FIRST & FOREMOST:

Tuesday’s verdict provided a measure of much-needed and all-too-rare accountability, but it is not true justice for George Floyd and the thousands of others whose lives have been lost to police violence. At least 65 people died at the hands of law enforcement nationwide as the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin was underway, including Daunte Wright, 20; Adam Toledo, 13; and 16-year old Ma'Khia Bryant, killed by Columbus police almost exactly at the same time as the Chauvin verdict was read. 

One verdict does not dismantle this country’s interlocking systems of oppression. Nor does it take away the trauma Black Americans experienced as they waited to learn if, for once, their lives mattered in a court of law. 

It does not change the fact that the communities who bear the brutalities of policing are the same communities who are forced to breathe toxic fumes, designated as “sacrifice zones” for the benefit of extractive industries, stripped of their voting rights and robbed of their lands. That it took one of the most clear-cut and egregious cases of extrajudicial killing, sparking the largest racial justice protests in history, to reach this point is a testament to how far we still have to go.

Climate Nexus stands with organizers, artists and advocates building the movement for racial and environmental justice, and with people who resist the forces of white supremacy every day. 

Please join Climate Nexus in supporting Black journalists shouldering the emotional burden of telling stories from the frontlines, and join us in uplifting Black voices on social media.

George Floyd's Murderer Convicted On All Counts: Derek Chauvin was convicted on all three counts by a Minnesota jury Tuesday for the murder of George Floyd. Floyd's murder set off a massive wave of protests and thrust America's endemic and persistent racism, as well as the epidemic of nearly-unchecked police brutality, into the political and cultural spotlight. The conviction of a white police officer for the murder of a Black person is exceedingly rare and Chauvin's conviction is the exception that proves the general rule that white officers are effectively allowed to kill with impunity. The verdict was met with relief, if not elation, across the country. President Biden said after the verdict, "It was a murder in the full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off the whole world to see" adding that the conviction was "much too rare" and though it could be "a giant step forward," it was "not enough" to confront racism in America. “This case is exactly what you thought when you saw it first, when you saw that video,” prosecuting attorney Steve Schleicher told jurors in closing arguments, referring to footage recorded by Darnella Frazier, 17 years-old at the time, showing Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 26 seconds. “It is exactly that. You can believe your eyes.” Just 20 minutes before Chauvin's verdict was read, Columbus Ohio cops shot and killed 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant just 10 seconds after jumping out of their patrol cars. Protesters immediately gathered near the scene. "We don't get to celebrate nothing," K.C. Taynor said through a megaphone of the Chauvin verdict. "...In the end, you know what, you can't be Black." (Verdict: Star Tribune, MPR, NewsOne, The Root, The Grio, Blavity, Atlanta Black Star, AP, NPR, Washington Post $, HuffPost, Wall Street Journal $, NBC, CBS, Buzzfeed, TIME, New York Times $, Bloomberg $, Teen Vogue, The 19th* News); Rule proving exception: The Atlantic, New York Times $, NewsOne, HuffPost, Washington Post $, Cosmopolitan; Reaction: MPR, NewsOne, AP, LA Times $, Star Tribune, Washington Post $, Politico, Wall Street Journal $, Buzzfeed, NPR, New York Times $ (Photos), NBC, HuffPost, NPR); Biden: (AP, NBC; Global reaction: Bloomberg $; Darnella Frazier: Star Tribune $, The 19th News, New York Times $; Ma'Khia Bryant: Buzzfeed, Columbus Dispatch, HuffPost, Bloomberg $)

