Economics - MAHB

A feed of recent articles relating to Behavioral Economics from The Daily Climate.

22 July 2024. Op-ed: The climate crisis demands a move away from car dependency –

My nightmares about waves started the night our building flooded.

I was living in a commercial loft in Red Hook, Brooklyn, when Hurricane Sandy hit. None of us living in the squat, two-story cinder-block warehouse across the street from the cruise ship terminal took the mandatory evacuation order seriously.

During Hurricane Irene the year before, we waded through the large puddle that formed on our corner, laughing at how scared we had been and how hard it was going to be to get all that masking tape off the windows we’d so carefully taped in giant asterisks.

I felt safe in a big city. Natural disasters were things experienced by people in the country, or other countries. This was New York City. We were protected.

Within the course of a few hours that night, eight feet of water surrounded our home. It came in around the edges of the plate glass door. For a bit, the street lights were still working, and the water on the far side of the door glowed like an eerie fish tank as it rose higher and higher. Then the power was gone and we watched nervously, peering around the corner to the now-inundated mezzanine landing. Would it reach the second floor? At what point should we try to make an escape across the adjacent rooftops?

Eventually, it got late enough and the water didn’t seem to be coming as quickly, so we tried to sleep. But all night I had nightmares of monstrous waves from the harbor crashing through the cinderblock building. To this day, I have trouble sleeping when I can hear the noise of waves or running water. I try to reason with myself, but the destructive power of the ocean is hard to forget.

We woke up the next morning after Sandy to the smell of flooding. The rank scent of seawater blended with gasoline from submerged cars inundated everything: the drywall of our building, the belongings of everyone who lived in first floor or basement apartments, the piles of clothing and furniture and old photos and books that were dragged from ruined apartments and piled on the sidewalks.

I try to reason with myself, but the destructive power of the ocean is hard to forget.

For my job with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) union, I was asked to interview union members whose homes had been destroyed to create a fundraising effort for rebuilding. On Staten Island, I spoke to a woman whose one-story house had flooded to the ceiling. She pointed above her head to the line of grime on the blue wall of her living room. Luckily, she had made it out; her neighbors didn’t.

As I traveled to the edges of NYC documenting these stories, it wasn’t hard to see that the places with the worst flooding and most destruction were the working class, poor or Black neighborhoods. In affluent Park Slope, life continued mostly untouched, the streets full of Halloween trick-or-treaters. In the flood zone of Red Hook, power was off for weeks, and in one of the largest public housing complexes in the country, destroyed boilers left residents without heat or hot water through the winter.

These unequal impacts repeat with each climate change-induced disaster. In Washington State, every summer now we hold our breath, wondering when the wildfire smoke will arrive. For wealthier folks with weather-sealed homes and air filtration systems, it’s liveable.

For everyone else, it can mean weeks of breathing unhealthy air, and, depending on the health of your lungs and heart, it can even be fatal. Power shutoffs or wildfire evacuations can be deadly for disabled people, especially nondrivers who may not have a way to get to a cooling center or evacuation point.

Nearly a third of people in the U.S. can't drive or can’t afford to drive because of age, income or disability. But instead of interventions that would move us away from car dependency–better transit, safer and more comfortable places to walk, bike and roll, and denser and more inclusively zoned communities–much climate funding has focused on swapping out gas-powered cars for electric.

Just as the public health impacts of climate change are much more acutely experienced by poor and disabled people and Black and brown communities, the public health impacts of car dependency fall on the same populations with less power, fewer resources, and less reliable mobility access. People who live near highways or busy roads are exposed to air and noise pollution, the lack of pedestrian access and connectivity, and an increased risk of being hit by a car. Preserving car dependency does and will continue to perpetuate profound public health and access disparities. People who can’t drive and can’t afford to drive will continue to bear these substantial public health burdens so the status quo of easy car-based mobility can be preserved for those it’s working for.

This week I’m at a conference in northern Idaho surrounded by forests of half-dead and dried-out trees. While the Canadian wildfires last summer were massive, it’s difficult to appreciate how much forest across the west still waits – a lightning strike or cigarette butt away from conflagration. As I walk through the woods, I’ve noticed all of the larger stumps have burn scars from a previous fire. When this area burns again, the smoke will blow east. Those who live in airtight homes with nice new HVAC systems will hunker down and be fine, but there will be many apartments with the windows cracked open: better to breathe bad air than roast without air conditioning.

Our reliance on driving means that transportation is the leading cause of carbon emissions in the US. There’s an urgency to address this, but rather than entrenching us further into car dependency by promoting individual electric vehicle ownership, now is our chance to channel climate investments away from a mobility system based around driving. Among those for whom driving is accessible and affordable, a life with less driving may seem both unimaginable and inconvenient. But for those of us who can’t drive or can’t afford to, we are a living demonstration that it is possible. Relying on transit, walking, rolling and biking might not be safe or convenient yet, but with the scale of investments we are putting towards fighting climate change, we could make it a whole lot easier.

With the right housing, land use and transportation incentives we can retrofit our communities so it’s possible to get everywhere you need to go without driving. It’s an open question whether we value that inclusivity more than we value preserving the status quo.

22 July 2024. Biden administration unveils plan to wean US government off single-use plastics –

The U.S. government will stop using single-use plastics in all federal operations by 2035, according to a strategy released by the Biden administration on Friday.

The announcement also set a goal for the federal government to stop buying plastic for food service, events and packaging by 2027. While the strategy isn’t enforceable by law and could change under future administrations, it is the first government-wide strategy aimed at reducing plastic pollution and recognizes that the plastic pollution “crisis” encompasses the entire lifecycle: from the fossil fuels used as building blocks in plastic manufacturing to the microplastic bits lining our shorelines.

“With its multitude of environmental impacts across its supply chain, broad global effects, and severe public health consequences, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing and consequential environmental problems in the U.S. and around the globe,” said Brenda Mallory and Ali Zaidi, two White House environmental and climate officials, in the joint letter accompanying the strategy document.

Changes in federal purchasing can have huge impacts: The U.S. federal government is the largest buyer of consumer goods in the world, with nearly $600 billion in annual spending. “Because of its purchasing power, by reducing the demand of plastic products through procurement changes, the Federal Government has the potential to significantly impact the supply of these products,” the strategy reads.

