Environmental Concerns 2014 | Germantown Monthly Meeting

Mission Statement: The GMM Environmental Concerns Working Group hopes to raise awareness of environmental issues that affect the lives of everyone and about which we can make a difference, and the importance of a sustainable lifestyle.

–> See our Environmental Events Calendar.

–> See our blog on Delaware Valley Environment.

–> See our Sustainable Living Resource page.

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Dec 27, 2014:

The UK, Germany, and Australia all lowered their emissions and energy use in 2014.

This was an epic year for drought, floods, and extreme weather.

A recent article describes the need for livelihood resilience in the face of climate change.

Read a report about the cost of fracking to Pennsylvania residents.

A recent article explains that vegetarian diets that improve health are linked to environmental sustainability. But Congress wants us to ignore this fact.

Cutting tropical forests is likely to cause global warming.

The risk of very hot summers is increasing dramatically.

Read about the likely affect of climate change on our lives.

Corporate and government leaders are pushing to slow cutting of rain forests.

This year the palm oil industry has committed to halting deforestation.

A recent research article explains that soil loss to lakes is increasing.

Recently, President Obama protected Alaska’s Bristol Bay, which supplies much of our wild-caught seafood, from oil and gas drilling.

Here’s why some people don’t believe in climate science.

In a major victory for the environment, Governor Cuomo has banned hydraulic fracking in New York State.

Read about some of the reasons it’s time to drive on solar power.

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Oct 30, 2014:

A study projects that solar energy will be cheaper than fossil fuels by 2016.

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Oct 8, 2014:

Read about how a fight over rooftop solar panels could decide US energy future.

A recent book asserts that fighting climate change means going on a different path from traditional capitalism.

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Sept 24, 2014:

See how warming temperatures threaten Canadian Arctic.

See some reports from the Arctic on the effects of humans on climate.

See the TV series that explains climate change called Years of Living Dangerously.

Read articles on climate change.

Read an article that explains how we’re generating too much carbon dioxide.

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Sept 21, 2014:

The People’s Climate March in New York City sent a loud statement.

Global emissions of greenhouse gases increased over the last year.

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Sept 16, 2014:

Renewable energy from sun and wind is changing the German landscape leaving utilities behind.

A new report states that fixing the climate may add no costs because of savings from less environmental pollution, and less fuel and medical expenses..

A bill now in committee in Harrisburg would require the state Department of Health to collect, analyze, and circulate health data related to fracking.

The Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Protection has released a report stating that 243 aquifers have been contaminated by fracking in Pennsylvania.

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Sept 14, 2014:

The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is recovering. Yet, this isn’t all good news: the HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) that are now being used instead of chloro-fluorocarbons contribute to global warming.

Several consumer products are linked to illegal rainforest destruction.

A recent study showed that human land-use-driven reduction of forest volatiles cools the global climate.

A recent study found that pesticide levels in waterways have dropped overall, yet urban waterways remain polluted.

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Aug 24, 2014:

The savings of grid-tied renewable power outweighs the costs.

Recently Ontario shut down its last coal burning power plant and generates all of its electricity from sustainable sources.

Learn about one woman’s odyssey to find Michigan’s anti-fracking movement.

Read about the new EPA regulations and community action that will deter oil refineries from polluting.

This year, 2014 is on track to be the third-hottest year on record.

Learn what the Earth would look like if all the ice melted.

Read about the seasonal aspects of climate change.