Hi, Everyone!

I’m Amanda Magnani, a Brazilian (photo)journalist and OptOut News’ climate editor. Every other week, I bring you the most important climate news from our network—with an extra serving of decolonial perspectives. ✨🌿

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Grants for hydrogen hubs 🌿 Climate victims uninsurable 🌿 Big Oil continues to grow

Last week, Biden’s government announced $ 7 billion in grants for the production of “clean” hydrogen in an attempt to meet the country’s goal of reaching net-zero by 2050, Daily Montanan reports. The investment will subsidize seven hubs across 16 states, but not all of the hydrogen produced will be “green,” meaning that part of it could still use fossil fuels in the process, South Dakota Searchlight reports.  

The announcement was met with concern from environmental groups, who believe the project could increase U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Reports indicate the government underestimates how hydrogen production will contribute to global warming, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.    

Meanwhile, Americans affected by climate disasters are finding out they are uninsurable as rates spike and inquiries get denied, Minnesota Reformer reports. According to Louisiana Illuminator, in states like Texas and Florida, where disasters are more likely to happen, a growing number of people are forgoing coverage, thus becoming even more vulnerable.

And there is no end in sight. Although the climate crisis keeps getting worse, Big Oil keeps getting bigger. ExxonMobil recently made a $60 billion purchase of shale driller Pioneer Resources, The New Republic reports.

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And More:

🛢️ “Battery storage seen as ‘backbone’ of reliable electric grid but adoption uneven across US,” by Oregon Capital Chronicle.

🛢️ “Colorado lawmakers eye oil and gas, lawn equipment role in ozone pollution,” by Colorado Newsline.

🛢️ “Banks Keep Financing Coal Despite Their Net-Zero Pledges Thanks to Massive Loophole,” by Capital & Main.

🛢️ “Big federal dollars for small state projects aim to get more cars off the roads,” by Louisiana Illuminator.

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Decolonizing Climate Change

🌱 “Climate change has toppled some civilizations but not others. Why?” by Grist.

🌱 “A warming planet is creating a booming, and dangerous, disaster-restoration industry,” by Grist.

🌱 “In new collaborations, tribes become stewards of parks and monuments,” by Daily Montanan.

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To Lighten Your Heart

💚 “CHOOSE NATIVE PLANTS!” by Texas Observer.

💚 “Love and Climate,” by Brown Girl Green.

💚 “YOU LOVE TO SEE IT: Electric Vehicles Will Be Union Made,” by The Lever.  

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Around the World

Kenya: “Farm in Kenya First to Produce Fossil-Free Fertilizer On Site,” by Yale Environment 360.

Guyana: “Guyana Update: Gas to Energy for Guyana, or Problem to Profit for Exxon?,” by Damages Podcast.

South Africa: “Decolonizing the South African climate movement,” by Africa is a Country.

Morocco: “Renewables delay risks greater Morocco gas import dependence,” by Gas Outlook.

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Global South Corner

To continue honoring last week’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the incredibly important work Native Americans do, I talked to journalist Shondiin Silversmith, of the Navajo Nation. So this week, I’m moving the “Global South line” a bit farther North 😉.

Shondiin has been a journalist for a little over 10 years and, during that time, she has worked for local, non-profit, and tribal media.

“I have been able to work in different capacities covering stories about indigenous communities," she told me. "Even in newsrooms where there was no focus on these issues, I made it my priority."

Now in the second year of her journalism PhD, Shondiin is studying the intersection between traditional media and Indigenous communities. I asked her what the main issues are concerning Indigenous people in the U.S.

“First, we have our connection to the land–not like the settlers who want to own it, but as part of the land," she said. "We resist so we and the future generations can have safe and healthy access to our lands. That puts us in the forefront of the fight against climate change."

Silversmith also highlighted as a key issue Native American boarding schools, which were set up by government and missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries to erase Native identities. She notes that there has been renewed national interest in these institutions since the Department of Interior launched an initiative to investigate them and their legacy.

The last issue Silversmith raised was missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, who, she explains, "are victims of violence at a much higher rate than the country’s average."

"The movement drawing attention to this issue started in Canada before inspiring the movement into the U.S. where the grassroots efforts have been able to draw attention to the issue on a national level," she added.

You can check out Silversmith's work here.  

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That’s all for now, folks! If you’re a climate journalist and want to keep the conversation going, join us in our Discord group. Over there, I will share new opportunities and resources every week, and you can let me know who—or what—you want to see next on the Global South Corner.

If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up at amanda@optout.news.

Obrigada and have a great week!

The OptOut Media Foundation (EIN: 85-2348079) is a nonprofit charity with a mission to educate the public about current events and help sustain a diverse media ecosystem by promoting and assisting independent news outlets and, in doing so, advance democracy and social justice.

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