The document also points to already underway federal efforts to curb plastic pollution’s impact — including an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule set in April to tackle chemical emissions, a Department of the Interior order to phase-out single use plastics on public lands by 2032, ongoing EPA recycling grants, and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration effort to tackle marine debris.

"Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing and consequential environmental problems in the U.S. and around the globe." - Brenda Mallory and Ali Zaidi, White House officials

The announcement comes as the plastic crisis continues to grow. The world generates roughly 400 million tons of plastic waste each year, and less than 10% of plastic ever made has been recycled. Plastic waste is set to triple by 2060.

The crisis has garnered international attention as more than 175 countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty. The talks have stalled over issues such as regulating the chemicals in plastic, production caps, and the role of chemical recycling and bioplastics. There is a High Ambition Coalition of countries that want an end to plastic pollution by 2040. There is also a Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability — made of nations economically reliant on fossil fuels — that is pushing for a larger focus on addressing plastic waste (via chemical and mechanical recycling and other means) rather than plastic bans or production limits. The U.S. — the largest exporter of oil and gas in the world — is not part of either and has been criticized for not taking a stronger stance on limiting production.

The new strategy similarly does not call for any plastic production caps, but many environmental groups said it is a step in the right direction.

“This report is the clearest articulation to date from the White House of the scale and urgency of the plastic pollution crisis and the threat it poses for our ocean and communities,” Jeff Watters, Ocean Conservancy’s vice president of external affairs said in a statement.

Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business for the World Wildlife Fund, praised the strategy for focusing on the entire lifecycle.

“We’re heartened to see this report doesn’t shy away from the negative impacts that plastics have on human health and analyzes the problem through the full life cycle of plastic,” Simon said in a statement. “Cleaning up the global plastic mess must start at home. And today under President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, the U.S. government is doing exactly that."

22 July 2024. Biden steps aside, endorsing Harris as climate advocate –

In a historic move, President Joe Biden withdraws from the presidential race, endorsing Kamala Harris, highlighting her strong climate action record.

Zoya Teirstein reports for Grist.

In short:

President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Harris has been a key player in Biden’s climate initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act and international climate commitments.
As California's Attorney General, Harris prosecuted major environmental cases and created an environmental justice unit.

Key quote:

“We must do more. Our action collectively, or worse, our inaction will impact billions of people for decades to come.”

— Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States

Why this matters:

In Kamala Harris, advocates and environmentalists would certainly have a strong ally in the White House, one who's not afraid to make bold moves.The big question is: Can she rally Congress to back her vision? Because while the presidency has its powers, transforming climate policy requires serious legislative muscle.

For more context, listen to our conversation with Jalonne White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

22 July 2024. Trump’s plans unsettle federal workers –

Federal employees fear for their jobs as Trump’s campaign promises to fire civil servants and demolish the “deep state.”

Robin Bravender and Kevin Bogardus report for E&E News.

In short:

Federal workers worry about job security and policy reversals under a potential second Trump administration.
Trump’s new running mate, JD Vance, supports firing mid-level bureaucrats to reshape the federal workforce.
Democrats are divided over President Biden’s re-election campaign amid his recent COVID-19 diagnosis.

Key quote:

“I think he’s learned more about what he needs to do with his incoming administration if he were to be elected.”

— National Park Service employee

Why this matters:

Federal employees are anxious about losing their jobs and seeing their work undone if Trump wins. This instability could impact the effectiveness and morale of the civil service.

22 July 2024. Alberta's energy 'war room' collapses amid new federal ad rules –

Alberta's Canadian Energy Centre, created to counter green energy narratives, has shut down due to impending federal regulations on oil industry advertising.

Mitch Anderson reports for DeSmog.

In short:

The Canadian Energy Centre, launched in 2019, aimed to rebut criticisms of Alberta's oil industry but faced multiple public embarrassments and credibility issues.
Funded by oil and gas companies through Alberta's carbon pricing program, the Centre was required to register as a foreign agent in the U.S.
New federal requirements for accuracy in oil advertising led to the Centre's abrupt closure before the regulations took effect.

Key quote:

“You’d have been forgiven for wondering if the sole mission of the [the war room] was to make every other government expenditure seem like a bargain.”

— Andrew Leach, Alberta Energy economist

Why this matters:

The closure highlights the growing impact of regulatory measures on misleading advertising and underscores the challenges Alberta faces in transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.

Related EHN coverage:

22 July 2024. South Texas cities seek new water sources as Rio Grande dries up –

Faced with severe drought, South Texas cities are exploring costly but innovative methods to secure their water supply.

Berenice Garcia reports for The Texas Tribune.

In short:

The Rio Grande's water levels are critically low, pushing South Texas cities to find alternative water sources.
Edinburg plans a new water treatment facility to extract water from underground aquifers and reuse wastewater.
Reverse osmosis is gaining popularity in the region despite high costs and environmental concerns.

Key quote:

"We see the future and we've got to find different water alternatives, sources. You know how they used to say water is gold? Now it's platinum."

— Tom Reyna, Edinburg assistant city manager

Why this matters:

With the Rio Grande no longer reliable, South Texas faces water scarcity that threatens both residential and agricultural needs. Innovative solutions are essential but may be financially unattainable for smaller communities without state support.

22 July 2024. Heavier flooding puts many small businesses at risk –

The increasing frequency and severity of floods across the US are pushing small businesses to the brink, with many one disaster away from closure.

Mary Cunningham reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Root Hill Cafe in Brooklyn faces frequent flood damage, losing about $3,500 in sales and employee pay for each day closed.
Small businesses nationwide struggle with high flood insurance costs and insufficient coverage, as seen in Vermont's $300 million flood damage last summer.
Experts urge infrastructure upgrades and better flood risk transparency to support small businesses.

Key quote:

“We are constantly checking the weather... If we see that there’s a hurricane in Florida, it’s like, oh my God, please let it not come here.”

— Alejandra Palma, co-owner of Root Hill Cafe

Why this matters:

Flooding threatens the survival of small businesses, which employ nearly half of US workers and contribute significantly to the economy. Communities are calling for greater support from both state and federal governments, emphasizing the need for improved flood defenses, better urban planning, and more accessible disaster relief funds. Advocates argue that proactive measures, such as investing in green infrastructure and restoring natural floodplains, could mitigate future risks.

