Solutions Vol. 48, No. 4 / Fall 2017

California rising The Golden State keeps driving climate progress despite all the backsliding in Washington.

Page 8

Hurricane warning: Gutting EPA endangers Americans! Page 6 Airbnb for butterflies Monarchs have been vanishing from the and the biggest culprit is the disappearance of milkweed, a casualty of herbicide use on farms. EDF members have responded. Your contributions are helping pay for the restoration of milkweed and other pollinator habitat on California, Missouri and Texas farms. This will help the monarchs complete their epic migration.

PHOTO: ISTOCK LOOKING FORWARD

Unnatural disasters In late summer, as wildfires scorched the American West, massive hurricanes swamped the Caribbean, Texas and Florida. Americans responded: Neighbors rescued neighbors; people across the country sent prayers and Environmental Defense Fund’s mission donations. In flooded Houston, EDF scientist is to preserve the natural systems Elena Craft swung into action to protect peo- on which all life depends. Guided by science and economics, we find ple from a toxic plume (see story, p. 6). practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems. Although we call such tragedies natural disasters, there’s a lot about them that is unnatural. Because carbon dioxide has built up in the Our work is made possible by the support atmosphere through decades of burning fossil fuels, the planet is of more than two million members. warming, increasing the intensity of extreme weather events. Solutions On the cover: Earlier in the year, researchers at NOAA warned that the hurricane Vol. 48, No. 4 / Fall 2017 As Washington season in the Atlantic basin “could be extremely active.” The cause: abandons action California warmer surface water temperatures in the Atlantic. The warmer tem- rising on global warm- The Golden State keeps driving climate progress despite all the backsliding in Washington. ing, California has peratures fuel heavier rain, stronger winds and higher storm surges. Page 8 stepped up and In Texas, we saw what happens when you ignore science and don’t reinforced its bipar- Hurricane warning: Gutting EPA endangers Americans! Page 6 plan for the future. The government let people down when it dis- tisan commitment missed climate models and allowed building in wetlands, which to a low-carbon future. Solutions senior writer Rod Griffin explores absorb water and reduce the damaging effects of storms. how the Golden State is embracing the clean energy revolution, charting The reason typically given for doing nothing on climate change is a path forward for the nation and that it would create a drag on the economy. But California has proven the world. this claim to be false. The state economy has grown even as carbon emissions dropped. And recently, with EDF’s help, the Golden State Cover: Getty passed bipartisan climate legislation, extending its historic cap-and- trade program and charting a path toward clean energy that other states are now following (see story, p. 8). Solutions A different reality holds sway in Washington, where the Environ­ Editor Peter Klebnikov mental Protection Agency is facing radical budget cuts, demanded Art Director Janice Caswell by President Trump and EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, who claims Environmental Defense Fund it’s “insensitive” to talk about the effect of climate change on storms. 257 Park Ave. South When disaster strikes, EPA plays a critical role, helping communities New York, NY 10010 deal with life-threatening emergencies such as chemical spills. It was Main number 212-505-2100 no surprise then, that this fall, state and local officials cried out for Membership questions 800-684-3322 EPA’s assistance. or [email protected] WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU That’s one reason why it’s so irresponsible for the administration Send feedback to address above or to demand budget cuts at EPA which could cripple its ability to help email [email protected] Americans weather intensifying storms. We can’t let the federal CONNECT WITH US ONLINE government move us backwards into a dangerous and dirtier era. Congress needs to support a strong EPA to protect our health and edf.org fight global warming. facebook.com/EnvDefenseFund twitter.com/envdefensefund This year, on EDF’s 50th anniversary, we called on members to turn up the heat on the administration and Congress. You responded as linkedin.com/company/ never before, helping us advance successful challenges to the admin- environmental-defense istration’s agenda. ©2017 Environmental Defense Fund. With you by our side, we’ll be even more effective in the next 50. Published quarterly in New York, NY ASSN 0163-2566 New York / Austin / Bentonville, AR / Boston / Boulder / Raleigh / Sacramento / San Francisco / Washington, DC / Beijing, / La Paz, Mexico / London EDF President

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 3 FIELD NOTES REUTERS/BRIAN SNYDER Fish feel the heat

In recent years, rising ocean temperatures and acidifica- tion have contributed to shifts in marine life around the world, significantly affect- ing ocean ecosystems and causing difficulties for fisher- men. Ocean temperatures are there. Baby puffins are starv- the warmest since record ing as they struggle to swal- keeping began in 1880. low the odd-shaped butterfish­ An EDF study shows that that have supplanted herring while some species will be in the Gulf. Energy Secretary Rick Perry hasn’t let science—or economics—in- harmed by climate change, These changes are impact- terfere with his embrace of coal. “You put the supply out there and others will thrive. Off the U.S. ing fishermen: “Fishermen the demand will follow,” he absurdly claims. East Coast, warm water spe- may need to travel quite a Countering coal propaganda cies like black sea bass have distance to catch species moved north. Lobsters, once they’ve traditionally fished When Energy Secretary Rick conclusion.­­ Says Marston, abundant in nearby,” says EDF scientist Perry ordered a study on grid “An early leaked draft that Sound, have become scarce Kristin Kleisner. reliability in April, Jim Mar­ was written without political ston, head of EDF’s clean en- interference came to a differ- ergy program, smelled a rat. ent conclusion,” finding that He was sure the report, osten- the grid is handling clean en- sibly commissioned to look at ergy seamlessly as it transi- I don’t know anybody in the whether renewable energy tions away from coal. country who would build another coal makes the power grid less reli- Nonetheless, the report plant.‘‘ able, was actually intended to will likely be used to justify —Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, prop up the coal industry at new coal subsidies and block an operator of coal-fired plants the expense of the environ- clean energy progress. ’’ ment and public health. “This study means con- Marston has tangled with sumers could be forced to Perry in the past. He led the pay for more polluting, un- FONDATION UNIVERSIT fight that thwarted the former economic energy,” says Texas governor’s effort to fast- Marston. “We won’t stand track 11 dirty coal-fired pow- for that.” er plants in 2007. Our legal team is vigorous- É GRENOBLE ALPES Marston’s suspicions that ly defending existing federal the study was a ruse proved policies on renewables as correct. It twists the facts to well as states’ rights to set reach a predetermined clean energy requirements.

