NEWSWEEK 08/30/24 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Raul Grijalva Project 2025, the blueprint for former President Donald Trump and Republicans’ rightwing takeover of the U.S. government, could pose a grave threat to public health by dismantling essential safeguards designed to protect Americans—the air they breathe, the water they drink—from […]
National Analysis
Supreme Court Chevron Decision Threatens Our Food, Water, and Air
NEWSWEEK 08/14/24 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Steve Cohen Americans may have heard a lot lately about the “Chevron decision” in the news, though most probably wouldn’t be able to describe what it is exactly. It’s not household knowledge yet. And while Chevron might be a household name for […]
Summer Heat Waves Getting Worse. Here’s What Cities Can Do About It
NEWSWEEK 07/3024 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Lloyd Doggett This year we’re headed for a very hot summer. The National Weather Service predicts hotter-than-normal conditions almost everywhere. And that’s saying something, given that last year was the hottest year on record. So, be sure to look for shade and […]
4 Ways That Cities Can—and Should—Protect Their Citizens From Extreme Heat
FAST COMPANY 07/22/24 By Michael Shank and Elizabeth Babcock Extreme heat is going to be a new normal for much of America. Just look at the data: June was the hottest June on record; May was the hottest May on record. Last year was the hottest year on record, and […]
Portland Has Raised $587 Million for Its Clean Energy Fund. Here’s How It Should Use It
FAST COMPANY 06/19/24 BY MICHAEL SHANK The Oregon city imposed a 1% tax on its biggest businesses, with the money going to communities most impacted by climate change. But there’s controversy about what that means. Cities all across the U.S. are struggling with a range of concerns, from an unhoused […]
How Policymakers Can Keep Climate Top of Mind—Even if Trump Wins
FAST COMPANY 05/30/24 By Michael Shank There’s fear in the climate community that November’s presidential elections could upend all the work that President Joe Biden’s administration has done on clean energy and environmental justice. As a result, there’s a mad dash to get climate funding out the door in case […]
A Way to Protect Environmental Regulations From Trump 2.0
NEWSWEEK 05/03/24 By Michael Shank There’s a scramble in President Joe Biden’s administration to get out the door as much funding as possible for clean energy and environmental justice projects before it’s too late. This is evident across the administration, but it’s especially apparent at the Environmental Protection Agency and […]
How New York City is Getting Plant-Based Meals into Schools, Hospitals, and Jails
FAST COMPANY 01/16/24 By Michael Shank Mayor Eric Adams has been a huge proponent of plant-based diets as a way to both boost health and reduce the city’s carbon emissions. Food is finally front and center when it comes to climate action and policy. Or at least it’s on the […]
Stop the Finger-Pointing, Democrats. You’re in the Grip of Big Oil
NEWSWEEK 01/10/24 By Michael Shank With 2023 ranking as the hottest year on record and 2024 estimated to break last year’s record, one would expect the world’s biggest economies—like the United States, which is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas—to take climate change more seriously. Especially given the […]
Biden Must Provide Bold Leadership on Climate Change. The World is Watching
THE HILL 11/30/23 By Michael Shank This year is set to be the hottest year on record, and yet for all of U.S. President Joe Biden’s talk about the urgency of tackling climate change, his administration’s approach to the United Nations climate conference in Dubai this week is problematic. And […]