22 July 2024. Many congressional Republicans still deny climate science –

An analysis reveals that 123 Republican lawmakers in Congress deny human-caused climate change despite declining numbers from previous years.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

In short:

The Center for American Progress found 123 House and Senate Republicans deny the scientific consensus on climate change.
This group includes prominent leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
Despite the reduction in numbers, these members have collectively received $52 million from the fossil fuel industry.

Key quote:

“It's also concerning because it’s so obvious what the facts are, and to watch so many members of Congress pretend that the science is not settled, it just reveals a willingness to disregard truth.”

— Trevor Higgins, senior vice president for energy and environment, Center for American Progress

Why this matters:

Lawmakers denying climate science hinder efforts to address climate change effectively. Their significant influence and funding from fossil fuel interests could stall crucial policy actions needed to mitigate environmental impacts.

22 July 2024. Decades-old oil industry magazine predicted climate crisis, starvation –

In 1977, a publication by a predecessor of Marathon Petroleum warned that rising global temperatures could cause severe economic and social disruptions, including widespread starvation.

Geoff Dembicki reports for The Guardian.

In short:

The 1977 article from Marathon Petroleum's predecessor predicted climate-related disasters due to industrial expansion.
The lawsuit claims Marathon and other companies concealed their knowledge of climate risks for decades.
Marathon is accused of opposing climate policies while privately acknowledging the dangers of carbon emissions.

Key quote:

"The climate is not going to get better, only worse. Over the long haul, we are going to have to brace ourselves for the prospect of a lot of poor harvests."

— J Murray Mitchell, NOAA scientist

Why this matters:

Companies like Marathon Petroleum knew about climate change risks long ago but continued to prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. Understanding this history is vital for holding them accountable and addressing current climate challenges.

22 July 2024. Fracking technique advances clean energy –

A new deal between Southern California Edison and Fervo Energy leverages fracking technology to harness geothermal energy for carbon-free electricity generation.

Harry Stevens reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Fervo Energy uses fracking to extract underground heat for geothermal power, offering a cleaner energy alternative to fossil fuels.
The enhanced geothermal plant, operational by 2028, will add 400 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the grid.
This technology can operate continuously, providing a reliable clean energy source unlike solar or wind.

Key quote:

“It shows the important role that geothermal is going to play on the grid as a 24/7 carbon-free energy resource.”

— Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy

Why this matters:

Enhanced geothermal energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide stable, continuous power. This innovation supports the shift towards a sustainable energy future, mitigating the impact of climate change.

22 July 2024. Texas sees growing interest in rooftop solar after Hurricane Beryl –

A recent surge in rooftop solar adoption in Texas is likely to continue following Hurricane Beryl, as grid instability drives more residents to seek energy independence.

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Texas ranks third in small-scale solar generation but 20th on a per-capita basis, indicating significant growth potential.
The Biden administration's Solar for All program is funding rooftop solar projects for low- and moderate-income households in Houston.
Rising utility costs and grid reliability concerns are key drivers of increased interest in solar energy.

Key quote:

"I think the public is ready to embrace a paradigm shift in how we manage power distribution in Houston."

— Rafael Lemaitre, spokesman for Power Up Harris County

Why this matters:

Adopting rooftop solar can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve grid resilience. It offers a sustainable solution to rising utility costs and power outages.

22 July 2024. Nevada encourages farmers to sell water rights to address groundwater depletion –

Nevada's driest areas are testing a new program where farmers sell their water rights to reduce groundwater overuse and protect future agricultural prospects.

Anna Phillips reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Nevada's pilot program, funded with $25 million in federal aid, aims to purchase water rights from farmers to prevent aquifer depletion.
The program received significant interest, with offers exceeding available funds, primarily from Diamond Valley farmers.
Some farmers see selling water rights as a necessary adjustment, while others, especially older ones nearing retirement, find it a beneficial financial decision.

Key quote:

“We knew a lot of people moved to Nevada to farm, but we didn’t really think that many people would be successful or use their full allocations. They didn’t have the scientific understanding we do today.”

— Jeff Fontaine, the executive director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority

Why this matters:

Reducing groundwater use is vital for the sustainability of farming in Nevada's dry regions. Without these measures, over-pumping could lead to severe water shortages, threatening the future of agriculture and local communities.

Related EHN coverage:

22 July 2024. Decades of water mismanagement threaten Yaqui culture in Mexico –

The Yaqui tribe in Sonora, Mexico faces cultural and environmental devastation as the Yaqui River dries up due to overuse, drought, and dam construction.

Aimee Gabay reports for Mongabay.

In short:

The Yaqui River, crucial for cultural ceremonies and subsistence, has dried up, impacting plant and animal species central to Yaqui traditions.
Traditional structures and ceremonial instruments, dependent on riverbank flora and endemic species like the four-mirror butterfly, are endangered.
The tribe now relies on purchased water and faces health issues from dietary changes due to the loss of their natural resources.

Key quote:

“We are facing a very critical situation of loss of many aspects that have to do with culture. In the way they work the land, the way they eat and also in the way they carry out their rituals.”

— José Luis Moctezuma, National Institute of Anthropology and History

Why this matters:

The loss of the Yaqui River disrupts not only the tribe's daily life but also their cultural heritage, leading to health and ecological consequences. Immediate attention to water management and conservation is important to preserve the Yaqui way of life.

22 July 2024. TVA faces pressure for greener and more transparent operations –

The Tennessee Valley Authority faces community backlash and legislative scrutiny over plans for a new gas power plant and its slow adoption of renewable energy.

Robert Zullo reports for News From The States.

In short:

Cheatham County residents oppose TVA's proposed gas plant, feeling it is inappropriate for the area.
Bipartisan legislation aims to increase TVA’s transparency and accountability in planning and executive pay.
Environmentalists criticize TVA for lagging behind other utilities in renewable energy adoption.

Key quote:

“Back when it was created in the 1930s, TVA was on the cutting edge of transforming a region of the country and investing in a lot of infrastructure to create that transformation. We‘re just not seeing that happen now.”

