EPA seeks public input on how to spend its Inflation Reduction Act funds
On Nov. 4, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency published a press release announcing “public engagement and input opportunities,” designed to gather feedback from the public on potential climate change and pollution reduction programs. These new programs are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law this past August, according to the press release. The EPA’s public engagement effort is made up of four elements: a “Request for Information,” expert input, a listening session and a webpage dedicated to the new programs, the press release stated. The RFI consists of six public dockets, each of which describes a potential program and has a section for comments.
Moon blushes red in the final total lunar eclipse for three years
The Earth and moon aligned with the sun on Nov. 8, 2022, to form the second total lunar eclipse of the year, and the last one until 2025, ABC News reported. The article explained that a total lunar eclipse is caused by the perfect alignment of the sun, Earth and moon, when the moon passes directly through the Earth’s shadow. NASA reported that totality occurred between 5:17 and 6:42 a.m. EST with partial and penumbral phases ending at 8:50 a.m. EST.
COP27 leads to new plans in climate mitigation as well as climate adaptation
This year marks the 27th Conference of The Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also called COP27. From Nov. 6 to 18, climate activists, negotiators, ministers, mayors, civil society members, heads of state and CEOs will be gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt for the largest annual gathering on climate change and climate action, according to the United Nations’ official website.
Remains of the first-known Neanderthal family discovered in Siberia
On Oct. 19, 2022, a group of researchers reported finding the remains of a Neanderthal family — the first discovery of its kind — to the scientific journal Nature. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the remains were found alongside animal bones and stone tools inside the Chagyrskaya Cave in Siberia.
Europe turns to Africa for natural gas amid fossil fuel shortages
Much of Europe is facing a natural gas shortage, and will continue to feel the economic and social effects of this shortage through the gas storage refilling period in summer 2023, according to an International Energy Agency article. The article explains that this shortage is due to a halt in pipeline deliveries from Russia. The New York Times reported that because of this loss, Europe must find new sources of natural gas and oil, and has already begun searching.
Lula's victory could reverse the trend of Amazon deforestation
On Oct. 30, 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was ousted by candidate and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in one of the narrowest races in the country’s history, Bloomberg reported. The election has attracted widespread attention from the environmental community — including lobbyists, politicians and activists — given Bolsonaro’s notorious role in the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, International Business Times said. Lula’s election has thus led to tentative hopes for a future of stronger conservation policy in the country.
Tomato soup protestors instigate discussions about climate activism
On Oct. 14, 2022, two climate protestors from the U.K. activist group Just Stop Oil were arrested for throwing tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at London’s National Gallery, a Vox article reported. This method of climate activism has instigated much debate, raising particular discussion around the use of art in environmental activism.