fuels that are intensifying weather events, wildfires, and the pollution that disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities. Our dependence on oil means the American economy is at the mercy of world oil markets, and we need bold steps to move to clean energy that is made in America, so

REPOSITIONING OUR COUNTRY TO LEAD ON CLIMATE ACTION

On his first day in office, President Biden announced that we would rejoin the Paris Agreement, an international pact with more than 190 countries committed to averting catastrophic climate change, and he didn’t stop there. He followed with a pledge to cut U.S. climate pollution by 50%-52% by 2030, putting the U.S. in the top tier of global climate ambition. He created a “climate cabinet” that includes the most diverse group of senior officials in key leadership positions; most notably, appointing Michael Regan as the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. He formed the first-ever White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council to raise awareness of Environmental Justice issues and provide

guidance to government entities on how to address them. President Biden has also established the historic Justice40 initiative to commit at least 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy to overburdened communities.

THE DOWN PAYMENT ON CLIMATE ACTION

The bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Biden signed into law last November is a first step toward building a stronger, cleaner economy. It includes several critically important climate investments, including funding for lead pipe replacement, electric buses, community resilience against natural disasters, electric vehicle charging stations, the cleanup of polluting orphan oil and gas wells and an expansion of broadband to support farmers and rural communities. Importantly, it also provides a massive $20 billion investment in clean energy research

and development. But we can’t stop there: Congress needs to act on the biggest clean energy investment bill in American history.

MAKING THE CASE FOR THE FULL INVESTMENT

When advancements are made with clean energy and clean transportation, public health and the economy gets stronger. Passing major climate investments will help Americans save on their energy bills up to $500 per year of savings. In

many cases, renewable power sources are the most affordable option. We’ve seen major cost decreases in solar and onshore wind over the last decade. Our earth is vital and the investments on the table have the potential to address the environmental injustices communities of color have been facing for far too long. Now, Congress and the White House need to finish the job by passing legislation to ensure a clean, safe and equitable future. Climate action cannot wait. SS

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The Hidden Cost of Energy Dr. Margot Brown Vice President for Equity and Justice for Environmental Defense Fund Race is the most significant predictor of a person living near contaminated air, water, and soil, as land- use policies made in the 1930s and ‘40s continue to have a lasting and detrimental impact in Black and Brown communities today. These policies coupled with the insatiable demand for energy have created communities referred to as sacrifice zones: low-income and racialized communities shouldering more than their fair share of environmental harms related to pollution, contamination, toxic waste, and heavy industry. As our nation shifts toward clean and sustainable energy it is imperative that air pollution and the health and well-being of Black

and Brown communities be centered in this transition. We need a just transition to a clean energy future that learns from our past and seeks to avoid the worst impacts of climate change while making sure alternative energy solutions do not exacerbate existing health and environmental inequalities. Finding the right path to a just transition will require policymakers to understand the connection between green infrastructure, race, and place. We must begin to reframe the energy conversation around the need for health benefits in Black and Brown communities built upon discriminatory state landuse practices isolating people of color in unhealthy neighborhoods with high air pollution and poorer health standards. A recent study from Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health found the type, size, and location of renewable energy deployment dramatically benefits both the climate and human health in the Mid-Atlantic. Conversely, in the District of Colum-

bia census tracts with a majority Black population are disproportionately targeted for coal burning plants, landfills, and toxic waste contamination from the Anacostia. This disproportionate exposure to poor air quality, along with little or no access to quality parks or other positive environmental benefits, results in Black and Brown communities facing increased risk for health burdens and a decreased quality of life. Asthma serves as very powerful example – it is well documented that air pollution has profound impacts on the U.S. childhood asthma epidemic. Black children are more than twice as likely to have asthma, at 15.7% compared to white children at 7.1%. The most concerning fact is that Black children die at four times the rate of white children with asthma. Asthma health disparities are even higher in D.C., where Black children ages nine and under are over 50% more likely to have asthma compared to other states. From having double the infection rate

of asthma to four times the fatality rate compared to their white peers, racist land-use policies are a key driver for the differences in asthma health outcomes. Asthma can serve as a surrogate for other health outcomes in Black communities - cardiovascular disease, infant mortality rates and COVID-19 to name a few. The good news is today we have

an opportunity to correct past injustices, if Congress uses clean energy as a lever to help remedy racist land-use policies of the past. While policymakers and advocates work toward mitigation and adaptation to climate change, especially in D.C., it is important to remember that, while everyone is affected by a degrading environment, not everyone is affected equally. SS