— Amanda Garcia, attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center

Why this matters:

The controversy has ignited a broader debate about the future of energy in the region, with critics arguing that the TVA is missing a crucial opportunity to invest in cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, the call for renewable energy solutions has never been louder. Despite this, the TVA maintains that the new gas plant is essential for meeting the area's energy needs and ensuring reliable power supply.

19 July 2024. Pennsylvania governor signs controversial carbon storage bill into law, paving the way for hydrogen hubs –

PITTSBURGH — On July 17, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a carbon capture and storage bill that creates a legal framework for climate-warming carbon emissions captured from burning fossil fuels to be injected underground and stored indefinitely to prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere.

The bill is controversial because carbon capture and storage technology is still new and scientific researchers have unanswered questions about whether it’s a viable climate solution and whether it will pose health and safety risks to communities.

A handful of environmental advocacy groups supported the bill, including the Clean Air Task Force, which said in a statement that carbon capture and storage technologies will “play a role in decarbonizing the industrial and power sectors of the commonwealth’s energy economy.”

However, around 45 environmental advocacy groups wrote letters urging the Pennsylvania state legislature and Gov. Shapiro not to pass the bill. Those groups have spoken out against the new law, saying in a statement that it guarantees “Pennsylvania will not be part of any climate solution.”

“Governor Shapiro should be ashamed of signing a bill that threatens the public and our environment with the dangers of carbon capture and storage, all for the benefit of special interests, namely the fracking industry,” Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, said in a statement. “This is a terrible day for the Commonwealth and we’ll experience the harms far into our future.”

The groups also expressed concern about the unusual way the bill moved through the legislature. In the state House, the bill was never referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, but instead went through the Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and was advanced without discussion.

As a result, “there were no hearings or discussions,” said Karen Feridun, co-founder of the Better Path Coalition, a Pennsylvania-based environmental advocacy group. “In the end, an unproven, failed technology was deemed to be in the public interest.”

The new law will pave the way for two proposed, federally-funded hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania that will rely on carbon capture and storage.

19 July 2024. New study shows fashion industry’s plastic waste problem –

The fashion industry is responsible for millions of tonnes of plastic waste, much of which ends up polluting the environment due to improper management.

Reporting from The Engineer.

In short:

A study by NC State University revealed that the fashion industry produced over 20 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic were the largest contributors, accounting for 89% of this waste.
Much of this plastic pollution occurs in lower-income countries where discarded clothes end up, exacerbating environmental issues.

Key quote:

"Much of the plastic waste that leaks into the environment comes from clothes that are thrown away, especially synthetic apparel. There is also waste from manufacturing, packaging and even from tyre abrasion during transport, as well as microplastics which get pulled into the water when we wash our clothes."

— Richard Venditti, professor of paper science and engineering at NC State

Why this matters:

This isn't just about the eyesore of a landfill; these microplastics are seeping into our water, soil, and ultimately, our food chain. Read more: California governor vetoes bill that would require microplastic filters on washing machines.

19 July 2024. Chemical recycling has an economic and environmental injustice problem: Report –

PITTSBURGH — Chemical recycling projects are unlikely to generate local economic benefits or help reduce global plastic pollution, according to a new report.

The report, published by the progressive think tank Ohio River Valley Institute, investigated the technological and economic challenges associated with chemical recycling, with a focus on the Ohio River Valley, which spans western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

“There’s a tendency to co-locate these facilities where there’s already a petrochemical cluster of some sort, which means communities already burdened by petrochemical industries, such as Ohio River Valley, become even more polluted,” Kathy Hipple, one of the report’s authors, told EHN.

Chemical recycling, sometimes referred to as advanced or molecular recycling, refers to processes that use heat, chemicals or both to break down plastic waste into component parts for reuse as plastic feedstocks or as fuel. These processes are different from conventional or mechanical plastic recycling, which breaks down plastic waste physically but not at a molecular level.

Only 5% to 6% of plastic waste gets recycled in the U.S., and the proponents of chemical recycling say the industry could help change that.

“We’re not going to create circularity for plastics with one single solution,” Chris Layton, director of sustainability for specialty plastics at Eastman Chemical Company, told EHN. “We’re going to have to eliminate some plastics we really don't need, figure out ways to reduce and reuse and maximize what we can do for mechanical and advanced recycling.”

But environmental and health advocates say the process is still inefficient, energy intensive and emits hazardous chemicals into the air and water. As much as 80% of plastic waste put into chemical recycling processes is lost as hazardous emissions, according to a report by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and Beyond Plastics.

The Ohio River Valley Institute’s report concluded that chemical recycling only converts 15%-20% of plastic waste into recycled plastic products (the rest become emissions, fuel or hazardous waste), that none of the chemical recycling plants currently operating in the U.S. are commercially successful, that chemical recycling is technically and financially risky and that the chemical recycling process is toxic and poses health and safety risks to workers and communities — particularly those that are already overburdened by pollution from the petrochemical industry.

“Going into writing this report, I thought maybe chemical recycling was a good solution to the global plastic pollution problem,” Hipple said. “Unfortunately, it turns out that chemical recycling is not the solution — it wouldn’t even make a dent in the amount of plastic pollution out there.”

There are 10 functional chemical recycling facilities in the U.S., according to the report, two of which are in the Ohio River Valley (Alterra and Purecycle, both of which are in Ohio). Most are still operating in pilot phases, according to the report, processing only small amounts of plastic, because chemical recycling is expensive and it’s still cheaper to buy virgin plastic and fossil fuels.

“Unfortunately, it turns out that chemical recycling is not the solution — it wouldn’t even make a dent in the amount of plastic pollution out there.” - Kathy Hipple, report author

As an example of the industry’s financial challenges, Hipple noted that Shell, which operates a large petrochemical plant in the Ohio River Valley, recently conceded that it would abandon its pledge to turn more than 1 million tons into oil per year by 2025 because the plan is “unfeasible.”

“If a company like Shell is backing away from its pledge to increase advanced recycling when they have some of the biggest capital expenditure budgets in the world, that really demonstrates that this technology is immature and there’s no business case for doing this at the moment,” Hipple said.

Despite these challenges, at least nine chemical recycling plants have been proposed throughout the Ohio River Valley, including now-canceled or on-hold projects in Youngstown, Ohio and Point Township, Pennsylvania. Other plants proposed in the region have faced stark community opposition.

