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Former President Donald J. Trump first ever to face federal charges in 7 count indictment; the Supreme Court strikes down Alabama's Congressional Maps; Canadian wildfires affect the health of humans and wildlife.

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The Supreme Court upholds a key provision of the Voting Rights Act over Alabama redistricting, smoky skies could spell EPA trouble for some states, and President Biden calls on Congress to pass LGBTQ+ protections.

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Rural communities launch projects with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a study says rural transgender adults feel less supported than those in urban areas, and a summer road trip could mean majestic scenic byways or a sprinkling of donut shops.

Climate-Conscious Businesses Call for Passage of Build Back Better Act

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Thursday, September 30, 2021   

LOS ANGELES -- A chorus of business leaders is speaking out in favor of the Build Back Better plan in Congress, including more than a dozen from California.

More than 300 companies have signed a letter from the American Sustainable Business Council, asking Congress to use its reconciliation process to get the $3.5 billion package passed.

Flip Brown, owner and founder of Business Culture Consultants, said he signed the letter because the billions in damage from fires, drought, severe storms and future sea-level rise are threats to the economy.

"If there are economic impacts to climate change because of disruption to supply chains and worker well-being, that's obviously going to affect our businesses," Brown contended.

Opponents of the package say the price tag is too expensive, but the letter argued the U.S. cannot afford to ignore the problem. In 2020, extreme weather caused almost $99 billion in damage and 262 deaths across the country, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

Gregory Wendt, director of integrated solutions at Stakeholders Capital, a socially conscious investment firm, said he signed the letter because he is concerned drought linked to climate change is affecting the nation's infrastructure.

As one example, he cited the hydropower dam at Lake Powell, which could shut down in 2023 if water levels keep dropping.

"These are very profound and proven risks," Wendt asserted. "If we're going to spend our money right, we want to make sure that it will be there, and the infrastructure do what it was designed to do."

The most recent state climate assessment predicted by the year 2100, the average daily temperature will rise between 5.5 and 8.8 degrees, and water from winter snowpack will decline by two-thirds.


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