Sometimes the fight takes a while

The Climate, Health & Equity Brief is GMMB’s take on the latest news on the current impacts of climate change. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do so by clicking here.

Hot Topic: Onward. There is no question that Tuesday’s election results have cast a dark shadow over the prospect of U.S. climate action in the years ahead. Yet now more than ever, there remains a compelling need to continue the fight—and celebrate progress where it exists. On that front, voters in multiple states passed measures on Tuesday to advance climate adaptation efforts and defeated initiatives aimed at stalling progress:

• Californians approved a $10 billion bond to safeguard drinking water, combat wildfires, protect natural lands, and improve resilience against floods and extreme heat, the largest such investment in state history.
• Coloradans passed a proposition allowing the state to keep sports betting tax revenue beyond the $29 million limit previously approved by voters, with new proceeds earmarked for water conservation projects.
• Louisianans approved a constitutional amendment requiring federal revenue from offshore energy generation to be allotted for coastal protection and restoration.
• Minnesotans approved a constitutional amendment to continue allocating at least 40% of state lottery revenue to an environment and natural resources trust fund through 2050.
• Rhode Islanders approved a $53 million bond for flood prevention, coastal resilience, farmland protection and forest health improvements.
• South Dakotans are virtually certain to defeat a measure to ease the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines.
• Washington State voters resoundingly defeated a measure to overturn the state’s signature climate law.

Perhaps no one can underscore the grassroots momentum—and the resilience and commitment we must all now demonstrate—like those on the front lines of the fight:

“This is a dark day, but despite this election result, momentum is on our side. The transition away from dirty fossil fuels to affordable clean energy is already underway. Trump can’t change the reality that an overwhelming majority of Americans want more clean energy, not more fossil fuels.” – Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director

“We have seen this playbook before. The previous administration denied people’s basic rights, freedoms, and refused to uphold the rule of law. When they denied the climate crisis, denied justice to communities long overburdened by pollution, and gave industry open season to pollute our land and waters, we fought back. And we won. We are even stronger now, and we’re ready. We will see Donald Trump in court.”  – Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice

“Beyond Washington, state, local and tribal governments share a solid commitment to protect the environment and public health. We’ll press for progress. And we’ll work with our partners and allies to confront the climate crisis.”  – Manish Bapna, Natural Resources Defense Council

“We’ve been here before, and we know that our movement’s collective power stands ready to protect our communities, our climate, and stand for justice. We will adjust our strategies and our tactics, but we stand strong in our fight for a just and fossil-free future.” – Elizabeth Bast, Oil Change International

“In these new times of political uncertainty, grassroots communities must continue to lead the way forward. “ – Climate Justice Alliance

“The climate challenge is a century long one, and you don’t hit pause when politicians push unpopular policies that would take us backwards.” – Armond Cohen, Clean Air Task Force

“No matter what, we’ll fight for the future Americans demand and deserve, where our communities, our health, our environment, and our economy all thrive. We will not turn back.” – America Is All In, the U.S. Climate Alliance, and Climate Mayors

“In a moment such as this, it is important to remember that all major reform efforts, from civil rights to the climate movement, suffer dark days. And this is surely one. We can mourn a loss, but we can’t linger in despair. Our planet doesn’t have time for that. Now more than ever, this movement needs engagement and leadership from all corners of the country.” – Former Vice President Al Gore

“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.” – Vice President Kamala Harris

Action

In positive election news for the climate, CA, CO, LA, MN and RI passed ballot initiatives to fund conservation and climate resilience, and WA and SD rejected initiatives to overturn the state’s signature climate law and ease the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines, respectively. (Inside Climate News, Grist)

A European Commission report found that the accelerating rollout of renewable energy sources helped reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 8.3% in 2023, resulting in a 37% total decrease from 1990s levels and putting the Commission on track to meet their Paris Agreement target of a 55% emission reduction. (POLITICO)

Louisville, Colorado, launched the nation’s first all-electric garbage truck fleet for residential recycling and waste collection. (Electrek)

