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• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated January 20, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-01-20
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated May 25, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-05-25
• Renewable Energy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Electricity Production Issues [Updated February 17, 2006]

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  "Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-02-17
• Drought in the United States: Causes and Current Understanding [February 26, 2014]

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  "Drought is a natural hazard, often with significant societal, economic, and environmental consequences. Public policy issues related to drought range from how to identify and measure drought to how best to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to drought impacts, and who should bear associated costs. Severe droughts in 2011 and 2012 in Texas and the midcontinent region, and the current drought in California and the American Southwest, have fueled congressional interest in drought and its near-term effects on water supplies and agriculture, as well as interest in long-term issues, such as drought forecasting and links between drought and human-induced climate change. Continuing drought conditions throughout the country contribute to ongoing interest in drought. Some part of the country is almost always experiencing drought at some level. Since 2000, no less than 6.6% of the land area of the United States has experienced drought of at least moderate intensity each year. The land area affected by drought of at least moderate intensity varies by year and also within a particular year. For example, since 2000, the total U.S. land area affected by drought of at least moderate intensity has varied from as little as 6.6% (July 6, 2010) to as much as 55% (September 25, 2012). Based on weekly estimates of the areal extent of drought conditions since 2000, the average amount of land area across the United States affected by at least moderate-intensity drought has been 27%."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Cody, Betsy A.

  2014-02-26
• Selected Issues Related to an Expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) [Updated March 31, 2008]

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  "High petroleum and gasoline prices, concerns over global climate change, and the desire to promote domestic rural economies have greatly increased interest in biofuels as an alternative to petroleum in the U.S. transportation sector. Biofuels, most notably corn ethanol, have grown significantly in the past few years as a component of U.S. motor fuel supply. Ethanol, the most commonly used biofuel, is blended in nearly half of all U.S. gasoline (at the 10% level or lower in most cases). However, current biofuel supply only represents about 4% of total gasoline demand. Issues facing the U.S. biofuels industry include potential agricultural 'feedstock' supplies, the associated market and environmental effects of a major shift in U.S. agricultural production; the energy supply needed to grow feedstocks and process them into fuel, and barriers to expanded infrastructure needed to deliver more and more biofuels to the market. A key question is whether a renewable fuel mandate is the most effective policy to promote the above goals. This report outlines some of the current supply issues facing biofuels industries, including implications for agricultural feedstocks, infrastructure concerns, energy supply for biofuel production, and fuel price uncertainties."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2008-03-31
• India-U.S. Relations [July 19, 2021]

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  From the Overview: "This report reviews the major facets of current U.S.-India relations, particularly in the context of congressional interest. It discusses areas in which perceived U.S. and Indian national interests converge and areas in which they diverge; other leading Indian foreign relations that impact U.S. interests; the outlines of bilateral engagement in defense, trade, and investment relations, as well as important issues involving health, immigration, energy, climate change; and human rights concerns."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan; Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Kandel, William . . .

  2021-07-19
• Energy Security and Research, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 21, 2014

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  This testimony is from the May 21, 2014 hearing, "Energy and Security Research" before the Subcommittee on Defense of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Testimony from the panel discusses military operational energy programs, energy innovation, climate change, and Arctic Armed Forces infrastructure. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Morehouse, Dennis V. McGinn, Daniel Y. Chiu, and Kenneth D. Lewis, Jr..

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations

  2014-05-21
• Moving America Toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools, Hearing Before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, July 7, 2009

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  This is the July 7, 2009 hearing "Moving America Toward a Clean Energy Economy and Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Legislative Tools" held before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. From the opening statement of Barbara Boxer: "Today's hearing is the kickoff of a historic Senator effort to pass legislation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of clean energy jobs, and protect our children from pollution. The central theme in Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat and Crowded, is this: the nation that aggressively addresses the issue of climate change will be the nation that will thrive, the nation that will lead, and will be the nation that will prosper. Here is what Friedman writes, in his own words: ''The ability to develop clean power and energy efficient technologies is going to become the defining measure of a country's economic standing, environmental health, energy security and national security over the next 50 years.''" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Steven Chu, Lisa P. Jackson, Thomas Vilsack, Ken Salazar, Haley Barbour, Rich Wells, David Hawkins, and John Fetterman.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress [September 6, 2007]

