Congressional Coauthors

Ramping Up Action by the Climate Community

VTDIGGER 09/20/18 By Michael Shank and Former US Congressman Michael Honda The latest frightening climate study, predicting a devastating rise in sea levels in the lifetimes of babies born today, isn’t generating the sense of urgency that it should. Many more people need to be alarmed and engaged and there […]

CEOs and Celebrities Have Also Made Climate Change a Priority

THE HILL 09/13/18 By Michael Shank and Former US Congressman Michael Honda The latest frightening climate study, predicting a devastating rise in sea levels in the lifetimes of babies born today, isn’t generating the sense of urgency that it should. Many more people need to be alarmed and engaged and […]

The Carbon Footprint of Wasted Food

VTDIGGER 08/15/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Raul Grijalva When it comes to tackling climate change, one of the greatest challenges we face is understanding the myriad factors that influence our warming planet. Addressing some while ignoring others will only allow the mercury to continue to rise. And while […]

The Water Crisis

VTDIGGER 07/14/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Matt Cartwright Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. Shank, of Brandon, is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district and serves […]

We Must Take Action on the Nation’s Coming Water Supply Crisis

THE HILL 07/17/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Matt Cartwright Most Americans take water for granted. It’s a resource that people assume will always be accessible, available, and consumable. For most people in this country, whether they’re at a public drinking fountain, a restaurant or at home, water is […]

Goal-Setting Necessary to Save Our Environment

VTDIGGER 06/25/18 By Michael Shank and US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke This country desperately needs a positive vision, some goals for where we’re going. Instead, it’s all negative all the time, a daily slashing-and-burning of hard-fought protections. Take the environment, for example. The offensive has been non-stop. Thanks to months of […]

Toward Sustainable Diets and Food Security

VTDIGGER 05/08/18 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Matt Cartwright Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael Shank and Matt Cartwright. Shank, of Brandon, teaches at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and is the communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. Cartwright represents […]

Building Political Will for a More Sustainable America

THE HILL 08/21/17 By Michael Shank and US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke This country desperately needs a positive vision, some goals for where we’re going. Instead, it’s all negative all the time; a daily slashing and burning of hard-fought protections. Take the environment, for example. In this month, the Trump administration […]