| | | | | Welcome! This week, the return of the monarchs and the worst weather on Earth. But first, do climate labels work? | |  | | Carbon, says one sustainability executive, is the new calorie. Climate labels are now on everything from gas pumps to burritos to oat milk. In the coming years, Unilever alone is set to add climate labels to more than 70,000 products. These labels are designed to work like nutritional labels. But instead of telling you what's in your food so you can make better decisions for your health, they show products' greenhouse gas emissions, so you do what's best for the health of the planet. It sounds simple. But the science isn't solid yet. Here's what we know: | - There's mixed evidence climate labels affect consumers' choices. Most research is based on online surveys rather than real-world purchases. But early results from one study conducted in Sweden found emission labels helped shoppers cut their food's carbon footprint by as much as one-third (mostly by avoiding beef or pork).
| - Climate-responsible products may command a premium. Americans tend to be willing to pay more for products with climate labels than those without, according to Rare, a conservation nonprofit. "It's something they personally felt good paying more for," said Sania Ashraf, a behavioral research scientist with the group.
| - Just because it's on a label doesn't mean it's true. Disclosures on climate labels, unlike nutrition labels, aren't regulated or audited by an agency such as the Food and Drug Administration. For now, their design and content is up to the company or nonprofit creating them — and there is evidence environmental claims don't always hold up.
| | If climate labels ever lead to lower emissions, it may be because they pressure companies, not consumers, to make better decisions for the environment. Take trans fats. Even before the U.S. government required mandatory disclosure on nutrition labels in 2006, food manufacturers began removing the unhealthy ingredient from their products to avoid alienating customers. High CO2 emissions may be the new trans fats. | | But there still isn't a lot of clarity around climate labeling. There are least 31 carbon footprint labels from independent firms like Climate Neutral and Carbon Trust on the market. Yet if the labeling movement keeps it simple, it may nudge billions of people — and some big companies — toward better choices. | |  | | The Mount Washington Observatory is perched atop the highest peak in the northeastern United States, home to the "world's worst weather." On Feb. 3, temperatures plunged to minus-47, with wind chill approaching minus-110°, matching a record. Despite the Arctic cold blasting the Northeast, temperatures in the region rose to around 50 this week, well above average and the largest temperature swing on record in cities like Boston. Here's the view from the top of Mount Washington. | | | The western monarchs are back. This year, volunteers tallied 330,000 butterflies during their annual winter count (sign up here), up from just 2,000 in 2020. | |  |  | | Many of you have written to say popular climate advice out there is a "little confounding bordering on frustrating," if you — like more than a third of U.S. households — are a renter. Matthias writes he'd like to see more climate coaching for young adults. "I mean the sort of demographic in their 20s who rent, live with roommates instead of family, don't own homes or cars or other large assets, earn entry-level wages, etc.," he says. "I'm one of [them]." | | I hear you, Matthias in Boston. And I'm not forgetting you. For most of my life, I've been in exactly the same position. So I'm busy reporting out some columns just for renters, and I'll bring the advice you're seeking later this year. In the meantime, here are some tips. Also, thanks for the kind words: "I really enjoy your column and newsletter because it helps to give me a sense of agency in the face of the climate crisis, or at least help me focus on the things I actually do have some control over." This stuff keeps me going. | |  | | From The Washington Post: Good news: Renewable energy and nuclear power will meet almost all of the growth in global demand for electricity over the next three years. BP, the first "supermajor" oil company to detail its energy transition plans, posted soaring profits — and dialed back its climate pledges. Two months after the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Egypt, trillions of dollars to decarbonize developing nations and cover climate damage remain on the sidelines. Parking lots in France could generate as much electricity as 10 nuclear power plants after a new law passed. | |  | | Does anyone have any photos of early thaws — or even blooming flowers — where you live? Any climate-friendly Valentine's Day plans? I'd love to feature them. Also, thanks to Jane of Running Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks, Alaska, who sent a photo of her Malamute cross, Garnet: "When temperatures climbed to a very balmy 22 above zero he had to make himself a little snow cave to keep cool!" Miska is jealous. | | Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get The Climate Coach in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday. | | See you next Tuesday, Michael Coren, Climate Coach | | | Garnet relaxes at Running Reindeer Ranch. | | | | | | |
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