– Aug. 21, 2024 –
Good morning! We start today with an overview of where clean energy investments have concentrated over the last two years, including Bryan County. Then we explain why we made a video about a natural resource every one of those investments needs: water. Finally, we preview a trio of activities coming up this week highlighting pollinators, a coral reef off Georgia, and personal action on environmental issues.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
TYPE OF WORK: ANALYSIS
Red states reap climate investments
Signed into law two years ago, the federal Inflation Reduction Act set off a construction boom in clean energy projects. Not a single Republican in Congress voted for the IRA, but red states have benefited mightily from the ensuing investments, as Floodlight’s Kristi Swartz reports. Georgia is among the top states for these projects, with U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-St. Simons) welcoming the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County as the “largest investment in the state of Georgia’s history,” despite voting against the IRA. Carter’s Congressional District, which encompasses all the coastal counties, ranks as the district with the 5th most clean energy projects in the nation, 9th for the most jobs, and 8th for the largest investment, the group Climate Power reports.
TYPE OF WORK: EXPLAINER
If you’ve heard terms like aquifer, groundwater and artesian well for a long time and had only a hazy grasp of what these concepts mean, welcome to the club. I’m the Coast Watch newsletter reporter, Mary Landers, and I’ve been writing about water issues in Georgia for more than 20 years. Yet it wasn’t until I watched a demonstration of how an aquifer works that I had an “aha” moment about the physics of these systems. When my editor had the same revelation, we decided to produce our own version. After several failed models (pro tip: don’t use kitty litter for your clay layer) and the patient participation of Chantal Audran, the executive director of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, we made a video that several readers have reported gave them that same “Oh, that’s how it works!” insight.
As the Hyundai plant and other coastal development increase demands on the Floridan aquifer, this source of pristine drinking water will only become more important to understand.
TYPE OF WORK: COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
To do list: pollinators, coral reef, action plan
- Georgians can help researchers better understand how pollinator populations are doing by taking part in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on Aug. 23-24, 2024. The count requires only 15 minutes of watching one plant and recording the numbers of insects that visit. Sign up and watch an instructional video at this website. To participate in the count with local experts, join Coastal Wildscapes from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Florabundance Gardens Native Plant Nursery in McIntosh County. Register here. Directions will be emailed to registrants.
- Not far from the Georgia Coast lies the Blake Plateau, recently discovered to support the largest deep-sea coral habitat on earth. Intrigued? Join Wild Cumberland, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and Sierra Club – Georgia Chapter at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21 for a virtual learning opportunity to explore this special place. Register here.
- Join The Current and the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick on Thursday to discuss practical ways to address climate change and other environmental issues in your life. Details below. We hope to see you there!
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GOP gets 85% of the benefit of climate law. Some still hate it.
Despite the Inflation Reduction Act garnering no Republican votes in Congress, red states have benefitted the most from resulting clean energy investments.
FAQ: How much do you know about your water?
As Hyundai increases demands on water supplies, learn about where the Savannah area gets its water and how the supply is regulated and protected.
Slideshow: Flooding persists in Richmond Hill
Liberty County reporter Robin Kemp captured these images of persistent flooding in neighboring Bryan County. Volunteers showed up with kayaks, inflatable boats, and high-clearance trucks to deliver sandbags and ferry people and supplies through the floodwaters. Some areas remain underwater a week after Tropical Storm Debby.
Parts of Richmond Hill still flooded a week after TS Debby
One week after Tropical Storm Debby lollygagged through Coastal Georgia, the Ogeechee River is still covering all lanes of Georgia Highway 17.
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