Environmental justice concerns

At the national level, 70% of constructed chemical recycling plants are located

in low-income areas and 60% in neighborhoods of color, according to Beyond Plastics, prompting concerns about environmental injustice.

The new report adds to these concerns, as it found that six of the nine chemical recycling facilities proposed in the region would be located in environmental justice communities with a higher percentage of low-income households than the state average. Three would be located in neighborhoods predominantly populated by people of color.

“These communities are already overburdened by pollution and the emissions from chemical recycling facilities are highly polluting and highly toxic,” Hipple said.

A database compiled in March revealed that more than 16,000 chemicals are used in plastics production, with thousands of them being toxic even in very small quantities. Many of these chemicals are released into air or water during the chemical recycling process.

“These industries often promise jobs and economic growth that never materialize for local communities,” Hipple said. “It isn’t fair that these communities wind up bearing the environmental and health costs.”

19 July 2024. A blueprint for reshaping climate regulations under a second Trump administration –

The Project 2025 plan outlines a conservative vision for dismantling EPA climate regulations if Trump returns to the White House.

Jean Chemnick reports for E&E News.

In short:

Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, details how a second Trump term could weaken the EPA and reshape climate regulations.
The plan includes reducing industries required to report greenhouse gas emissions and reviving policies from Trump's first term.
Transparency and cost-benefit analysis are central themes, aiming to limit EPA's regulatory reach.

Key quote:

“The biggest difference is we have a plan from Day One, we’re going to start implementing it, and we won’t be as susceptible to process problems that really sunk a couple of those final regulatory proposals and actions we took at the tail end of the administration.”

— Mandy Gunasekara, former Trump EPA chief of staff

Why this matters:

Project 2025 is not just a high-level manifesto; it's a step-by-step guide to neutering the EPA and rolling back climate regulations that took years to put in place. Read more: Moving forward after four years of fights and falsehoods.

19 July 2024. Record oil profits highlight the long road to renewable energy –

Despite global efforts to shift to renewables, U.S. oil producers are raking in record profits thanks to high prices and demand.

Rebecca F. Elliott reports for The New York Times.

In short:

U.S. oil companies, recovering from the pandemic slump, are now seeing significant profits due to market forces and geopolitical events.
Many oil companies have shifted strategies, focusing on financial returns by cutting costs and improving efficiency.
Despite increasing renewable energy adoption, global demand for oil continues to grow, with the U.S. leading in production.

Key quote:

“We’re not going to get out of this business because supply was squeezed, because there’s plenty of it. We’re going to get out of the business because demand went down.”

— Samantha Gross, director at Brookings Institution

Why this matters:

This tug-of-war between old-school energy and the shiny new kids on the block highlights the tough balancing act of transitioning to a cleaner future. For now, Big Oil's got its foot firmly on the gas pedal, leaving us all to wonder how long this joyride can last. Read more: “Code Red” for climate means reducing US oil and gas production.

19 July 2024. Activists demand halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon –

Environmentalists and tribal members are urging Arizona officials to end uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, citing health and environmental risks.

Noel Lyn Smith reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Activists delivered a petition with over 17,500 signatures to Governor Katie Hobbs, calling for the closure of the Pinyon Plain Mine.
Uranium mining poses significant health risks and threatens water sources critical to the Grand Canyon's ecosystem and local communities.
The governor’s office acknowledged receipt but has yet to take action on the petition.

Key quote:

“The safe thing to do, the prudent thing to do, is to avoid that risk altogether and close the mine.”

— Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity

Why this matters:

The Grand Canyon has long been a battleground for conservation efforts. Uranium mining, with its potential to contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems, adds a new layer of urgency to these efforts. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands lie within the Grand Canyon, has been vocal about the threats posed to their health and way of life. Contaminated water sources could have devastating effects on both human populations and the diverse wildlife that call the canyon home.

19 July 2024. Trump blames Biden for high electricity prices to gain political edge –

Former President Donald Trump criticizes President Joe Biden for rising electricity costs, leveraging it as a campaign issue.

Brian Dabbs and Jeffrey Tomich report for E&E News.

In short:

Trump vows to reduce energy prices and blames Democrats for the current high costs.
Republicans criticize Biden’s climate policies, linking them to a 20% rise in electricity prices since 2020.
Experts say short-term electricity prices are more influenced by state regulators and natural gas prices than federal policies.

Key quote:

“They could say we’re just going all in on fossil fuels and to hell with the carbon emissions. That would probably have some effect but relatively small.”

— Severin Borenstein, professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley

Why this matters:

Electricity prices are becoming a significant political issue, with Republicans using them to attack Democratic climate policies. As energy costs rise, voters may become more concerned about the economic impact of these policies.

Be sure to read EHN’s piece:

How utilities’ fossil fuel investments are driving up rates for the most vulnerable

19 July 2024. Hot weather poses new threat to salmon migration –

Record-high temperatures in Washington state threaten the migration of sockeye salmon in the Columbia River Basin, raising concerns among fisheries managers about the future of these fish.

Jennifer Yachnin reports for E&E News.

In short:

A heat wave has pushed water temperatures in the Columbia River Basin above the 68-degree threshold preferred by sockeye salmon.
The Okanogan River, a critical path for migrating sockeye, has seen temperatures near 83 degrees, risking the fish's journey to spawning grounds.
Fisheries managers are considering interventions like trucking fish upstream to help them bypass dangerous thermal barriers.

Key quote:

“Those water temperatures are warmer than ever this year. Literally, they’re almost too warm to swim in.”

— Tom Iverson, regional coordinator for the Yakama Nation Fisheries

Why this matters:

Warmer water can severely impede salmon migration, threatening the species' survival and impacting ecosystems. Long-term climate trends could make these heatwaves more frequent, challenging conservation efforts.

19 July 2024. The people who supply food in America are facing hunger –

Climate change and rising costs are forcing many farmworkers in the U.S. to struggle with food insecurity.

Ayurella Horn-Muller reports for Grist.

In short:

Farmworkers like Rosa Morales face extreme heat, low wages, and lack of protection while working.
Rising food prices and decreased crop yields due to climate change worsen their financial strain.
Many farmworkers are ineligible for federal aid, leading to reliance on community gardens and food pantries.

