Source: US National Guard (video statements)
While more than 5,100 Guardsmen prepare for Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida, more than 5,500 National Guard members from 17 states remain on duty supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts across the Southeast. (Video by Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes)
Source: US Coast Guard (video statements)
Tuesday, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami aircrew flew over the #TampaBay area to assess Florida’s west coast before the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
Storm surge is destructive. Do not risk your life by trying to ride out the storm. Leave immediately if you are in Milton’s path.
Find evacuation orders for Florida counties: https://www.floridadisaster.org/evacuation-orders/
(U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg)
Source: US Coast Guard (video statements)
The US Coast Guard Cutter Resolute traveling through 7-8 ft. seas, northwest of St. Petersburg, Fl. en route to Pensacola, Fl. before Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy of Ensign Rylee Burton)
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: Floridians Must Listen to Local Authorities as Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall; FEMA Administrator Traveling to Florida Tonight Ahead of Landfall
Floridians Must Listen to Local Authorities as Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall; FEMA Administrator Traveling to Florida Tonight Ahead of Landfall
Hurricane Milton will be catastrophic; FEMA is working in close coordination with state and local officials
WASHINGTON – Ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, FEMA Administrator Criswell will travel to Florida tonight to work alongside state and local officials as they prepare for the impacts of this catastrophic storm. Floridians in the storm’s path must continue following the instructions of local officials, as the storm is expected to bring destructive storm surge along portions of Florida’s west coast as well as devastating hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding across the Florida Peninsula.
Floridians in Milton’s path in vulnerable parts of the state have been ordered to evacuate. Those who have stayed behind are urged to go immediately. Many residents outside of mandatory evacuation zones will experience significant rain and hurricane force winds.
FEMA has over 1,000 responders on the ground in Florida supporting Milton and previous disasters. There are over 1,400 search and rescue personnel pre-staged to support Milton response efforts.
FEMA and its federal partners are leaning forward and already pre-positioned resources to support local and state response efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton. FEMA pre-staged seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, eight federal Urban Search & Rescue and swift water rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, 10 HealthCare System Assessment Teams, two U.S Army Corps of Engineers temporary power teams, debris experts, Environmental Protection Agency wastewater experts, over 400 ambulances, 20 helicopters prepared to support media requirements following landfall, and 60 High Water Vehicles with ladders from the Department of Defense.
Additionally, FEMA has five incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water ready to deploy to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts with capacity to expand as needed.
President Biden granted emergency declarations for the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida for Hurricane Milton, enabling FEMA to provide direct assistance to the state, local and tribal response, preposition supplies and response assets and mobilize hundreds of personnel in the state, many of whom were already in place supporting the Hurricane Helene response.
Those in the path of Hurricane Milton should take every precaution as the storm passes through.
mashana.davis
Source: Government of Canada News
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will be participating in a fireside chat with the Toronto Regional Board of Trade.
TORONTO — The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will be participating in a fireside chat with the Toronto Regional Board of Trade.
Date: October 10, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Later that day, Minister Wilkinson and Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a clean energy announcement. A media availability will follow.
Date: October 10, 2024
Time: 2 p.m. ET
All accredited media are asked to pre-register for the afternoon announcement by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. A dial-in line is available for media and will be provided upon registration.
Source: European Parliament
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2024)0325 – C10‑0088/2024),
– having regard to Article 107(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund(1),
– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(2), and in particular Article 9 thereof,
– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources(3), and in particular point 10 thereof,
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund(4),
– having regard to its resolution of 27 February 2024 on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(5),
– having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on the effectiveness of Member States’ use of EU Solidarity Fund money in cases of natural disasters(6),
– having regard to its resolution of 18 May 2021 on the review of the European Union Solidarity Fund(7),
– having regard to the EEA Report No 1/2024 – European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA),
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0002/2024),
A. whereas between 1 and 17 May 2023, the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy experienced extremely intense rainfall which led to flooding resulting in total direct damages estimated by the Italian authorities at EUR 8,5 billion;
B. whereas between 3 and 6 August 2023, Slovenia was impacted by heavy rainfall which led to floods across the country and was its worst natural disaster to date, resulting in total direct damages of EUR 7,3 billion according to the Commission;
C. whereas between 3 and 6 August 2023, Austria was impacted by heavy rainfall which led to floods in southern Austrian regions resulting in total direct damages estimated by the Austrian authorities at EUR 208 million;
D. whereas between 4 and 11 September 2023, Greece was impacted by the Mediterranean storm “Daniel” which caused heavy rainfall and led to floods in multiple locations in central Greece, particularly in the Thessaly region, resulting in total direct damages estimated by the Greek authorities at EUR 2,3 billion;
E. whereas between 25 October and 10 November 2023, the Tuscany region of Italy experienced intense rainfall which led to flash floods resulting in total direct damages estimated by the Italian authorities at EUR 2,7 billion;
F. whereas between 2 and 9 November 2023, the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of the Hauts-de-France region of France was impacted by heavy rainfall which caused floods resulting in total direct damages estimated by the French authorities at EUR 1,9 billion;
1. Expresses its deepest solidarity with all the victims, their families and all the individuals affected by the destructive floods in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France as well as with the national, regional and local authorities involved in the relief efforts;
2. Welcomes the decision as a tangible and visible form of the Union’s solidarity with its citizens and the regions in the affected areas in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France;
3. Reiterates the importance of communicating to the public the tangible benefits brought about by the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), also to further increase citizens’ awareness of Union tools and programmes;
4. Highlights the increasing number of severe and destructive natural disasters in Europe and calls on Member States and the Commission to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation measures to avoid human and economic losses; considers that the budget of the EUSF or its equivalent should be expanded in view of the upcoming Commission proposal on the new Multiannual Financial Framework and subsequent inter-institutional negotiations; urges the Commission to increase the budget of the European Solidarity Reserve and to make sure that the overall amount of funding and the allocation modalities ensure the optimal effectiveness of the EUSF;
5. Stresses that, due to climate change, islands and coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to natural calamities; acknowledges that phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and droughts – which also affect lakes and rivers – represent an increasing threat to many European regions, particularly those in the Mediterranean; questions whether the EUSF is adequately aligned with the emergency needs related to climate adaptation in these particularly fragile territories; therefore, believes that islands and coastal regions should receive adequate funding within the framework of the EUSF to address their specific vulnerabilities;
6. Stresses that the EUSF is only a curative instrument and that the Union should also continue to address climate change adaptation and mitigation by supporting European and national policies to prevent natural disasters; underlines that the EEA Report No 1/2024 ‘European Climate Risk Assessment’ warned that the bloc is unprepared for the effects of climate change and stresses the need for action to avoid that the climate risks identified reach critical levels; calls on the Member States and the Commission to deliver their contribution to achieve the objectives agreed at the Paris Climate Summit; recalls the need for effective synergies with other Union policies and programmes and underlines that Member States should make best use of funding opportunities, in particular of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund +, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the rural development programmes; stresses also the need for preventive measures, not only to mitigate future damage but also to prevent the exacerbation of risk conditions following catastrophic events, such as wildfires, landslides or the drying up of lakes and rivers; underlines the importance of adequate flexibility between the different programmes; underscores that assistance provided under the EUSF should not be to the detriment of Union funding received by Member States under other Union programmes or policies; recalls that Member States can grant state aid, in accordance with applicable Union rules, notably for agricultural businesses that have suffered damages due to natural disasters;
7. Recalls the importance of rapid and solid damage assessment that takes due account of the economic repercussions and calls for increased operational efforts to be made in order to reduce the average time for the release of advanced payments, while ensuring the Union budget is protected; calls on the Commission to further streamline the procedure and shorten the time required for the processing of the applications for the mobilisation of the EUSF, to accelerate response times and ensure that funds reach the affected regions promptly as natural disasters inflict significant damage that disrupts daily life and local economies; stresses the need for reasonable flexibility when recipient countries face justifiable delays and challenges in applying for and utilizing allocated funding; calls on Member States to take into consideration that vulnerable populations are particularly affected by natural disasters due to socio-economic factors further hampering their ability to recover;
8. Stresses the urgent need to release immediate financial assistance through the EUSF to ensure that support can reach the affected regions in a timely manner;
9. Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;
10. Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.
|
Source: Government of Canada News
Cornwall, Ontario October 9, 2024 — Flood mitigation measures are being put in place to reduce the likelihood, frequency, and severity of flooding to residents and businesses located on the south branch of the Raisin River in Cornwall, after an investment of $783,360 from the federal government.