Together, we’re building a brighter economic, environmental, & energy future for the District. A Decade of Transformation. Thanks to DC residents and businesses, since 2011, the DCSEU has generated $1.3 billion in lifetime energy cost savings, invested more than $50 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy in low-income communities, and prevented 7 million metric tons in lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. DCSEU.com/about

(202) 479-2222

info@dcseu.com

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3 Solar Installations that will Brighten Your Earth Day Submitted by New Columbia Solar New Columbia Solar is proud to work with the District’s businesses, schools, nonprofits, multifamily housing, and other non-residential property owners to enhance our city with solar power. NCS’s solar installations have enabled hundreds of DC property owners to monetize their otherwise unused rooftop and parking lot space while helping our environment. Our projects provide building owners with low-risk income streams in the form of upfront payments to cover capital expenditures (e.g., roof repairs or re- placements), fixed lease payments, or savings on their electricity bill. To date, New Columbia Solar has raised more than $125 Million to deploy solar projects in Washington, DC. The company’s 250+ projects translate into approximately 24 MT of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent in avoided emissions annually, and the work has created 80 more jobs in the District. A share of our solar projects also benefit low- to moderate-income families through the Solar for All Program –Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiative to provide 100,000 low-to-moderate income families with the discounted, locally generated clean energy. Solar for All, a program of the District De-

partment of Energy & Environment (DOEE) coordinated by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), helps cut electricity costs by up to 50 percent for income-qualified DC families for 15 years. This year, working with partners like New Columbia Solar, the DCSEU hopes to deliver enough community solar to serve an additional 2,600 income-qualified DC families. Through working with property owners across the District, we strive to make solar power a reality for our entire community. Read about three incredible partners who have worked with us to install solar projects on their properties: 1. Washington Tennis & Education Foundation: Ward 7, 749.7 kW (kilowatts, system size). Since 1955, WTEF has supported the Ward 7 community by folding youth into its safe and trusting 50,000 sq. ft. facility. Over the 15-year lifetime of the solar array, WTEF will receive lease payments to host the solar system, which will directly benefit its after school academic, tennis, and wellness programs for the Ward 7 community. The installation is also part of the Solar for All program and will help more than 200 income-qualified DC families cut their electricity costs by up to 50 percent.

2. The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust Inc.: Ward 1, 50.3 kW. As the first Black YMCA in the United States, and now the home of Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. (TMCT), the next 20-year chapter will be powered by a rooftop solar installation. It is with a deep reverence for the great work of Thurgood Marshall, and the service TMCT provides to the tens of thousands of DC residents who utilize the facility, that New Columbia Solar is proud to supply clean energy, financial benefits, and rooftop repairs through the new installation. 3. Roots Public Charter School: Ward 4, 39.7 kW. This year, our team joined Roots PCS K-5 students in the classroom to lead an experiential lesson on electricity and magnetism. We provided historical context, sharing the history of Lewis Howard Latimer and his carbon filament light bulb patent, and we led electricity demonstrations with light bulbs, magnets, and a solar panel. For more information about New Columbia Solar, visit www.newcolumbiasolar.com. SS

OUR STORY: We Transform Your Property into a Generator of Clean Energy & Cash Flow New Columbia Solar was founded in 2016 to serve the growing demand for clean energy in Washington, DC. After developing, building, and financing solar projects all over the world, the founders of our company came together to transform how the District of Columbia – one of the most visible, iconic, and influential cities in the world – is powered. New Columbia Solar is on a mission to make solar power a reality for our entire community. Unlike many solar companies, New Columbia Solar finances, designs, installs, and maintains solar energy systems, which makes us a partner to our customers for the lifetime of our installations. We take pride in the clean energy community that we’ve built in the District and look forward to finding new ways of investing in our network of customers as it continues to grow. New Columbia Solar enables property owners to become clean energy champions while claiming cash flows from otherwise unused space. We provide the experts, designs, materials, maintenance, and earnings. All you have to do to is provide the space. Find out how much you can earn through lease payments or energy reductions, all at no cost to you: visit www.newcolumbiasolar.com

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By the Numbers

Lee Ross WI Staff Writer

The world can save 23,000 lives and gain $162 billion in benefits a year by improving weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information, according to The Hydromet Gap Report.

The Colorado River – which supports a $1.4 trillion economy and drinking water for 40 million people – is in crisis due to climate change and decades of overallocation. The river is so over-burdened it no longer reaches the sea. The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day at home Earth’s surface is 70 percent covered by water, but less than 1 percent is available for human use 65 percent of our drinking water that comes from rivers and streams

Disastrous flooding: Record flooding along the Mississippi River in 2019 caused $20 billion in damage to people’s homes, farms, and businesses in the floodplain. As flood risk grows with climate change, so does the risk to anyone living in harm’s way.

