Studies show that using cover crops in combination with other soil management practices can really increase the soil biomass and soil carbon. It’s good for the crop system, farm operation, carbon sequestration and management. Ian Howell, a resource conservationist with the Alameda County Resource Conservation District will explain why the techniques can reduce and remove the carbon emissions associated with agriculture.
Comments closedCategory: California China Climate Institute
As climate change increases wildfire severity, adequate funding to maintain and restore natural and working lands as a buffer against climate impacts is key. This week, join our conversation with Chuck Bonham, the Director of California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife about how California offers an example through the one million acres his department manages.
Comments closedThe environmental justice movement began in the 1980s which address the unfair exposure of poor and marginalized communities to harms associated with resource extraction, hazardous waste, and other land uses. It’s often closely tied with environmental racism. Dr. Robert Bullard first defined environmental racism in his 1990 book Dumping in Dixie, and is now serving on the White House Environmental Justice Council to develop a screening tool to determine which communities get priority for new climate investments.
Comments closedDiplomacy may actually produce some real results on climate change. Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia says addressing climate change requires the U S and China to put aside differences and collaborate on climate policy in a California China Climate Institute discussion.
Comments closedThe growth of electric vehicles has increased the demands on the electric grid, which can be a particular problem if EV owners charge their cars at the same time that other electricity demand is at its peak. However, EVs may be part of the solution to some of the grid’s operational challenges. Dr. Carla Peterman, chief sustainability officer at electric utility Pacific Gas and Electric and a former California energy official, spoke about the possibility of electric vehicles providing grid services.
Comments closedDr. Liz Hadly is a biologist studying how human activity and human caused climate change affect global biodiversity and ecosystem function. One policy Dr. Hadly’s research supports is the so-called 30×30 pledge to conserve 30 percent of both land and oceans by 2030, which California and United States made the promise to meet the target. At a recent California China Climate Institute discussion, she discussed preserving native biodiversity as a way of building climate resilience, with former California Governor Jerry Brown.
Comments closedCombating the effects of climate change requires effective policy solutions, and in democratic societies, one of the most effective climate actions citizens can take is voting for candidates that support sustainable climate solutions. Thus, climate change must be viewed as a voting issue to build public and political demand for climate solutions. This week, listen to the climate scientist Michael Mann in this California China Climate Institute discussion.
Comments closedAs climate change impacts rapidly increase, global leaders are working to greatly accelerate their emission reductions by 2030. They are working to reach short-term decarbonization solutions as quickly as possible. This week, listen to Christiana Figueres at a recent California China Climate Institution discussion and how investors and advocates can enhance scrutiny over international fossil fuel investments.
Comments closedTo keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, countries with more financial resources need to indicate an awareness to contribute more by distributing funds for developing countries with less resources. Mary Robinson, the former and first female President of Ireland, talked about efforts to boost international climate finance, for a recent California China Climate Institute discussion.
Comments closedEnvironmental Voter Project identified over 11 million potential environmentalists in Fall of 2020 who were “unlikely to vote in the presidential election.” Increasing environmental voter turnout could make a significant impact on climate policy through legislative action and budget provisions. This week, listen to what Dr. Martin Rees said in a California China Climate Institute discussion.
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