Biden to announce 50% NDC — Reports: President Biden will pledge to cut U.S. climate pollution to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030, according to reports. The goal, known as a Nationally Determined  Contribution under the Paris Agreement, would nearly double the cuts targeted by the Obama administration in 2015. The White House said an official decision had not yet been made. “Wow. That’s ambition with a capital A,” Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb told the AP after learning of Biden’s plans. Other groups, including Sunrise Movement, the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth are calling for U.S. climate pollution cuts of 70% by 2030, which they say more accurately reflects America's cumulative climate pollution. The reports come days before the administration's virtual gathering of international leaders meant to push other countries to do more and reestablish the U.S. as a credible proponent, if not leader, of international climate action. “The United States must be an undeniable global leader in climate action,″ Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said Tuesday. “We cannot preach temperance from a barstool and not pay our fair share when approximately 40% of all the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is red, white and blue.″ (Washington Post $, AP, Bloomberg $, The Hill, Wall Street Journal $, New York Times $, Politico)

Biden Administration Could Address Legal Void Faced By Climate 'Refugees': People forced from their homes by the impacts of climate change have no legal definition under international (or American) refugee law, but the Biden administration may seek to change that, the AP reports. The matter is urgent. A UN World Meteorological Organization report released Monday showed an average of 23 million people were forced from their homes every year in the last decade, though most remained in their own countries and would thus not have met the standard criteria for "refugees." Who would be included in a definition of a "climate refugee" — and what events that force a person from their home country would qualify — will be complicated questions of major importance as sea level rise and extreme hurricanes and droughts become more widespread. Early in his administration, President Biden ordered a report, due in August, on how to identify and resettle people directly or indirectly displaced by climate change. (AP)

(ENVIRONMENTAL) RACISM: Fossil fuel interests say they’re allies of communities of color. The NAACP disagrees. (Grist), ‘Anglo-Saxon’ is what you say when ‘whites only’ is too inclusive (The Atlantic), ahead of Chauvin verdict, Florida enacts ‘racist’ law protecting drivers who hit [Black Lives Matter] protesters (NewsOne)

EARTH DAY: Earth Day and the evolution of the environmental movement (Science Friday)

CONVENIENTLY BUSY NEWS CYCLES: Audubon CEO resigns after complaints of toxic workplace (Politico)

YOU'RE NOT ALONE: Climate anxiety and PTSD are on the rise. Therapists don’t always know how to cope (The Guardian)

CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY: Public promises, private lobbying: Investors want clarity on corporate climate activity (Politico)

(POST-)COVID EMISSIONS REBOUND: Carbon emissions to soar in 2021 by second highest rate in history (The Guardian, AP, Axios, BBC, Wall Street Journal $, CNBC, The Hill, E&E $), coal and gas rebound puts carbon emissions on track for 2021 surge (FT $), U.S. natural gas consumption to continue decreasing in 2021 and 2022 (Houston Chronicle), record Chinese coal burning to drive surge in carbon emissions (Bloomberg $), coal is set to roar back, and so are its climate risks (New York Times $)

AGENCIES: A Biden climate order fails, leaving agencies grasping (E&E $), Blinken to meet virtually with 15 Caribbean foreign ministers (Reuters)

DOI: Haaland defends Biden budget during friendly hearing (E&E $), Haaland: Missing and murdered natives unit will have six times initial budget of DOJ task force (The Hill), DOI appeals court ruling halting Montana coal mine expansion (Reuters)

EPA: Regan touts infrastructure plan's water, toxic cleanup goals (E&E $), watchdog: EPA experts largely shut out of Trump tailpipe emissions rollback (Politico Pro $, E&E $)

THE HILL: Black women congressional leaders call for Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (The 19th* News), federal lawmakers seek funds to plug orphaned oil and gas wells (New Mexico Political Report), ahead of Biden's climate summit, lawmakers relaunch 'Green New Deal' (Reuters, E&E $)(Politico), Democrats tested over boosting transmission, not pipelines, as bill directs FERC to improve regional planning (Utility Dive), GOP eyes new strategy to derail Biden infrastructure plan (The Hill)

HOUSE: This new bill wants to bring the Green New Deal to a city near you (Grist),  Blumenauer revives push to reinstate Superfund tax (Politico Pro $),

SENATE: Manchin calls on Biden to save struggling nuclear plants (E&E $), senators introduce PFAS bill, push EPA on regulation (E&E $), senators press for wildfire cash in infrastructure package (E&E $), Senate Republicans aim for infrastructure counterproposal soon (Reuters), lawmakers ready new ag climate bill with major GOP backing (Politico)

