"The agency that I filed these complaints with rarely contact me afterwards," she says. "I've only ever had one successful complaint followed through with, and that was back in July of 2019." In November 2021 interior secretary Deb Holland announced a 20 year drilling moratorium on new federal oil and gas leasing within a roughly 10 mile radius around Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. But critics point out that that ban wouldn't do anything to stop existing leases within that zone or just outside of it.
Over a 20-year period, methane is 80 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Yet those responsible for releasing methane into the atmosphere often don’t even know how much they themselves are emitting. And methane is only one of many harmful air pollutants that result from our dependence on burning fossil fuels.
Now, research coalitions, citizen scientists and activists are using a slate of new tools to detect and report emissions. They’re also using many of the same tools to shine a light on exactly how and where other deadly fossil fuel pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, are affecting community health. Such data could become a critical tool for regulation, leading to greater emissions reductions.
Guests:
Davida Herzl, Co-founder and CEO, Aclima
Kendra Pinto, Four Corners Indigenous Community Field Advocate, Earthworks
Gavin McCormick, Co-founder, Climate TRACE
For show notes and related links, visit ClimateOne.org
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