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Electric Vehicles
In the U.S., transportation is the single greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 27% of the total share. Most transportation emissions are carbon dioxide, a byproduct of petroleum combustion. Because carbon dioxide is a significant driver of global climate change, reducing emissions is an important step in a multi-faceted approach to combating climate change. One way to substantially reduce emissions from transportation is to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). EVs run on electric engines powered by batteries. The batteries must be charged via an electric outlet. (You can read more about the different types of outlets here.) The primary environmental benefit of EVs is that they do not create…
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Earth Day Call to Action: Thank Elected Officials for the Environmental Provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
As women of faith, our ethic of environmental stewardship is informed by scripture and prophetic counsel. President Russell M. Nelson proclaimed: “We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.” MWEG’s Principle of Ethical Government 2f states: “Governments and members of society have an obligation to exercise responsible stewardship of the earth, thereby protecting not only the wellbeing of their citizens, but also that of both future generations and other citizens of the planet (see D&C 59:18-21 and D&C 104:13-15).” We are at a critical juncture for taking effective action and implementing policy to mitigate the effects of climate change. The climate…
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Methane Matters: Let’s Learn Why
What is methane? Methane is the main component of “natural gas,” which is a significant source of heat and energy in the U.S. and globally. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is lighter than air and is chemically composed of one molecule of carbon and four molecules of hydrogen. Methane is generally stable but can be explosive if enough mixes with air. Because of its potential for combustion, natural gas utilities add scents to it as a safety feature. What does it do to our climate? Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Anthropogenic methane emissions are likely responsible for 0.5° C of warming since the industrial revolution. After carbon…
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Climate Change Policy Options
As legislative sessions are open in many states, we are offering a brief overview of some of the environmental policies that may be on the table. None of these solutions is one-size-fits-all — we will have to implement a combination of policies in order to combat climate change. (If you need more background on climate change and fossil fuels, you can read our FAQ here.) Further, different policies can be implemented at different levels of government — federal, state, local, and even global. To the extent that we have provided examples, they are for reference only; MWEG is not necessarily endorsing them. Natural Climate Solutions Forests, wetlands, and other natural…
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Climate Change and Fossil Fuels FAQs
“Climate change is real, and it’s our responsibility as stewards to do what we can to limit the damage done to God’s creation.” Elder Steven E. Snow of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Authority Seventies Environmental issues and impacts are increasingly being considered at every level of government. Here are some frequently asked questions about climate change and fossil fuels. What is climate change? Climate change refers to a long-term change in the earth’s climate and weather patterns. On a global scale, the climate has warmed by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. While this may seem like a small amount, the earth’s average annual temperature fluctuated by…
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The U.S. Rejoins the Paris Climate Agreement
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in one of his first acts as president, President Biden signed a letter to the United Nations recommitting the U.S. to the Paris climate agreement. The U.S. officially left the Paris agreement in November 2020. The onboarding will take 30 days, with the U.S. officially back in the pact on February 19, 2021. The U.S. remains the only country to have left the Paris agreement. The Paris agreement began in 2015 when 195 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to combat climate change. Climate change is responsible for not only higher air temperatures, but also stronger storms, rising sea levels, drought,…
