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Trump will name more conservative judges. He may even pick a majority of the Supreme Court; Both sides react as Missouri reverses near-total abortion ban Literacy initiative to implement 250 new early-education activations in PA.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

Senate Report Calls for Natural Solutions to Battle Climate Change

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Monday, August 31, 2020   

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With wildfires out West and a hurricane fueled by high water temperatures in the South, Senate Democrats have released a new action plan for combating the climate crisis.

West Virginia hasn't been immune to climate-related troubles, with more floods and hotter temperatures. And the report from the U.S. Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis says funding projects that improve coastal resiliency for rivers, streams and oceans will help with flooding.

Myia Welsh, program director with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, said it's important to consider natural climate solutions to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

"In West Virginia, we are in a really great position, where we have a lot of trees and a lot of public lands," Welsh said. "And the impact of protecting and conserving those areas is that it reduces storm-water runoff, reduces air pollution, and all of those things are assets to fighting climate change."

She said green solutions for urban areas - like green roofs, open spaces, rain gardens and permeable pavement - can reduce the impacts of flooding. They can also reduce costs for storm-water management, which is a major problem in the Mountain State.

Walsh noted the report is timely as the nation faces interconnected public health, social justice, and climate crises. "The Case for Climate Action" also recommends solutions, including neighborhood micro-grids for maintaining electricity during an emergency, and smart-growth planning to reduce emissions by promoting walking and biking.

"The policy solutions laid out really ran the gamut, from labor and economics down to environmental solutions," she said. "So, there's a plethora of things to choose from here that our federal government can get to work on, should they choose to take that path."

When Congress returns next week, the National Wildlife Federation and other environmental groups are urging lawmakers to follow the new plan and fund its suggestions for climate-resiliency projects to build towards a clean-energy future.

Disclosure: National Wildlife Federation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Energy Policy, Environment, Public Lands/Wilderness, Salmon Recovery, Water. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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