WHITE HOUSE: Biden is pushing a climate agenda. Gina McCarthy has to make it stick. (New York Times $), Kerry: climate risk disclosure is 'here to stay' (Politico Pro $), Biden assembled an all-star climate team. Now he has to deliver. (Politico)

CLIMATE SUMMIT: Biden readies ambitious pitch to make the U.S. the global climate leader (Politico Pro $), Bill Gates, dozens of world leaders to attend Biden climate summit -source (Reuters), ahead of the climate summit, environmental groups urge Biden to champion methane reductions as a quick warming fix (InsideClimate News), EU reaches major climate deal ahead of Biden climate summit (AP), climate summit leaders hope to catalyze a key ingredient: cash (Washington Post $)

AMERICAN JOBS PLAN: Biden administration says its $2 trillion infrastructure package could ease economic gender inequities (The 19th* News), Harris touts 'giant leap' economic plan, mum on climate (E&E $)

POLITICS: Clean energy, labor clashes reveal Biden's CO2 challenge (E&E $), Louisiana race an energy fight between Dems in 'Cancer Alley' (E&E $), LCV endorses Democratic nominee for Haaland seat (E&E $), the predictable economic effects of climate change have started to appear (Washington Post $), an outdated idea is still shaping climate policy (The Atlantic), the nation’s biggest miner union is ready for a transition to clean energy (Earther)

CLIMATE DIPLOMACY: John Kerry puts U.S. weight behind Green Climate Fund (Thomson Reuters Foundation), Joe Biden faces major test building US credibility at climate summit (The Guardian), Biden wants a deal with Brazil’s far-right president to protect the Amazon. but can Bolsonaro be trusted? (TIME), DiCaprio, Katy Perry urge Biden to refuse Brazil environment deal (Reuters)

CLIMATE DIPLOMACY, CHINA: China's Xi swipes at U.S.: "Countries shouldn't impose rules on others" (Axios), China’s solar dominance presents Biden with an ugly dilemma (New York Times $)

CITIES AND STATES: Cities confront climate challenge: how to move from gas to electricity? (Yale Environment 360), gas ‘peaker’ plant would make way for more renewables, Massachusetts utilities say (Energy News Network), New York Lawmakers, advocates press environmental measures during Earth Week (Politico Pro $), U.S. mayors eye redoubled climate role as Biden prepares new policy (Thomson Reuters Foundation), Washington OKs bill setting path to 100% EVs by 2030, prods utilities to prep for grid impacts (Utility Dive), cities are our best hope for surviving climate change (Bloomberg $)

IMPACTS: Drought turns Klamath Basin into a political tinderbox (E&E $), as climate change thaws mountain tops, risks of rockfalls surge (Reuters), Washington area is seeing a long, intense tree pollen season. Get used to it. (Washington Post $), homeowners are lifting their houses to address flood risk (CNBC)

WILDFIRES: Cape Town wildfire largely contained, damage is assessed (AP)

RENEWABLES: Gulf coast oil workers are building America’s offshore wind industry (Drilled), as clean energy jobs recover, can they lift left-behind U.S. communities? (Thomson Reuters Foundation), environmental and rights groups link to push for equity in Biden's solar efforts (Axios), offshore wind groups urge grid fixes in Biden admin meeting (E&E $), renewable energy in the time of floods, droughts and hurricanes (Canary Media), Navajo Nation solar project will cement San Juan County’s position as exporter of renewable energy (Casper Star-Tribune), Manulife committing $300 million to solar company CleanCapital (Bloomberg $)

OIL & GAS: A third of carbon emissions come from natural gas. Are Americans willing to drop gas cooking? (WBUR), natural gas producer EQT backs Biden’s methane crackdown (FT $)