UK’s first coal-free day since Industrial Revolution

From before the time of Dickens, coal fueled Great Britain. But those days are gone forever. Coal now accounts for just 2% of RACING TO SAVE CLIMATE RECORDS energy generation, and for one day this April, the With glaciers melting at an alarming rate, scientists in the Ice country went completely Memory expedition are racing to preserve ancient ice samples. coal-free. The UK has The samples will give future scientists access to millennia of pledged to cut coal usage climate history, such as rainfall trends and atmospheric entirely from its power conditions. The archive will be housed in Antarctica. production by 2025.

4 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 10 years10 agoyears – agoWind – Wind 1% 1% Solar Solar 0% 0% 5 years5 ago years – agoWind – Wind 4.5% 4.5% Solar Solar 0.1% 0.1% March March’17 – W ’17ind – Wind8% 8% Solar Solar 2% 2%

FIELD NOTES SHUTTERSTOCK 1010 of of. S.S.Viva. EDF Cuba! Milestone! energenerg us euseSince 2000, EDF has been Renewables hit 10% of now nowcomes comes fromworking from with Cuban scientists U.S. energy generation windwind and andsol asolar.rand. decision makers on is- sues ranging from coral reef conservation to sustainable N SA fisheries management. 10 Fortunately, these scientific 10 10 initiatives will continue de- e spite the Trump administra- 8 tion’s new restrictions on erg u s

U.S.-Cuba relations. We’re n 8 8 e

.

working with Cuban partners S .

on a new three-year commu- l The Plains Indian tribes lived among the greater sage grouse, hunt- nity-based fisheries manage- 4 ing them for food and mimicking the males in ceremonial dances. tot a

ment project, and have begun f o scoping work on sustainable 4 4 ge

Saving the iconic sage grouse a

agriculture. t 2 Booming energy develop- stepped up to help the bird. “It’s in both nations’ inter-

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2 2 P West has put the greater sage administration wants energ use of .S. Percentage to we share,” says Dan Whittle, 0 grouse at risk. Over the last open millions more acres to director of EDF’s Cuba 2007 2012 2017

century, the bird’s population development, threatening0 0 program. SOURCE: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, MARCH 2017

has dropped 90%. this cooperative effort. Its ISTOCK Several years ago, EDF review of the plan200 to protect7 2007201 2201220172017 began an effort with conser- the bird ignores the scientific vation groups, energy com­ consensus. Gov. Matt Mead, panies and state wildlife the Republican governor of agencies to develop a sci- Wyoming, criticized this fact. SMALL ence-based plan to save the “Let’s look at what the states BUSINESS bird across its 11-state range. have done, and what biolo- CHAMPIONS Landowners in Colorado, gists, folks who know this, Supporting big change Wyoming and Nevada are telling us,” he said. Big businesses hold the power to effect big change. But it’s up to others all along the supply chain to help. Where climate change will hurt the most by century’s end Organic baby food company Happy Family Brands knows The U.S. South and sustainability doesn’t stop Southwest face greater at what goes into a product. risk of economic dam- That’s why the company, age than other places which supplies Walmart and from extreme weather other big chains, turned to such as wildfires and EDF’s free online Green stronger storms (see Freight tool for guidance on p. 17). States with hot further reducing their impact. climates stand to suffer “EDF really helped me more, with Florida taking identify what was possible,” the brunt, as it also must said director of sustainability deal with sea level rise. Katie Clark. The result? The business switched 30% of its inbound Predicted damage 2080-2099 shipping from road to rail, (percent of county GDP per year) reducing annual carbon emissions by 150 tons. Nice work, Happy Family! -5 0 5 10 15 SOURCE: SCIENCE, 2017

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 5 Deadly wake-up calls in Texas, Florida

By Leslie Valentine and Charlie Miller that a mere 3% of violations at petro- chemical facilities have resulted in a fine. “We often turn to Elena for help on these Monster hurricanes Harvey and Irma proved we’re not issues,” says Adrian Shelley, director of prepared for the ravages of climate change. Here’s how the Texas office of Public Citizen. But this latest crisis is beyond any- EDF swung into action in Houston. thing we have seen.

s hurricane harvey increasingly alarmed as releases exceed- Awash in chemicals pummeled the Texas coast this ed limits by seven million pounds. Harvey inundated Superfund sites in August, EDF toxicologist Elena “In just two weeks we suddenly had a Houston, raising concerns about releases A Craft foresaw a danger no one year’s worth of exposure to a toxic brew of dangerous chemicals such as lead, ar- was talking about: toxic emissions could in the air,” says Craft. “And these chemi- senic, benzene and polychlorinated bi- easily spew from the vast hub of petro- cals have a cumulative effect on health.” phenyls into bayous, rivers and chemical plants surrounding Houston. Armed with the best research and ex- Galveston Bay. Many plants in the area Anticipating a shutdown of air quality pertise, EDF worked with City of Houston were damaged and 14 Superfund sites monitoring in the storm’s chaos, Dr. Craft officials and contacted news agencies to were flooded, elevating the risk of toxic hired a mobile van carrying monitoring bring the emergency to public attention. exposure. equipment. The unit quickly identified a Soon reporters from across the country Despite the dangerous situation, the large plume of benzene, a known carcin- were calling. Craft’s expertise has made Texas environmental agency and EPA did ogen, and reported the findings to Texas her a go-to person both for the media not come to inspect the sites for days and officials. In fact, the monitor found ele- and for environmental advocates. only did so after pressure from EDF and vated levels in every place tested. We’re now working with the Harvard our allies. By mid-September, Texas offi- As rains driven by climate change kept School of Public Health to deploy 200 cials had still not deployed their mobile coming, gas pipelines ruptured and fires sensors to measure emissions, and with air quality unit, which was sitting idle. broke out at industrial facilities. Houston Rice University and Houston health offi- The storm quickly highlighted the residents began complaining of nausea cials to establish a registry to track health danger of weakening EPA. An explosion and dizziness. With the danger to public impacts in Harvey’s wake. at a chemical plant outside Houston, health becoming clear, EDF and our allies For years, EDF has spearheaded a co- owned by the French company Arkema, jumped into action. As Craft monitored alition to lower air pollution in the re- exposed large flaws in the regulation of the state’s toxic emissions, she became gion, most recently highlighting the fact chemical safety, risk disclosure and