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  "Renewable energy can be used to produce liquid fuels and electricity. A variety of funding, tax incentives, and regulatory policies have been enacted to support renewables as a means for addressing concerns about energy security, air pollution, international competitiveness, and climate change. This report reviews the background for renewables and describes the current congressional debate. Budget and funding issues are key concerns. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized several new renewable energy demonstration and deployment programs, but most of them have not been funded. […] Tax and regulatory policies are also at issue. The interaction of the federal renewable energy electricity production tax credit (PTC) with state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policies has forged a strong incentive for wind energy development. […] The ethanol fuel issue has intensified. Corn ethanol production is rising rapidly, but appears to be causing food price increases. Concerns about rising food prices and apparent limits to the long-term potential for corn ethanol have brought a focus on cellulosic ethanol. […] Key challenges to the omnibus energy bills remain. First, there are significant differences between H.R. 3221 and H.R. 6. Second, because the House and Senate have passed different measures, further action would be required in at least one chamber before a conference committee could be arranged. Third, concerns about the oil and natural gas revenue offset provisions, and the lack of measures to increase oil and gas production have led the Administration to threaten to veto each bill."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2007-09-06
• Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues [Updated April 24, 2008]

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  "Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation. Further, concerns over climate change have raised interest in developing fuels with lower fuel-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions. Supporters of ethanol argue that its use can lead to lower emissions of toxic and ozone-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases, especially if higher-level blends are used. They further argue that ethanol use displaces petroleum imports, thus promoting energy security. Ethanol's detractors argue that various federal and state policies supporting ethanol distort the market and amount to corporate welfare for corn growers and ethanol producers. Further, they argue that the energy and chemical inputs needed to turn corn into ethanol actually increase emissions and energy consumption, although most recent studies have found modest energy and emissions benefits from ethanol use relative to gasoline, depending on how the ethanol is produced. The market for fuel ethanol is heavily dependent on federal incentives and regulations. Ethanol production is encouraged by a federal tax credit of 51 cents per gallon. This incentive allows ethanol -- which has historically been more expensive than conventional gasoline -- to compete with gasoline and other blending components."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2008-04-24
• Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated March 25, 2008]

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  "Renewable energy can be used to produce liquid fuels and electricity. A variety of funding, tax incentives, and regulatory policies have been enacted to support renewables as a means for addressing concerns about energy security, air pollution, international competitiveness, and climate change. This report reviews the background for renewables and describes the current congressional debate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2008-03-25
• Wildfire Damages to Homes and Resources: Understanding Causes and Reducing Losses [June 2, 2008]

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  This CRS report discusses the background surrounding wildfires causes and damage to houses and other structures and resources. From the Summary: "Wildfires are getting more severe, with more acres and houses burned and more people at risk. This results from excess biomass in the forests, due to past logging and grazing and a century of fire suppression, combined with an expanding wildland-urban interface -- more people and houses in and near the forests -- along with climate change, exacerbating drought and insect and disease problems. Some assert that current efforts to reduce biomass (fuel treatments, such as thinning) and to protect houses are inadequate, and that public objections to activities on federal lands raise costs and delay action. Others counter that proposals for federal lands allow timber harvesting, with substantial environmental damage and little fire protection. Congress is addressing these issues through various legislative proposals and through funding for protection programs." This report also includes one appendix.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gorte, Ross W.

