Webinar for climate, clean air and public health leaders on the new report

The Joint Center, in partnership with Ecotrust, recently hosted a launch event to release the groundbreaking report entitled, Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Should Climate Policies Give Extra Credit for Maximizing Short-term Health Benefits? by Professors Manuel Pastor and James Boyce.  This is the first national level study to take a careful look at the potential to reduce harmful air pollution as part of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The report argues that we need to build GHG reduction into energy policy not simply for efficiency reasons – why leave public health benefits lying on the ground? – but also for equity reasons: the facilities that emit GHGs and the associated co-pollutants are disproportionately in low-income communities and communities of color.

In response to requests, a Joint Center webinar with the authors will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12 noon EST/ 9 a.m. PST to share the findings and policy recommendations and take questions from a national audience. REGISTRATION HERE.

  PANELISTS:

James K. Boyce, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Director, Program on Development, Peacebuilding, and the Environment
Professor of Economics

Manuel Pastor, Ph.D.
University of Southern California
Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity

  MODERATORS:

Danielle Deane
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Director, Energy and Environment Program

Elizabeth Martin Perera
American Public Health Association
Environment Section, Climate Change Topic Committee

Kristen Sheeran
Economics for Equality and the Environment Network
Director

The Joint Center, in partnership with Ecotrust, recently hosted a launch event to release the groundbreaking report entitled, Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Should Climate Policies Give Extra Credit for Maximizing Short-term Health Benefits? by Professors Manuel Pastor and James Boyce.  The Honorable James E. Clyburn, the Assistant Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, was guest speaker and discussed the importance of the report before a packed room.

In response to requests, a webinar with the authors will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12 noon EST/ 9 a.m. PST to share the findings and policy recommendations and take questions from a national audience. This is the first national level study to take a careful look at the potential to reduce harmful air pollution as part of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report argues that we need to build GHG reduction into energy policy not simply for efficiency reasons – why leave public health benefits lying on the ground? – but also for equity reasons: the facilities that emit GHGs and the associated co-pollutants are disproportionately in low-income communities and communities of color.

Download the entire press release below and register for the webinar here!

Expanding climate change mitigation approaches beyond greenhouse gases to also target related pollutants would have enormous public health benefits in the nation’s most disadvantaged communities, according to a report released today by E3 Network and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

The report, Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Climate Policy, Carbon Pricing, and Co-Benefits, found that the same industrial facilities that emit carbon tend to generate other harmful pollutants, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, that actually pose a more immediate and direct threat to the health of nearby residents.  Since these facilities are typically located in or near low-income and minority communities, adding these harmful “co-pollutants” to a climate change mitigation strategy would have an almost immediate positive health impact on the health of millions of poor and minority Americans.  The research showed that the benefits would be comparable in economic value to the benefits of the carbon reduction by itself.

The peer-reviewed report is the first national level study to take such a careful look at the potential to further reduce harmful air pollution as part of any strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reverse climate change.

Download the full press release below.

Policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions can yield substantial co-benefits via reduced emissions of co-pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and air toxics. Valuation studies suggest that these benefits may be comparable in magnitude to the value of reduced carbon emissions. However, co-pollutant intensity (the ratio of co-benefits to carbon dioxide emissions) varies across pollution sources, and so efficient policy design would seek greater emissions reductions where co-benefits are higher. Moreover, because co-pollutant impacts are localized, the distribution of co-benefits raises important issues of equity, particularly with regard to the unintentional income, racial, and geographic disparities that might result from carbon-charge programs, whether they are trading or fee approaches. This paper presents evidence on intersectoral and spatial variations in co-pollutant intensity and discusses options for integrating co-benefits into climate policy to advance the goals of efficiency and equity.

An executive summary of this report is also available, as well as a press release.

On the occasion of the 42nd Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change, and Ecotrust invite you to join us for a panel discussion to release a new report on September 20, 2012.

Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Should Climate Policies Give Extra Credit for Maximizing Short-term Health Benefits? will be presented by its authors, James Boyce, Ph.D. of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Manuel Pastor, Ph.D. of the University of Southern California.

Opening remarks will be given by special guest The Honorable James E. Clyburn (D-SC).

Space is limited. Please RSVP by September 19th, 2012 by emailing rsvpenviro@jointcenter.org. Kindly include your name and organizational affiliation.

At Women, Business, and the New Economy, a forum hosted by the American Sustainable Business Council and held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention, key women leaders in business and sustainability will look at the importance of corporate social responsibility, benefits and pay equity, access to capital, health, and the environment. The program also explores blended value ecosystems as they relate to women, human rights, and sustainability.

Danielle Deane, director of the Energy and Environment Program, will take part in a forum dialogue session entitled "A Conversation on Climate Change, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability."

To learn more, visit the American Sustainable Business Council.

Business leaders are gathering with policy makers to explore how to move toward a sustainable economy at two policy forums hosted by the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) being held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention. The actor and anti-cancer crusader Fran Drescher will be speaking about the importance of regulation to protect public health. She will make a keynote address at the half-day program on “Women, Business & the New Economy,” on September 6, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Another program, “Building a Sustainable Economy,” will be held on September 5, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Both events are at Hearst Tower, 47th Floor, 214 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. They are open to the public, but online registration is required at http://asbcouncil.org/conventions.

---

At ASBC’s forum, “Women, Business and the New Economy,” on September 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, key women leaders in business and sustainability will look at the importance of corporate social responsibility, benefits and pay equity, access to capital, health, and the environment. The program also explores blended value ecosystems as they relate to women, human rights, and sustainability. In addition to Fran Drescher, participants include Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, Kim Jordan, CEO, New Belgium Brewery; Faith Taylor, Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation, Wyndham Group Worldwide; Melissa Fitzgerald, Actor, The West Wing and Chasing the Hill; Danielle Deane, Director of Energy and Environment Program, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies;
and Natalia Oberti Noguera, Founder and CEO, Pipeline Fellowship.

Download the full press release below.

The new automobile fuel efficiency standards are good for the nation and especially welcome in communities of color.  Any time we can make major advancements in cleaning the air and reducing the emissions that cause climate change—as these standards will do—we will see an enormous positive impact on people of color, whom studies show are the most adversely impacted by dirty air and the warming of the planet.  Clearly, the goal of more and better jobs and greater opportunity for all is firmly linked with that of a cleaner economy and a more healthful environment.  We applaud the EPA and the auto manufacturers for working together to establish these standards and thereby point the way toward a brighter future for all our communities.

Please see the full job posting here.