6 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 emergency planning. Only heroic action Slashed EPA budget won’t help by workers prevented a possible leak of Against that backdrop, the huge budget HARVEY sulfur dioxide, which could have affected and staffing cuts envisaged at EPA would THE COST OF FAILURE more than one million residents. severely weaken the agency’s ability to re- Under former President Obama, fol- spond to disasters. 8,600 lowing a series of deadly accidents, in- EPA helps communities deal with houses built in the floodplain since 2010 cluding an explosion at a Texas fertilizer public health threats, including life- plant, EPA strengthened chemical safety threatening emergencies like explosions, 7 million plans to prepare for emergencies such as fires and toxic releases. When disasters pounds of toxic chemicals released into Harvey. The new standards, which EDF strike, states desperately need the federal the air from shutdown/startup of facilities helped promote, were set to take effect in government as a full partner. Trump and 2017. But after President Trump was in- Pruitt are seeking to reduce EPA’s work- 1 million augurated, Arkema and its industry trade force by 3,000 positions, out of a total of people displaced from their homes association, the American Chemistry 15,408. The reductions would undermine Council, objected. EPA’s mission because the staff’s exper- $200 billion Shortly after, EPA Administrator Scott tise and support have proved crucial in estimated cost of damages

ALEX GLOSTRUM/LOUISIANA BUCKET BRIGADE Pruitt suspended the safety improve- protecting public health and responding ments, signaling to companies that they to environmental disasters. $929 million need not comply with them. That sus- Trump’s proposed budget would crip- cuts in emergency preparedness pension is now being challenged in ple other key agencies that will respond requested by President Trump court, with EDF’s ally Air Alliance to the coming climate change-driven Houston among the plaintiffs. storms. Cuts would hit the Federal Emergency Management Agency restoration and promoting natural infra- The failure to address climate (FEMA), the National Weather Service, structure such as barrier islands and wet- In the aftermath of Harvey, Houston resi- which forecasts extreme storms, and the lands. We’re sharing our work with dents set an inspirational example for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric planners around the country. rest of America on how to overcome divi- Administration, whose research helps Storms remind us of who we are. sions and help neighbors. coastal residents prepare for disaster. Perhaps Harvey will finally shift The same cannot be said of many “EPA works hand-in-glove with FEMA,” Congress’ position on climate change. A public officials. “Harvey and Irma’s dev- says EDF director for strategic planning 2013 study of New Jersey residents clob- astating impacts were a disaster waiting Elgie Holstein. “It’s a royal hypocrisy that bered by Hurricane Sandy found that to happen,” says EDF climate scientist as Trump congratulates Texas state offi- even among climate doubters, support Scott Weaver. “Scientists have long pre- cials on the great job they are doing, the for the environment grew. dicted that climate change would make state’s senators and congressmen come to As they rebuild, Texas, Florida and hurricanes more intense, but we have Washington to cut essential programs.” other states will need to confront ques- failed to plan for them adequately.” The administration could learn from tions our leaders have avoided too long. A warmer Earth means more water next-door Louisiana, which is seeing dra- With the 2018 elections around the cor- will evaporate into the clouds. More matic land loss on its coast and respond- ner, Harvey could reverberate in the halls moisture means more precipitation. The ing to it effectively. EDF is working with of Washington long after this hurricane daily surface temperature of the Gulf of the state’s policy makers on coastal season has blown its course. Mexico never dropped below 73 degrees

last winter, for the first time ever. Harvey GETTY sucked energy from these warm waters, and took aim at Houston. The failure to plan for climate change has been magnified by the Trump ad- ministration’s policies. Trump and Pruitt have virtually banished climate change from the government’s lexicon and pro- posed to eliminate the Clean Power Plan, the most ambitious U.S. effort to reduce power plant emissions. Just ten days before Harvey’s landfall, Trump signed an executive order undo- ing an Obama-era rule that required fed- eral agencies to consider future flood conditions when planning infrastructure projects. He also disbanded a climate ad- visory panel designed to help officials in- tegrate federal climate change analysis Not only during hurricanes: In Miami, sea levels have risen roughly 10 to 12 inches over the into long-term planning. past century, making flooding the new normal.

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 7 WelcomeDEPARTMENT to STANDING HEAD

The future starts here

By Rod Griffin

With the Trump administration doing all it can to reverse progress on climate change, the Golden State is forging ahead. With help from EDF, this leader in environmental innovation has doubled down on its commitments and invited other states to do the same, sending a strong signal to the nation and the world.

t a pg&e substation, 50 teries to meet surges in demand. landmark Global Warming Solutions Act miles north of Sacramento, Advances like these, spurred in part by (AB 32), which set an economy-wide cap California’s largest utility re- California’s bold leadership on climate on greenhouse gas emissions, including Acently made history by deploy- change, are transforming the nation’s au- a cap-and-trade program for the state’s ing its first lithium-ion battery storage tomobile industry and electric grid, en- largest polluters. California also set rigor- facility. The energy system features 22 abling renewable energy to reach scale. ous standards for cleaner cars, renewable brand new Tesla powerpacks, each about Many experts believe that within a few energy and low-carbon fuels, thereby un- the size of a refrigerator. years home batteries will be common- leashing the current wave of innovation. It attracted little press, unlike the roll- place, and electricity will be part of the With the Trump administration’s anti- out of Tesla’s new mass-market electric ve- sharing economy, like Airbnb or Uber. environmental stance, some feared the hicle, the Model 3. Nonetheless, the new When a utility needs extra electricity, it state’s momentum would stall. Instead, facility, along with the Model 3 and other will be able to call on the battery in your the opposite has happened. In July, the recent clean energy breakthroughs, are home or hybrid car to power your neigh- California legislature voted to extend the part of an exciting energy revolution. bor’s appliances, and it will pay you for state’s cap-and-trade program, which The powerpacks are helping solve one the power you are providing. had been set to end in 2020. The declin- of the biggest challenges of wind and so- For more than a decade, EDF has ing cap guarantees emissions reductions lar energy—intermittent supply. Using been working with California to lay the and is a central component of California’s Tesla’s technology, the utility will be able groundwork for the new clean energy ambitious plan to cut planet-warming to call upon the stored energy in the bat- economy. In 2006, we cosponsored the emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

