Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024
Good morning! We know you’re likely weary of election season at this point — we get all those texts and e-mails, too — but we’re starting today with an analysis of where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on energy and climate change. From presidents we segue to monarchs, but of the butterfly variety. Lastly, we have an update on the Sapelo Island gangway collapse, which is still under investigation.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
ENVIRONMENT: ELECTIONS
Environmental scorecards
Our overheating planet merited an early question in the presidential debate on Sept. 11: What would each candidate do to fight climate change if elected president? Neither candidate answered directly, and throughout the election season the issue has garnered far less attention than it did in 2020. To give climate-minded voters a helping hand, States Newsroom put together a roundup of where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on energy and climate.
For Congressional races, the League of Conservation Voters scores members of Congress for the environmental friendliness of their votes. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-St. Simons), who represents Coastal Georgia, received a score of 3% for 2023. He’s running against Democrat Patti Hewitt. The LCV does not score Congressional candidates.
Georgia Conservation Voters endorses candidates “that will join in the fight against climate change,” but has not endorsed in any Coastal Georgia races.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Monarchs declining
Citizen scientists in Georgia have surveyed for monarch butterflies for the past 17 years. That data show a decline of up to 80%, with losses worsening as the butterflies head south, as GPB’s Chase McGee reports.
Researchers aren’t sure what’s causing the population drop in migrating monarchs, but a University of Georgia butterfly researcher offers some do’s and don’ts to protect this iconic species.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Sapelo updates
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources last week released a set of “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding the Sapelo Island ferry gangway collapse that claimed seven lives on Oct. 19. Included in the information is the weight limit of the 80-foot long gangway. The specifications allow for 100 pound per square foot on the 640 square foot dock.
“Therefore, the gangway was specified to be designed, constructed, and installed to withstand an evenly distributed loading of 64,000 pounds. With these numbers and conditions as a prerequisite, assuming an average weight of individual at 200 pounds, and an even distribution of mass, this would equate to 320 persons,” DNR contractor EMC Engineering Services wrote in the FAQ.
To read the entire document and sign up for updates from DNR, see https://gadnr.org/SapeloIncident.
The gangway was removed on Sunday, October 20, and transported to a secured facility as part of the ongoing investigation.
Just one thing
This week’s tip for personal environmental action is a timely one from Robin McLachlan, assistant professor of geology at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick. McLachlan has participated in two “Current Conversations” focused on developing a personal environmental action plan, including one Tuesday evening at the Hinesville public library. At each event McLachlan emphasized voting as a quick and powerful but often overlooked tool for everyone who cares about the environment.
Send “just one thing” you do as part of your personal environmental action plan to mary.landers@thecurrentga.org. We’ll publish our favorites and credit the contributors. Thanks!
Also noted
- Earlier this month the US Fish & Wildlife Service announced it is seeking public input on a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The FWS has since postponed its public meeting on the issue. It’s now scheduled for 6:30 – 8 p.m. Nov. 12, at the Charlton County Annex Auditorium, 68 Kingsland Drive, Folkston. No concurrent online meeting is currently planned.
- The Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s annual photography contest is looking for photographs that highlight what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, special. Categories include landscape, wildlife and funny wildlife. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Nov. 18, 2024. Entries should be made via e-mail to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. For more information see www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.
- Georgia environmental regulators revoked a permit for a wood pellet manufacturing plant in Telfair County following a legal challenge opposing the project, Capitol Beat’s Dave Williams reports. Georgia Interfaith Power and Light challenged the permit amendment, arguing it would double the Lumber City plant’s emissions of pollutants in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.
- The annual Right Whale Festival returns to Amelia Island, Fla., with more than 100 exhibitors, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 3. at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach. The festival coincides with the expected return of highly endangered North Atlantic right whales to their calving grounds in the Southeast. This year’s theme, “Go Slow for Those Below,” calls out one of the main causes of right whale injury and mortality – vessel strikes.
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Energy and climate: Where do Harris and Trump stand?
Climate change is getting less attention in 2024 than in the last presidential election, but it’s still a critical issue.
More monarch butterflies are dying on their migration to Mexico. It’s unclear why
Scientists suggest Georgians plant more fall blooming plants to assist declining monarch butterflies.
Stopping Sapelo zoning referendum costs McIntosh County more than holding it
Legal fees mount as McIntosh County heads to the Georgia Supreme Court to oppose an election .
DNR chief: Buckle may be cause of Sapelo gangplank failure
The collapsed ramp was among the longest DNR operates but officials say it should have been able to support the number boarding the ferry.
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