  2008-06-02
• World Bank Group Energy Sector Strategy [July 12, 2011]

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  "One in five people worldwide lack access to electricity. This is among the many challenges that financial institutions face when providing assistance to lower-income countries in order to promote economic and social development. Filling the need for access to modern energy sources has the potential to substantially increase world-wide economic growth, creating markets in the developing world for products from the developed world, and vice versa. Filling this need may also result in environmental problems that could threaten development, including an increase in pollution that damages fisheries, reduces farm fertility, poses health risks, and contributes to climate change. In response to these risks, the World Bank Group (WBG) has reported its intentions to revise its strategy for energy and infrastructure lending to better address energy poverty alleviation and environmentally sustainable development. […] While the U.S. Administration oversees the day-to-day participation in WBG operations, the U.S. Congress-- through its role in WBG appointments, appropriations, and legislative guidance--retains significant input. U.S. guidance to the WBG has focused on the institution's lending practices as a means to induce greater environmental sustainability in multilateral development assistance. The ESS [Energizing Sustainable Development: Energy Sector Strategy of the World Bank Group] thus becomes another potential vehicle for the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Administration to further address concerns regarding energy and infrastructure lending in lower-income countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lattanzio, Richard K.

  2011-07-12
• EPA's Clean Power Plan Proposal: Are the Emission Rate Targets Front-Loaded? [November 3, 2014]

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  "On June 18, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed regulations (the 'Clean Power Plan') addressing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. Carbon dioxide is the primary human-related greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, and these electric generating units, as a group, account for the largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States. […] The proposal would establish state-specific CO2 emission rate targets measured in pounds of CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generation. […] Some industry stakeholders and state agencies have characterized EPA's proposed CO2 emission rate targets for existing power plants as 'front-loaded,' with a disproportionate percentage of emission rate reductions required in the early years of the program (2020-2024). The following analysis provides data consistent with this observation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ramseur, Jonathan L.

  2014-11-03
• Bouncing Forward Sustainably: Pathways to a Post-COVID World Governance for Sustainability

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  From the Abstract: "The ongoing COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis is generating massive adverse socio-economic impacts for societies around the globe and brings many issues of relevance for ongoing sustainability transformations into the spotlight. One such issue is the role of governance for sustainability, for which COVID-19 provides encouraging as well as challenging lessons. In this background note, we draw first, tentative lessons on how COVID-19 management has been governed across levels of governance, focusing on identifying opportunities for enhancing governance for sustainability including for tackling climate change."

  International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; International Science Council

  Mechler, Reinhard; Stevance, Anne-Sophie; Deubelli, Teresa M. . . .

  2020-07-01
• Greenhouse Gas Reductions: California Action and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative [April 13, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "In the absence of a federal program requiring greenhouse gas reductions, a growing group of U.S. states are taking action in this arena. Significant actions have been undertaken in California and by a coalition of states from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. California has undertaken several initiatives that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2004, the state issued regulations to reduce greenhouse gases from motor vehicles. Eleven other states have formally adopted California's new vehicle requirements. In 2006, California passed two climate change statutes. The first would establish a statewide cap on greenhouse gases. The second would effectively limit the use of coal-generated electricity in California. The state has also taken action to reduce the carbon intensity in its transportation fuels. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a partnership of eight Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, would set up a cap-and-trade system aimed at limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The cap is scheduled to take effect in January 2009 and cap carbon dioxide emissions at 121 million metric tons through the end of 2014. In 2015, the cap would begin to decrease, so that by 2018, emissions would be capped at 10% below the initial level. Because some observers see RGGI as a possible model for a federal cap-and-trade program, several of RGGI's design elements are generating interest and debate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ramseur, Jonathan L.