PIPELINES: Dakota Access ups ante in legal battle over shutdown (E&E $), Bonnie Raitt, Indigo Girls appear on ‘No More Pipeline Blues (On This Land Where We Belong)’ (Rolling Stone), North Dakota jabs Biden admin, moves to back Dakota Access in court (E&E $)

COAL: Mississippi Power to retire 976 MW of coal by 2027 (Utility Dive), coal plant closures slow, in blow to Biden climate goals (E&E $)

HYDROGEN: The retired Escalante Power Plant may be converted into a hydrogen plant (New Mexico Political Report)

UTILITIES: Former Obama, Gore staffers among Biden picks for TVA (E&E $, AP), rural electric co-ops warn Congress a 2035 100% clean electricity target is 'overly ambitious' (Utility Dive)

WATER: ‘Water warriors’: the US women banding together to fight for water justice (The Guardian)

GRID: DOE launches 100-day grid security push as Biden ends Trump ban on some Chinese-made equipment (Utility Dive, The Hill, E&E $)

EVs: Dems push $25B to electrify school buses, a Biden priority (AP), [Environmental Defense Fund] launches EV campaign in 5 states (E&E $)

OCEANS: Blue Nature Alliance aims to restore 7 million square miles of ocean in five years (CNN), the ocean finally gets its climate solutions moment (Axios)

RELIGION: ‘Within minutes I was weeping’: the US pastor using scripture to mobilize climate action (The Guardian), despite hate from evangelicals, Katharine Hayhoe sees climate hope (Sojourners)

CARBON PRICING: The one-way bet on carbon credits has limits (Wall Street Journal $)

BUSINESS: IKEA owner sets aside 4 bln euros for green power projects (Reuters), State Street, PepsiCo offer new goals ahead of U.S. climate summit (Reuters)

CARBON CAPTURE: ExxonMobil proposes carbon storage plan for Texas port (FT $)

CLIMATE SCIENTISTS: Special report: he was one of the first to warn us the world was getting hotter (Reuters)

WILDLIFE: Melting ice in Arctic linked to bowhead whales holding off annual migration (The Guardian)

INTERNATIONAL: Australia shies from backing net zero by 2050 ahead of Biden climate summit (Reuters), betting on bamboo: Indonesian villages struggle to source safe, green power (Thomson Reuters Foundation), UK toughens its carbon target before Biden climate summit (AP, Reuters, Politico Pro $), chancellor’s race presents Germans with a challenge to change (New York Times $), EU carbon price hits record high above 45 euros a tonne (Reuters), EU countries split over whether to delay green investment rules (Reuters), India’s electric vehicles face practical, technical hurdles (AP), Kenyan insurer Pula offers lifeline to African farmers hit by climate change (Reuters), Panama boosts action to protect forests, drought-hit canal (Thomson Reuters Foundation), Thailand floats hydro-solar projects for its dams as fossil fuel supplement (Reuters), Australia plans to spend $417M on hydrogen, carbon capture (Washington Post $)

• Justice, I guess. (The Root, Michael Harriot essay)
• The ESG movement needs help from the IMF and World Bank (The Hill, Bianca Taylor op-ed)
• The stampede to exit coal is a worrying harbinger for LNG (Reuters, Clyde Russell column)
• The Guardian view on new climate goals: a destination is not enough (The Guardian, Editorial)
• EU green finance rules must be politically sustainable (FT, Editorial Board $)
• John Kerry’s climate kowtow (Wall Street Journal, Editorial Board $)
• Now is the time to invest in building climate resilience (The Hill, Jennifer Kurz and Tim Profeta op-ed)
• Tomorrow's energy economy demands reform at the Interior Department (The Hill, Joel Clement op-ed)
• US can rejoin climate leadership pack at Biden’s Earth Day summit (Energy Monitor, Justin Gerdes column)
• The big difference between a green new deal and Biden’s climate agenda (New Republic, Kate Aronoff column)
• Humanity faces a climate emergency — shouldn’t that be news? (Washington Post, Katrina vanden Heuvel column $)
• We can’t build back better without water (Latino Rebels, Dolores Huerta and Jonathan Nelson op-ed)
• California needs to repeat history by passing new clean water laws (LA Times, Terry Tamminen op-ed $)
• This is how it feels to watch police kill us over and over again (Cosmopolitan, Tracy Clayton op-ed)
• How I’m talking to my kids about the Derek Chauvin verdict (New York Times, Dr. Esau McCaulley op-ed $)
• Minnesota values white comfort more than Black lives (New York Times, Justin Ellis op-ed $)

• By bearing witness — and hitting ‘record’ — 17-year-old Darnella Frazier may have changed the world (Washington Post, Margaret Sullivan column $)

• The law delivered justice to George Floyd. America's political leaders are up next (CNN, Stephen Collinson analysis)

• Protecting Our Planet: (Washington Post, Hank Paulson interview $)

• Protecting Our Planet: (Washington Post, John Kerry interview $)

Exxon and Devon Carry on Proud Oil & Gas Tradition of Funneling Taxpayer Bailouts to Their Shareholders

The CEO of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, wants you to know that his company is very serious about fitting itself into President Biden’s “whole of government” approach to climate change, writing in the Wall Street Journal that “ExxonMobil is eager to play our part to advance” carbon capture and sequestration. 

“For the past three years” Woods and his co-author Joe Blommaert, president of “ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions,” write, they “have been studying the concept of creating multiuser CCS ‘hubs’ in industrial areas'' like Houston, Texas, making the claim that these “CCS Innovation Zones would bring together government incentives and private-sector investment.” 

While on its face, if you woke up on Monday with no knowledge of ExxonMobil’s decades of deception, that might sound like a great offer. Carbon capture will be needed to bring CO2 levels back down to pre-industrial levels, after all. 

But the problems with this claim are legion, starting with the fact that CCS is hardly as proven to reduce emissions as not burning fossil fuels in the first place and using renewables instead. It has also already failed to live up to expectations, as the only CCS plant in the US closed in February. 

Then consider the scale - Woods and Blommaert  mention the Gulf Coast’s potential capacity to capture  500 billion metric tons of CO2, and the (expensive, experimental, taxpayer funded) Houston Hub another 100 million metric tons. 

But what about the other 100 million metric tons ExxonMobil pollutes every year? Its 2019, Scope 3 emissions (pollution from its value chain) were equivalent to 730 million metric tons. So even ExxonMobil’s unproven, very-hyped, pie in the sky, hail-mary lifeline bailout to the fossil fuel industry proposal ... is still vastly insufficient to address even its own emissions in a single year. 

In the three years ExxonMobil spent studying this idea, it’s emitted more than three times as much carbon pollution as the supposed solution could store. And we’re supposed to take them seriously as good-faith partners in the effort to fight climate change?

Those fun facts and more were in a report on ExxonMobil’s greenwashing. This report also found that ExxonMobil is planning to spend some $20-25 billion on capital and fossil fuel exploration, but the algae and other clean energy stuff they advertise about gets just 0.2% of that money.  

ExxonMobil’s hardly the only oil company behaving badly though. Take Devon Energy, the Oklahoma oil and gas company that you may remember for being so cozy with Republican Attorneys General like pre-Trump Scott Pruitt that they were writing letters that those politicians would sign as their own. 

Well, Devon is back in the news, and not for a better reason. In 2020 it received $220 million from the COVID-19 stimulus payments meant to protect business from having to lay off workers. Of course, Devon gave shareholders $257 million in dividends, and cut 400 jobs (about 22% of its workforce), according to the newest report from Bailout Watch. 

While a stand-out, “Devon is not alone in diversity taxpayer bailouts to its shareholders while laying workers off.” According to the Bailout Watch analysis of the 15 oil and gas companies that got over $100 million in a CARES Act tax loophole, “more than half increased spending on the dividends paid to their shareholders — and all but two shed jobs.” 

Reiterating that, as Kate Aronoff wrote earlier this month, fossil fuel companies are the real job killers.

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