A new culvert will significantly decrease the likelihood of flooding from the south branch of the river. This will reduce sewer overflows and the risk of wastewater moving into storm water systems. Once upgraded, the culvert will have an increased life span and reduced maintenance requirements.
This project aligns with the 2022 City of Cornwall Climate Change Action Plan.
Making adaptation investments now not only keeps Canadians safe but also has major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
“As we deal with the growing impacts of climate change, we need to work with communities to keep them safe from potential natural disasters. A new culvert for the south branch of the Raisin River will do just that for the residents and business of Cornwall.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“We appreciate the support of the federal government in the replacement of our culvert located on McConnell Avenue. This project not only enhances the safety and resilience of our community but also underscores a shared commitment to proactive disaster preparedness and sustainable development.”
Justin Towndale, Mayor of Cornwall
The federal government is investing $783,360 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).
The DMAF program supports projects that include new construction of public infrastructure or the modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure that helps communities withstand natural disasters and climate-related risks.
Eligible recipients include municipalities, local governments, provinces and territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector. Projects must have a minimum of $1 million in total eligible costs to be considered eligible.
Since 2018, the federal government has committed over $3 billion to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. Part of this commitment is $489.1 million in funding from the Adaptation Action Plan, which was released in November 2022 alongside Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy. Overall, the National Adaptation Strategy commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help address both immediate and future climate risks to Canadian communities.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Sofia Ouslis
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
City of Cornwall
communications@cornwall.ca
Source: US State of New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 65 New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will deploy to Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to assist the Florida National guard in responding to Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit Florida’s west coast late on Wednesday.
“As hurricanes wreak devastation along much of the Southeastern United States, we are stepping up to support response efforts for those in need,” Governor Hochul said. “I am deploying the New York National Guard to protect Floridians in the path of Hurricane Milton — offering resources, assistance and standing united with our neighbors in this time of crisis.”
The New York National Guard will deploy 65 Soldiers and Airmen to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville, Florida. The New York Army National Guard will deploy 41 Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Syracuse and 10 Humvees to provide general purpose support as required by circumstances. The Soldiers will deploy to Florida on board a C-17 Globemaster III transport flown by the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.
The New York Air National Guard will deploy 24 pararescue Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing which is based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach on Long Island. The Pararescue Airmen are all trained EMTs who go through extensive training that involves parachuting, scuba diving and survival skills. The Airmen will deploy with watercraft and specialized vehicles. They will deploy from Gabreski Air National Guard Base to Florida on board the wing’s organic HC-130J search and rescue aircraft. The New York National Guard contingent will be on the ground north of the hurricane’s expected landfall before the storm hits.
Major General Ray Shields said, “At the direction of Governor Hochul, the New York National Guard is ready to support our fellow citizens in Florida, as Hurricane Milton heads for their state. Our Soldiers and Airmen are simply amazing at the way they respond on very short notice. I could not be prouder of their dedication and professionalism. They continue to make a difference in people’s lives every day. At the same time, the Citizen Soldiers and Airmen we have already deployed are continuing their support of the response effort in North Carolina.”
The New York National Guard currently has 48 Soldiers and Airmen deployed, including Army engineers and CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters on storm response missions in North Carolina.
MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
The 9th Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations were held in Prague. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the head of the Czech government, Petr Fiala. We have many common interests and we look at issues in a similar way, such as the role of Europe, assistance to Ukraine, security and actions related to crisis situations. Polska and Chequia also have a common position on illegal immigration in the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk was accompanied by 14 members of the Council of Ministers. Joint action of Poland and Checo. Cooperation between Warsaw and Prague is very good. This was especially visible during the tragic flood that hit both of our countries in September. “With a rare partner we have relationships so intense, so good and so characterized by mutual understanding,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the opening of Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations. Special thanks go to to the pilots of Checo Mi-17 helicopters, who actively helped in rescue operations on the Polish side of the border. “This is just an illustration of our very good cooperation in the broadly understood field of security. What we are trying to do together – both bilaterally and in Europe – is the best example of how to build security policy in relations between nations and states,” noted the Prime Minister. At the same time, Donald Tusk recalled the Polish initiative to organize a meeting in Wrocław regarding the rapid and flexible aid from the European Union, which will concern flood-affected areas. “The idea is to use European funds as effectively as possible and in some situations also jointly […] so that we can jointly and effectively counteract this type of disasters in the future,” explained the head. Polish government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who was one of the participants of the meeting in Wrocław, thanked the Polish initiative in the EU. “I thanked the Prime Minister for his actions. It was a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Ministers of Central European countries in Wrocław,” emphasized the head of the Czech government. Countries struggling with the effects of the September flood will be able to benefit from aid in the amount of EUR 10 billion for reconstruction from the Cohesion Fund. For our country, it will be half of this amount – 5 million de euros, i.e. approximately PLN 20 billion. Together in the international arena, Poland and the Czech Republic cooperate very well in the European Union forum, as well as in the matter of helping the struggling Ukraine. “I would like to thank the Czech Republic very much for their initiatives regarding Ukraine. We will cooperate even closer. We do it in a responsible, rational and very solidary way – both when it comes to helping refugees from Ukraine and helping to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression,” explained the head of the Polish government. El primer ministro checo, Petr Fiala added that both our countries are perfectly they know that the defense of Ukraine is an issue directly related to our security. “We know from our own experiences that we cannot allow Russia to make any expansion […]. Poland and the Czech Republic also have in common the fact that we have accepted a huge number of Ukrainian refugees in both countries. This shows that for us, words about solidarity are not just platitudes,” noted Petr Fiala. Poland and the Czech Republic, as one of the first countries in the EU, have been helping fighting Ukraine from the very beginning of the war. Poland and Chequia together on the issue of illegal immigration in the EUWarsaw and Prague also has a common position on illegal immigration in the European Union. El primer ministro Donald Tusk explained that during the Polish presidency in 2025, our governments will cooperate on a profound correction of some traditional European policies on illegal migration. “We present a common, firm and rational position, without any obsessions. We are definitely in favor of defending Europe against the wave of illegal migration,” emphasized the Prime Minister. As he explained during the press conference after the consultations, Poland and the Czech Republic must convince other partners in the European Union that the EU’s task is to protect the external border, not to create internal borders and searching in, which only consist in moving groups of illegal immigrants within Europe. “We will cooperate here in all aspects. Poland can count on Chequia and Chequia can count on Poland. We will give examples of this at the next meeting of the European Council,” announced the head of the Polish government. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also drew attention to the need for decisive action in the fight against illegal migration. “A change of perspective is necessary on migration. We need to be more active and more assertive towards third countries. I am convinced that both our countries have similar positions and views here,” said the head of the Czech government. As he added, organized pseudo-terrorist groups are particularly active in the matter of illegal migration. Polish-Czech energy cooperation One of the topics of intergovernmental consultations in Prague was energy cooperation .“Cooperation in the field of energy is important to us. We are starting nuclear energy practically from scratch. You already have a very long experience […]. Therefore, I am very glad that we have decided to cooperate closely and exchange information so that our activities in this field are effective and as cheap and effective as possible,” emphasized Donald Tusk. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also drew attention to the aspect of developing energy cooperation. “In both Our countries are preparing to build new nuclear blocks […]. The nuclear alliance is a form of cooperation that makes sense,” said the head of the Czech government. As he added, both countries see the benefits of the development of nuclear energy. By train from Prague to the Polish seaThis year’s tourist season on the Baltic Sea was exceptional – over half a million Czechs visited Poland beaches. “I am an eyewitness to the most friendly and expected invasion of ours, which were tourists from the Czech Republic at our seaside. You broke all Historical Records. We are very proud of it […]. Czech women and men are the most welcomed tourists on Polish soil,” emphasized Donald Tusk. Soon, tourists will have a new opportunity to reach the Baltic Sea. A direct railway connection between Prague and Tricity will be opened. Trains will run 4 times a day. Prime Minister Donald Tusk was accompanied in Prague by 14 members of the Council of Ministers: Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of State Assets Jakub Jaworowski, Minister of EU Affairs Adam Szłapka, Minister de Infraestructura Dariusz Klimczak, Minister de Cultura y National Heritage Hanna WróblewskaMinister of Climate and Environment Paulina Henning-Kloska,Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek,Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak,Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski,Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk,Minister of Industry Marzena Czarnecka,Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna ,Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz,Minister – Member of the Council of Ministers, Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Jan Grabiec.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 09 OCT 2024 5:43PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, completed a successful visit to Germany from 6th to 9th October 2024. The visit, which coincided with the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), underscored India’s commitment to global sustainability and renewable energy, and facilitated key discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
On 7th October, the Minister delivered the keynote address at Hamburg Sustainability Conference, where he highlighted India’s role in global renewable energy and energy transition initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance, which now has the support of over 100 countries. Shri Joshi underscored India’s remarkable progress in renewable energy over the last decade, driven by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership. He emphasized India’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in sectors like green shipping, and called for strengthening international collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by the global energy transition.
