CLIMATE CHANGE

It has been a crazy summer of heat waves and wildfires for some, and for us and others, seemingly perpetual rain.  A few months ago, our skies turned brown with wildfire smoke.  Saguaro cactus in the Southwest are withering in the unrelenting heat.  And what should be the tropical paradise of Lahaina burned to the ground in a few hours with tragic loss of life.    Meteorologists keep saying that no single weather event can be blamed on climate change, but taken together these changing weather patterns match the predictions of a warming planet.  These impacts will impact everyone and everything on our world.   And for birds, the National Audubon Society Audubon’s finds that climate change is the number one threat to birds, with two-thirds of bird species at risk of extinction due to its effects.

As a people, we are starting to change our ways.   Renewable energy production from wind and solar are the fastest growing sectors of energy production, although they still represent less than 5% of the energy used in the US.  More and more electric vehicles are appearing on the streets.  At the federal level, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed just over one year ago, includes the governments biggest ever investments toward clean energy, infrastructure efficiency, electric vehicles, public transit, and grid modernization.   Various incentives set by the IRA will be coming online in the next year, including Home Energy Rebates for households to install home upgrades.  

But the risks are very high and everything points to a need to redouble our efforts and prevent backsliding.  There are still many who deny climate change is real or at least feign that we can do nothing about it.  In Virginia, the Governor is trying to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, putting at risk efforts to reduce C02 emissions in Virginia from electricity production and removing money for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund.   At a local level, the loss of trees - one of the primary ways for nature to absorb and sequester carbon - to development continues at an unrelenting pace.   

All of us need to do our part.  We need to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprint.  We need to protect existing trees and plant more new ones.  We need to made sure our voices are heard on policy issues, speaking up on local decisions, commenting at public hearings on development projects, and helping to shape local policies such as when Comprehensive Plans are updated (which is coming up in Chesapeake).  At the state level, make sure your delegates and senators know you want a healthier environment working toward a zero-carbon energy system.  

This November the entire Virginia General Assembly is up for election.  Redistricting has redrawn all the voting districts and a host of incumbents have retired or lost primary bids resulting in many new faces running for office.  Who wins this November will decide the direction that Virginia takes over the coming years.  And then next year, enter the presidential election cycle, along with all the House seats and a race for the Senate seat held by Tim Kaine.  Once again, we'll be calling this the most important election ever.   And your voice and your vote will matter critically.   

For the latest action alerts, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CapeHenryAudubon

The following information is extracted from an article published in the Virginian-Pilot on August 31st by Maury Hill, Chair of the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission (VBCCC) and Terry Stevens who serves as the vice chair:

On Aug. 8, the Virginia Beach City Council signed a resolution that recognizes this week as Zero Waste Awareness Week.    Simply stated, zero waste is producing little or no waste.  Less waste means less trash in landfills, which will ultimately cut costs and benefit our environment.There are many ways residents can work toward zero waste by reducing, reusing, recycling correctly and repurposing.  Reducing is the No. 1 way to cut back on your household trash.  Consider if you need the item that you are about to buy and pass on making that purchase if you don't really need it.  Buy items with minimal packaging that is compostable or recyclable and skip the bag altogether, or bring your own.  

Reusing is another tool to cut back on waste.  Skip single-use plastics by getting into the habit of keeping reusable tote bags with you when you shop.  Use a reusable mesh bag instead of plastic for your produce.    A reusable water bottle not only cuts back on waste but helps to keep discarded plastic bottles from ending up in our waterways or from clogging a storm drain. Travel with a reusable cup and pack your own reusable utensils.  

Recycling correctly is a strategy to keep waste from the landfill, but it is not the answer as only certain items are recyclable and almost 40% of residents recycle incorrectly.    Many of us are "wishful recyclers" and put everything with a recycle logo in the blue bin.  However, that leads to contamination and reduces the effectiveness of recycling programs.  Check with your local government for guidance on what can be recycled in your city.  A few general rules:
    Clean and dry cardboard and chipboard only. 

    No pizza boxes, which are contaminated with cheese, grease and other food. 

    Plastic bottles with necks ("check for the neck") are accepted, no plastic bags.

    Glass bottles and jars of all colors.
    Cans: aluminum, tin and steel cans are acceptable.

Repurposing items is another excellent way to keep your discards out of the landfill.  Gently used clothing and household items may be donated at your local thrift or consignment shop.

    Join a local "Facebook free" site and give your stuff away instead of sending them to the landfill.  Check the internet for creative ideas to repurpose.
    Spread the word about Zero Waste.  Encourage friends and family to stop and think before they throw something in the trash.  Challenge household members to reduce, reuse, recycle correctly and repurpose to see who the "Zero Waste Winner" can be.  Then share ideas and implement them year-round.

    Zero Waste Awareness Week concludes Sept. 9 with LRNow's International Coastal Cleanup event.  Learn more at lynnhavenrivernow.org

The VBCCC will host its International Coastal Cleanup event Sept. 16 from 9 a.m.- noon at 17th Street Oceanfront Park.  Learn more at parkeventsvb.com.

    Finally, check your city waste management web site and social media page for more ideas on tactics towards zero waste.