JULY 2019
Increased extreme weather events, higher than normal temperatures, reduced snowpack, outbreaks of disease, and adverse economic impacts can all be attributed to climate change. Nationwide, In 2017 alone, 16 disaster events resulted in the death of 362 people (double the death toll for 2016) and over $306 billion in total damage (of that total, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria attributed $265 billion in losses alone). This doesn’t count the events that occur on a “smaller” scale but have a large impact on a localized front including flooding, avalanches, and severe storms. During the winter of 2017/2018, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center collected data on more than 2,200 avalanches where 45 people were caught, and three people died.
At the crux of the issue is how impacts from climate change affect all of us. Elderly and young people, along with those with compromised health, tend to be more susceptible to physical and health hazards that can be associated with adverse weather events. As we prepare for the future and plan for resiliency, it is important to keep not only the physical environment in mind, but also the public health of our communities. But what are communities doing to combat the challenges they face? Keep reading to learn more about what Eagle County, Colorado is doing to step up and face these challenges head on while maintaining a healthy and vibrant community for its residents and those who visit.
Project Highlight –Helping to build a more resilient community in Eagle County
Many communities across the country are recognizing that even as they take action to mitigate their environmental impact and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they will likely still feel the results of the climate crisis within their boundaries. These climate-related impacts can range from increased drought and wildfire risk, to sea level rise and flooding, and reach as far as increased risk for health issues such as heat-related and vector-borne illnesses. All the impacts may exacerbate existing challenges many people face in their daily lives including mental health, feeling safe and secure at home, making a livable wage, etc. These hazards and events impact the whole community without discrimination, and often it is those among us with the least access to resources who feel the greatest impacts. In the coming decades, the State of Colorado is expected to see a rise in temperatures, more frequent and extreme drought events, and changes in seasonality and climate that significantly impact the tourism and agricultural sectors of the state’s economy.
Recognizing the need to ensure the community is resilient to the various impacts of our changing climate, and that the community can absorb the shocks of these climate impacts, Eagle County is developing a community resilience plan. This plan will define a vision for a vibrant, connected, sustainable, and holistic community that is prepared for (and resilient to) the various stressors that will result from climate change. Lotus is thrilled and honored to partner with Adaptation International on the development of this plan. Our team is leading a series of stakeholder engagement workshops and community surveys that will ensure this plan is effective, equitable, and considers the needs and concerns of the entire community. It is both inspiring and empowering to work with a community that is so driven to ensure that every citizen, organization, business, and ecosystem is supported to continue to thrive long into the future. We look forward to providing an update on this project as the Eagle County Community Resilience Plan evolves from vision to reality.
Lotus Blogs— Equality versus Equity
This month’s Lotus blog focuses on equality versus equity. In this Part 1 of our two-part blog, we discuss the difference between the two terms and explain how they relate to sustainability and climate. Part 2 of the series will dive into more detail and discuss how the terms are applied when evaluating emission reduction and climate adaptation strategies. To read more, check out the blogs section of our website and be sure to catch Part 2 as well!
Lotus in the Community
Lotus’s very own Hillary Dobos will be part of a Commit to Action Panel & Workshop (4th in Series) highlighting commitment to the most recent Sustainable Denver Summit. The discussion takes place on August 22 at the Alliance Center. The commitment on behalf of participants during the summit was to work with at least three organizations to develop, integrate, and achieve their environmental justice goals and Hillary will share Lotus’s progress thus far!
Inspiring or Noteworthy News
On July 16th the Denver Office of Sustainability announced, “Happy Inauguration Day!” as Mayor Michael B. Hancock was sworn in for his third term as Mayor of Denver. Mayor Hancock has taken a stand on the importance of curbing climate change and we are excited to see more progress over the next four years!
Below are recent articles that Lotus found inspiring or noteworthy. If you ever have an article you think we should share, please let us know!
Local News
Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association announced a goal to provide 80% carbon-free electricity to all members of the cooperative by 2030; this is the first such goal by an electric cooperative in Colorado.
Xcel Energy CEO Ben Fawke was interviewed about how and why the utility is moving towards their clean energy goals in a recent episode of the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast.
A recent Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory projects emissions to decline into 2030.
Study shows that the 2013 floods in Colorado increased acknowledgement of global warming.
National News
As the Environmental Protection Agency finalizes the Affordable Clean Energy rule, which replaces the Clean Power Plan, states and green advocacy groups prepare for court battles.
A recent New York Times article questions how to divvy up funding for disaster resiliency for coastal cities when the cost far outpaces the available funds.
New York state’s new aggressive Climate and Community Protection Act includes some of the most aggressive emission reduction targets in the country, along with important provisions to address issues of equity in fighting climate change.
Fortune magazine ran a brief profile on the climate change policies and agendas released by several of the 2020 Democratic Presidential hopefuls.
In an unprecedented legal case, a group of young people are suing the federal government for its role in causing climate change due to its support for the fossil fuel industry. If you haven’t heard of this case and want to learn more, watch the recent 60 Minutes episode on it.
A recent profile of some of the young people sparking the climate movement in countries across the globe is an inspiring read.
A recent report finds that impacts from climate change will push 120 million people into poverty by 2030, yet in the U.S. very little is being done to protect underserved populations.
A study shows that 69 percent of Americans are “somewhat worried” about climate change.
Zero Hour, a youth advocacy group, attended a 3-day event in Miami titled “This is Zero Hour: The Youth Climate Summit” focused on climate action and protecting the environment.
Improving energy efficiency includes using data that leads to more informed decisions related to corporate sustainability.
Global News
France experienced temperatures approaching 115⁰F at the end of June, but the EU remains divided when it comes to climate change.
The People’s Summit on Climate, Rights and Human Survival is the first ever global summit on human rights and climate change and will be held in New York on September 18th and 19th. The Summit aims to encourage the human rights community to urgently scale-up its efforts on climate justice, creating the most diverse movement ever assembled to tackle the climate crisis.
Researchers have found that by not taking action against climate change, sustainable development may be hindered. According to the article, climate change threatens to undermine 40% of the targets identified within the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We always appreciate your feedback, and any opportunity to support your work on climate action, resiliency, and sustainability. Please reach out to us with questions or comments. Thank you!