As part of the visit, Shri Joshi held numerous bilateral meetings with global leaders. His meeting with Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focused on India’s growing renewable energy landscape and future collaborations for sustainable development. He also met Ms. Svenja Schulze, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to discuss shared priorities in green energy and sustainability.
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi interacts with Chancellor of Germany Mr. Olaf Scholz
On the sidelines of the HSC, Shri Joshi exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany. Union Minister Joshi also interacted with Mr. Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and discussed bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation. He also met Ms. Roberta Casali, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, and deliberated on renewable energy investments in India. Shri Joshi further engaged with Dr Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, where they discussed global shifts in the energy landscape and avenues to support energy transition.
The Minister also met with Ms. Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s Minister of Development, and they deliberated on scaling up international cooperation for a cleaner, more sustainable future. He also exchanged views with Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the IMF’s role in supporting global sustainability projects, and Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, regarding India’s leadership in the green energy space.
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
In Berlin, Union Minister Shri Joshi was warmly received by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr. Habeck also gave a special guided tour of German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Dr Habeck acknowledged the stunning growth of India’s Renewable sector in the last 10 years to Union Minister Joshi and was very optimistic on India’s journey towards Mission 500 GW from Renewable energy. Shri Joshi posted on X
“Held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the sidelines of #HSC2024. We had a fruitful discussion on strengthening cooperation in renewable energy. Deliberation on opportunities in green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and recycling of solar waste was also held during the meeting. We were happy to note that India and Germany’s cooperation on energy transition is progressing well. Expressed confidence that in the coming years, India will emerge as a trusted source of green hydrogen for Germany.”
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi with Indian Diaspora in Berlin, Germany
During his time in Berlin, Shri Joshi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora at an event hosted by the Embassy of India, where he lauded their contributions to Germany’s economy and their role in enhancing India’s global presence.
During the RE-INVEST 2024 held in September, 2024, India and Germany had launched the India-Germany Platform for Investment in Renewable Energies showing the growing bond between the two countries in Renewable Energy. The platform will facilitate to create further business opportunities and new avenues for the increasing demand for capital, support technology transfer and enhance the development of innovative technical solutions in RE.
Shri Pralhad Joshi’s visit to Germany concluded with a commitment to furthering India’s leadership in renewable energy cooperation and energy transition initiatives. The meetings and interactions during the visit have laid a strong foundation for deeper collaboration in energy transition, reinforcing India’s role as a global leader in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
Guten Tag Hamburg, Germany!
Thankful for the warm welcome at the airport, from the officials of the Indian Embassy.
Over the next 2 days will be attending the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. Looking forward to bilateral meetings with Ministers and Senior Officials… pic.twitter.com/Ziet27IvaI
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 6, 2024
India has over 700 million young people who deserve a sustainable future, just like their peers around the globe.🌍
Building on this, delivered the keynote address at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. Also emphasised that for a developing nation such as ours, with low per… pic.twitter.com/VbznAMqxeW— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 7, 2024
Sealing global partnerships for India’s green future! #HSC2024 pic.twitter.com/FO0chILQy5
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 7, 2024
Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi, India is the only G20 nation to achieve it’s climate target well ahead of schedule.
ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಮೋದಿಯವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತವು ಹವಾಮಾನ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯ ತನ್ನ ಗುರಿಯನ್ನು ನಿಗದಿತ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮುಂಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಸಾಧಿಸಿದ ಏಕೈಕ ಜಿ 20 ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ#HSC2024 pic.twitter.com/QfkUrw9ZO4
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 7, 2024
We remain committed to our pursuit of a sustainable energy future that aligns with our growth ambitions and environmental responsibilities. India stands as a global voice of reason.
ಭಾರತದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಸರದ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸರಿ ಹೊಂದುವ ಸುಸ್ಥಿರ ಇಂಧನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ… pic.twitter.com/q6t0ihOfbJ
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 7, 2024
Received a gracious welcome by Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action at the entrance of Ministry. I Thank him for the gesture.
Looking forward to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany.@BMWK pic.twitter.com/hc3LygDh6O
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 8, 2024
Interacted with the members of Indian community at the reception hosted by Embassy of India, in Berlin (Germany). India’s rich culture and brilliant minds are enhancing the plurality of Germany while also significantly contributing to it’s economy. Around the globe, our diaspora… pic.twitter.com/5eVOJACDwO
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 9, 2024
Navin Sreejith
(Release ID: 2063572) Visitor Counter : 29
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 09 OCT 2024 6:54PM by PIB Delhi
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and External Affairs Kirt Vardhan Singh inspected Delhi Zoological Park on Wednesday. The main objective of the inspection was to take stock of the health and maintenance arrangements of the African elephant Shankar. He also inquired about the facilities available for tourists, animals and birds.
“As part of #WildlifeWeek, visited Delhi Zoo today. Reviewed well-being of African Elephant ‘Shankar’ and held a productive meeting with senior officers of Ministry of Environment & Forest, the Vantara team from Jamnagar, and Adrian, the South African elephant expert. Glad to… pic.twitter.com/uW6azofKYY
— Kirti Vardhan Singh (@KVSinghMPGonda) October 9, 2024
MoS Shri Singh inspected the enclosure of the African elephant ‘Shankar’ and had detailed discussions with ‘mahouts’ and veterinary doctors. He also fed fruits to elephant Shankar. During the inspection, Dr. Adrian, an expert from Vantara, Jamnagar, Gujarat and an elephant expert from South Africa was also present. There was also a detailed discussion on measures to further improve Shankar’s health and an action plan has been prepared in this regard. To further improve the health of Shankar, he advised the experts from Vantara, Jamnagar to train the mahouts, make requisite diet plan for the elephant and bring about radical changes in the enclosure.
During this, upgradation and modernization of the zoo to global standards was also discussed. Minister of State Shri Singh said that due to the wildlife related policies of the Central Government, people’s connection with nature and wildlife has increased. At the same time, awareness among people about the importance of conservation is also continuously increasing. During this, they also became aware of the activities of Wildlife Week.
He briefed the forest officials about letters written to the South African countries South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana for a companion for the African elephant Shankar. In a positive move, Botswana and Zimbabwe have pledged to donate the elephant and formalities related to the same are being completed.
ADG Wildlife of the ministry Sh. Sushil Awasthi and Director of Delhi Zoological Park, Sh. Sanjeet Kumar were present in the meeting.
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VM/GS
(Release ID: 2063615) Visitor Counter : 72
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has released its long-term vision to strengthen New Zealand’s disaster resilience and emergency management, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today.
“It’s clear from the North Island Severe Weather Events (NISWE) Inquiry, that our emergency management system was not fit-for-purpose,” Mr Mitchell says.
“We’ve seen first-hand how events like Cyclone Gabrielle, Cyclone Hale and the Auckland Anniversary flooding have serious, long-lasting impacts on our communities.
“We must make changes to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system to be equipped for responding to future emergency events.
“I have considered the findings of the NISWE Inquiry and intend to implement all of the headline recommendations.
“Many of the findings were not new – we’ve heard them raised before in previous inquiries.”
Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management sets out the Government’s overarching vision to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system over the next five years.
“To get there we need to shift into a state where the system is adaptive, simple, and builds backup capacity,” Mr Mitchell says.
The Government will implement a programme of changes in five broad areas:
“I am under no illusion this will be a quick fix. The emergency management system is inherently complex.
“While changes will take time, there are things we can all do now to strengthen our emergency management system.
“We all have a role of play to keep ourselves and our communities safe in an emergency.
“If you haven’t done already, make sure you have a plan. We don’t know when and where the next emergency event may happen, but we can all be better prepared.”
Minister Mitchell will provide more detail on the upcoming work programme, including a public facing roadmap early next year.
As part of the work programme, a new Emergency Management Bill will be introduced this term.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Betsy Donald, Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Ontario
Canadian cities are falling behind globally when it comes to efficiently moving people. Long commute times, high congestion rates and infrastructure that is vulnerable to climate change are symptoms of a mobility crisis.
Mobility is an essential public good, and modern policies aim to move people in a safe, efficient, accessible and non-polluting way. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and worsened existing vulnerabilities in Canada’s urban mobility systems, undermining progress toward these goals.
Our new book, Urban Mobility: How the iPhone, COVID, and Climate Changed Everything, explores how technology, the pandemic and climate change have shaped, and continue to shape, urban mobility, particularly for those with inadequate transportation networks.
One of the primary challenges Canadian cities face is that they have grown faster than their sustainable transportation options. While urban populations have expanded, investment in public transportation has not kept pace, resulting in a gap between capacity and potential.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted city life in profound ways, and urban life and economies in Canada are still being affected to this day. Remote work became the norm for many, reducing the number of people commuting and causing a significant drop in public transit ridership.
Additionally, the shift to hybrid work has permanently altered how Canadians engage with their cities. People are shopping online more, using public transit less, and central business districts and physical retail spaces are seeing less foot traffic.
Urban economies, which have been designed to rely heavily on the movement and presence of large numbers of people through public transit and local businesses, are still grappling with this new reality. Activity levels, for instance, are down by about 20 per cent from pre-pandemic levels in many downtown spaces still.
Digital platform firms like Zoom, Uber, Amazon and Instacart adapted quickly during the pandemic, offering safe work-from-home options, private transportation and online shopping services to people. These platforms disrupted the traditional urban economic model, which relies on transit, physical stores and foot traffic.
Ride-hailing services drew passengers and their fares away from local economies into foreign-owned ride-hailing companies. Transit systems not only depend on the massive built public infrastructure, but also passenger fares and other government funding to maintain the public system over time.
In addition, these tech platform companies come with equity and accessibility concerns. Research on the use of ride-hailing and public transit during the pandemic found that its usage in Toronto was clearly organized along class, neighbourhood and social lines. People identifying as one or more of the following were more likely to continue riding transit during the pandemic: low-income, immigrant, racialized, essential workers and car-less, in large part because other options were not available to them.
Similarly, in Calgary, private technology experiments in electric scooters privileged wealthier neighbourhoods. Electric scooters were used more in wealthier neighbourhoods, and as poverty levels increased at the neighbourhood level, the use of them dropped. The researchers concluded that greater attention needs to be paid to ensuring all communities, regardless of economic status, have access to micro-mobility options.
Canada has a history of importing technological solutions, rather than creating its own. Montréal, however, offers a successful example with its Bixi bike program, the third largest bike share system in North America after New York and Chicago, with 11,000 bikes and almost 900 stations. A non-profit runs the program, Rio Tinto Alcan provides aluminum for the bikes and Cycles Devinci manufactures them in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
Canadian cities need to build innovation opportunities that promote economic development and improve mobility at the same time. Canada’s technology sector is woefully undersupported at present.
The third, and perhaps most pressing challenge facing Canadian cities is the growing climate crisis. Cities are both instigators and victims of climate change. They contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, but are also heavily impacted by severe weather events, heat waves and other side effects.
These impacts are becoming increasingly concerning with the intensification of wildfires, urban flooding and other extreme weather events.
By the end of the 20th century, most large Canadian cities were heavily investing in strategies to encourage people to use alternatives to cars, such as transit, light rail, biking and walking.
However, shifting priorities, ideologies and budgetary adjustments led to government cutbacks to transit funding and a lack of new transportation innovation. In Ontario, for example, the government continues to push unrealistic road-building ideas at the expense of more active transit options.
This failure to effectively move people around has left an opening for new mobility experiments led by private companies, but some of these programs don’t really integrate well into the Canadian urban mobility ecosystem. Many of these mobility options — such as ride-hailing — are also costly and exclusive. Others, like electronic scooters, can lead to e-waste.
The disruptions caused by technology, the pandemic and climate change are reshaping how people and goods move in cities. To build a better future, Canadian cities must address the interconnected challenges of three transitions: digital, health and environmental.
While all sectors need to invest, strong leadership and policy action from governments at all levels is needed to create a more climate-friendly, economically vibrant and equitable urban mobility future. Governments will need to embrace bold, innovative solutions that address all three of these challenges.
This means policy frameworks that reduce carbon emissions through climate action plans, leveraging political will and funding in efforts to shift away from private automobiles and toward transit, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, and experimenting with digital mobility services while still prioritizing sustainability.
Betsy Donald receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Shauna Brail receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
– ref. Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible – https://theconversation.com/canadian-urban-mobility-is-woefully-lacking-but-building-a-better-future-is-still-possible-239679
MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
The Council of Ministers meeting began with a report on the removal of the effects of the flood. It discussed progress in reconstruction, support provided to the victims, and the investigation of issues related to irregularities during the flood. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government must be united in this matter and support each other. Effective aid and rapid action
Although the flood situation is now under control, the government continues to monitor the areas affected by the element. On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on the coordination of actions related to the occurrence of floods in September 2024, which will allow Minister Marcin Kierwiński to more effectively coordinate actions related to the removal of flood damage, i.e., first of all, directing money so that it reaches them in an optimal way and in agreement with local communities.
The role of Minister Kierwiński is to coordinate, facilitate this work for us as a team. Para bromear commitment of the government as a whole, not individual ministries
– explained the Prime Minister. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a special team that will be an auxiliary body supporting the Minister in coordinating activities related to reconstruction after the flood.
Financial support for victims
So far, provincial governors have already paid out approximately 200 million zlotys in aid benefits to people affected by the flood.
There are no hold-ups in this regard. Another 13 million zlotys are still to be paid. I think it is a matter of today, tomorrow at the latest, how this money will reach the victims
– Minister Marcin Kierwiński noted. The Ministry of Development and Technology has delegated 120 employees of the General Office of Building Supervision to the areas affected by the flood, who will accelerate the process of valuation and granting residents support in the amount of PLN 100-200 thousand.
Reconstruction of the transport and school infrastructure
One of the government’s priorities is the rapid reconstruction of infraestructura, including educational and sports facilities. Local government officials can use a special application to report losses in public utility facilities, which will help estimate the reconstruction plan using EU funds.
Thanks to the funds prepared by Minister Sławomir Nitras, we have started a program to rebuild sports and tourist infrastructure for the amount of 400 million złoty. After my visit to the flooded areas, I know that a very important problem is the issue of rapid reconstruction and restoration of normal functioning of the infrastructure of schools
– emphasized M. Kierwiński. As a result of the flooding, school boiler rooms suffered, among others. In the perspective of the autumn-winter period, their renovation and reconstruction are a priority, in order to be able to conduct lessons in comfortable conditions.
Flood-related cases under scrutiny by prosecutor’s office
During the meeting, Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar announced the involvement of the prosecutor’s office in investigating irregularities related to the flood.
The prosecutor’s office is working intensively with experts from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology to clarify all the circumstances related to the damage to the flood embankments.
– said Adam Bodnar. The Minister of Justice drew attention to several ongoing proceedings, including cases of looting, disinformation and the washing away of an earth dam in Stronie Śląskie, which concerns over 2 thousand injured people. The analysis of these cases is aimed at eliminating similar threats in the future.
The Future: Reconstruction Plus
Reconstruction after the flood will also be an opportunity to improve the quality of life of residents. Regions affected by the devastating element will not only be rebuilt, but also modernized.