Key quote:

“When we talk about supply chains and food prices going up, we are not thinking about the people who are producing that food, or getting it off the fields and onto our plates.”

— Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Why this matters:

Farmworkers, who are already among the lowest-paid laborers in the country, are bearing the brunt of climate-driven disasters and inflation. Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves are reducing crop yields and disrupting work schedules. This not only diminishes their earnings but also exacerbates the physical strain of their jobs. The rising costs of living, driven by inflation, are stretching their already thin budgets to the breaking point.

Be sure to read:

Op-ed: Farmworkers’ vicious cycle of precarious employment, exploitation and climate change

19 July 2024. Southern Europe faces deadly heat wave –

A heat wave across southern Europe forced the closure of Greece’s Acropolis and resulted in two firefighter deaths in Italy.

Elena Becatoros and Colleen Barry report for The Associated Press.

In short:

Greece closed the Acropolis for five hours due to extreme heat, distributing water and information to tourists.
In Italy, two firefighters died fighting a blaze in Basilicata, and 13 cities, including Palermo, are under severe heat warnings.
Other countries, including Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey, are battling wildfires and heat-related disruptions.

Key quote:

Of touring the Acropolis, tourist Tony Dunlap said “we got it done and got out quick, and now we’re going to some air conditions and some more libation and enjoy the day.”

— Toby Dunlap, tourist from Pennsylvania

Why this matters:

Extreme heat waves and wildfires highlight the urgent need for climate resilience and preparedness measures in southern Europe. The impact on daily life and safety in these regions underscores the broader implications of climate change.

19 July 2024. New Zealand's climate policy shift endangers 2050 net zero goal –

New Zealand is set to miss its 2050 net zero emissions target after the government scrapped key climate policies, new data reveals.

Eva Corlett reports for The Guardian.

In short:

New Zealand's coalition government has failed to announce robust new climate policies, leading to projections that the country will miss its 2050 net zero emissions target.
The government plans to focus on technology and tree planting rather than shutting down productive sectors or implementing pricing regimes without proper tools for farmers.
Climate scientists warn that the reliance on undeveloped technologies and offsets like tree planting is a high-risk strategy.

Key quote:

"Many of their policies to date will result in higher annual emissions that will not be offset by either planting trees or the emissions reduction scheme."

— Ralph Sims, Professor Emeritus in Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation at Massey University.

Why this matters:

Missing the 2050 net zero target risks worsening climate change impacts. Without significant changes, New Zealand may face increased financial costs and environmental damage.

19 July 2024. Outdated US rail system faces increasing delays from extreme weather –

Amtrak’s aging infrastructure struggles to maintain operations as climate change causes more frequent extreme weather events, leading to record delays.

Minho Kim reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Amtrak's passengers faced over 4,010 hours of weather-related delays in the 2023 fiscal year.
Heat waves were the largest contributor, causing nearly 1,200 hours of delays due to track deformities.
High temperatures also impact power systems, further disrupting rail services.

Key quote:

“Amtrak is beginning to see climate conditions impact on-time performance and is taking action.”

— Olivia Irvin, spokeswoman for Amtrak

Why this matters:

Increased train delays due to extreme weather highlight the urgent need for infrastructure modernization to adapt to climate change. Without significant investments, travel disruptions and safety risks will continue to escalate.

Be sure to read our related coverage:

19 July 2024. Offshore wind development faces mixed progress in the Northeast –

A broken turbine blade in Massachusetts, a new wind project in New York, and New Jersey research illustrate the mixed progress in the Northeast’s offshore wind industry.

Wayne Parry reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

A wind farm in Nantucket, Massachusetts was temporarily shut down due to a turbine blade collapse, prompting an extensive cleanup effort.
New York launched its largest offshore wind project, Sunrise Wind, which will power around 600,000 homes.
New Jersey allocated nearly $5 million for research to mitigate environmental impacts from planned offshore wind farms.

Key quote:

“We’re making progress in the debris recovery efforts and mobilizing even more resources on the island to hasten the cleanup as quickly as possible.”

— Klaus Moeller, CEO of Vineyard Wind

Why this matters:

Offshore wind farms are celebrated for their potential to provide vast amounts of clean energy, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. However, the collapse of a turbine blade raises questions about the structural integrity of these massive installations. Ensuring the durability and safety of wind turbines is paramount, not just for worker safety, but also to prevent environmental harm.

Related EHN coverage:

19 July 2024. Lab-grown pet food gains approval in the UK –

Britain has authorized the sale of lab-grown meat for pet food, marking a pioneering step in Europe.

Amelia Nierenberg reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Meatly, a British biotech company, received approval to sell lab-grown chicken cell meat for pets.
The UK’s move follows Brexit, enabling more flexible regulations compared to the EU.
Advocates highlight environmental and ethical benefits, such as reduced animal slaughter and pollution.

Key quote:

“We don’t need to raise or kill any animals…Instead of 50 billion chickens a year, it’s one egg, one time, and we’ve created an infinite amount of meat.”

— Owen Ensor, chief executive of Meatly

Why this matters:

Lab-grown pet food can significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet ownership by cutting down on traditional livestock farming. This innovation also addresses ethical concerns associated with meat production, potentially transforming the pet food industry.

19 July 2024. Planted mangroves capture significant carbon, study shows –

A new study finds that planted mangroves can store up to 73 percent of the carbon that naturally occurring mangroves hold, based on 40 years of data.

Alexa Robles-Gil reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Planted mangroves, in 20 years, can accumulate about 73 percent of the carbon stocks of natural mangroves.
The study analyzed 684 sites globally, offering a comprehensive look at the carbon storage potential of restored mangroves.
Mangrove restoration is essential but must be done correctly to be effective in carbon sequestration.

Key quote:

“If it’s successful, then yes, you can get 75 percent of the carbon stocks of a natural forest. If you do it unsuccessfully, you get zero.”

— Daniel Friess, coastal scientist at Tulane University

Why this matters:

Planted mangroves could be a vital tool in combating climate change by storing significant amounts of carbon. However, restoration projects must be carefully managed to achieve their potential benefits.

24 January 2024. Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way –

This 2-part series was co-produced by Environmental Health News and the journalism non-profit Economic Hardship Reporting Project. See part 1 here. Este ensayo también está disponible en español

CAMERON PARISH, La. — Late into the night, John Allaire watches the facility next to his home shoot 300-foot flares from stacks.