  2007-04-13
• Voluntary Carbon Offsets: Overview and Assessment [November 7, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "Businesses and individuals are buying carbon offsets to reduce their 'carbon footprint' or to categorize an activity as 'carbon neutral.' A carbon offset is a measurable avoidance, reduction, or sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Offsets generally fall within the following four categories: biological sequestration, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reduction of non-CO2 emissions. In terms of the carbon concentration in the atmosphere, an emission reduction, avoidance, or sequestration is beneficial regardless of where or how it occurs. A credible offset equates to an emission reduction from a direct emission source, such as a smokestack or exhaust pipe. The core issue for carbon offset projects is: do they actually 'offset' emissions generated elsewhere? If the credibility of the voluntary offsets is uncertain, claims of carbon neutrality may be challenged. […] The viability of the voluntary offset market may influence future policy decisions regarding climate change mitigation. For example, credible offsets could play an important role, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness, in an emissions control regime. There is some concern that the range in the quality of voluntary market offsets may damage the overall credibility of carbon offsets. If this occurs, it may affect policy decisions concerning whether or not to include offsets as an option in a mandatory reduction program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ramseur, Jonathan L.

  2007-11-07
• Renewable Energy Policy: Tax Credit, Budget, and Regulatory Issues [July 28, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "High gasoline and natural gas prices have rekindled interest in the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean-energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Bush Administration's FY2007 budget request for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renewable Energy Program seeks $359.2 million, which is $84.0 million, or 30.5%, more than the FY2006 appropriation. In support of the President's proposal for an Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI), the request includes major funding increases for solar energy (to support the Solar America initiative) and biomass (to support the Biorefinery Initiative). The main increases are for Solar Photovoltaics ($79.5 million) and Biomass ($59.0 million). Some significant cuts were also proposed, and the request sought to eliminate earmarks. Appropriations actions by the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved most of the requested FY2007 funding increases for AEI and greatly reduced earmark funding. Compared with House-passed funding, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommendation seeks an increase of $66.1 million (5%). Table 3 shows other differences, most notably those for Biomass & Biorefinery, Geothermal, Hydro, and Weatherization programs. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sissine, Fred J.

  2006-07-28
• Fuel Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues [Updated January 24, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation. Further, concerns over climate change have raised interest in developing fuels with lower fuel-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions. Supporters of ethanol argue that its use can lead to lower emissions of toxic and ozone-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases, especially if higher-level blends are used. They further argue that ethanol use displaces petroleum imports, thus promoting energy security. Ethanol's detractors argue that various federal and state policies supporting ethanol distort the market and amount to corporate welfare for corn growers and ethanol producers. Further, they argue that the energy and chemical inputs needed to turn corn into ethanol actually increase emissions and energy consumption, although most recent studies have found modest energy and emissions benefits from ethanol use relative to gasoline. The market for fuel ethanol is heavily dependent on federal incentives and regulations. Ethanol production is encouraged by a federal tax credit of 51 cents per gallon. This incentive allows ethanol-which has historically been more expensive than conventional gasoline-to compete with gasoline and other blending components."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Yacobucci, Brent D.

  2007-01-24
• Kingdom of Bhutan [Updated June 22, 2021]

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  From the Background: "The Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a small, landlocked Himalayan country situated between India and China. The mountainous kingdom is about half the size of Indiana, with an estimated population of 857,423, approximately 115,000 of them in and around the capital city, Thimphu. Bhutan's economy has grown primarily as a result of hydropower, agriculture, and forestry development. Hydropower exports account for 40% of total exports and 25% of government revenue. The United States has no significant trade relations with Bhutan, and its foreign aid mission and bilateral consular affairs are handled by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Geopolitical tensions between China and India along their Himalayan border have generally increased U.S. policymakers' interest in the region. Bhutan has participated in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) regional program for South Asia directed at developing power infrastructure, and it has implemented programs intended to help mitigate some of the effects of climate change. With 70% forest cover and extensive hydropower, Bhutan is a carbon negative country. Ninety-three percent of eligible adults in Bhutan reportedly received COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine by April 2021."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

  2021-06-22
• Climate Conversations: Climate and COVID-19 [video]

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  From the Webpage: "Almost exactly one year after U.S. COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] lockdowns began, Laura Helmuth (Scientific American) moderated a conversation between Georges Benjamin (APHA) and Kris Ebi (University of Washington) that was both reflective about the intersections between climate change and COVID-19 over the last year, and forward-looking at the state of progress on addressing these issues in the U.S." The duration of the video is 56 minutes and 57 seconds.

  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

  Benjamin, Georges C.; Ebi, Kristie L.; Helmuth, Laura

  2021-03-18
• U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America

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  From the Introduction: "Persistent instability and insecurity in Central America have gone on for too long. Poverty and economic inequality, pervasive crime and corruption, and political leaders' drift toward authoritarian rule have stunted economic growth and diverted critical resources from healthcare and education, robbing citizens of hope and spurring migration. The worsening impacts of climate change, manifesting as prolonged periods of drought and devastating storms, have exacerbated these conditions and undermine U.S. and international interests. All of these factors contribute to irregular migration, and none of them can ultimately be addressed without honest and inclusive democratic governance that is responsive to the needs of citizens in the region. The Root Causes Strategy, directed by the President in Executive Order 14010, focuses on a coordinated, place-based approach to improve the underlying causes that push Central Americans to migrate, and that 'take(s) into account, as appropriate, the views of bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners, as well as civil society.' This Strategy lays out a framework to use the policy, resources, and diplomacy of the United States, and to leverage the expertise and resources of a broad group of public and private stakeholders, to build hope for citizens in the region that the life they desire can be found at home. The U.S. government consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to inform this Strategy, including governments in the region, Members of Congress and their staff, international organizations, civil society organizations, labor unions, and the private sector. Consultations will continue throughout implementation."

  National Security Council (U.S.)

  2021-07
• Heat Exposure and Cardiovascular Health: A Summary for Health Departments

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  From the Executive Summary: "Extreme heat events (EHEs) are a leading cause of weather-related injury and death in the United States, and under a changing climate, these meteorological episodes are predicted to increase in both frequency and intensity. Prolonged heat exposure from EHEs places an increased strain on the heart and may lead to heat-related illness if the cardiovascular system fails to properly thermoregulate internal body temperature. Every individual is susceptible to heat-related illness, however, those with reduced cardiovascular function and pre-existing cardiovascular diseases are at a greater risk for morbidity and mortality during EHEs. This document gives an overview of our current understanding of heat exposure and its impact on cardiovascular health outcomes, an overview of the medications that may exacerbate heat-related cardiovascular illness, and a summary of the interaction between extreme heat and air pollutants, and their collective impact on cardiovascular health. Additionally, this document summarizes epidemiologic evidence and identifies gaps in the extant peer-reviewed literature on the effectiveness of strategies and interventions to protect against heat-related cardiovascular disease and death. This information is intended to aid health departments and other health professionals in understanding and responding to the impacts of heat exposure on cardiovascular health."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)

  Schramm, Paul J.; Vaidyanathan, Ambarish; Halaharvi, Harikrishna

  2020-07
• Evidence on the Use of Indoor Air Filtration as an Intervention for Wildfire Smoke Pollutant Exposure: A Summary for Health Departments

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  From the Executive Summary: "Over the last few decades, the United States has experienced an increase in frequency of intense wildfires. Climate change has likely impacted these events through increased summer and spring temperatures, drier vegetation, decreased precipitation in some areas, and an increased probability of lightning storms. Wildfires have caused billions of dollars in property damage and contributed to an estimated 339,000 premature deaths per year globally. Wildfires are also associated with negative health outcomes. The smoke from wildfires contains gaseous pollutants and particulate matter which are associated with multiple respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. There is evidence that certain populations are more vulnerable to the wildfire smoke exposure than others, including older adults and infants, pregnant women, people with preexisting medical conditions, and people of lower socio-economic status. Interventions that effectively decrease wildfire smoke exposures can protect these vulnerable populations as well as the health of the general public. This technical document summarizes the available peer-reviewed literature about the effectiveness of air filtration as an intervention to decrease exposure to wildfire smoke and protect health when sheltering indoors. It describes the different types of air filtering technology and metrics for measuring air quality and summarizes the literature on their effectiveness in protecting against the harmful air pollutants in wildfire smoke. Relevant federal and state resources for local health professionals are listed. This review illustrates that proper air filtration is an effective method of reducing certain wildfire smoke pollutants indoors and potentially limiting the risk of negative health impacts associated with exposure to wildfire smoke."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Environmental Health (U.S.)

  Joseph, Gregory; Schramm, Paul J.; Vaidyanathan, Ambarish . . .

  2020-07
• Heat Response Plans: Summary of Evidence and Strategies for Collaboration and Implementation

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  From the Executive Summary: "Extreme heat is a major public health concern in the United States. Temperatures are increasing across the country, with more frequent and severe heat waves in many regions. This trend is projected to continue. Exposure to heat may increase the risk of illness particularly among sensitive groups such as people who do not have access to air conditioning, older adults, young children, people working outdoors, athletes, the socially isolated, people with existing chronic conditions, and some communities of color. Health departments, their partners, and other government agencies have undertaken a variety of strategies to protect the public from high temperatures. One potential strategy is a heat response plan - a coordinated plan that describes and organizes activities to prevent heat-related morbidity and mortality in a community. Health departments at all levels (state, local, Tribal, and territorial) and their partners can develop and implement a response to protect their community and vulnerable populations. There is evidence that heat response plans can protect health, but mixed evidence on the effectiveness of individual components of a heat response plan and the degree of overall health protection. This document is intended to give a summary of extreme heat, the health burden of heat exposure, the impacts of climate change, and components and effectiveness of heat response plans with a focus on relevant peer-reviewed literature and existing heat response plans. Resources and examples of successful implementation and potential collaborative efforts are included."

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Environmental Health (U.S.)

  Abbinett, Jessica; Schramm, Paul J.; Widerynski, Stasia . . .

  2020-01-31?
• Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Getting from Vaccine Hesitancy to Acceptance

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  From the Introduction: "Since the start of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the development of safe and effective vaccines that are affordable and equitably distributed around the globe has been a priority for the world. The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines will be a crucial step forward to end the deadly and costly COVID-19 pandemic, creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable future for humankind. Yet the development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is only one of many hurdles. The success of this vaccination effort largely depends on strong, functional health systems as well as widespread acceptance in the population and willingness to be vaccinated. Yet skepticism about the adverse effects, safety, and the lack of efficacy of vaccines has been rising--and increasingly politicized--over the past decade, leading to the World Health Organization (WHO) listing vaccine hesitancy as one of the world's top ten global health threats in 2019, alongside climate change. In 2020, this has been supercharged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences in vaccine coverage between countries due to vaccine hesitancy could delay the world's ability to control the pandemic and restart the global economy."

  Pandemic Action Network

  2020-12-14
• Promoting Global Food Security: Next Steps for Congress and the Administration, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, April 22, 2010

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  From the opening statement of John F. Kerry: "We have long viewed global hunger as one of our great, moral challenges. And all of us have been moved, at one point or another, by the stark images of hunger, of desperation, and particularly on the faces of the young children in many parts of the world. Food insecurity also poses a challenge to our broader development efforts, and yes, it is also a challenge to our national security. A lack of access to food leads to malnutrition, instability, and even violence. Food riots, 2 years ago, in Cairo, Port-au-Prince, and other capitals, showed how food insecurity can drive conflict. And because as much as 70 percent of the world's population is involved in agriculture activities, food security also has to be a cornerstone of our development strategy. As we gather here, on what is also Earth Day, we need to recognize that this already urgent challenge is poised to explode in the years ahead as climate change creates new strains on food supplies everywhere. I just point out to people that there are currently tribes fighting each other and people being killed in the Sudan because of desertification and because one tribe moves into another tribe's territory and tries to access the water, and there are struggles over those wells, and over that access to water. And it is a challenge to culture and to history and to tribal rights. The Obama administration has taken significant steps forward, including pledging $3.5 billion over the next 3 years, and establishing the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. Last year, this committee passed the Global Food Security Act, sponsored by Senators Lugar and Casey and myself, and it authorized a multiyear assistance to promote food security and rural development." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Catherine Bertini, Dan Glickman, John F. Kerry, Jacob Lew, Richard G. Lugar, Rajiv J. Shah, Robert P. Casey, and Christopher J. Dodd.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Pandemic Influenza: Progress Made and Challenges Ahead, Hearing Before a Subcommittee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, Special Hearing, January 24, 2007

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  From the opening statement of senator Arlen Spector. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. On a conspiracy, secret conspiracy, which is about to be made public, the chairman and I have been conferring and he handed me the gavel so that we could have a ceremonial shift in gavel. Senator Harkin and I, who have traded positions as the powers have flowed, have always talked about it being a seamless change in the gavel. So I want to express my appreciation to Senator Harkin for handing me the gavel and to announce publicly that I'm not going to give it back. But on a serious level, it doesn't happen too often in the Senate, Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter have worked very closely together for more than two decades, since Senator Harkin was elected in 1984, and I think that has benefited the American people and the health community and the education community and worker safety and labor, where those three departments are under the funding of this subcommittee. In a contentious political climate in Washington, this is we think the way it ought to be operated. So here comes the seamless transfer, Mr. Chairman." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Harkin, Gerald W. Parker, Julie L. Gerberding, Anthony S. Fauci, and John Jay Treanor.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Energy: A Matter of National, Economic, and Environmental Security

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  "Energy policy is one of the most pressing and important issues of our day. Securing reliable and domestically available energy supplies is essential to the continued economic prosperity of the United States. It is also a national security issue. However, energy policy is also inseparable from the parallel, and sometimes adversarial, discussions over CO2 and its impact on climate change. This energy report brings the realities of the energy crisis into focus, in the hopes that it will motivate policy makers to set aside their partisan differences and come together on a real solution which protects our national economic and security interests as well as the environment. This report shows the current state of world energy consumption patterns, as well as likely future scenarios, to bring into focus the challenges we face as we seek to reduce our carbon footprint and wean our nation off fossil fuels. This report also briefly presents the current state of technology for alternative fuel sources-including biofuels, coal-to-liquid, wind, solar, and geothermal energy-in order to assess its present and future ability to displace fossil fuel consumption. While the thrust of this report is on securing adequate sources of energy, there is also a discussion of important policies that should be pursued to decrease our national demand for energy. The summary findings are an attempt to clearly state the issues in a national discussion that has become nothing more than political posturing, disingenuousness and one-upsmanship of one special interest lobby versus another."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (2007-)

  Issa, Darrell, 1953-; Davis, Tom

  2008-10-23
• Economics of Early Response and Disaster Resilience: Lessons from Kenya and Ethiopia

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  From the Introduction: "The impacts of natural disasters and complex emergencies have been increasing over recent decades, putting the humanitarian system under considerable pressure. In 2010 natural disasters affected more than 217 million people, killed more than 297,000 people and caused $123.9 billion in economic damages. The types, dimensions, and dynamics of humanitarian crises are further increasing, in some cases exponentially. A variety of factors are contributing to this increase, including climate change, increasing vulnerability due to erosion of natural, social and economic capacities, and fluctuations in the global economy. The costs of humanitarian crises are equally growing - not only do disasters and complex emergencies result in significant economic losses, but they also require mobilization of large amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. According to a recent study on funding streams for emergency response, aid from governments reached US$12.4 billion in 2010, the highest figure on record. At the same time the CAP [Consolidated Appeals Process] reached its highest ever figure of US$11.2 billion, double that of 2006. This aid is heavily targeted to a few countries - over the past ten years, almost 50% of humanitarian aid (amounting to just under US$90 billion) was consistently spent in just nine countries. There is growing consensus that greater investment needs to be made in preparedness to reduce the impacts of crises, and an even greater imperative for further work to build the resilience of communities to be able to cope with these events themselves."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  Cabot Venton, Courtenay; Fitzgibbon, Catherine; Shitarek, Tenna . . .

  2012-06