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Greenwashing Explained (and What You Can Do About It!)
You may have noticed that many consumer products have a little tree or recycling logo on the packaging. Do these symbols indicate that products are good for the environment? Are companies using these graphics or other “green” jargon as a deceptive advertising tactic to draw customers to their products? You’re wise to be skeptical — marketing a company or product to seem more environmentally friendly than it truly is has become a widespread practice. It even has its own name — greenwashing. Greenwashing can take many forms. In some cases, companies use misleading language or imagery to make products or services seem more environmentally friendly than they really are. Sometimes…
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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 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,…
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The Global Problem of Plastic Waste — and How to Reduce It
Plastic production and consumption is a global problem. From 1950 to 2015, the world produced 8.3 billion tons of plastic. In 2015 alone, the production of plastic was 380 million metric tons. Of all this plastic, over half was designed to be used only once then discarded. Most of this plastic does not get recycled. The rate of plastic recycling from 1950 to 2015 was only 6%, and despite significant gains, the recycling rate in 2015 was only 20%. Further, much of the recycling of plastic waste from the U.S. is diverted to other countries, many of which are unable to manage their own waste or do not want it.…
