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Pique Behind the Curtain Vol. 44
A newsletter for those who are interested in climate solutions, media and film production
Are We the Last Newsletter to Tell You About the I.R.A.?
Welcome back to our weekly newsletter, Pique Behind the Curtain. You probably came for the PUNs, but we hope you stay for the positivity.
But First…We’re Hiring!
Come join us! And not in the metaphorical sense. If you have experience growing audiences on social media, we want you to be a part of Pique.
We're hiring a Director of Social & Audience growth. Whether you've always been passionate about saving the planet or are just now considering making the switch to #workinclimate, come join us! (Not for you but know someone perfect for the job? Feel free to pass along our invitation.)
Check out this latest and greatest earth-saving opportunity here.
We all know that the ocean is amazing. But did you know that microorganisms from the ocean use air and greenhouse gas to make new materials? One of those materials is called PHB - a meltable energy storage substance that can be used to replace things like plastic and leather.
Newlight has imagined a technology to make this process viable on land, helping to significantly cut down on plastic waste and stabilize our climate in the process. Want to learn more? Tune in next week for the full film!
A Scottish Mission so Grand, We’re Obsessed. Kilt-y as Charged.
What, might you ask, is “rewilding”?
It’s basically what it sounds like. Rewilding means restoring a region of land to its unaltered state. In other words, it is an effort to reintroduce the native and wild flora and fauna that help the area’s natural ecosystems thrive.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance (SRA) has lobbied to make ecosystem management and restoration a key component of policy for the Scottish government. The country has already pledged to increase its protection of land from 22.7% (Yes, that is a random number. No, I don’t have the explanation for you.) to 30% by 2030. But the SRA doesn’t just want the land to be protected - they want it to be restored.
There are a variety of rewilding efforts throughout the U.K. that range from reintroducing species like lynx and wolves in remote regions to planting wildflower seeds in urban dwellings. The common goal is this: create a society where we may live in tandem with nature as opposed to at odds with it.
The U.K. understands the importance of this more than other areas of the world. With a forest cover rate of just 13%, the region has some of the lowest forest cover in all of Europe. And I think it’s pretty easy to misunderstand or brush over that number - especially if you live in a major urban hub and can barely remember the last time you saw an acorn. But 13% is a low number. To put it in perspective, about one-third of the U.S. is forested. To be fair, The land the U.S. exists on today benefited from the extra years of Indigenous care it received before Europeans came, colonized, and cut trees. Still. 13% = too low. So what are they doing about it?
Over the last century in Scotland specifically, forest cover has risen from 5% to something like 19% - a stark contrast to the 1% average increase in the whole of the U.K.
Unfortunately, a lot of those trees are grown on monoculture plantations for commercial use. Only about ⅕ of Scotland’s forests are native woodlands. But local groups like Wildland Limited have a vision to change that and have planted more than 6 million native trees across Scottish moorland to restore the ancient Caledonian forest. They’ve planted a variety of trees, some with fun names (goat willow and bird cherry come to mind) and some with boring ones (Scots pine, aspen, etc. 😴). But unlike me, they won’t discriminate tree against species based on how silly its colloquial label is. They’re reforesting with the purpose of returning nature to its original, untouched form. That is what makes it rewilding.
There are other organizations making incredible strides to bring forests back to Scotland as well. The Borders Forest Trust, for example, began a quarter century ago as a group of 40 individuals looking to reforest one single corner of the Carrifran Wildwood. Since then, two million trees - all native species - have been planted across the region also known as the Wild Heart. A tenth of those trees were planted by a dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom were school children.
The rewilding process in Scotland provides a teachable moment for governments looking to emulate the results. Engaging local communities is a vital part of restoring local nature - if we don’t care to tend to our own ecosystems, who will?
Rarely can we find a one-size-fits-all approach to any global strife - climate change included. But we can learn from each other, support each other, and work together to build policies and practices that keep eco-consciousness at heart. Rewilding is as good a place to start as any, and we like that plan a lot. A Scot. We like that plan a Scot. Is that joke ruining the whole piece? Whoops, bye.
Good Climate News!
This week in good climate news 🌍:
The Inflation Reduction Act is LAW!
This isn’t good climate news. This is GREAT climate news!
Does anyone remember how Maps from Dora the Explorer would explain directions? That’s how I picture certain bills going through Congress.
First, speeeeed to the Senate to get the thumbs up! Then, zip on over to the House for one last check. And then, zoooooom to the President’s desk to deliver an extra special letter for a signature!
Luckily, Swiper the fox was feeling pretty bipartisan, and we made the Inflation Reduction Act a reality this past week. (you don’t know Dora the Explorer?!)
The Inflation Reduction Act will invest significantly in domestic energy production and manufacturing and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 40% by 2030. It’s a big deal.
There are some who argue the bill isn’t enough. Particularly because of clauses that include tax credits that could extend the life of dirty coal plants, new oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, and some less-than-optimal talks of pipelines.
These are bad, yes.
But I’ll treat this bill like my mom has always suggested I treat relationships - if the good outweighs the bad in a tolerable way, we support it. And there is, thankfully, tons of good to support. Some highlights:
Creating jobs and increasing the United States’ energy security by investing $60 billion in manufacturing solar panels, batteries, and other clean energy technologies
Providing funding to low-income families to electrify their comes. We’re talking a $9 billion energy rebate program.
$1 billion for clean school and transit buses, garbage trucks, and other heavy duty vehicles - prioritizing communities overburdened by air pollution, which is huge.
Reinstatement of the Superfund tax which insures industry tackles the bill for cleaning up their pollution instead of the public
$300 million for research into the impact agricultural practices have on the climate
And the list goes on…
At the end of the day, a $369 billion investment in climate solutions ($60 billion of which is dedicated to climate justice! Hurrah!) is a huge win. It not only puts us on the right track for emissions reduction targets, but also restores a bit of much needed credibility to the nation on global stage concerning climate action.
What We’re Watching, Reading, and Listening to
Searching for more positive climate content? Look no further!
Climate Week NYC 2022
Climate Week NYC 2022, marks its fourteenth year as the biggest global climate event of its kind. Bringing together the most influential leaders in climate action from business, government, and the climate community, in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly and the City of New York. Climate Week NYC creates an ambitious platform for our mission to drive climate action. Fast. Learn more here.
-Written by Shayna Berglas