Publications

What does gender have to do with climate action? The Guardian

Gender plays an important role in who is most affected by climate change – and who is most likely to contribute to it. Women are 14 times more likely to be killed as a result of extreme weather and can continue to be impacted post-disaster by problems like increased domestic violence. At the same time, environmentally-friendly practices such as carrying reusable bags, becoming vegetarian and driving smaller cars are seen as feminine and therefore undesirable for men, who can have higher carbon emissions.

Climate change is a global problem. Climate action is a local solution. The Guardian

As state and federal governments continue to fail at halting climate change at the global and national levels, smaller communities have a great opportunity to take change-making initiative. Without assistance from national governments, municipal environmental groups have set up their own local peer-to-peer networks, and indigenous communities like the Lubicon Cree First Nation have reclaimed tar sands for solar. Supporting the expansion of such projects from one community to another could be the key for rapid and inclusive action, and this grassroots domino effect could make it less likely that climate action is an elitist and expensive imposition.

The Cost of Food in 2050 The Billfold 

We all know that sea levels are rising, but the cost of food may be rising too. By how much? The short answer: it’s still kind of up in the air.

There’s a huge variation in projections of how much food costs will rise by 2050, with one study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) giving a range of 3 to 84% if considering just the impacts of changes in heat and rainfall.

What Happens if Indian Point Closes? The Hudson Independent

An official from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) described the recent incident at Indian Point as “a day-to-day event” in the Guardian. While local residents and politicians alike have been campaigning for years for the plant to be denied its license renewal, the recent fire and oil spill highlight the need for a shift to a new kind of normal, one with energy sources that are not only renewable but also more inert. What could a future without Indian Point look like?

How to Find a Job and Travel the World, Gently The Billfold

Before this trip, much of my travel abroad had been very carbon-intensive and expensive — trips to India to visit family and that time I went to the UK in high school — so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity for some travel that was gentler on the environment and my bank account.

What are Communities Around the World Doing for the Environment? The Hudson Independent

I recently returned from spending seven months living and working in a town in France with about 25,000 people (a little more than Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow combined). It was interesting to see how a community of a similar size to ours incorporated environmentalism into daily life.

Environmental Justice 101 Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

As if the impacts of environmental issues such as climate change and pollution weren’t bad enough, they can also affect some populations disproportionately more than others. For instance, research published in Nature Scientific Reports has shown that some countries that have emitted more greenhouse gases, including the United States, will experience fewer effects of climate change when compared to countries in Africa or island communities.

In addition to having unequal impacts on a global level, environmental issues can also impact populations differently within a community depending on factors like class, race, and more…

“Pesticides All Around Us” Conservation Café Recap Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

[Sara Goddard] also had some suggestions for how to work with local governments on reducing pesticide use:

• First understand what other communities have already done for ideas and inspiration. For example, here’s a list of different ordinances in towns in Maine. Get in touch with some of the leaders in these communities to understand what challenges they faced and for any advice they may have…

Dealing with Climate Change in Your Landscape Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Wondering what you can do to help support wild birds, wildlife, and beneficial insects at home, despite the impacts of climate change? On Thursday, April 6th, over 25 attendees braved the torrential rain and thunder to continue the discussion started at our “Birds, Bugs, and Bushes” event to learn about even more steps they can take in their own backyards…

Birds, Bugs, and Bushes: The Effects of Climate Change on Local Flora and Fauna Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Although climate change is often presented as something that will happen in the future, we can already see some of its impacts on our wildlife…

Greening our Towns – Single-Use Bag Ordinance Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Whether your town is working on passing a reusable bag initiative or already has one in place, many of the ideas discussed at our recent Greening Our Towns event could be helpful!

Fact Sheets

What does climate change have to do with women’s well-being? Medium

In villages across Maharashtra, India, men marry multiple women in order to have someone to get water for their households, despite polygamy being illegal. After Katrina, rates of domestic violence against women increased. And in France, more women died in a heat wave than men.

What are the impacts of climate change on mental health? Medium

While climate change may take a physical toll on our planet and bodies, the impacts on mental health will be important to consider as well, even close to home. According to the NWF, “50 percent of Americans live in coastal regions exposed to storms and sea level rise, 70 percent of Americans live in cities prone to heat waves.”