Reconstruction must be this Reconstruction Plus. This space must be better than it was before the flood. We will overcome the effects of this flood if we act united and support each other
– Prime Minister announced. The reconstruction will be carried out with long-term benefits in mind, while ensuring that aid reaches all those affected by the floods. The Prime Minister thanked members of the government for their continued commitment to helping the disaster-stricken regions and their residents.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: USAID
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:
On October 7, Administrator Samantha Power met with India’s new Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra. The Administrator highlighted opportunities to build on the U.S. and India’s evolving strategic development partnership to address shared global goals and emphasized our joint work in the Indo-Pacific under the Triangular Development Partnership (TriDeP).
Administrator Power and Ambassador Kwatra discussed India’s leadership role in catalyzing regional clean energy ambitions, and Administrator Power reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)
Asheville, NC – Today, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06) traveled to western North Carolina where she was joined by Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Guzman and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer to view the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the extensive response efforts underway. They listened to business owners discuss the challenges they face and explained how federal resources can aid in the recovery and rebuilding of affected communities.
Congresswoman Manning visited the historic Biltmore Village, where two-story high flood waters destroyed shops and restaurants and left layers of thick mud, and the recently renovated River Arts District, where the storm tore buildings apart and decimated breweries, artists’ studios, and collaborative galleries. Manning spoke with small business owners who are deeply concerned that their businesses will be closed during the peak tourism season. She also visited a local SBA help center, where business owners are receiving assistance with completing their SBA applications for disaster aid.
“The devastation caused by the storm is heartbreaking. Over 80% of Asheville remains without water and power, yet the resilience of the people I met is remarkable. I was also impressed by the knowledgeable team from the SBA and am grateful for Administrator Guzman’s clear explanation of the available funds for affected areas and how the Biden-Harris Administration has streamlined the relief process, ensuring that aid reaches people more quickly. We are fortunate to have such dedicated emergency relief workers,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning. “Based on our discussions, it is clear that more funding is needed for the disaster relief effort. Congress must ensure that affected communities receive the resources needed for recovery and rebuilding, both now and in the months to come. I stand ready to return to Washington without delay to advocate for the people and communities impacted by this unprecedented storm.”
On September 29, 2024, President Biden granted Governor Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene to provide immediate federal assistance to North Carolinians in designated disaster areas.
Federal, state, and local partners are actively collaborating to mobilize resources into western North Carolina. These response efforts include search and rescue operations, wellness checks, the delivery of essential supplies such as food and water, removing debris to clear roads and bridges, restoring critical services like water, sewer, and electricity, and conducting damage assessments.
President Biden has directed the Department of Defense to deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to support North Carolina’s 2,800 active-duty National Guardsman responding to the disaster. This deployment is in addition to the more than 7,000 federal personnel currently assisting with response efforts across all affected areas.
For the latest updates on relief efforts, open shelters, and more, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s website here.
###
The Office of Congresswoman Kathy Manning stands ready to assist North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Find critical resources and updates to assist those affected by the storm here.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Betsy Donald, Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Ontario
Canadian cities are falling behind globally when it comes to efficiently moving people. Long commute times, high congestion rates and infrastructure that is vulnerable to climate change are symptoms of a mobility crisis.
Mobility is an essential public good, and modern policies aim to move people in a safe, efficient, accessible and non-polluting way. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and worsened existing vulnerabilities in Canada’s urban mobility systems, undermining progress toward these goals.
Our new book, Urban Mobility: How the iPhone, COVID, and Climate Changed Everything, explores how technology, the pandemic and climate change have shaped, and continue to shape, urban mobility, particularly for those with inadequate transportation networks.
One of the primary challenges Canadian cities face is that they have grown faster than their sustainable transportation options. While urban populations have expanded, investment in public transportation has not kept pace, resulting in a gap between capacity and potential.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted city life in profound ways, and urban life and economies in Canada are still being affected to this day. Remote work became the norm for many, reducing the number of people commuting and causing a significant drop in public transit ridership.
Additionally, the shift to hybrid work has permanently altered how Canadians engage with their cities. People are shopping online more, using public transit less, and central business districts and physical retail spaces are seeing less foot traffic.
Urban economies, which have been designed to rely heavily on the movement and presence of large numbers of people through public transit and local businesses, are still grappling with this new reality. Activity levels, for instance, are down by about 20 per cent from pre-pandemic levels in many downtown spaces still.
Digital platform firms like Zoom, Uber, Amazon and Instacart adapted quickly during the pandemic, offering safe work-from-home options, private transportation and online shopping services to people. These platforms disrupted the traditional urban economic model, which relies on transit, physical stores and foot traffic.
Ride-hailing services drew passengers and their fares away from local economies into foreign-owned ride-hailing companies. Transit systems not only depend on the massive built public infrastructure, but also passenger fares and other government funding to maintain the public system over time.
In addition, these tech platform companies come with equity and accessibility concerns. Research on the use of ride-hailing and public transit during the pandemic found that its usage in Toronto was clearly organized along class, neighbourhood and social lines. People identifying as one or more of the following were more likely to continue riding transit during the pandemic: low-income, immigrant, racialized, essential workers and car-less, in large part because other options were not available to them.
Similarly, in Calgary, private technology experiments in electric scooters privileged wealthier neighbourhoods. Electric scooters were used more in wealthier neighbourhoods, and as poverty levels increased at the neighbourhood level, the use of them dropped. The researchers concluded that greater attention needs to be paid to ensuring all communities, regardless of economic status, have access to micro-mobility options.
Canada has a history of importing technological solutions, rather than creating its own. Montréal, however, offers a successful example with its Bixi bike program, the third largest bike share system in North America after New York and Chicago, with 11,000 bikes and almost 900 stations. A non-profit runs the program, Rio Tinto Alcan provides aluminum for the bikes and Cycles Devinci manufactures them in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
Canadian cities need to build innovation opportunities that promote economic development and improve mobility at the same time. Canada’s technology sector is woefully undersupported at present.
The third, and perhaps most pressing challenge facing Canadian cities is the growing climate crisis. Cities are both instigators and victims of climate change. They contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, but are also heavily impacted by severe weather events, heat waves and other side effects.
These impacts are becoming increasingly concerning with the intensification of wildfires, urban flooding and other extreme weather events.
By the end of the 20th century, most large Canadian cities were heavily investing in strategies to encourage people to use alternatives to cars, such as transit, light rail, biking and walking.
However, shifting priorities, ideologies and budgetary adjustments led to government cutbacks to transit funding and a lack of new transportation innovation. In Ontario, for example, the government continues to push unrealistic road-building ideas at the expense of more active transit options.
This failure to effectively move people around has left an opening for new mobility experiments led by private companies, but some of these programs don’t really integrate well into the Canadian urban mobility ecosystem. Many of these mobility options — such as ride-hailing — are also costly and exclusive. Others, like electronic scooters, can lead to e-waste.
The disruptions caused by technology, the pandemic and climate change are reshaping how people and goods move in cities. To build a better future, Canadian cities must address the interconnected challenges of three transitions: digital, health and environmental.
While all sectors need to invest, strong leadership and policy action from governments at all levels is needed to create a more climate-friendly, economically vibrant and equitable urban mobility future. Governments will need to embrace bold, innovative solutions that address all three of these challenges.
This means policy frameworks that reduce carbon emissions through climate action plans, leveraging political will and funding in efforts to shift away from private automobiles and toward transit, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, and experimenting with digital mobility services while still prioritizing sustainability.
Betsy Donald receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Shauna Brail receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
– ref. Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible – https://theconversation.com/canadian-urban-mobility-is-woefully-lacking-but-building-a-better-future-is-still-possible-239679
Source: New Zealand Government
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced the appointment of Stuart Horne as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador.
“I am pleased to welcome someone of Stuart’s calibre to this important role, given his expertise in foreign policy, trade, and economics, along with strong business connections,” Mr Watts says.
“Stuart’s understanding of the transition to a net-zero economy will be a huge asset, with climate change becoming a more central focus to strengthening New Zealand’s relationships with key counterparts. His expertise will be beneficial in supporting New Zealand’s economic, trade, and climate goals.”
Mr Horne is the Divisional Manager of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Economic Division. He is a senior diplomat who has previously led the Ministry’s Middle East and African Division and served as New Zealand’s Special Coordinator to the Small Island Developing States Conference in 2014. Mr Horne has undertaken overseas postings in Samoa and Brussels.
Mr Horne holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Otago. He will take up his new, Wellington-based role effective immediately, replacing Kay Harrison.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
Rubio, Scott Support Seminole Tribe’s Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration for Milton
Oct 8, 2024 | Press Releases
Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on tribal lands.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.
“Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property.”
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Hurricane Milton, which is forecasted to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring damaging wind, rain, and flooding to Florida, including Seminole Tribal lands. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for emergency response is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property. As such, we urge you to promptly approve the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
The Biden-Harris Administration continues to mobilize a whole-of-government effort to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including pre-positioning resources and personnel and expediting debris removal efforts in Florida. These actions supplement the ongoing response and recovery efforts to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and Appalachia.
Today, President Biden was briefed by members of his Administration who are driving preparations for Hurricane Milton and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. The President directed his team to do everything possible to save lives and help communities before, during, and after these extreme weather events.
The President urges everyone to be aware of the evacuation orders that are in effect in multiple Florida counties. Shelters are open, and evacuation assistance is available. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately for your safety and that of your loved ones. If you need a safe place to go nearby, text SHELTER & your zip code to 43362 to get a list of open shelters near you.
Yesterday, President Biden had calls with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get firsthand reports on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton. The President also spoke with National Weather Service Director Ken Graham, who briefed the President in detail on the forecast and expected impacts of Hurricane Milton for the State of Florida.
At the direction of President Biden, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was on the ground in Tampa, Florida, yesterday, where she met with local leaders to coordinate preparations ahead of Milton’s landfall.
Yesterday, President Biden quickly approved the Governor of Florida’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life-saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue. Earlier today, the President also approved an emergency declaration request from the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The Administration has been in touch with officials from the State of Florida, as well as more than 60 local officials in cities and counties along the likely path of impact, to ensure needs are met in advance of the storm. The Administration has also been in touch with officials from the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes. The Administration has also reached out to state officials in South Carolina and Georgia and will continue outreach efforts based on Hurricane Milton’s latest trajectory.
FEMA has sufficient funding to both support the response to Hurricane Milton and continue to support the ongoing response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene– including funding to support first responders and provide immediate assistance to disaster survivors.
Additional updates include:
Pre-Staging Personnel and Resources
FEMA is pre-staging a full slate of response capabilities in Florida and the region, including seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, eight FEMA Urban Search & Rescue and swift water rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, four Health Care System Assessment Teams, five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and an Incident Management Team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Additional pre-staged capabilities include U.S Army Corps of Engineers temporary power teams, debris experts and a roofing team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency debris removal and wastewater experts, and 300 ambulances. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense is posturing and staging forces to support FEMA and state partners including helicopters for search-and-rescue operations and to enable movement of personnel, equipment and commodities; and High Water Vehicles.
FEMA has five incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA currently has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water in the pipeline to deploy as needed to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts and can expand as needed.
Protecting Public Health and Health Care Systems
Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida to address the health impacts of Hurricane Milton, the second public health emergency declaration for the state to aid in a hurricane response within the past two weeks.
The Department’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) pre-positioned approximately 100 responders in Atlanta along with medical equipment and supplies to support the delivery of health care services in Florida following the landfall of Hurricane Milton. The deployed personnel include ASPR Health Care Situational Assessment Teams who stand ready to work with state officials to assess the storm’s impacts on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and other health care facilities and a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from ASPR’s National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) for rapid response following health care assessments. A second DMAT is being pre-positioned in Atlanta to support additional response to either Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton, as needed.
In addition to the assessment teams and disaster medical system personnel, ASPR deployed personnel from an Incident Management Team and Regional Emergency Coordinators who integrate with FEMA, state health authorities, and emergency response officials to anticipate and assist Florida in meeting public health and medical needs in the wake of the storm. Logisticians and security personnel are also pre-positioned to provide support. ASPR is prepared to facilitate Public Health Emergencies for Hurricane Milton upon request. ASPR has also supported the HHS emPOWER program, which is available to identify the number of Medicare beneficiaries in affected zips codes who rely on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services, such as dialysis, oxygen tank, or home health, to help anticipate, plan for, and respond to the needs of at-risk citizens in potentially impacted areas.
Preparing for Impacts to Infrastructure
The Department of Transportation is deploying a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Field Incident Response (FIR) team to Florida and pre-staging operations in Jacksonville to prepare support for any impacted towers and airports. The team will work with the state and local authorities and the Department of Defense within the established Emergency Operations Center. The Department of Transportation is also deploying the FAA Communication Support Team (CST), which plays a critical role in supporting communication restoration at impacted airports. Specifically, the CST will set up Starlink and Mobile Phone Bonding kits, which increase signal stability and data throughout the region. The FAA is placing aircraft on standby to transport personnel from various agencies, mobilize resources, and support damage assessments to infrastructure.
In addition, similar to the approach on Hurricane Helene, the FAA will continue to closely coordinate with the Department of Defense, the Armed Services, including Active Duty and National Guard units, and State Emergency Operations Centers to support their use of drones to support response and recovery. Drones can play a critical role in supporting search and rescue operations and damage assessments by providing real time video, imagery, and sensor capabilities in hard-to-reach places. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation and monitoring the situation to be prepared to support.
The Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with Federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to support water systems, prepare for debris management, and ensure facilities, including Superfund sites, maintain critical public health and environmental protections while they recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for Hurricane Milton. The agency has personnel on the ground in regional and national operations centers who are continuing to respond to Hurricane Helene and are preparing to offer support, guidance, and assistance to the State of Florida and everyone in the new storm’s path.
Additional Pre-Landfall Preparations
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is deploying wave sensors at eight locations in Florida between Naples and Crystal River to measure the coastal waves caused by the storm. USGS Field crews are also installing one rapid-deployment gauge on the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida. This specialized piece of equipment is a fully-functional streamgage designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit real-time water level data in emergency situations. This data can be used by decision makers and emergency managers to monitor water levels as they work to save lives and property.
The Department of Energy’s Energy Response Organization remains activated to respond to storm impacts. Via the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council and Oil and Natural Gas Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, the Department of Energy has been coordinating continuously with energy sector partners on both the ongoing Hurricane Helene response and potential impacts from Hurricane Milton.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified local public housing authorities and owners of its assisted multifamily and heath care properties within the State of Florida to immediately implement all appropriate safety protocols for residents and workers. HUD is committed to ensuring that residents of its assisted homes and properties receive critical information that can save lives during extreme weather events. HUD is also conducting outreach and communications on the programmatic flexibilities and waivers that can be utilized to assist communities and survivors.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced it is extending measures to assist customers, U.S. exporters, and financial institutions impacted by Hurricane Helene and forecasted to be impacted by Hurricane Milton. EXIM is offering assistance to allow businesses and financial institutions that participate in EXIM’s programs to return to their business concerns when appropriate and without penalty due to missed deadlines or other timeliness issues.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Davide Elmo, Professor, Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia
With this year’s annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) summit set to take place in a little over a month in Azerbaijan, the world’s attention once again turns to climate change, resource security and the goals of sustainable development.
The aims of sustainable development are to build a system that meets the needs of society without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfil their own. The UN adopted 17 sustainable development goals in 2015 and real progress has been made in advancing some of them. But can true sustainable development be achieved, and how might it work in practice?
I am an engineer with experience in mining and geotechnics. To help answer these questions, I have been researching the interplay between sustainability challenges in the natural resource sector, the evolving concept of the circular economy and the implications of economic models founded upon sustained growth.
Striking a balance between resource extraction and environmental sustainability is essential for the continued existence of human societies and the risks of biodiversity loss must be accounted for in all resource extraction activities. At the same time, the need to protect the rights of all people — including Indigenous rights — remains paramount.
To help better understand the nuances of sustainable development, in my forthcoming research I propose a model of the impact(s) of human activities on the Earth’s planetary boundaries, which I refer to as the (un)sustainable machine.
Sustainable mining requires looking at the practices required to ensure long-term economic development remains in equilibrium with environmental and social considerations. The (un)sustainable machine model describes the delicate balancing acts at play, highlighting the intricate relationship between what drives minerals demand and consumption and how these forces impact Earth’s planetary boundary.
While progress may be being made in some areas of sustainable development — particularly around areas of poverty and malnutrition — as a planetary system, the report is much less positive. Take, for example, the issue of recycling.
Can recycling keep up with increased demand and counter resource extraction? Over 3.3 billion tonnes of metals are produced globally each year, and most demand predictions show rising consumption of metals in the coming decades.
Models developed by the World Bank indicate that by 2050, secondary supply (recycling) for aluminum, copper and nickel could meet about 60 per cent of the demand. Despite the enthusiasm among researchers and economists, however, these long-term projections indicate the difficulty of transitioning to a circular economy. Indeed, these predictions show that a 40 per cent unmatched demand must continue being supplied by primary sources like mining.
Read more:
Slow mining could be a solution to overconsumption in an increasingly fast-paced world
In my model, recycling is represented as a set of springs resisting the extraction of additional mineral resources. To achieve 100 per cent recycling of the entire spectrum of the mineral resources, our economy needs to solve problems that are not achievable with today’s technology. Furthermore, when developed on an industrial scale, recycling plants raise some of the same environmental challenges of large mineral processing and smelting plants.
Amidst this backdrop, the circular economy has presented itself as a transformative solution predicated on keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. It challenges the linear extract-produce-dispose approach and questions the sustainability of perpetual economic growth, especially in a world with finite resources and known environmental constraints. Analogous to the (un)sustainable machine model, I also propose the model of the (un)sustainable cone of demand and consumption.
The (un)sustainable cone model highlights the discrepancy between an economic concept based on the idea of a closed-loop system (circular economy) and the current financial framework based on the idea that infinite growth is possible. The larger the unbalanced cross-sectional area of the (un)sustainable cone of demand and consumption, the larger the stresses imposed upon Earth’s planetary boundaries.
To remain within Earth’s planetary boundaries requires solutions beyond simple technical means. Actions by a few individuals are not sufficient. As engineers, we often believe it is possible to develop solutions to mitigate the anthropogenic impacts on Earth’s planetary boundaries. However, by doing so, we fail to realize that finite barriers to growth remain and that our engineering solutions may in time become part of the problem.
It is essential for individuals who are not economists or environmental scientists to think about the meaning of sustainability in the context of extracting mineral resources. At the same time, economists and social-environmental scientists need to recognize that when it comes to mineral resources, policies and permitting regulations should not be addressed separately from the technical and economic aspects of mining engineering problems.
To paraphrase the work of eminent American social scientist Garrett Hardin:
Therein is the tragedy. Each financial market is locked into a system that compels it to increase its value without limit – in a world with finite resources. Earth’s ruin is the destination toward which all companies rush, each pursuing its own best interest in a market that (only) believes in the benefits of the shareholders.
Simply put, while both policy and technology are necessary to achieve true sustainability, unless our efforts are unified across discipline and economies, there is little hope for staying within the finite bounds of what our planet can provide.
Davide Elmo receives funding from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and MITACS
– ref. Is sustainable development possible? Only if we take a unified approach – https://theconversation.com/is-sustainable-development-possible-only-if-we-take-a-unified-approach-237438
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Yesterday, Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) joined Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) to survey North Florida communities severely affected by Hurricane Helene. The members visited Steinhatchee to assess damage on the ground and conducted aerial surveys of agricultural losses in Lafayette County. The visit concluded with an agriculture roundtable at the University Air Center.
Throughout the day, Speaker Johnson, along with Reps. Dunn and Cammack, engaged with local leaders, federal officials, and community members to evaluate the damage and discuss ongoing recovery efforts.
After the tour in Steinhatchee, Speaker Johnson addressed the local media, while Reps. Dunn and Cammack issued the following statements:
“North Florida is tough, and the resilience of our communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene continues to inspire. Local leaders, residents, and federal officials have come together with strength and determination, showing the grit and dedication needed to rebuild,” Congressman Neal Dunn said. “I am honored to host Speaker Johnson as we work together, and I am committed to advocating for aid and providing the support our communities need through every step of the recovery process.”
“I think this has been an extraordinary effort by Florida, the state and local officials. It’s just really inspiring to see how well it’s been covered and how much the community is rolling up its sleeves and working together. Here in this community, it would inspire the entire country to see how they’re really banded together. They’re undeterred. This is a very resilient community of people. That’s the best of America,” Speaker Johnson said. “We have this disaster now that’s around the country. We have people in North Carolina still stranded in their homes in the mountains, and people in Georgia and a number of other states that have been terribly affected by this storm. So, Congress is on the ground, the representatives who represent all those districts are there with their constituents, with their people trying to help, and we will do what’s necessary to make sure that Americans are taken care of.”
“I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for visiting some of Florida’s hardest-hit communities today. Seeing the damage and destruction from Hurricane Helene firsthand and hearing directly from the folks who continue to struggle with relief from the federal government was critical, especially because these same communities also endured Hurricane Idalia and Debby in the last 13 months. Some of those very same folks have yet to receive the disaster assistance they applied for,” said Rep. Cammack. “We’re going to continue our efforts to get our region back up and running and I’m grateful for the Speaker’s commitment to this work.”
The visit highlighted the ongoing recovery efforts and the commitment of federal and local officials to ensuring that North Florida communities receive the aid they need in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)
Washington, DC – Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) and 14 colleagues have formally requested urgent action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid farmers and rural communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the bipartisan group of lawmakers outlined specific steps to ensure a swift and effective recovery for agricultural producers across the Southeast.
“Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage to our agricultural communities, and it’s vital that we act quickly to support the recovery process,” said Congressman Dunn. “I’m calling on USDA to deploy Farm Service Agency (FSA) strike teams, utilize local rainfall data for accurate damage assessments, and provide disaster aid through state block grants to give our states the flexibility to address their unique needs.”
The letter emphasized three key actions:
The letter was led by Congresswoman Kat Cammack and co-signed by Florida Representatives Neal Dunn, Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Byron Donalds, Scott Franklin, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Mike Waltz, and Daniel Webster, along with Rep. Kat Cammack. Additional signatories included Reps. Rick Allen, Austin Scott, and Buddy Carter of Georgia, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, and Morgan Griffith of Virginia.
Read the full letter here.
NEW YORK – Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) has been awarded the number-one overall ranking in the Chartis RiskTech100® 2025 report, marking Moody’s third consecutive year in the top position.
The Chartis RiskTech100 is the most comprehensive study of the world’s leading providers of risk and compliance technology. The top ranking recognizes Moody’s unmatched ability to provide its customers with a holistic view of their risks through research, data, and analytics.
“Winning the top award from Chartis for a third year in a row is a strong testament to how Moody’s stays on the cutting edge of developments in risk management technology,” said Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s. “We seek to constantly innovate across our suite of products and solutions and put new technologies and insights into the hands of our customers as quickly as possible.”
In addition to earning the highest overall position, Moody’s won in 12 individual categories:
Market Presence (new)
Strategy
Functionality
Banking
Insurance
Climate Risk
Credit Portfolio Management (new)
Financial Crime – Data
Credit Data – Wholesale
Credit Data – Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO)
Credit Risk for the Banking Book
Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL)
“In maintaining its position at the top of the RiskTech100, Moody’s has demonstrated its effective and strategic use of the latest technology to enable its data and analytics to be efficiently accessed, distributed, and consumed,” said Sid Dash, Chief Researcher at Chartis. “Moreover, Moody’s continues to expand and develop its analytical tools and functionality across a variety of business lines, from banking to insurance and securitization to compliance.”
The 2025 winners of RiskTech100 were selected through a nearly year-long process involving vendor briefings and discussions with risk technology buyers and end-users. The research directors and lead analysts at Chartis Research then made the final decisions.
Chartis Research is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global market for risk technology. Their goal is to support enterprises that drive business performance through improved risk management, corporate governance, and compliance. Chartis strives to help clients make informed technology and business decisions by providing in-depth analysis and actionable advice on virtually all aspects of risk technology.
