Biden is urged by top environmental groups to protect federal lands and forests from logging by mature trees and other forest species

While policymakers often look for new technologies to solve the climate crisis problem, advocates say that trees can be used to store carbon dioxide. This prevents the greenhouse gas from warming the earth and causing more damage to the environment.

“We often refer to it as the climate solution that you don’t have invent.” Ellen MontgomeryPublic lands Campaign Director for Environment AmericaAccording to The Climate 202 “Trees literally stand right in front of us.”

The campaign is being launched by the following groups: Environment America, and the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council And Wild Heritage. Their particular need is for the U.S. Forest Service to create a rule that will protect all old-growth trees on federal lands against logging. 

• In 2001, under President Bill ClintonThe Forest Service established a roadless rule in which timber harvesting and road construction were prohibited on almost 50 million acres within national forests.
• However, the groups claim that most trees on federal lands are found elsewhere.

“Right now there isn’t anything that protects older sections of our nation’s forests.” Kirin KennedyThe Climate 202 was informed by Jeremy Sullivan, Sierra Club director of people and nature policies. “So we’re looking at putting those protections in.”

• Experts believe that older trees hold more carbon than younger ones, even though the data was not broken down according to the age of the forests.
• Old-growth forests are also able to prevent erosion, provide drinking water protection, and provide habitats for wildlife and fish.

When asked for comment, a U.S. Forest Service spokesperson said that she was not aware of the campaign. Suzanne Flory An email stated that the Forest Service’s mission is to ensure the health, diversity, productivity, and sustainability of the nation’s forests, grasslands, and other natural resources to meet the needs of future generations. The Forest Service is a science-based agency. Complex decision-making requires consideration of many factors, including local economies and multiple-use requirements.

• The Tongass is home to 9.9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, nearly twice as much as the United States from burning fossil fuels each and every year.
• In 2020, under Donald TrumpIn response to a petition by former Alaskans, the Forest Service exempted Tongass more than 9,000,000 acres from the roadless rule. Gov. Bill Walker. The decision was praised by Republicans and timber companies, but it was met with strong resistance from Alaska Natives and Democrats.
• Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), was also a vocal supporter of Trump-era rule. Say itIt would create more economic opportunities for residents in southeastern Alaska. A Murkowski spokeswoman did not respond to a request to comment.
• The Forest Service announced last summer that it was taking steps towards restoring protections to the Tongass’ roadless areas. A proposed rule was recently submitted to the agency for public comment. A final rule is expected by the end of this summer.

Kennedy stated that Tongass is a valuable natural resource and provides many benefits to Alaska and the United States.

Criswell DaviesFounder director of the Timber & Forestry FoundationThe Climate 202 was told by, a group that advocates for a more sustainable U.S. lumber industry, that he is also against logging in the Tongass.

Davis stated that when an email says “Don’t print this email”, it gives people the impression that there aren’t enough trees. However, this is not the case. Actually, we have 50 percent more trees now than we had 50 years ago.

He said, “We are all for the preservation and protection of these old-growth forests.” These trees will be there for many years They have been around for thousands of years. They are iconic.

Study shows that western mega-drought is the worst for 1,200 years.

A StudyPublished in the journal Nature Climate ChangeMonday’s study found that human-induced climate change played a major role in the intensification of the drought. This has decreased water supplies, destroyed farmers and ranchers, and helped spread wildfires around the region. It is likely to encourage it to continue. 

Researchers believe that temperature plays a greater role than precipitation in driving severe and prolonged droughts. New York Times Henry FountainReports. Although precipitation can fluctuate and vary regionally, temperatures are increasing across the board due to the continued release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Hotter air is able to pull more water out of soil, crops, and trees, which can lead to extreme droughts. 

U.N. to release final report on global warming and how it affects lives

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeEach five to seven years, the CIRC, which is made up of hundreds top scientists around the globe, releases three large reports on climate change. The current update will be released to the public on February 28th. It will describe how global heating is already dangerously affecting people and the planet, outline what the future holds, and outline the risks as well as the benefits of adapting for a warmer world.

“In August, the first report revealed that humans have pushed climate into unprecedented territory,” U.N. Secretary-General Antnio GuterresThe findings are a code red for humanity.

Tensions between Russia, Ukraine and other countries obstruct global energy markets

As the energy markets prepare for a Russian invasion of Ukraine, oil and gas prices may rise dramatically. The New York Times Clifford Krauss reports.Any country that relies on Russia for its energy could be hit hard by an invasion. Russia is Europe’s largest source of natural gases and third-largest oil producer in the world. 

Even though the United States isn’t a major importer of Russian oil from Russia, Americans could still be affected by high gasoline costs, which are rooted on global markets. Soaring prices could also threaten climate policies if lawmakers are more willing to increase domestic gasoline production to compensate for the loss, instead of investing in renewable energy.

Key Democrat backs Sarah Bloom Raskin as top banking regulator

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Monday, he said that he would support Biden’s nomination for Sarah Bloom Raskins to become the Federal ReserveThe top bank cop in the country Yahoo Finances Brian CheungReports. 

According to Tester’s comments, Raskin’s nomination will be approved by the Senate. He is a moderate Democrat in a Senate of 50-50. Senate Banking Committee Tuesday, when it will be up for vote. 

Raskin faced questions from Republicans this month at her confirmation hearing in front of the committee. They were concerned about her long-term climate focus. However, Tester stated that he believed she would be confirmed by all the Senate” following the vote of her committee colleagues.

Biden administration seeks to decarbonize heavy industrial and promote hydrogen

Senior administration officials told reporters that the White House is taking many steps to implement the provisions of the infrastructure law, which aims to reduce the carbon intensity of heavy industry, in a briefing on Monday. Steven MufsonThank you, who tuned in for the briefing.

Officials stated that First Movers CoalitionBiden unveiled a public-private partnership at the United Nations Climate summit in Scotland last year would expand to include aluminum and cement, chemicals, and carbon removal. Already, the coalition includes steelmakers, shipping and trucking, as well as aviation.

In the meantime, Transportation DepartmentIt announced that it would encourage the use of low-carbon materials for construction projects funded under the infrastructure law. The Energy Department also announced that it would continue to work to create hydrogen hubs to encourage the development of clean hydrogen. The law provided $8 billion.

Clean hydrogen was the topic of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Last week, hearing where Michael J. GraffChief executive of American Air Liquide HoldingsAccording to, the company will be looking into hubs in the Northeast, California, and the Gulf Coast.

Graff told Mufson in an interview that hydrogen is not the only answer to the energy crisis. But, without it, Graff said. 

SEC should include carbon offset reporting within its climate rule, according to environmentalists

In a letter,The Sierra Club, Public CitizenAnd Americans for Financial Reform Education FundBecause offsets can have serious environmental, accounting, and social integrity issues that contradict company climate pledges, disclosures about them are essential.