Sustainability Weekly

SUSTAINABILITY
Written By Dara Magagnoli

Fridays are for…

Earth Month, Total Solar Eclipses, Carbon Capture, Accountability, and more!

by Alli DiGiacomo

Happy Earth Month 2024! This month is a time to reflect and be reminded of our responsibility to care for the planet. It is an opportunity to educate ourselves about the environment, the impact of the climate crisis, and how to take action to protect it. This year’s theme is “Planet vs Plastics.” Stay tuned for announcements about CTA’s events scheduled this month, as well as other events happening around the city!

Also happening next week is a total solar eclipse, the last one in the contiguous US until 2045! A fun fact is that eventually every spot on Earth will see an eclipse, but the Northern Hemisphere will see more than the Southern Hemisphere. While New York City isn’t in the path of totality, there is still a chance to partially view it, which will still cast cool, crescent-shaped shadows! Read more about why eclipses happen below, but most importantly don’t forget to wear sunglasses.

Keep reading for more of this week’s sustainability news!

T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S

A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL HAPPEN IN THE U.S. ON MONDAY, APRIL 8TH

The United States is about to experience a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This will be the last total solar eclipse over the contiguous United States for the next 21 years, so it's a must-see event. Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sunlight. Three conditions must align for a solar eclipse: first, the moon must be in its "new moon" phase, with its dark side facing Earth; second, the moon's orbit must intersect with the plane of Earth's orbit; and third, the moon must be positioned near one of its orbital nodes. The distance between the moon and Earth determines whether the eclipse will be total or partial.

This eclipse is anticipated to surpass the 2017 eclipse in a few ways. The shadow of totality will be wider, making it easier to view from various locations across states. The duration of totality will be longer, lasting over four minutes in many areas. On top of that, the timing coincides with the peak of the sun's 11-year magnetic cycle, potentially enhancing the visibility of solar phenomena like plasma loops.

During a total solar eclipse, animals have been observed to react to the sudden changes in their environment. As the sky darkens, nocturnal creatures like insects, bats, and night-active birds emerge, sometimes in such large numbers that they appear on radar. Birdsong fades away, and birds in flight may land and fall silent. Dogs may become anxious, while bees return to their hives, and domestic animals seek shelter. Horses and cows may gather together and display unusual behaviors like head shaking and tail swishing. Even captive chimpanzees have been seen displaying curiosity during eclipses, showing that animals share our fascination with this celestial event.

NASA provides extensive resources for eclipse enthusiasts, including interactive maps detailing eclipse paths and start times. Live streaming of the event will also be available for those unable to witness it in person. Do not forget to take precautions to protect your eyes during the partial phases. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent damage to your vision. Specialized eclipse glasses are necessary for safe viewing.

VERMONT ADVANCES BILL REQUIRING FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES TO PAY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

The Vermont Legislature is pushing a bill requiring major fossil fuel companies to be held accountable for damages caused by the climate crisis, particularly after the state experienced severe summer flooding and other extreme weather events.Senator Nader Hashim argues that these companies, which have contributed significantly to climate change, should help address the problems they've caused, such as washed-out roads, downed electrical wires, damaged crops, and repeated flooding. The proposed legislation, expected to receive final approval from the state Senate and then be considered in the House, would establish a program requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute financially to climate change adaptation projects in Vermont. ExxonMobil and the American Petroleum Institute oppose the bill, but legal experts believe Vermont could succeed in legal challenges.

SINGAPORE IS BUILDING A $20 MILLION PLANT TO SUCK CARBON FROM THE SEA

The ocean serves as a crucial carbon sink, absorbing over a quarter of human-generated CO2 emissions, mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, due to extreme warming and acidification, its capacity to absorb carbon is diminishing. Startups like Captura and Running Tide are leveraging technology to extract carbon directly from seawater. Equatic, in collaboration with Singapore's national water agency PUB, is building the world's largest ocean-based carbon removal plant. Their process involves running an electrical current through seawater to separate hydrogen and oxygen, subsequently trapping and storing CO2 in solid materials. This innovation not only removes carbon but also produces hydrogen for clean fuel. Despite technical success, skepticism remains about scalability and potential environmental impacts, with concerns raised by over 200 experts. While the U.N. panel has labeled carbon capture as "unproven," governments (such as the U.S.) are investing heavily in research to enhance ocean carbon removal techniques. Equatic's plant aligns with Singapore's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 and could pave the way for commercial-scale operations.

What do you think about geoengineering? See other proposed projects here.

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