He lives within eyesight of southwest Louisiana’s salty shores, where, for decades, he’s witnessed nearly 200 feet of land between it and his property line disappear into the sea. Two-thirds of the land was rebuilt to aid the oil and gas industry’s LNG expansion. LNG — shorthand for liquified natural gas – is natural gas that's cooled to liquid form for easier storage or transport; it equates to 1/600th the volume of natural gas in a gaseous state. It’s used to generate electricity, or fuel stove tops and home heaters, and in industrial processes like manufacturing fertilizer.

In the U.S., at least 30 new LNG terminal facilities have been constructed or proposed since 2016, according to the Oil and Gas Watch project. Louisiana and Texas’ Gulf Coast, where five facilities are already operating, will host roughly two-thirds of the new LNG terminals – meaning at least 22 Gulf Coast LNG facilities are currently under construction, were recently approved to break ground or are under further regulatory review.

Although the U.S. didn’t ship LNG until 2016, when a freight tanker left, a few miles from where Cameron Parish’s LNG plants are today, last year the country became the global leader in LNG production and export volume, leapfrogging exporters like Qatar and Australia. The EIA’s most recent annual outlook estimated that between the current year and 2050, U.S. LNG exports will increase by 152%.

And it’s changed local economic estimates: last year, retired Louisiana State University professor Loren Scott’s economic forecast last year predicted an additional $36 billion in oil and gas industry spending will boost local employment by 7% over just two years.

Allaire, 68, watches how saltwater collects where rainwater once fed the area’s diminishing coastal wetlands. “We still come down here with the kids and set out the fishing rods. It's not as nice as it used to be,” he told Environmental Health News (EHN).

That intimacy with nature drew Allaire to the area when he purchased 311 acres in 1998. An environmental engineer and 30-year oil and gas industry veteran, he helped lead environmental assessments and manage clean-ups, and although retired, he still works part-time as an environmental consultant with major petroleum companies. With a lifetime of oil and gas industry expertise, he’s watched the industry's footprint spread across Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico’s fragile shores and beyond. Now that the footprints are at the edge of his backyard, Allaire is among a cohort of organizers, residents and fisher-folk in the region mobilizing to stop LNG facility construction. For him, the industry’s expansion usurps the right-or-wrong ethics he carried across his consulting career. For anglers, oil and gas infrastructure has destroyed fishing grounds and prevented smaller vessels from accessing the seafood-rich waters of the Calcasieu River.

From the view of Allaire’s white pickup truck as he drives across his property to the ocean’s shore, he points to where a new LNG facility will replace marshlands. Commonwealth LNG intends to clear the land of trees and then backfill the remaining low-lying field.

“You see what’s happening with the environment,” Allaire said. “When the facts change, I got to change my mind about what we’re doing.”

Community bands together

During an Earth Day rally in April, community members gathered in the urban center of Lake Charles to demand local oil and gas industries help deliver a safer, healthier future for all. In between live acts by artists performing south Louisiana’s quintessential zydeco musical style, speakers like James Hiatt, a Calcasieu Parish native with ties to Cameron Parish and a Healthy Gulf organizer, and RISE St. James organizer Sharon Lavigne, who’s fighting against LNG development in rural Plaquemines Parish near the city of New Orleans, asked the nearly 100 in attendance to imagine a day in which the skyline isn’t dotted by oil and gas infrastructure.

Not long ago, it was hard to imagine an Earth Day rally in southwest Louisiana at all. For decades, the area has been decorated with fossil fuel infrastructure. Sunsets on some days are highlighted by the chemicals in the air; at night, thousands of facilities’ lights dot the dark sky.

“It takes a lot of balls for people to start speaking up,” Shreyas Vasudevan, a campaign researcher with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, told EHN in the days after the rally. In a region with its history and economy intertwined with oil and gas production, “you can get a lot of social criticism – or ostracization, as well – even threats to your life.”

Many are involved in local, regional and national advocacy groups, including the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Healthy Gulf, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Turtle Island Restoration Network, the Center for Biological Diversity and the National Audubon Society.

“You see what’s happening with the environment,” Allaire said. “When the facts change, I got to change my mind about what we’re doing.” - John Allaire, environmental engineer and 30-year oil and gas industry veteran

But environmental organizers are fighting a multi-billion-dollar industry with federal and state winds at its back. And LNG’s federal support is coupled with existing state initiatives.

Under outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards — a term-limited Democrat — the state pledged a goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. Natural gas, which the LNG industry markets as a cleaner-burning alternative, is cited as one of the state’s solutions. Louisiana is the only state that produces a majority of its carbon emissions through fossil fuels refining industries, like LNG, rather than energy production or transportation. Governor Edwards’ office did not return EHN’s request for comment.

This accommodating attitude towards oil and gas industries has resulted in a workforce that’s trained to work in LNG refining facilities across much of the rural Gulf region, said Steven Miles, a lawyer at Baker Botts LLP and a fellow at the Baker Institute’s Center on Energy Studies. Simultaneously, anti-industrialization pushback is lacking. It’s good news for industries like LNG.

“The bad news,” Miles added. “[LNG facilities] are all being jammed in the same areas.”

One rallying cry for opponents is local health. The Environmental Integrity Project found that LNG export terminals emit chemicals like carbon monoxide –potentially deadly– and sulfur dioxide, of which the American Lung Association says long-term exposure can lead to heart disease, cancer, and damage to internal or female reproductive organs.

An analysis of emissions monitoring reports by the advocacy group the Louisiana Bucket Brigade found that Venture Global’s existing Calcasieu Pass facility had more than 2,000 permit violations.That includes exceeding the permit’s authorized air emissions limit to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds 286 out of its first 343 days of operation.

Rather than amend its infrastructure to meet regulatory standards, Venture Global is asking the state to raise its facility’s air emissions permit limits to release an additional 833% of greenhouses gasses each year, according to the Louisiana Bucket Brigade’s January report. If approved, permitted emissions would rise to roughly 4.65 million tons, making the facility the state’s fifth-largest emitter), according to a 2021 statewide greenhouse data inventory compiled by Louisiana State University’s Center for Energy Studies.

