Amanda Leland’s Post

Last August thieves stole nearly half a million dollars' worth of olive oil from an oil mill in Spain. Back then the “liquid gold” was almost as expensive as actual gold. Extreme heat and drought cut Spain’s production in half and sent prices through the roof. They’re still at a 20-year high. Olive oil is the canary in the coal mine. As global temperatures rise, so will the price of food. And central banks are becoming increasingly concerned about how food inflation rates will affect economies. We must rethink our global food systems. At World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of New Champions I got to discuss how we can help food producers build resilience through innovation and collaboration. https://lnkd.in/eDARDpfv

A little history lesson...  Back in the 1960s the pesticide DDT was widely used. And it was poisoning osprey and other birds. So, a couple of scientists teamed up with a lawyer and took the case for banning DDT to court. It was unheard of back then. But it was vital to address the harms of DDT and enforce the law. The court banned DDT use in Long Island. And the two scientists and their lawyer formed Environmental Defense Fund. A few years later EDF played a pivotal role in securing a nationwide DDT ban.  So why the trip down memory lane?  Because courts have a duty to respect and enforce the laws ensuring people and the environment are safe. But recent SCOTUS rulings have made lots of us question whether the highest court in the U.S. is taking that duty seriously. Last week SCOTUS issued several rulings that could put the health, safety and even lives of millions of Americans at risk. EDF was involved in two of those cases. In both, the court sided with fossil fuel interests and other major polluters at the expense of people and the planet. EDF will keep working to ensure clean air, clean water, and a safe climate, and to ensure all people can thrive free from the scourge of pollution. Because justice is based on the principle that we all have a responsibility to each other. And powerful polluters shouldn’t be allowed to litigate their way out of it.   Read more about these rulings here: https://lnkd.in/e6QgazpJ And here: https://lnkd.in/eMwyf3S3 

Throwback Thursday: 20 Years at EDF Well, it’s official: I have worked at EDF for a generation. OK, maybe not in the literal sense but 20 years constitutes a biological generation, so I think it counts. And in today’s workforce, where people tend to switch employers every couple of years, maybe even more so. Last night someone asked if I liked being at EDF. I said I’ve been with the organization for 20 years and he rightfully noted that I hadn’t answered the question. Given another opportunity I replied: I make this choice every day, and so far, it’s the right one. Let me explain... I’m in the privileged position of getting to choose my professional circumstances. And I consider and reevaluate that choice every day, because professional privilege comes with real responsibility. I need to be confident I'm doing the most good with my time in the workforce. And EDF has consistently checked all the boxes. Over the past 20 years, I've contributed to remarkable and tangible improvements for people and the planet. I’m so proud of our work raising awareness on the urgency of addressing methane pollution to slow global warming; how we’ve used science to bridge difficult geopolitical boundaries and partisan divides; how we’ve shaped the climate and sustainability imperative for companies large and small so that climate action makes business sense. I’m personally thankful for the opportunity I had working with colleagues and partners to transform U.S. fisheries from collapse to amongst the best managed in the world, improving livelihoods and ocean health. EDF has established a powerful global platform that delivers results, and I get to cultivate and contribute to its effectiveness every day. But impact isn't the only reason I stay. Two other factors weigh in my choice: people and support. EDFers often tell me they came for the mission and stay for the people. And I would say the same. I have so much joy and satisfaction being around my colleagues—some of the smartest, most creative, caring, and committed people I've had the pleasure to know. What you want more than anything when leading an organization is to know you can rely on your closest colleagues to have excellent judgement in head and heart. EDF certainly checks that box. But the past 20 years haven't always been easy, I got married, had two kids, expanded to a 3-generation family in one residence. And most notably, suffered through diagnosis and treatment of my daughter’s rare brain cancer, and the aftermath of chemotherapy in an infant’s brain. EDF and its people supported me and my family at every step of that unimaginable path. When the going gets tough, you want to know that your employer has your back. Third—and potentially most important—box ticked. I won't claim EDF is without challenges and warts. But the wisdom from 20 years of challenges and opportunities shows you what matters most. Thank you to my EDF friends and colleagues for making this a journey to remember.

A mentor, an educator...a friend. George Woodwell will be remembered for many things. But his decades of contributions to the environmental movement will never be forgotten. EDF’s story starts with George’s story. He helped uncover DDT’s devastating effect on wildlife. That research would ultimately lead to a nationwide ban on the pesticide, and the founding of EDF. George’s passion for science and the environment helped form the world’s understanding of climate change. He embodied everything EDF stands for. And we’re forever grateful to stand on the shoulders of giants like him. https://lnkd.in/deg-4DkC

Two heads are better than one. And when you get dozens of minds together working toward the same goal you can solve almost any problem. That was the message I hoped to get across at last week’s Hydrogen Americas Summit. We should be confident that we *can* make sure hydrogen delivers the climate benefits we need it to, if we work together to get it right. We need to use hydrogen where it makes sense. Between 20-30% of global CO2 emissions can’t be reduced through electrification alone. That’s where hydrogen will be most valuable. And as we scale up hydrogen to bridge the electrification gap, we’ve got to sweat the small stuff. If we don’t get the details right (from how we produce it, to how we transport it, to how we use it - avoiding leaks all the way) hydrogen will make warming worse. This is a make-or-break moment. And it’s going to take a village to get this right. But with scientists, industry leaders and policymakers all lending their expertise we can make sure hydrogen reaches its potential as a clean energy solution.

Pledges without plans are useless. And while many of the world’s largest companies have publicly promised to cut emissions, lots of them don’t have climate action plans. We need deep emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy, and we need them to happen fast. High-quality carbon credits allow companies to take climate action now. Make no mistake – companies need to do a much better job of decarbonizing their internal operations and value chains. But some emissions can’t be immediately reduced or avoided. High-quality carbon credits offer immediate emissions reductions while providing desperately needed finance for the world’s forests. If you’re considering adding carbon credits to your net zero strategy, give this a read. Fred Krupp lays out all the benefits of entering the voluntary carbon market sooner rather than later. https://lnkd.in/eSCxMgay

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s much easier to realize we’ve made a mistake or missed an opportunity after the moment has passed. But in some cases, that’s too late. Hydrogen is one example. Nearly 2,000 hydrogen projects have been announced worldwide. Countries and companies are building hydrogen into their net zero plans with high expectations. Billions are being invested. This is the hydrogen moment. And now’s the time to get it right so we won’t have regrets later. That’s why I’m so excited to speak at the Hydrogen Americas Summit this week. I truly believe we can ensure hydrogen speeds up the clean energy transition and delivers climate benefits. But that will only happen if we produce hydrogen cleanly (maximum emissions reduction), transport it carefully (doing everything possible to avoid leaks), and use it wisely (where direct electrification isn’t a possibility). The process won’t always be easy. But if we put science at the heart of hydrogen decisions now in 15 years, we’ll be reaping climate benefits instead of grappling with regret.

While we continue to double down on cutting emissions, we’re also looking into the potential impacts of other proposed technologies. As always at EDF, “Our goal is information, and solid, well-formulated science.” https://lnkd.in/entQTx8S

A 2023 SCOTUS decision left America’s wetlands fragile and at risk. Read more on the ruling could affect communities across the country. 

The world will set a new climate finance goal at COP29. And developing nations need to be able to access that money without going into more debt. Angela Churie Kallhauge has some great insights on how to make climate finance fit the needs of vulnerable countries.  https://lnkd.in/ejsW2Rzn