8 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 DEPARTMENT STANDING HEAD

The future starts here

The extension, along with a compan- environmentalists and businesses—a forge compromise,” said Assembly minor- ion bill that addresses local pollution, sharp contrast to the partisan acrimony ity leader Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley). passed by a two-thirds majority, the that has stalled climate efforts in The idea behind cap-and-trade is threshold needed to avoid legal challeng- Washington. es. “Republicans and Democrats set aside “This success demonstrates that it their differences, came together and took is possible to strike a balance between A EANENERG SESS STR courageous action,” said California Gov. environmental, economic and health Percentage change since (California) Jerry Brown. “That’s what good govern- concerns while ensuring equity for com- ment looks like.” munities like mine that are dispropor- Underlying California’s actions is defi- tionately impacted by pollution,” said GDP ance. “We’ve got the scientists, we’ve got Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), the bill’s the lawyers, and we’re ready to fight,” sponsor. “We have created a model for Gov. Brown said after Trump was elected. the world, and EDF was an instrumental Responding to threats to cut funding for partner in this effort.” climate research, he added, “California Our staff lobbied lawmakers to make will launch its own damn satellite!” sure the legislation remained strong. We California’s determination to tackle gained support from key parties, with a global warming came as climate change high-profile strategy that included an ravages the state. A year after rains ended oped by EDF president Fred Krupp, Gov. T a five-year drought, the worst in a millen- Brown and the president of the state’s nium, torrential rains in 2017 damaged Chamber of Commerce, Allan Zarem­ the state’s infrastructure, such as the berg. As the vote approached, Dr. Nat P Oroville dam. Then came a heat wave, Keohane, EDF’s VP for Global Climate, followed by raging wildfires. met with lawmakers and advised on the The vote to extend cap-and-trade was bill’s final design. backed by Democrats, Republicans, “EDF listened to all sides and helped

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 9 COVER STORY

PARKS.CA.GOV Authority for 60 new zero-emission elec- tric buses. The city plans to eventually re- place its entire 2,200-strong bus fleet with electric. The Lancaster plant is also churning out buses for other cities, in- cluding Atlanta, Indianapolis and Miami.

Here comes the sun Of all the changes transforming California, the solar boom may be the most striking. Nearly five million homes in the state are now powered by the sun. And it’s not just Malibu millionaires who are solarizing. In the low-income San Diego neigh- borhood of Broadway Heights, nearly half of the 192 homes have rooftop solar panels, partly financed by the state’s cap- Revenues from California’s cap-and-trade program go to projects ranging from affordable and-trade program. Since getting new housing and clean transportation to preserving Northern forests that act as carbon sinks. panels, resident Jimmie Martin has seen his electric bill drop by $100 a month. simple. The legislation caps greenhouse communities behind,” says Quentin “I’m going to put some of my savings gases emitted by the state’s largest pollut- Foster, EDF’s California climate director. back into the community,” he says, “and ers, and lowers that cap over time, creat- Contrary to the warnings of critics, increase my church tithe.” ing a market for innovations to help hundreds of companies are moving to The solar industry in California em- companies cut emissions at lowest cost. California to plug into the new energy ployed 100,000 people in 2016, 25% more Since 2006, California’s greenhouse economy. The state has attracted more than the preceding year and nearly twice gas emissions have gone down 8% even venture capital investment for clean tech the number of coal miners nationwide. as gross domestic product has surged than the European Union and China The influx prompted Fresno Iron­ 15%. The state’s economy has grown combined. Even the state’s manufactur- workers Local Union 155 to triple the size from the world’s eighth largest to sixth ing base is experiencing a boost. of its apprenticeship program. One new largest—and added 1.3 million jobs. For example, China-based BYD, the apprentice is 20-year-old Norma Alva­ In the recent legislation, a priority for world’s largest electric bus manufacturer, rado, who is installing solar power in the EDF was passage of the accompanying recently opened a production facility in Central Valley. Alvarado used to work at bill that requires an increase in local air Lancaster, CA, outside Los Angeles, that McDonald’s earning minimum wage. pollution monitoring and enacts stricter now employs 700 people. “This program is my way forward,” she penalties for polluters. There’s also a new “We view California as an enlightened says. “And I feel like I have a part in solv- requirement for refineries and other large state,” says Macy Neshati, senior vice ing the air pollution problem.” industrial facilities to upgrade their president at BYD Heavy Industries, a U.S. equipment to cleaner technology. subsidiary. “We expect to double our All eyes are on California “This package demonstrates to the work force over the next year and a half.” Can the Golden State sustain its Midas nation and the world that California can In July, BYD received an order from touch as it slashes its emissions? So far, address climate change without leaving the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit the outlook is promising. California

Pioneering change

Efficiency rules! Cap on carbon The California Ener- Gov. Schwarzenegger signs gy Commission sets the Global Warming Solutions the nation’s first en- Act, cosponsored by EDF. The ergy use standards law sets an economy-wide cap for new buildings. on emissions.

Setting the stage Smog check Clean car standards Market kickoff Gov. Reagan creates the New rules require that drivers EDF helps California pass first-of- California’s cap-and- California Air Resources get their cars tested for emis- its-kind legislation to reduce GHG trade program goes Board, which will become sions. Today, the program re- emissions from cars and light into effect. the state’s chief enforcer moves 400 tons of pollutants trucks (other states follow lead). of climate change policy. from California’s air every day.

1967 1978 1984 2002 2006 2013

10 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 KIKE ARNAL We have created a model for the world, and EDF was an instrumental partner in this effort. ‘‘ — California Assemblyman’’ Eduardo Garcia already gets more than a quarter of its counties have joined the “We are Still In” electricity from renewables and is on track campaign to commit to the Paris accord. to meet its commitment of 33% by 2020. Meanwhile, foreign dignitaries pass But the state’s progress doesn’t stop through Sacramento on a regular basis there. One-third of its proposed emission seeking advice on how they might launch reductions will come from curbing cli- their own carbon markets. Gov. Brown