“This is just one facility,” at a time when three more facilities have been proposed in the region and state, Vasudevan said. Venture Global’s operational LNG facility — also known as Calcasieu Pass — “is much smaller than the other facility they’ve proposed.”

In an area that experienced 18 feet of storm surge during Hurricane Laura in 2020 — and just weeks later, struck by Hurricane Delta — Venture Global is planning to build a second export terminal Known as “CP2,” it’s the largest of the roughly two dozen proposed Gulf LNG export terminals, and a key focal point for the region’s local organizing effort.

Residents “don’t really want LNG as much as they want Cameron [Parish] from 1990 back,” Hiatt told EHN of locals’ nostalgia for a community before storms like Rita in 2005 brought up to 15 feet of storm surge, only for Laura to repeat the damage in 2020. Throughout that time, the parish’s population dipped from roughly 10,000 to 5,000. “But the wolf knocking at the door is LNG. Folks in Cameron think that's going to bring back community, bring back the schools, bring back this time before we had all these storms — when Cameron was pretty prosperous.”

“Clearly,” for the oil and gas industry, “the idea is to transform what was once the center of commercial fishing in Louisiana to gas exports,” Cindy Robertson, an environmental activist in southwest Louisiana, told EHN.

Helping fishers’ impacted by LNG is about “actual survival of this unique culture,” Cooke said.

In a measure of organizers’ success, she pointed to a recent permit hearing for Venture Global’s CP2 proposal. Regionally, it’s the only project that’s received an environmental permit, but not its export permit, which remains under federal review. At the meeting, some spoke on the company’s behalf. As an organizer, it was a moment of clarity, Cooke explained. Venture Global officials “had obviously done a lot of coaching and organizing and getting people together in Cameron to speak out on their behalf,” Cooke said. “So, in a way, that was bad. But in another way, it shows that we really had an impact.”

“It also shows that we have a lot to do,” Cooke added.

Environmental organizers like Alyssa Portaro describe a sense of fortitude among activists — she and her husband to the region’s nearby town of Vinton near the Texas-Louisiana border. Since the families’ relocation to their farm, Portaro has worked with Cameron Parish fisher-folk.

“I’ve not witnessed ‘community’ anywhere like there is in Louisiana,” Portaro told EHN. But a New Jersey native, she understands the toll environmental pollution has on low-income communities. “This environment, it’s so at risk — and it’s currently getting sacrificed to big industries.”

“People don’t know what we’d do without oil and gas. It comes at a big price,” she added.

A disappearing parish

The stakes are seemingly higher for a region like southwest Louisiana, which is the epicenter of climate change impacts.

In nearly a century, the state has lost roughly 2,000 square miles of land to coastal erosion. In part driving the state’s erosion crisis is the compounding impacts of Mississippi River infrastructure and oil and gas industry activity, such as dredging canals for shipping purposes, according to a March study published in the journal Nature Sustainability. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority said Cameron Parish could lose more land than other coastal parishes over the next 50 years. A recent Climate Central report says the parish will be underwater within that time frame.

On top of erosion and sea level rise impacts, in August, 2023, marshland across southwest Louisiana’s Cameron Parish burned. The fires were among at least 600 across the Bayou State this year. Statewide, roughly 60,000 acres burned — a more than six-fold increase of the state’s average acres burned per year in the past decade alone.

But while the blaze avoided coastal Louisiana communities like Cameron Parish, the fires represented a warning coming from a growing chorus of locals across the region — one that’s echoes by the local commercial fishing population, who claimed to have experienced unusually low yields during the same time, according to a statement from a local environmental group. At the site of the Cameron Parish fires are locations for two proposed LNG expansion projects.

"The idea is to transform what was once the center of commercial fishing in Louisiana to gas exports.” - Cindy Robertson, an environmental activist in southwest Louisiana

It was an unusual occurrence for an area that’s more often itself underwater this time of year due to a storm surge from powerful storms. For LNG expansion’s local opposition, it was a red flag.

As the Louisiana Bucket Brigade has noted prior, the confluence of climate change’s raising of sea levels and the construction of LNG export terminals — some are proposed at the size of nearly 700 football fields — are wiping away the marshland folks like Allaire watched wither. Among their fears is that the future facilities won’t be able to withstand the power of another storm like Laura and its storm surge, which wiped away entire communities in 2020.

Amidst these regional climate impacts, LNG infrastructure has shown potential to exacerbate the accumulation of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. For the most part, LNG is made up of methane — a greenhouse gas that’s more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Among the 22 current LNG facility proposals, the advocacy group Sierra Club described a combined climate pollution output that would roughly equal to that of about 440 coal plants.

The climate impacts prompt some of the LNG industry’s uncertainty going forward. It isn’t clear if Asian countries, key importers of U.S. LNG, will “embrace these energy transition issues,” said David Dismuke, an energy consultant and the former executive director of Louisiana State University’s Center for Energy Studies. Likewise, European nations remain skeptical of embracing LNG as a future staple fuel source.

“They really don't want to have to pull the trigger,” Dismukes added, referring to Europe’s hesitation to commit more resources to exporting LNG from the American market. “They don't want to go down that road.”

While there will be a tapering down of natural gas supply, Miles explained, “we’re going to need natural gas for a long time,” as larger battery storage for renewables is still unavailable.

“I'm not one of these futurists that can tell you where we're going to be, but I just don't see everything being extreme,” Dismukes said. “I don't see what we've already built getting stranded and going away, either.”

For now, LNG seems here to stay. From 2012 to 2022,U.S. natural gas demand — the sum of both domestic consumption and gross exports — rose by a whopping 43%, reported the U.S. Energy Information Administration, or EIA. Meanwhile, in oil and gas hotbeds like Louisiana and Texas, natural gas demand grew by 116%.

Throughout 25 years, Allaire has witnessed southwest Louisiana’s land slowly fade, in part driven by the same industrial spread regionally. Near where the front door of his travel trailer sits underneath the aluminum awning, he points to a chenier ridge located near the end of the property. It’s disappearing, he said.

“See the sand washing over, in here?” Allaire says, as he points towards the stretches of his property. “This pond used to go down for a half mile. This is all that's left of it on this side.”

Read Part 1: LNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warn

Some funding for this reporting was also provided by the Wake Forest University Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative.