Vermont Environmental Consortium

And

BRATTLEBORO REFORMER

#41, January 8, 2008
The Top Five Environmental Developments of 2007
by
Daniel Hecht

Last week I promised to list the five most important environmental developments of 2007, as suggested by 40 experts I consulted. Winnowing the list to five was tough.

Why? As George Crombie, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, summed it up: “Not since the 1970s . . has there been such a surge in our appreciation for the environment. We have entered a new era . . . . Green ideas, systems, education, commerce and technology will dominate how we live in the future. 2007 will go down as the beginning of a new frontier in the environmental movement. The green economy has arrived.”

So the most important development was simply a tidal change in public understanding. Global warming awareness led the way, underscored in Vermont by the October release of the Governor’s Climate Change Commission report. And the issue awoke us to other environmental concerns, as we realized our utter dependence on the particular temperature range, rainfall patterns, sea level, and ecosystems that characterize the world as we know it. Knowing that burning fossil fuels are warming’s primary cause brought home to us the urgent need to develop alternatives. The (compact fluorescent) light bulb flashed on in our heads; the writing on the wall got read.
In April, the Supreme Court determined that the U.S. EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Massachusetts v EPA was a true tipping point: The factual existence of global warming, and that it’s caused by human actions, was functionally confirmed. The historic ruling – read it at www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/opinions.html -- sweeps away a pile of, um, spurious arguments that had impeded meaningful action on global warming. The EPA’s new authority provides a legal tool for action, with far-reaching effects that we’ve barely begun to feel.
In September, the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of Vermont in Green Mountain Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge v Crombie, supporting the state’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. (Vermont’s standards call for a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from cars and trucks by 2016.) California led the way in this effort, but Vermonters should tip their hats to Sec. Crombie, Gov. Douglas, and our legislative leaders for hanging tough on this important issue.
The U.S Energy Bill, signed on Dec. 19, was certainly big news – but was it good news or bad? Yes, it: 1) mandates production of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022 (up from 7 billion now), of which 21 billion will be from cellulosic sources – grasses, stems, and stalks, not corn kernels; 2) boosts automobile fuel-efficiency standards to 36 mpg by 2020; 3) prohibits the sale of incandescent light bulbs after 2016; 4) calls for training three million people for “green collar” jobs in renewable energy and efficiency.

But many of my respondents complain that the cellulosic ethanol goal is unfeasible and that corn-derived ethanol (the bill mandated doubled production) has disastrous environmental and economic impacts. And 36 mpg is far too little; 2020 is far too late. The final bill lacked a portfolio standard that would have required energy companies to produce at least 15% of their energy from renewables. Also axed were provisions to terminate subsidies to oil and gas companies and to invest the money in solar, wind, hydro, and biomass instead.
Localism blossomed. Vermont embraced local foods as a way to support our small farms, cut our carbon footprint (less transporting), and keep the money we spend on food bouncing around inside our state. The Eat Local Challenge of August made temporary localvores out of Gov. Douglas, House Speaker Gaye Symington, and others.

Localized energy efforts also abounded. Vermont Community Hydro pointed out opportunities to turn our rivers, streams, and water systems into energy; Vermont Biofuels Association showed that small farms can grow energy crops and refine biodiesel. Cities, colleges, and businesses started running their fleets with locally-produced biofuels and initiated efforts to create community-owned, biomass-fired district heating systems. Money and trade moved toward localism, too, as many Vermont communities began exploring local currencies and labor bartering programs to promote local investment and consumption.
Okay, there are too many others to ignore! In 2007, we also saw the emergence of: New technologies, such as inexpensive electronic sensors that cut electricity consumption. Unexpectedly rapid acceptance of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Energy from algae, producing huge amounts of biodiesel in a relatively small area. Widespread recognition of the huge potential of Vermont’s green enterprise economy. Energy from food waste: available almost everywhere, produces much more methane than manure when biodigested. Major restructuring of the Agency of Natural Resources, promising a more vigorous, engaged, role. A changing view of solid waste as a raw material that can turn into innumerable value-added products and industries. Grass as an energy crop.

And so many more. As for 2008 – hold onto your hat!

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Daniel Hecht is a novelist and executive director of Vermont Environmental Consortium. For more information on any Green Grapevine topic, contact vec@norwich.edu.

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