“Legacy on The Land” Black Couple’s Guide to US National Parks, EU Strikes Deal to Increase Renewables Target, EU To Phase Out Carbon Dioxide-Producing Cars By 2035!

LEGACY ON THE LAND: A BLACK COUPLE DISCOVERS OUR NATIONAL INHERITANCE AND TELLS WHY EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD CARE

To hear them tell it, back in the 1990s, Audrey and Frank Peterman were just looking to retire from their careers and set up a BnB, possibly in Belize. When friends suggested they consider some of America’s national parks, they had to admit that they hadn’t visited any. That started a multi-year quest to acquaint themselves with what America had to offer. The culmination of that quest is Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care.

According to the publisher, the book unveils the wonders of nature and the awesome beauty awaiting all Americans in our national parks. It shares the historic contributions that Americans of color – and particularly African Americans, have made to the system. It looks at natural resource protection and climate change, and our role in connecting these issues to the general population.

Why does “Legacy on the Land matter to us? As Amazon reviewer Erika Z. wrote, “They trace both falling in love with national parks as well as her efforts to reach out to communities of color and create a better, more inclusive environmental movement. The resistance they faced is appalling, but the strength they bring to national parks and national resource issues is inspiring. This book should be required reading for all of us who love and work to protect national parks.”

Since its initial publication in 2010, the Petermans have become pioneers in the conservation movement. They are considered leading experts on America’s publicly-owned lands system and are tenacious advocates for getting all Americans – regardless of race, age, or ethnicity – to take advantage of and appreciate our natural heritage. 

DEEPER DIVE: Legacy on the Land, PRX Interview

EUROPEAN UNION STRIKES PROVISIONAL DEAL TO INCREASE RENEWABLES TARGET

Last week, the European Union countries and negotiators from the EU’s parliament reached a provisional deal to raise the share of renewables in the bloc’s energy mix, another step to accelerate its green transition. The European Council, which represents the 27 member nations, said the agreement reached after all-night negotiations would raise the renewable energy target from its current goal of 32% to 42.5% of total consumption by 2030. 

To meet the EU’s goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, the EU’s executive commission supported a target of 45%. The council and the European Parliament left a door open for such an increase, agreeing on “an additional 2.5% on top of that would allow it to reach 45%.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement announced week would allow for more ambition and faster roll-out of renewables. She said, “This will help us progress towards climate neutrality, strengthen our energy security and boost our competitiveness, all at once.”

Russia’s war in Ukraine has accelerated the EU’s green transition. The bloc reduced its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and increased its renewable energy use over the past year. According to EU data, the bloc’s gas consumption dropped 19.3% during August 2022-January 2023 compared to the average for the same months between 2017 and 2022. A review by global energy think tank Ember showed that wind and solar generated a record 22% of the EU’s electricity last year and for the first time overtook gas, which accounted for 20%. Coal power accounted for 16%.

The deal still needs formal approval to take effect.

DEEPER DIVE: Review

EUROPEAN UNION TO PHASE OUT CARBON DIOXIDE-PRODUCING CARS BY 2035!

A report from Reuters says March ended with the European Union giving final approval to a landmark law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035, but only after Germany won an exemption for cars running on e-fuels. The approval from EU countries’ energy ministers means Europe’s main climate policy for cars can now enter into force – after weeks of delay caused by last-minute opposition from Germany. The EU law will require all new cars sold to have zero CO2 emissions from 2035, and 55% lower CO2 emissions from 2030, versus 2021 levels. The targets are designed to drive the rapid decarbonization of new car fleets in Europe.

The European Commission has pledged, however, to create a legal route for sales of new cars that only run on e-fuels to continue after 2035, after Germany demanded this exemption. Why does the EU phasing out CO2-producing autos by 2035 matter to us? As EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said, “The direction of travel is clear: in 2035, new cars and vans must have zero emissions.” 

EU energy ministers also agreed on Tuesday to extend a voluntary target to curb their gas use by 15% for 12 months, to help prepare for next winter with scarce Russian gas.

DEEPER DIVE: E-FUELS, German Road Map