University of Michiganโs carbon neutrality commission releases โbold, visionary planโ
โThrough implementation of the carbon neutrality plan, U-M will provide a model for taking early action to avoid the most adverse impacts of climate change. An institution can achieve carbon neutrality by offsetting the emissions it creates with emissions it removes. Establish, by 2025, carbon neutrality goal dates for Scope 3 emissions categories that are set for no later than 2040. AdโI applaud the Presidentโs Commission on Carbon Neutrality for leveraging the strengths of our university and broader community to bring forward a comprehensive report. โOur community comprises more than 100,000 students, staff and faculty, and our path toward carbon neutrality requires that they all feel empowered, represented and responsible.
Global Climate Action Day: Is it too late? What can you do?
Today is a Global Climate Action Day. Many youth groups will be taking to the streets to bring awareness to the dangers of climate change for future generations. A New York Times feature this week quoted leading climate scientists who believe weโre already past the point of return, that weโre โlocked into the global ecosystemโ on climate change. A Pew Research poll in 2019 found Americans are less likely to be concerned about climate change, with 59% seeing it as a serious threat, yet two-thirds of U.S. adults said the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of global climate change. Meanwhile, states are taking climate change action into their own hands.
Greta Thunberg and youth climate protests make a return
She joined fellow demonstrators outside the Swedish Parliament on Friday to kick off a day of socially distanced global climate protests. Thunberg started her solo protests outside Swedenโs parliament in Stockholm on Aug. 20, 2018. Climate protests are also planned elsewhere on Friday. The protests started earlier in the Arctic, when British climate activist and ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig, stood on a piece of ice broken off from the ice cap. The 18-year-old bird lover and founder of the non-profit Black2Nature said she believes itโs the most northerly climate strike ever.
Whitmer sets goal to make Michigan carbon-neutral by 2050
Gretchen Whitmer has set a goal of economic decarbonization by the year 2050 to mitigate impacts of climate change and to create clean energy jobs. On Wednesday, Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10 to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Executive Directive 2020-10 formally sets the goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. To apply for appointment to the Council on Climate Solutions, please visit www.michigan.gov/appoinments and fill out the application. Select โCouncil for Climate Solutionsโ from the drop-down menu under the Appointment Information section of the application.