For more information on Moody’s innovation and technology, visit Moodys.com/Innovation.
ABOUT MOODY’S CORPORATION
In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 15,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
New York, N.Y. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer released the following statement on the removal of the Rochester Embayment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the Great Lakes’ most environmentally degraded areas:
“I was thrilled to lead the charge and secure $9.5 million in federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to finally rebuild the Braddock Bay barrier beach that Hurricane Agnes washed away in 1972 in the Town of Greece,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “In the four years since its reconstruction, Braddock Bay has been transformed from a pollution hotspot into a thriving area with healthy restored habitats for wildlife and improvements that returned tourism, boating, and recreation to the waterfront. The Braddock Bay restoration was the last of 14 major pollution- and ecologically-impaired hotspots along Rochester’s Lake Ontario and Genesee River embayment coastline – from Webster to Parma – that have now been cleaned up and restored thanks to federal GLRI funding. The water is cleaner, birds and fish are more abundant, beach closures are down, and the Rochester coastline can now be removed from the EPA’s list of ‘Areas of Concern.’ I fought to secure a historic $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with moments like this in mind. Investing in the Great Lakes means investing in the future of New York, and I will always fight for funding so our community can enjoy the full natural beauty and economic energy of the wonderful communities along the Great Lakes.”
Schumer has helped deliver nearly $14 million in federal funding through the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to fund eight habitat restoration projects, including $9.5 million for the Braddock Bay restoration project. Thanks to those projects, 275 acres of habitat and 30,000 linear feet of wetland channeling have been restored to improve connectivity and biodiversity in the bay.
Schumer has been a relentless champion for the Great Lakes, including securing a historic $1 billion – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law. Since its inception in 2010, Schumer noted, the GLRI has had a significant impact on Upstate New York. Schumer has long been a champion for the Great Lakes, fighting off budget cuts to the GLRI in 2019 and working to secure a multimillion-dollar increase in authorization levels for the program in 2018.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) announced the introduction of his bill, the Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act, that supports farmers by creating mentorship programs where experienced farmers can provide hands-on training and guidance to new producers.
In New Mexico, farming is a way of life that has been passed down through generations. However, many new farmers often face challenges in accessing vital information from federal agencies. The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act ensures that new farmers have access to local, on-the-ground knowledge from experienced farmers who have been cultivating their land for generations.
“My Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will ensure young, upstart farmers can run productive, sustainable farms by directly connecting them to seasoned growers who understand their challenges,” said Vasquez. “Our farming population is aging, and we are facing a significant shortage of skilled new farmers. This program ensures the quick and efficient exchange of local knowledge — providing beginning farmers with ways to overcome many of their existing barriers.”
“There are no better or more trusted voices for farmers looking to adopt conservation practices than other farmers,” said Samantha Levy, Conservation and Climate Policy Manager for the American Farmland Trust. “We applaud Rep. Vasquez for introducing a bill that would build the capacity for farmer-to-farmer networksto provide the very support farmers and ranchers — including young and farmers of color — need to implement practices critical to the resilience and viability of their operations.”
The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will promote regional knowledge exchange by encouraging farmers to share their farming practices and experiences that have worked in the area with new farmers and will improve communication between federal agencies and local farming communities to ensure that all farmers have access to essential information and support. By having someone with firsthand experience address the difficulties that can prevent farmers from trying a new practice, the next generation of farmers will be better equipped to succeed and ensure the longevity of farming in New Mexico.
“The majority of young and beginning farmers are motivated by stewarding and protecting the land and natural resources. In fact, 83% of young farmers who took the National Young Farmer Survey stated that one of their farm’s primary purposes for existing is to ‘engage in conservation or regeneration,’” said Lotanna Obodozie, Climate Policy Director of National Young Farmers Coalition. “However, they are starting their farm businesses in an increasingly uncertain climate. When looking for information on how to adapt to a changing climate, many farming communities already hold deep knowledge on how to build resilience and mitigate climate change in their region. Young farmers just need these connections and resources. The Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act will provide critical investments in farmer-led education, particularly for young farmers and farmers of color, who are already leaders in building resilience and enhancing conservation on their farms.”
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Vasquez is committed to supporting agricultural producers and ensuring that the rich tradition of farming continues to flourish in New Mexico and every corner of the United States.
The bill is endorsed by the American Farmland Trust, National Young Farmers Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, La Semilla, The Nature Conservancy, Kiss the Ground, New Mexico Healthy Soils Working Group and more. The full list of endorsements is available HERE.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 24, 2024, the House passed U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA-01) bill, the bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, to help prevent wildfires through proactive grazing. The bill passed as part of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. Prior to passage, Vasquez spoke on the House Floor about the importance of his bill to New Mexico.
WATCH: Vasquez Delivers Remarks on the House Floor
“We need to use every tool in our toolbox to lessen the frequency and severity of wildfires. Livestock grazing can help us accomplish that goal. Grazing targeted areas can help slow the spread of an intense burn and control the temperature of a fire by reducing the amount of flammable organic fuel,” saidVasquez. “In New Mexico, we know the cost of fighting wildfires is astronomical, so we must use every available resource to prevent future natural disasters.”
Vasquez is committed to preventing and reducing wildfires that threaten New Mexican’s homes, land and livelihoods. The recent South Fork and Salt Fires, which tragically took the lives of three New Mexicans and destroyed hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres, underscores the importance of using every option available to prevent dangerous wildfires.
This bill ensures that grazing can be used proactively to mitigate wildfires and keep New Mexicans safe. It helps cut through red tape and makes it easier for New Mexican farmers and ranchers to assist in preventing wildfires that could devastate their land and livelihood.
Vasquez voted in support of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act today, which improves local capacity to address wildfire impacts by allowing different agencies to work together to tackle wildfire risks. The bill advances research, supports local building codes, reduces wildfire impacts, encourages partnerships and offers technical and financial assistance. This allows the U.S. Forest Service to focus its resources more directly on fireshed management by hiring additional staff and conducting hazardous fuels management.
The Fix Our Forest Act also ensures that when Tribes conduct fire management efforts, such as trimming excess limbs off trees, they are able to sell the timber and use the profits for forest restoration activities. This will help support Tribal sovereignty and economic prosperity. It is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Vasquez and LaMalfa originally introduced their bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act in March.
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Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida
WASHINGTON — FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the Seminole Tribe of Florida to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Milton beginning Oct. 5 and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
This declaration allows emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, at 75% federal funding for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Additional designations may be made later if requested and warranted at the results of further damage assessments.
Leda M. Khoury has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
mashana.davis
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 8, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov
c: 202.913.0126
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding the falsehoods and conspiracy theories former president Donald J. Trump is spreading about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene:
“The recent surge in dis- and misinformation surrounding Hurricane Helene, largely propagated by former President Donald Trump and his allies, is endangering lives and hampering FEMA’s response and recovery operations after this natural disaster impacted six states and killed over 227 people – including within eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, where many are still unaccounted for, whole towns have been washed away, and communities remain cut off from the world.
“I am very concerned by Mr. Trump’s twisted efforts to politicize a natural disaster and benefit from the misery of communities and individuals reeling from one of the deadliest hurricanes on record. He and his far-right allies continue to engage in their ongoing disinformation campaign that is centered in asinine claims that FEMA has diverted relief funds from storm survivors to assist migrants, that Democrats can somehow control the weather, as well as a myriad of other absurdities, which are simply untrue and irresponsible distractions. Moreover, they are gravely endangering and misleading the many individuals who are still without a water supply, electricity, navigable roads, or vital supplies.
“Even more troubling, these falsehoods and conspiracy theories are circulating across social media platforms, escalating a volatile situation that stands to further worsen when the nation faces Hurricane Milton in a matter of days. As I’ve mentioned previously in my letter to top social media executives, their inability and inaction to stop the spread of dis- and misinformation across their platforms represents a serious threat to American lives and the sanctity of our elections.
“We must continue to work together to stop the continued spread of dis- and misinformation, for the consequences of our inaction are dire.”
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Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
The Biden-Harris Administration has deployed thousands of federal personnel to join National Guard in supporting communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, including active duty troops to get commodities to isolated communities and FEMA personnel to register survivors for Federal assistance. We’ll be with these communities for as long as it takes.