mate pollutants other than CO2, including has invited leaders to a global climate hydrofluorocarbons from air condition- summit in San Francisco in 2018. ers and methane from oil and gas opera- The hope is that the combination of tions. After EDF helped expose the huge market forces, wider use of cleaner fuels The art of the Aliso Canyon methane leak last year, the and aggressive actions by states, busi- state passed new methane rules for oil nesses and cities can fill the void left by possible and gas production facilities that are the the Trump administration. strongest in the nation. But no matter Says Tim O’Connor, an attorney in EDF California climate director Quentin how much progress California makes, the EDF’s Climate and Energy Program: “No Foster grew up in the low-income Watts United States will fall short of its goals un- one person—not even the president of neighborhood of Los Angeles. “I had der the Paris climate agreement unless the United States—can put the brakes on to fight,” he says, “and to dream and more states and ultimately the federal the momentum for climate action.” believe that I could do, and be, more.” government take strong Foster was the first in his family to ISTOCK graduate from college—and then go steps on climate. on to graduate school. The good news is that many are. Nine North- As a child, he knew first-hand the costs eastern states are part of of living in an unhealthy environment, a regional a cap-and- having suffered from asthma. “I can trade program that has recall going outside with my friends to helped reduce emissions play,” he says. “And guess what? We from power plants in the all had inhalers.” Today, his dream is region by 40% since to help fix the global climate and to 2008. In August,­ the improve environmental conditions in states agreed to cut an California’s poorer communities. additional 30% by 2030. Twenty-nine states now Foster is in the right place to effect real require their utilities to change. “We have to turn back climate obtain power from re- change and be just as vigorous in ad- California’s success in putting a price on carbon helped give newable sources, and at China the confidence to launch its own carbon trading sys- dressing local air-pollution issues,” he least 240 cities and tem, the world’s largest. EDF helped lay the groundwork. says. “We need to make sure we are not leaving behind the most vulnerable, impacted communities.”

This summer, as the state legislature debated two bills to tackle global Ratcheting up Doubling down climate change and local air pollution, California extends its With EDF’s help, California he hunkered down with staff in our Sac- emissions reduction extends its cap-and-trade ramento office trying to find common goal to 40% below program and passes com- ground, not just between Democrats 1990 levels by 2030. panion legislation improving and Republicans, but between busi- local air quality. nesses, unions, agricultural interests, environmental groups and environmen- Low-carbon fuels Plugging methane leaks tal justice advocates. Cap-and-trade pro- After EDF helps expose the Aliso gram expands to in- Canyon methane leak, the state In the end, Foster helped pass critical clude production of passes the nation’s most strin- legislation that begins to bridge the gulf transportation fuels. gent methane rules for oil and between the various contentious fac- gas production facilities. tions on climate change. “The legisla- tion isn’t perfect,” he says, “but it’s a 2015 2016 2017 2017 huge step forward.”

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 11 Present at the creation By

Fifty years ago this October, EDF was born. Art Cooley, one of our founders and still a trustee, recounts the early days, when a tireless group of scientists went to court to save our great birds of prey. Their victory laid the foundations for the battles we fight—and win—today.

was in the room where it In Michigan, all but one of the cities • The population in happened. It was the fall of 1967 we sued agreed to give up DDT, in part North America has more than doubled and the room was my living room on because they couldn’t find scientists to since 1970 to an estimated 40,000 birds I Long Island. There were ten of us. On contradict our evidence that the insecti- today. October 6 of that year (after some diffi- cide was endangering the survival of birds • And when it comes to , there are culty coming up with the $37.00 incorpo- of prey. The publicity surrounding our now estimated to be 310,000 in North ration fee), we had signed papers victory alerted activists in Wisconsin who America - more than a tripling of the establishing the Environmental Defense were also battling DDT. They invited us the population since 1970. Fund, and unanimously passed a motion to present our anti-DDT case in front of that we would “proceed with all due cau- an administrative law judge. We did and Finding the ways that work tion.” And then we voted at my house to won; DDT was banned in Wisconsin. In its early years, EDF was built on a stool sue 52 cities in Michigan to stop their So what next? Why not sue the federal with two legs—science and law. Our un- spraying of elm trees with the insecticide government and get DDT banned na- official motto was “Sue the bastards!” DDT. It was our first lawsuit as EDF. tionwide? So much for proceeding with We bolstered our commitment to sci- Our action was prompted by a recent “due caution.” ence when Dr. Michael Oppenheimer victory in which we supported a lawsuit Our federal DDT case was ultimately was hired as chief scientist in 1981 with a to stop the Suffolk County Mosquito assigned to the newly formed EPA. Again brief to be “in charge of the air quality in Commission from spraying DDT on salt we prevailed, as William Ruckelshaus, the New York City and beyond.” One can marshes on Long Island. In our research, first EPA administrator, banned DDT in only imagine what he thought “beyond” we had discovered DDT in the eggshells 1972. Our victory, and the story of EDF’s meant. In retrospect it meant becoming of osprey. We argued that the precipitous early years, was immortalized by my one of the nation’s leading scientists on decline of osprey, as well as other birds of EDF co-founder, Charles Wurster, in his global warming. prey such as bald eagles and peregrine 2015 book DDT Wars (available on In 1984, Fred Krupp was hired as falcons, was caused by the chemical, Amazon). Today, thanks in part to the EDF’s executive director. When asked by which produced thin eggshells, reducing ban on DDT, birds of prey have rebound- the interviewing committee, “Fred, aren’t offspring. ed in a spectacular way. you a little young for the job?” Fred Publicity surrounding the case paused and said, “I will do something prompted the Suffolk County Legislature • Between 1970 and 2016, it is estimated about that every day I am on the job.” He to ban the use of DDT. A year later, the that the population of adult bald eagles is a man of his word because his hair col- New York State Legislature banned DDT. in the U.S. rose from 15,000 to 143,000. or now matches mine.

12 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 Have you included EDF in your will? PHOTOS FAR LEFT: T. CHARLES ERICKSON. OTHERS CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: OFFSET; T.W. VANURK; FOTOSEARCH.COM

Make a lasting contribution toward protecting the planet for generations.

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Opposite page: EDF’s founders, left to right: Osprey Society today. Dennis Puleston, Charles Wurster and Art Cool- ey. Clockwise from above: the bald eagle was on track to extinction before DDT was banned; acid rain emissions are down 85% since 1990, when EDF helped pass a law to address the Toll-free: 1-877-677-7397 problem; last year, we won reform of the U.S. [email protected] | edf.org/legacy chemical safety law, protecting families.

Fred had the notion that the market- Among them: place might be friendly to the right envi- ronmental approach, so he hired the • Substantial revision and strengthening economist Dr. Dan Dudek. of America’s formerly disastrous chemi- Fred reportedly said, “I wasn’t sure if cal safety law.

