Helene’s aftermath 🌿 Farm Bill negotiations

Hi, Everyone!

I’m Amanda Magnani, a Brazilian (photo)journalist and OptOut News’ climate editor. Every other week, I bring you the most important climate news from our network—with an extra serving of decolonial perspectives. ✨🌿

As you probably know by now, Hurricane Helene devastated five states across the Southeastern United States, leaving over a hundred dead. In Georgia, more than 1 million lost power while in Tennessee, more than 50 people were stranded on the roof of a hospital. In Western North Carolina, all roads were closed. Grist covers the role of climate change in facilitating the destruction.

Helene showed that nowhere is safe from the climate crisis. Asheville NC, located nearly 300 miles away from the coast and once considered a “climate haven," was one of the worst hit by the hurricane, The New Republic reports.

At the end of last month, Biden promised to help states recover and to ask Congress for emergency funding. He also said he didn’t know how much money would be requested,  States Newsroom reports.

If you want to support those affected, but don’t know how to, NC Newsline published a list of places and organizations you can donate to.

Meanwhile, the farm bill, which expired early this week, is being held back by fights over funding for climate related programs. Agriculture is responsible for 11 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, Grist reports.

The Congress session to decide on the bill is set to start November 12th, after the presidential elections, States Newsroom reports. As they wait, farmers struggle with the high costs of fertilizers and low prices of crops, Missouri Independent reports via Nebraska Examiner.

🌿🌿🌿

Climate in the Elections

With the elections driving near, here are some good pieces to help you stay up to date on the debate around the climate agenda.

🇺🇸 “Donald Trump Still Wants to Dismantle Critical Hurricane Agency,” by The New Republic.

🇺🇸 “How climate change could shape the 2024 election,” by Your Call Podcast.

🇺🇸 “To Fight Climate Change, Fix Congress,” by Jacobin.

🇺🇸 “How J.D. Vance’s hometown has won millions in climate investment that he calls a ‘green scam,'” by Grist.

🇺🇸 “Donald Trump Drills Deep Into the Pockets of Fossil Fuel,” by WhoWhatWhy.

🇺🇸 “America’s Climate and Economy Are on the Ballot,” by The American Prospect.

🇺🇸 “Climate impacts put insurance commissioner races in the spotlight,” by Grist.

🇺🇸 “Poll: Climate and clean energy issues key among Black voters in battleground states,” by Michigan Advance.

🇺🇸 “The election could shape the future of America’s food system,” by Grist.

🇺🇸 “Energy and climate: Where do Harris and Trump stand?” by States Newsroom.

🌿🌿🌿

And More:

🛢️ “Arctic Warming Is Driving Siberian Wildfires,” by EOS.

🛢️ “The U.S. Has a Methane Problem. A.I. Is Making It Worse.” by The New Republic.

🛢️ “PFAS pollution a growing problem for U.S. farmers,” by Investigate Midwest via South Dakota Searchlight.

🛢️ “Oil and Gas Sponsorship of Global Sports Hits $5.6 Billion, Report Finds,” by WhoWhatWhy.

🛢️ “California sues Exxon Mobil over ‘sham’ of plastics recycling,” by Grist.

🛢️ “Why home insurance rates are rising so fast across the US – climate change plays a big role,” by The Conversation via Nevada Current.

🛢️ “In CT, flooding is on the rise. But the state has new tools to face it,” by CT Mirror.

🛢️ “Pennsylvania gas driller CNX says operations pose no health risk. Activists are skeptical.” by Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

🌿🌿🌿

Decolonizing Climate Change

🌱 “How We Survived Extreme Heat in Prison,” by The Marshall Project.

🌱 “Hobbs backs tribe’s call for updated environmental review of Pinyon Plain Mine,” by Arizona Mirror.

🌱 “Why aren’t tribal nations installing more green energy? Blame ‘white tape.’” by Grist.

🌱 “‘Families are suffering’ Indigenous people impacted by radiation head to Capitol Hill,” by Source NM.

🌱 “Lost in Austin: Climate Change, Displacement, and Race in the Texas Capital,” by Texas Observer.

🌱 “Gila River Indian Community receives $107 million for Colorado River conservation projects,” by AZ Mirror via Source NM.

🌿🌿🌿

Around the World

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: “In UK, Renewables Bring About Death of Coal,” by Yale Environment 360.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: “Malaysia’s NETR decarbonisation plan still relies on gas,” by Gas Outlook.

🇨🇦 Canada: “‘Justice will prevail’: Indigenous families fight to reclaim status and land rights,” by The Narwhal.

🇪🇸 Spain/Cataluña: “Barcelona is turning subway trains into power stations,” by Grist.

🇸🇳 Senegal: “Senegal’s renewable energy plan lacks clarity: NRGI,” by Gas Outlook.

🇨🇾 Cyprus: “‘You basically have free hot water’: how Cyprus became a world leader in solar heating,” by Grist.

🇧🇷 Brazil: “Brazil hosts major oil and gas event as Climate Week NYC unfurls,” by Gas Outlook, ✨written by yours truly✨.

🌿🌿🌿

To Lighten Your Heart

💚 “Huge Australian King Penguin Chick Pesto Grows Into Social Media Star,” by WhoWhatWhy.

💚 “The Dirt on Biocrusts: Why Scientists Are Working to Save Earth’s Living Skin,” by EOS.

💚 “‘Anything is possible’ in the fight for climate justice,” by Prism Reports.

💚 “Chimps and Bonobos Reveal the Best and Worst of Us,” by Atmos.

💚 “Farming among the trees: How perennial crops can help breathe life into depleted soil,” by Missouri Independent.

💚 “Dreamer Organizer Ties In Climate,” by Columbia Missourian via New Haven Independent.

And here’s a meme by Climate Memewashing:

🌿🌿🌿

That’s all for now, folks! If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up at amanda@optout.news.

Obrigada and have a great week!

The OptOut Media Foundation (EIN: 85-2348079) is a nonprofit charity with a mission to educate the public about current events and help sustain a diverse media ecosystem by promoting and assisting independent news outlets and, in doing so, advance democracy and social justice.

Download the app for Apple and Android.
Sign up for OptOut's free newsletters.
Learn more about OptOut.
Merch

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Mastodon, and Facebook.