The University of Chicago has launched the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, offering new degrees in sustainable development, climate systems engineering, and scalable clean energy solutions to address the rising demand for climate expertise in the workforce. (Axios)

Disaster relief nonprofit the Footprint Project is working with solar companies and local nonprofits to deploy solar-powered microgrids with charging stations and water filtration, reducing gas generator reliance in US disaster recovery zones. (Grist)

Human Health

A new report confirmed that the 10 deadliest extreme weather events since 2004—which together killed more than half a million people—were made worse by fossil fuel emissions and disproportionately affected low-income countries. (BBC)

At least 219 people have died and 93 are still missing after heavy downpours dumped more rain in eight hours than in the preceding 20 months in eastern Spain, causing flash floods that wreaked havoc and caused destruction in more than 70 localities. (AP News)

Planetary Health

A new UN report found that all current national climate plans combined will only cut emissions by 2.6% by 2030, falling 40% short of the Paris Agreement target to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. (Health Policy Watch)

The UN’s first global assessment of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) found that failing to reduce emissions of the world’s third-most prevalent greenhouse gas and worst ozone-depleting gas will make it nearly impossible to meet Paris Agreement goals. (Reuters)

Equity

A damning new report ahead of COP29 emphasizes the dire need for climate action, with 600 million people now living in areas deemed uninhabitable due to extreme heat and water scarcity and climate impacts exacerbating maternal health issues, increasing risks of violence, and contributing to societal instability. (Health Policy Watch)

Papua New Guinea—an impoverished nation that is highly vulnerable to the perils of climate change and home to the world’s third-largest expanse of rainforest—announced it would boycott COP29, declaring the UN’s top climate summit a “waste of time” due to empty promises, greenwashing, and limited concrete action. (Voice of America)

Politics & Economy

With COP29 set to kick off on Monday, world leaders face urgent decisions on setting new climate finance goals, implementing the Loss and Damage Fund, and establishing carbon market rules, all while grappling with the potential impact of the U.S. election on global climate commitments. (Global Landscapes Forum)

Donald Trump’s return to the White House threatens to severely undermine global climate progress, given his promises to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, roll back scores of environmental regulations, increase drilling, destabilize international climate negotiations, and embolden other nations to abandon their commitments. (The Guardian)

According to a Washington Post analysis of MIT data, Republican-leaning districts have been the top beneficiaries of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, receiving three times more clean energy investment than Democratic areas despite widespread GOP opposition to the legislation. (The Washington Post)

And yet…with the White House, Senate and possibly the House in GOP hands, the Inflation Reduction Act is on shaky ground, with Republicans likely to stall momentum on a broad range of climate initiatives and funding. (Inside Climate News)

Far right and populist groups in Western Europe are capitalizing on the painful impacts of the climate crisis to increase support among vulnerable small farmers with promises to oppose green measures and help reduce their costs. (The Guardian)

As climate change intensifies and fuels social and economic instability globally, research suggests it may pave the way for a new wave of authoritarian leaders who promise stability and simple solutions amidst the chaos of mounting crises. (Grist)

A new report from Insurify found that the average cost of US auto insurance policies could rise by as much as 22% by the end of this year due in part to the increasing risks to automobiles associated with floods, hailstorms, hurricanes and wildfires. (Inside Climate News)

Amid mounting pressure from global leaders, China remains resistant to early commitments on ambitious climate targets and increased financial aid for vulnerable nations ahead of COP29. (The Washington Post)

Life as We Know It

Climate change is disrupting the lives of teenagers worldwide, increasing their sense of crisis and insecurity about the future. (The New York Times)

Kicker

Check out the Climate Mental Health Network for valuable resources, including articles, coping tools, and community support.

The GMMB Climate, Health & Equity Brief would not be possible without the contributions of the larger GMMB team—Catherine Ahmad, Aaron Benavides, Stefana Hendronetto, Nikki Melamed, Sharde Olabanji, Kenzie Perrow and Marci Welford. Feedback on the Brief is welcome and encouraged and should be sent to CHandEBrief@gmmb.com.