Dan was loony or the greatest visionary I • Cap-and-trade programs for CO2 in had ever met, but I took a chance and California, Quebec and Ontario, as well hired him.” Dan led us into cap-and-trade as in China. programs for acid rain in 1990 and later • Secure fishing rights adopted in more carbon emissions. than 60% of U.S. fisheries, as well as in Fred raised the then-radical idea that Belize and Sweden. businesses were not necessarily the ene- • Elimination of lead in gasoline. my, as many environmentalists then be- • Widespread use of landowner incen- lieved, and in fact could be very helpful. tives to help save imperiled species. His first venture with a business was • Helping reduce deforestation in the McDonald’s. In the 1990s, EDF helped Amazon by 70%. McDonald’s eliminate more than 300 million tons of packaging, much of it Looking to the future styrofoam, and reduce restaurant waste Today, one would have to be living un- by 30%. Other restaurants quickly fol- der a rock to be unaware of the large- lowed suit. scale assault on our environment. At times, the work we do can seem daunt- A legacy of accomplishment ing, the stakes impossibly high. But I be- EDF was now a solid four-legged stool lieve that EDF, together with its allies in comprising science, law, economics and the environmental community, has the partnerships, and this allowed us to take resolve to overcome the obstacles that on ever more complex environmental stand in our way. challenges. Today, by being EDF members, we are Over the past 50 years, EDF has all in the room where environmental achieved some remarkable results. progress continues unbroken.

PHOTO: ERIC SAMBOL Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 13 ISTOCK which had been kept hidden from the public—an abandonment of decades-old transparency policies observed by ad- ministrators from both political parties. In response to our FOIA request and oth- er public pressure, Pruitt finally released the schedule in late September. It re- vealed that he met regularly with execu- tives from mining, fossil fuel and auto industries, sometimes shortly before he made decisions favorable to them.

Defending bedrock protections We are also going to court to make sure Pruitt enforces existing law, including the “good neighbor” protection under the Clean Air Act, which limits air pollution that crosses state lines. In August, EDF and our allies notified EPA that we will sue to make sure the agency responds to a Maryland petition seeking to curb pol- In the courts, reason for hope lution from 36 coal-fired plants in five upwind states. About 70% of Maryland’s EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is pursuing an aggressive smog comes from these upwind states. agenda to undo environmental protections. EDF’s Standing up for clean energy dedicated team of attorneys has mobilized to fight back. We are successfully defending the right of states to pursue clean energy. Three re- s attorney general of suspend implementation of air-quality cent victories over industry challenges in Oklahoma, EPA Administrator standards for ground-level ozone (more New York, Connecticut and Illinois pro- AScott Pruitt sued EPA 14 times to commonly known as smog). More than vide a solid legal foundation in that on- attack vital protections for public health 115 million Americans still breathe air going defense. EDF filed friend-of-the- and the environment. Now, nine months with unhealthy levels of smog. Pruitt ini- court briefs in all three, joined in some into the Trump administration, Pruitt’s tially said he needed an additional year cases by other environmental groups destructive agenda is in full swing. to gather information—widely seen as an and consumer advocates. Does that mean Pruitt and Trump are excuse to stall. EDF and our allies sued, unstoppable? Not by a long shot. and we were joined by attorneys general Formidable challenges lie ahead as EDF and our allies are pushing back, from 16 states. Pruitt backed down. the Trump administration continues to and we’ve scored some solid victories. A “Facts and law matter,” says EDF gen- flout laws and policies intended to pro- dramatic win on the Senate floor pre- eral counsel Vickie Patton. “We will hold tect the American people. served the Interior Department’s long- Pruitt accountable for his reckless “EPA has undergone the government overdue limits on methane pollution on decisions.” equivalent of a hostile takeover,” says public and tribal lands. Our legal strategy has several Patton. “With the support of our mem- In the courts, we’ve deployed our deep elements: bers, we are prepared to fight and win.” bench of attorneys to defend key environ- Charlie Miller mental protections. In June, after the ad- Ensuring transparency ministration lost the methane battle in After EDF attorneys filed many JOHN RAE the Senate, Pruitt abruptly suspended Freedom of Information Act methane standards for new and modified (FOIA) requests, we received in- oil and gas facilities nationwide. EDF and formation on 1,900 climate-re- a coalition of health and environmental lated pages and files scrubbed groups filed suit asking for an emergency or modified from EPA’s website stay to block the decision, and we were under Pruitt. This included vital later joined by a large coalition of states information about climate im- and municipalities. In July, a three-judge pacts on human health. We’ve panel of a federal appeals court struck made these records available on down Pruitt’s decision. These nationwide our website to ensure that EPA’s limits on oil and gas pollution are now in hard-earned science informa- full effect. tion is preserved (edf.org/trans- We won a major victory when Pruitt parency). We also filed a FOIA EDF general counsel Vickie Patton: “We are prepared reversed course and decided not to request to see Pruitt’s schedule, to fight and win.”

14 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 A spoonful of sustainability From farm to table, there are environmental costs to food production at every step of the way. EDF works with partners to cut emissions and protect ecosystems all along the supply chain. Here are some of the ways we are championing a better bowl of corn flakes and milk.

ON THE FARM

Reducing pollution Promoting healthier land

More than half of crop fertilizer can end up in our 90 million acres of U.S. land is farmed for corn, air and waterways. The result: greenhouse gases some of which becomes corn flakes. But farming and ocean dead zones. EDF promotes careful can be hard on land. EDF works with farmers and targeted application of fertilizer to reduce runoff advisors to reduce erosion by encouraging no-till, and cut 9 million metric tons of emissions a year. cover cropping and unfarmed buffer zones.

IN THE FACTORY

Cutting air pollution Tackling toxic chemicals

Processing and packaging cereal and dairy Toxic chemicals enter food during the manufacturing causes 125 million metric tons of carbon emis- process. Phthalates, linked to decreased IQ, and per- sions annually. EDF’s Climate Corps fellows have chlorate, known to impair infant brain development, worked with 40 leading consumer packaged have both been found in milk. EDF is campaigning goods companies, identifying ways to improve for more research and a ban on the use of these energy efficiency and cut emissions. chemicals.

IN TRANSIT

Fighting carbon emissions

Shipping dairy and cereals across the U.S. causes two million metric tons of carbon pollution a year. EDF’s Green Freight team shows businesses large and small the route to cleaner modes of transport, less energy waste and streamlined shipping strategies.

