Summer Monthly Digest — June 2020

Energy, Environment, and Conservation

• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are expecting a ruling from federal court on whether to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline while the Army Corps of Engineers conduct an environmental analysis that earlier this year a court ruled had been rushed by the Trump Administration. After the environmental analysis, the federal government would need to reissue permits for the project, the outcome will likely be determined by the presidential election. The pipeline crosses the Missouri River upstream from the Standing Rock Reservation and a spill could contaminate drinking water for 17 million people (The Hill). 

Higher Education and Academia 

• The National Center for Education Statistics released data this month that indicates more Latinx students earned college degrees (associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates) this decade than any decade previously. Between 2005 and 2017 the number of degrees earned by Latinx students increased 70%, compared to an increase of 19% for Caucasian students. In 2017, 36% of Latinx people aged 18-24 were enrolled in college (Daily Chela). 
• Many graduate programs are waving GRE requirements due to equity concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Educational Testing Service is requiring at-home test-takers to have access to a computer with webcam, a stable internet connection, four hours in a private room, a standard (not ‘overstuffed’) chair, and a whiteboard (for note-taking). In recent years, many programs have abandoned the GRE requirement due to its cost and concerns that it does not predict success in graduate school (Science).

Federal Agencies 

• New legislation has been introduced in Congress that would establish a new technology directorate within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and invest an additional $100 billion over 5 years. The bill, called the Endless Frontiers Act (S 3832), would rename NSF to NSTF (the National Science and Technology Foundation) and the new directorate would focus on ten key technology areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data management, disaster prevention, genomics and synthetic biology, and advanced energy. The typical annual budget for NSF has been around $7 billion (AIBS). 
• The president has signed an executive order allowing federal agencies to waive requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other environmental laws that are slowing down approval of pipelines, highways, and other projects that could allegedly help with economic recovery during the pandemic. While many in the fossil fuel industry have lauded these regulatory changes, critics say that any resulting actions could be challenged in court and have specific implications for communities of color and government accountability (Washington Post).

Public Health

• A new analysis finds that an estimated 250,000 lives have been saved in the 30 largest cities in the US as of May due to stay-at-home orders, and an estimated 2.1 million people avoided being hospitalized due to coronavirus. The numbers for the entire country are likely much larger (The Hill). 
• A civil rights complaint has been filed on behalf of immigrant detainees who say the Department of Homeland Security is frequently using a chemical disinfectant that is causing eye irritation, bloody noses, and coughing up blood. The complaint says the disinfectant, HDQ Neutral, was being sprayed every 30 minutes in housing units even though the manufacturer states it should only be used outside or in well-ventilated areas. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement says they comply with EPA standards and use disinfectants according to manufacturer instructions (LAist). 
• The Supreme Court has held with recent precedent ruling that requiring abortion clinics to have hospital admitting privileges is unconstitutional. The case focused on Louisiana, where only three clinics that provide abortions remain; this requirement would result in only one doctor in the entire state being able to perform abortions. Further, no court could identify even a single woman who would have benefited from such a requirement. Hospital admitting privileges are a business decision for hospitals, who allow privileges for those that admit many patients. Admitting a sufficient number of patients would be difficult for an abortion provider as the procedure is one of the safest performed today and complications are exceedingly rare (NPR). 

Climate Change 

• Despite major decreases in greenhouse gas emissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Earth’s carbon dioxide levels are at their highest levels in human history, with a record monthly average of 417 parts per million in May. While emissions have declined by up to 17 percent during the pandemic, it would take a 20 to 30 percent decrease over a longer period of time to detectably slow atmospheric carbon dioxide buildup. It is estimated the last time there was this amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was 3 million years ago, when sea levels were 50-80 feet higher (Washington Post).
• A coalition of 23 states, DC, Los Angeles, and other cities are suing the federal government over the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle rule, which weakens fuel efficiency standards for cars set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The suit claims the SAFE Vehicle rule is unlawful and is based on flawed scientific analysis and is likely to be heard by the Supreme Court. The rule replaced the Obama-era fuel efficiency increase of 5% annually to achieve a goal of an average of 54 miles per gallon by 2025, under the new rule efficiency would increase only 1.5% annual to an average of 40 mpg by 2026. It is estimated 900 million more tons of carbon dioxide would be released into the atmosphere under the SAFE rule (LA Times). 
• The Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management approved a proposal for the largest solar power facility in US history and the 8th largest in the world. The $1 billion Gemini Solar Project would project 690 megawatts of energy near Las Vegas. The project would employ up to 900 workers and be completed by 2022 (Power Engineering). 
• Siberia is experiencing a recording heatwave, the town of Verkhoyansk reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June and the temperatures between January and May of 2020 are 8 °C (14 °F) above average. This is a signal that the Arctic is warming much faster than predicted and is likely to act as an accelerator of climate change due to thawing permafrost becoming a major source of carbon. Thawing permafrost also dries out soil, which increases wildfires and further amplifies warming (PBS).
• House Democrats have announced a new plan to combat climate change, which aims to essentially eliminate US carbon dioxide and methane emissions by 2050. Measures include a complete transition to electric cars by 2035 and clean electricity by 2040, reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs. A key component includes putting a price on carbon emissions, the revenues of which would be redistributed to low and medium-income families. The plan is particularly focused on making sure the infrastructure improvements help minority communities that suffer disproportionately from climate change. Further, the bill includes provisions on relocating and protecting communities impacted by climate change and preparing for a worldwide increase in climate refugees (New York Times).

Science Communication / Miscellaneous 

• Kathy Sullivan has become the first person to both complete a spacewalk and reach the Challenger Deep, deepest part of the ocean. Sullivan was previously a NASA astronaut and completed her first spacewalk 36 years ago. While 574 people have gone to space, only 8 people have ever reached the Challenger Deep, which is 35,768 feet (10,902 meters) below the surface and located near Guam (CBS News). 

Texas News

• Travis County has designed its first climate action plan, which aims to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions from county properties and activities. The largest sources of carbon emissions for the county are buildings and employee commuting. Measures to reduce emissions include increased support for telecommuting, using recycled greywater instead of drinking water for air conditioning systems, and upgrading older buildings with more efficient fixtures and appliances. The plan was unanimously approved by county commissioners (Austin American-Statesman). 
• Texas officials warn that this year more hurricanes and tropical storms are predicted to reach land as severe weather events continue to rise. It is recommended that Texans near the coast keep an emergency bag packed in order to quickly evacuate and, this year, that bag should contain masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other equipment to slow the spread of coronavirus. Officials assure people that they will not be turned away from shelters or rescue efforts due to an inability to social distance (Texas Tribune).