Help defend the Endangered Species Act
Seven species, including monarch butterflies and Florida panthers, will sit at the brink of extinction if proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) go through, according to new analysis from the Center for Biological Diversity.
The edits, heaved forth from the Department of the Interior, would allow regulators to consider the economic impacts of protecting a species—something the ESA prohibits—and weaken rules around what can be deemed a “critical habitat.” What’s that add up to? A near-blank check for companies who want to drill, log, and mine those acres.
What you can do: The changes are open for public comment through Dec. 22, which means you’ve got two weeks to speak up for the critters who can’t. The Center for Biological Diversity has a quick submission form—complete with a draft comment—you can use. EarthJustice has one, too.
Holiday packages, delivered by EV
The EPA may be pulling back on fuel-economy standards that would have not-so-gently nudged automakers towards a full-on EV transition, but a little electric cheer is still hitting the streets. USPS has deployed some 24,000 of its next-gen delivery vehicles for the holiday rush, and as many of 10,000 of those are electrified versions of the agency’s signature cubist trucks, reports The Drive.
It’s only the beginning of a major rollout: USPS plans to put more than 106,000 new vans on the road over the next few years, 66,000 of which will be EVs. That’s great news considering that electrifying just 10% of the fleet could nix more than 25 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—which is the same as shutting down six coal-fired power plants.
What you can do: Electrifying the “last mile” of online deliveries is a big step, but it’s only one facet of cutting the planet-warming potential of our purchases and packages. As individuals, there are ways we can also make a dent—like, for instance, opting for slower shipping speeds.
Fake meat, but make it better
Mock meats built on an ingredient called mycoprotein already soundly pummel their animal-derived counterparts when it comes to their greenhouse-gas impact, but a new study in the journal Trends in Biotechnology says future menu items might be able to double down.
The biologists edited the DNA of Fusarium venenatum—the fungus that ferments to make mycoproteins—to make production less resource intensive. Their microbes gobble 44% less glucose during fermentation and produce protein at a much higher rate, all of which contributes to a 61% drop in associated emissions compared to current methods.
What you can do: Haven’t tried the current crop of mycoproteins? There are plenty of products on store shelves to have yourself a li’l taste test. The lineup from Quorn, which has everything from turkey roasts to chicken nuggets and burgers, is available nationwide.
Simpler solar is on the way
In the U.S., about half the population is locked out of installing solar panels. In some cases, the expense of a rooftop array is the issue. In others, it’s access. Renters, apartment dwellers, and folks living under the thumb of HOAs are largely held back from soaking up the sun. Plug-and-play systems (aka balcony solar) offer an easy workaround.
The panels mount to balcony railings or sit on patios and funnel power into standard outlets. A maze of regulatory red tape has largely held the setups back stateside, but The Guardian reports there’s fresh momentum to change that: Lawmakers in New York and Pennsylvania have introduced bills to permit the panels, and Vermont, Maryland, and New Hampshire have similar measures in queue.
What you can do: If you live in a state already weighing a balcony solar push, give your elected officials a ring to let them know you want them to back the bill. If you live elsewhere, voicing your support can help get the wheels turning. Common Cause’s search tool makes finding your reps super easy.