Working in the boardroom Global production and use of all consumer products creates more than 60% of the world’s carbon emissions. But EDF knows big business can effect big change. That’s why, in April, we helped Walmart launch Project Gigaton, a plan to reduce their supply chain emissions by one billion tons by 2030. EDF is helping suppliers like Smithfield Foods and Land O’Lakes work toward this goal. Now the pressure to lower emissions will be felt throughout the 100,000 compa- nies that comprise Walmart’s global supply chain.

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 15 STOCKSY.COM

“I don’t like it. I told you, I don’t like it!”

press coverage, including news reports A new front in the war on lead on more than 100 television stations. Drinking water is another worrisome An EDF report shows that some baby foods contain toxic avenue for lead exposure, and EDF is in- lead. We’re pressing manufacturers and the FDA to volved here, too. In 2015 the nation learned about the public health crisis in pinpoint the source and fix the problem. Flint, MI, when high levels of lead were found in the city’s drinking water. What ore than 30 years ago, edf reduce or eliminate persistent sources of most people don’t know, however, is that won the fight to get lead out of lead exposure in their environment.” some six million homes across America Mgasoline. Americans’ blood lead Scientists don’t know precisely where are also at risk because, like the residents levels have dropped precipitously in one the lead in baby food is coming from. Nor of Flint, they get their drinking water of the biggest public health victories of do they know why lead is more frequent- through lead service pipes. the postwar era. Now, scientists have ly found in some types of baby food than EDF is working with communities in come to believe there is no safe level of in food intended for older children and the Midwest and Northeast to remove lead in the human body. adults. And unfortunately, FDA provides lead water pipes. We’re also testing drink- So what is lead doing in baby food? no information about which baby food ing water for lead in several child care That’s the question raised by a new brands are most commonly tainted. centers nationwide, with the goal of find- EDF report that found 20% of baby food Parents can take action by asking baby ing effective solutions for the centers. samples had detectable levels of lead, in- food companies what they are doing to “We’ll never recover the IQ points that cluding fruit juices, cookies and root veg- address the problem and whether they children lost to lead exposure,” says Tom etables such as carrots. regularly test their food for lead. Experts Neltner, EDF chemicals policy director. “Every child’s food should come un- also recommend that parents consult “But we can make sure that tomorrow’s leaded,” says Dr. Sarah Vogel, EDF vice their pediatricians for advice on how to kids are better protected.” president for Health. “Food is a poorly reduce lead exposure. Charlie Miller understood and often overlooked source The EDF study was based on a GETTY of lead exposure.” decade’s worth of FDA data, and Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and chil- we have filed a Freedom of dren are especially vulnerable. Lead ex- Information Act (FOIA) request to posure can result in lower IQ, memory pry loose more data and more in- problems, possible hearing loss and be- formation on products, which we havioral problems like hyperactivity. expect to publish in a new report EDF’s study found that more than one later this year. We’re also working million children consume lead in excess with manufacturers of baby food of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify the source of the lead limits. According to the American in their products and learn what Academy of Pediatrics, “The key to pre- can be done about it. The initial Beyond Flint, six million homes are at risk of lead in venting lead toxicity in children is to EDF report resulted in a flood of drinking water in the U.S.

16 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 GETTY THE WILSON LEGACY Where climate change will hurt most By Frank Convery, EDF Chief Economist

“Posterity be damned: what has posterity ever done for me?” Boyle Roache, an 18th- century Irish politician, captured a univer- sal truth. Most of us heavily discount the future. This basic fact goes far to explain why the risks of climate change have failed to take hold in the popular imagination.

But the future is getting closer. Not only are destructive storms like Harvey, Irma Chicago now houses the largest urban solar installation in the United States. and Maria here today, but an emerging lit- erature on the impacts of climate change is beginning to transform our understanding Anatomy of a clean energy victory of what is in store, when and where. For ex- ample, a recent paper in Science, “Estimat- subsidies for its nuclear reactors. ing economic damage from climate change Dick Munson oversees Sensing a negotiating opportunity, EDF in the United States,” integrates climate EDF’s Clean Energy and allies began building the Illinois science, econometric analyses and other work in the Midwest. data to pinpoint where and how much Clean Jobs Coalition, reaching out to harm could occur in local economies. consumer advocacy, labor unions, en- vironmental justice and other groups. That damage won’t be distributed equally. We introduced our own renewable-fo- The biggest burden is likely to be felt in the ate last year, after hard- cused legislation, which included fund- South, while the Pacific Northwest and the fought negotiations, EDF and its co- ing for solar development and job Northeast will show modest gains. Agricul- Lalition partners in Illinois felt sure training in low-income communities. tural yields could fall by 30-90% in Texas, we had reached the finish line on passage A political stalemate followed. The parts of the Midwest and California—but of a strong energy bill. The Future Energy fossil fuel interests and utilities lobby- may increase in the Pacific Northwest. Jobs Bill would spur some $15 billion of ing for subsidies had locked up many investment in new wind and solar proj- votes, but so had we. It became clear There is no uncertainty that climate change ects and reduce the power sector’s green- that neither side would get what it is caused largely by humans. But we are house gas emissions 56% by 2030—even wanted. That’s when the Clean Jobs only beginning to learn where the damages more than the Obama administration’s Coalition and others joined to hammer will be, when they will occur and how cata- Clean Power Plan would have. out the Future Energy Jobs Bill. strophic they will be. The emerging picture But, just days before the vote, Illinois Early on, we began to organize isn’t pretty. Reports like this one provide legislators told us they were inserting monthly meetings of EDF’s Chicago- guideposts in planning for resiliency as the subsidies for money-losing coal plants. based members. We kept our 70,000 planet changes. Coal lobbyists, evidently, had gotten to members in Illinois abreast of the ne- SHUTTERSTOCK these legislators. Rather than accept a bill gotiations and on high alert. Members that was a vehicle for pollution, EDF and mobilized within 12 hours, sending its partners decided to walk away. some 2,000 emails and personalized That might have been the end of the letters to the governor and legislators. story, but we pulled out all the stops— “I’m so grateful to EDF for giving me with EDF members at the center of the clear guidance on what I could do,” action—and got the coal subsidies says Mark Kraemer, an EDF member scrubbed from the bill. Only three weeks and a bass violinist in the Chicago after Donald Trump’s election, Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Republican governor Bruce Rauner Days before the vote, we organized signed the bipartisan legislation. six hours of testimony from health The battle for clean energy has shifted groups, faith leaders and consumer ad- California vineyards will be hard-hit. and is now being played out in states like vocates against coal subsidies. The final Illinois, where real progress is being package, I’m happy to report, contains achieved even in divisive times. no coal subsidies. Without the help of This regular column honors the memory of Robert W. Wilson, a longtime EDF supporter and cham- The story began 18 months before, thousands of EDF members, this victo- pion of harnessing market forces to drive when the utility Exelon requested huge ry would not have been possible. environmental progress. See edf.org/wilson

