Quit Blaming Bessie!
The future survival of humans on the planet is largely tied with climate change. The change drives both innovation and extinction, and is rich in economic potential. Billions of dollars are spent each year to combat/slow the change in climate (and its ramifications), with most projections requiring trillions yearly. The United States in its efforts, provides an array of funding sources both to address and adapt to the evolving environment, see Figure 1.
In recent weeks, carbon emissions resulting from private jets (particularly those used by celebrities for short trips) have become a topic of outrage. A report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020 found that transportation made up 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Private jets, due to their limited occupancy, emit a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions compared to the average flier/individual, which is only acerbated when used for frivolous/excessive reasons. Many climate activists have pushed for larger investment in public transportation and alternative sources of energy (clean energy) in order to reduce or limit emissions. Both state and federal agencies in the last decade have supported funding and credits in order to innovate in the clean energy-transportation space.
While transportation makes up roughly 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture makes up only 11% of emissions. Nevertheless, the regulations and public outrage often target the agricultural industry proportionally. Cows/Cattle are often a scapegoat in the agricultural space due to the methane they release as a natural byproduct. Methane traps “over 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years,” so some concern is warranted. Nevertheless, agriculture/farms are not the leading producer of methane. Furthermore, reduction in meat and milk, requires replacement, as they are staple food sources. Replacement comes with a whole host of health and environmental concerns. Innovation in genetics/biology have sought to address agricultural issues, but continue to draw medical, ethical, and safety concerns.
SEII has formed the Agricultural Innovation Center as a vehicle to help clients address this evolving environment. For help identifying funding opportunities, regulations, etc. connected to climate change, Contact Us here or at admin@seii.us.
Sources:
1. Unprecedented Levels of Nitrogen Could Pose Risks to Earth’s Environment, Duke: Nicholas School of the Environment, https://nicholas.duke.edu/news/unprecedented-levels-nitrogen-could-pose-risks-earths-environment#:~:text=Human%20production%20of%20this%20nitrogen,nitrogen%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20William%20H.
2. Dutch Farmers Bring Cows to Parliament to Protect Nitrogen Cuts, Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-28/dutch-farmers-bring-cows-to-parliament-to-protest-nitrogen-cuts#xj4y7vzkg
3. Reducing Methane Emissions is the Fastest way to Slow Global Warming, Clean Air Task Force, https://www.catf.us/learn/methane/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8amWBhCYARIsADqZJoVjH5-YuWyz8H6vLmuD4LwFtgq7o9PJIVZh3v1tyZCLb9THqEO6Q7AaArNOEALw_wcB
4. Here Are America’s Top Methane Emitters. Some Will Surprise You., The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/climate/biggest-methane-emitters.html
5. Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=The%20largest%20source%20of%20greenhouse,electricity%2C%20heat%2C%20and%20transportation.
6. Who Funds the Fight Against Climate Change, Means & Matters from Bank of the West, Natalie Burg, https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/sustainable-living/taking-action/who-funds-the-fight-against-climate-change/#:~:text=Governments%20and%20intergovernmental%20organizations%E2%80%94such,percent%20of%20total%20global%20commitments.
7. Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2021, Climate Policy Initiative, https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/global-landscape-of-climate-finance-2021/
8. Federal Funding and Technical Assistance for Climate Adaptation, EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/arc-x/federal-funding-and-technical-assistance-climate-adaptation
Figure 1: List of funding sources provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).