The Klamath is a prime example of how dismantling dams, reducing reservoir methane emissions, addressing historic injustices against Tribal Nations, and building climate resilient rivers go hand-in-hand.

More than 1,900 dams have been removed nationwide. Demolition of four dams on Oregon and California’s Klamath River is set to begin in 2023 to restore endangered salmon runs, thanks to leadership from the Yurok, Karuk, Klamath, and other tribes.

In a moderate scenario for global warming, the likelihood of extreme, catastrophic fires could increase by up to a third by 2050 and up to 52 percent by 2100, the United Nations Environment Program estimates.

If emissions are not curbed and the planet heats up more, wildfire risks could rise by up to 57 percent by the end of the century.

Recent & Recommended Books on Sustainable Solutions and Innovations

relationship between African Americans and the environment in U.S. history. It focuses on three major themes: African Americans in the rural environment, African Americans in the urban and suburban environments, and African Americans and the notion of environmental justice. Meticulously researched, the essays cover subjects including slavery, hunting, gardening, religion, the turpentine Evergreen Architecture: Overgrown Buildings and Greener Living industry, outdoor recreation, women, and politics. “To Love the Wind and the Rain” will serve as an Robert Klanten, Gestalten, Elli Stuhler As more of the earth’s surface is swallowed up by the built environment, architects excellent foundation for future studies in African American environmental history. are increasingly advised to integrate urban flora and fauna into their designs. Whether Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage developing green roofs, living walls, abundant indoor courtyards, or balconies that Dianne D. Glave connect interior and exterior spaces, the urge to intertwine nature and architecture has With a basis in environmental history, this groundbreaking study challenges the never been more apparent. Embracing this ubiquitous trend, Evergreen Architecture idea that a meaningful attachment to nature and the outdoors is contrary to the surveys a broad spectrum of residential, institutional, urban, and rural spaces. But as black experience. The discussion shows that contemporary African American culchange occurs and solutions to the climate crisis are being integrated on the ground, ture is usually seen as an urban culture, one that arose out of the Great Migration many new questions are posed. Evergreen Architecture investigates this movement from the perspective and has contributed to international trends in fashion, music, and the arts ever of the architects leading the charge whilst offering diagrams and plans to help the reader understand since. But because of this urban focus, many African Americans are not at peace how each building came together and how it intends to survive. with their rich but tangled agrarian legacy. On one hand, the book shows, nature, and violence are coated in black memory, especially in disturbing images such as slave ships on the The Sustainable Enterprise Fieldbook: Building New Bridges ocean, exhaustion in the fields, dogs in the woods, and dead bodies hanging from trees. In contrast, Jeana Wirtenberg, Linda M. Kelley, David Lipsky, William G. Russell With deep thought and inspiring examples, this updated book engages readers by though, there is also a competing tradition of African American stewardship of the land that should increasing their understanding and awareness of what sustainability means concep- be better known. tually, practically, personally, and professionally. It provides readers with the tools and Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leadtechniques to improve the social, environmental, and economic performance of their ers Angelou Ezeilo, Nick Chiles organizations in both the short and long term. Since sustainability is not achieved Revealing the deep and abiding interest that African American, Latino, and Nain a siloed environment, everyone has a critical role to play on this journey. The Sustive American communities—many of whom live in degraded and polluted parts tainable Enterprise Fieldbook engages today’s managers and leaders of organizations, of the country—have in our collective environment, Engage, Connect, Protect in both the private sector and civil society, who are being challenged as never before is part eye-opening critique of the cultural divide in environmentalism, part bito find ways to play a proactive role in understanding and addressing the risks and ography of a leading social entrepreneur, and part practical toolkit for engaging opportunities of sustainability. diverse youth. Engage, Connect, Protect is a wake-up call for businesses, activists, educators, and policymakers to recognize the work of grassroots activists in diverse To Love the Wind and the Rain: African Americans and Environmental History communities and create opportunities for engaging with diverse youth as the next generation of enviDianne D. Glave, Mark Stoll “To Love the Wind and the Rain” is a groundbreaking and vivid analysis of the ronmental stewards, while the concern about the state of our land, air, and water continues to grow. Lee Ross WI Staff Writer

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Helping our oceans thrive.

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Maintains healthy fish populations. Traced from environmentally responsible sources. Third-party audited to ensure highest standards.

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