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 17 GREEN LIVING

Become a citizen scientist

With the Trump administration cutting budgets for science, the need for accurate scientific data has never been greater. You can help by becoming a citizen scientist—and you don’t need a Ph.D. to make a difference. Technological advances mean that from behind your computer, in your neighborhood or out on a trail, you can now count, measure, analyze, identify—and share. Here’s how.

Monitor butterfly migration Monitor mountain birds Save the redwoods Monarch butterfly populations are in steep The woodland hills Use your smartphone decline. Help scientists collect data by of New England are to report the plants and tracking and tagging them along their mi- magical on early animals spotted among the gration route from North America to Mexico. spring mornings. Help Californian redwoods. The Mountain Birdwatch and identify mountain information helps scientists When? Mid-August to November breeding birds by learning their songs with better understand species distribution and Where? The lower 48 states the help of a training CD. predict where future redwoods will thrive. Learn more: monarchwatch.org When? June mornings When? Year-round Where? Specific trails in the mountains Where? Redwood forests on the of New England Californian coast Learn more: bit.ly/2xRsXrx Learn more: bit.ly/2fka5tf Test your local waterways Residents of over 140 countries are testing water quality in their local streams, rivers and lakes Track humpback whales for EarthEcho Water Challenge. Order testing kits and share Boaters can your findings online. help gather information When? March 22 to December 31 about the pop- Where? Local water bodies Record historical weather data ulation, health Learn more: worldwatermonitoringday.org Computers can’t read the spidery handwrit- and movements of humpback whales by ing in 19th and 20th century ships’ logs, photographing their distinctive tails, which but you can. Help transcribe information on are then matched to those in a registry. historic weather patterns and sea ice condi- tions to aid scientists with climate modeling. When? Year-round, depending on location Observe growing Where? Between the North Atlantic and the When? Anytime Caribbean plants Where? From your computer Learn more: caribtails.org Learn more: oldweather.org Project BudBurst needs you to collect data on the timings of the leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants. Scientists use the data to track how plants These are only a few of the projects out there. Browse Scistarter.com and Zooinverse. respond to climate change. org for hundreds more. Let us know your personal favorite at [email protected] When? Year-round Where? Countrywide EDF is not responsible for the work of these organizations. Please exercise your own discretion Learn more: budburst.org —and have fun!

18 Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 GREEN LIVING SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS OFFSET CREDIT Letters We can still save the warbler ALAMY

I appreciate you touting the revival of the black-capped vireo (Spring, 2017). It’s Because the environment can’t always good to hear of private landowners being good stewards. speak out, we must This success is not solely due to private efforts. In Texas, Assaults on the environment won’t end until we convince our lawmakers to we have used public funds stand up for what’s right. Our political affiliate, EDF Action, asked members to set aside the Balcones to tell us how they’re fighting for change in the 2018 elections. Canyonlands preserve for the black-capped vireo and the I have joined several climate unteer leadership, we retired a age all of my friends and many golden-cheeked warbler. change organizations, initiated second time. The 2016 election of my classmates to vote as While the vireo is recover- discussions with city council has us re-engaged on climate well. The environment depends ing, this is not the case for the members and the mayor, will change and health care. We on young voters, so I will con- warbler. There are very strong meet with a congressman next expect to be still working at our tribute as many as I can. political pressures funding week about climate change present level and urge every- Cielle W., MI poor science to declare the and am using Facebook as a one else who understands and bird recovered, so valuable forum for climate change and cares to do the same. I’m interested in starting a habitat can be developed. We renewable energy education. Milton and Shirley N., OR service to drive people to the need to stay vigilant, and not James M., AZ polls on Election Day. roll back protections prema- I have been an Election Officer Jane B., MN turely, My wife, Elsa, and I have start- for 14+ years here in our mo- Sarah J., TX ed a nonprofit (voterise.org) bile home park. A lot of hours Write my congressional rep- charged with getting Utah’s are required for each election resentatives weekly about my David Wolfe, EDF director 18-29 year-olds to register and -- training class, set-up time, a position on the environment. of conservation strategy, vote. While nonpartisan, we will day that starts at 6 am. I do it Be positive! Enlighten those responds: be dealing with the issues that so I can help make a difference who need direction on how to I completely agree with you affect this demographic, like in this important time. combat attacks on our planet. on threats to the golden- the environment. Mary Lou C., CA Forget the personalities and cheeked warbler. The science Richard G., UT concentrate on the issues. Though I vote Republican, John F., FL on the warbler is clear: habitat I’m currently lobbying for a I am pushing back when it for the bird continues to dis- change from using pesticides concerns the air I breathe, the My partner and I write blog appear in fast-growing Central to organic management on water I drink or the land I live posts for the Huffington Post. Texas and the species war- municipal grounds. I also on. It’s kind of disappointing We will be writing about the rants its endangered status. have an environmental e-list that politicians want to drill environment during 2018. We’re working with Texas of people I forward three e- holes in everyone’s backyard Robert B., NY landowners who are earning actions daily to—many of them and pollute. income by participating in sponsored by EDF! Moises F., MA I will study who is running, their programs to conserve warbler Pamela U., OH standing on environmental is- habitat. Delisting the species Next year, 2018, will be the first sues and share this knowledge would only disrupt these ef- We are 84, and after 40 years in which I’m eligible to vote (I’m with family and friends. forts (see edf.org/warbler). of work, and 20 years of vol- 17 now), and I plan to encour- Doreen V., CA

Solutions / edf.org / Fall 2017 19 1967 – 2017 Thank you, EDF members for 50 years of support Together we help people and nature prosper

PHOTO: PATRICK KIENTZ/BIOSPHOTO/MINDEN PICTURES PHOTO: