No Longer Grasping For Straws.....

We should all be embarrassed. Yes, embarrassed. Why? Because we are not good global citizens. We are the most modern and powerful country in the world. BUT... we are the least responsible country. Like a little kid, we play and we waste but we don't clean up. And that's depressing.

Less than 10% of plastics were recycled in the U.S. in 2015; that compares to 39.1% in Europe and even 22% in the lagging economy of China. So why don't we do better? Well, awareness of the true impact of plastic pollution is one reason. And it is only because China, of all places, stopped taking our trash that has raised the awareness in some locations. As a result, plastic trash is building up in ports and recycling facilities across the U.S. 

While 10% of consumed U.S. plastic is recycled and 15% is burned for energy, the remaining 75% goes to landfills which are filling up rapidly. And given the long decomposition time for plastic, landfills are not the answer to a growing problem; this doesn't even speak to the enormous problem plastic creates for wildlife endangerment and risk to our food and water supplies--especially to our oceans. We NEED to do a much better job of recycling our waste and plastic is a huge opportunity to make a difference. 

To our credit, however, the U.S. does do a pretty good job of recycling lead acid batteries, aluminum and steel cans and corrugated cardboard. So it can be done. And we should. Even a kid learns as he grows up.....and we need to do the same with respect to recycling plastic.

Here's an interesting article on plastic and a summary of U.S. recycling efforts in 2015. It gives us some hope that people and companies are beginning to think about ways to avoid plastic packaging and products. For example, eliminating straws with drinks and making straws out of decomposing materials like food can have a small but measurable impact on plastic waste. 

What can you do?

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/look-opportunity-us-get-serious-about-recycling-home

#sustainability   #recycling  #plastic    #wecandothis   #whatcanyoudo?   #kickinggas  

Playing A Game of "Chicken" With Mother Earth

California is under siege from wildfires. At last count from the Department of Forestry and Protection, some 5,000 fires have burned around 695,000 acres of land and structures. And while this is a record year for California, similar fires have occurred in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Meanwhile, the entire U.S. has experienced record heat temperatures. Is this a sign of global warming?  Are we destined for more years of similar fire and heat??

Well, a new study by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that 'yes, indeed', we may be in a very precarious situation relative to atmospheric temperatures and a live-able environment on the Earth's surface. What's most scary about the study is that it outlines the possibility of an irreversible chain of events like falling dominos that would stoke a warming of the planet to disastrous levels. The study suggests that we are perilously close to the tipping point of what they termed the "Hothouse Earth" effect. 

In its simplest terms, the "Hothouse Earth" scenario involves a series of self-reinforcing processes that push the Earth toward a planetary threshold that, if crossed, could prevent stabilization of the climate at intermediate temperature rises and cause continued warming even as human emissions are reduced. Crossing the threshold would lead to a much higher global average temperature than any in the past 1.2 million years and to sea levels significantly higher than previously experienced. The resulting environment would likely cause serious disruptions to ecosystems, society and economies. For example, agricultural systems are particularly vulnerable in Hothouse Earth scenarios. Increased temperatures would likely exceed the limits of adaptation for farm products and result in a substantial overall decrease in agricultural production, causing increased prices and even more disparity between wealthy and poor countries. Other impacts include flooding of many coastal cities and loss of barrier reefs critical to marine ecosystems. 

One key element of the Hothouse Earth falling domino scenario is the release of trapped carbon in the Earth's surface into the atmosphere, thus accelerating the 'greenhouse effect' in the ozone layer. This would include not only the carbon dioxide taken in on the surface plant life like tree branches and leaves but also an enormous amount of carbon gases currently trapped under Artic and Antarctic ice. In fact, a totally independent study conducted by the Joint Global Change Research Institute found that soils around the globe are responding to a warming climate by converting more carbon into carbon dioxide which subsequently enters the atmosphere. The effect of this growing imbalance further dwindles the strength of the soil as a natural place to store carbon and substantiates the Hothouse Earth theory. But unlike the Hothouse theory, the JGCRI study has been conducted using thousands of observations at hundreds of sites around the world; i.e. THIS is a REAL WORLD study.

According to the NAS study conclusion, only coordinated human action will be able to stabilize the Earth in a habitable state and will entail stewardship of the entire Earth system--biosphere, climate and societies--and could include decarbonization of the global economy, enhancement of biosphere carbon sinks, behavioral changes, technological innovations, new governance arrangements, and transformed social values.

These studies should alarm all of us and force us to reflect on the recent rollbacks by the EPA on emission restrictions from coal burning facilities to vehicles. The evidence is mounting that all of the countries that signed the Paris Accord on global warming were correct---leaving only the U.S. to be playing "chicken" with Mother Earth on her ability to withstand the human impact on the global ecosystem. 

#globalwarming   #emissions   #fires  #studies   #kickinggas    #ecosystems  #parisaccord

Change Is Happening.....Whether We Like It Or Not

The speed of change around us has been accelerated exponentially with computers and new technologies. It's enough to make your head spin....

Some people embrace this change and see it as an opportunity to make their life easier or better in some way. Others despise it--viewing it as a complication to their life.  Whether you embrace it or despise it, one thing is for sure: change has always happened over time.

When I set out in 2013 to set a Guinness World Record in an electric car, one of my major motivations was to improve air quality and prevent global warming by making people aware of how capable electric vehicles can be.  I did it for the future of my kids and grandkids-to-come. 

But there is growing evidence that my efforts and the efforts of thousands of scientists and environmentalists are too late.  And what's even worse, the current Administration is ignoring science for big oil and financial gain. There's no other way to say it.

For example, yesterday's USA Today contained an article (below) with data illustrating the change in our climate and the subsequent impact--the continual increase in temperatures, extremely dry areas and sudden flooded areas which are  much worse than historical norms. What's even more concerning is that it is likely to get much worse before it gets better....

As I wrote my book "Kicking Gas & Taking Charge!", I learned a lot about Sustainability....why EVERYONE should care about what it is and why. There are many aspects of it  but the sole focus is to keep the Earth livable for human life. But expanding opportunities for Big Oil to drill along the U.S. coastlines and the Artic area, reducing emissions for coal burning power plants, and not supporting renewable energy companies does not seem consistent with this goal.  

It's time for each and every one of us to embrace sustainability. Change is going to happen; it's inevitable. But it's VERY important that we adopt change from a forward-looking approach and take global waring seriously..NOW. If we don't, we'll all be wearing gas masks and living underground while the Earth's surface burns...….That's not the life I envisioned for my kids or future grandkids. Is it yours?

https://www.9news.com/article/news/nation-now/global-heat-fires-and-floods-how-much-has-climate-change-fueled-this-hellish-july/465-c1e8bdf0-26be-4939-b443-dfd7abe9a1b2

The alarming rise in devastating fires is one indication that global warming is real.

Recycling Our View of Recycling

The town I live in started a recycling program a few years ago and I remember the headlines in the local paper being: “Recycling, will it work in Franklin?” At the time, I thought this was odd as the city I’d moved from in California has had a routine recycling program for years. Franklin's program has since launched and seemingly is successful.  For me, 90% of all my trash goes into the blue recycling bags each week; I only use my large trash bin for non-recyclables maybe once a month. Simple right?

Well, maybe not. It turns out that waste management companies don’t make much, if any money, on recycling despite the obvious benefits of lower costs of raw materials for making new products from old. The reasons are due primarily to fluctuations in the prices paid for the recycled materials and, perhaps more importantly, due to contamination of the recycled materials. The obvious question to that latter is.."why?"

In my case, all recyclables are placed into a single bag; that includes all paper, plastic, bottles, cans, etc. Easy for me, but at some point someone has to separate all that “stuff”. It also increases the likelihood of contamination if containers still have liquids which spill onto the paper products and cause mold or other health-related problems. But there are many other forms of contamination also....including things like Styrofoam, food waste, electronics waste, aerosols etc. This contamination can wreck an otherwise great plan for recycling our waste products.

The answer clearly lies in education of the public. In their defense, the waste management companies are typically not organized well for recycling, often are only responding to city mandates for a recycling program and haven’t made education a priority. But that’s starting to change. With China’s recent decision to reduce acceptance of U.S. waste, many cities in the U.S. are now realizing they have a challenge and are re-thinking how they approach recycling. In the end, it will be a good thing for our country and our economy.

With photo examples and brief explanation on the 'why it's important' and 'how to do it properly', I am confident that America can significantly reduce contamination and improve the profitability of recycling programs. The benefits of recycling far exceed the negatives of continued use of precious resources like land for landfills, cleaning contaminated water from our garbage, and raw materials like coal, gas and oil as well as metals, minerals, etc needed for final products. It’s not hard…..and as the most affluent society in the world, we NEED to own our waste as well.

Attached is a great article on the impact China’s decision is having on cities in the U.S. that have been sending their trash to China. It should cause all of us to 'recycle our thinking about recycling'. 

#recycle  #waste  #kickinggas   #china   #wecandothisamerica

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/as-china-gets-tough-on-recycling-will-america-get-cleaner/ar-AAAgyRn?ocid=spartanntp

 

Apartment Dwellers Can Go Solar Too !

If you're a home owner, it's easy to 'go green' by modifying your home's heating and cooling equipment to renewable energy sources like solar or electric. But if you're an apartment dweller, it's not so easy. Until now.

A New York Times article today outlined a new program this summer called Community Solar Groups (or CSG). These groups are for apartment renters and homeowners who live in buildings which cannot have solar panels installed. With a CSG, someone in an apartment can lower their electricity bill by joining the group which is connected to solar panels that sit on a rooftop of a building at another location and even another area. 

The CSGs essentially broker the electricity generated by the solar panels by selling it to a local electric company which then gives the members of the CSG a discount on their electric bill. Each member's discount varies depending on the size and number of solar panels involved and the number of members in the CSG. Members not only get a cost break on their bill, but now enjoy the satisfaction of a social and environmental contribution as well. 

Community Solar Groups consist of 4 basic elements: a host, a sponsor, a utility company, and customers (usually limited to 25 or so to ensure a fair discount). The host allows a solar panel grid to be installed on a commercial building he owns or leases the space to a sponsor who can design, operate and maintain the system. The sponsor then sells the energy produced to a local utility company; customers are billed for their electricity through a 3rd party firm which provides a summary of their power used, their credit and a summary of the power generated by the CSG solar panels.

While the program is still in its infancy stage, expectations are that the concept will expand rapidly in coming years, making it possible for a whole new group of people that can contribute to 'going green' and reducing dependence on oil and gas for power. 

#sustainability  #solar   #communitysolar     #kickinggas  #utility  #electric

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/realestate/apartment-dwellers-solar-power.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FSustainable%20Development&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

Leaving Less of a "Footprint" in Fresh Cement

Have you ever looked at all of the things around you that are made from cement? From sidewalks, drainage culverts and pools pools to highways, bridges, and skyscrapers. It's literally everywhere in our life and truly a 'foundation' of today's society. We take it for granted, right?Well, we take the air we breath and our atmosphere for granted also. And it turns out, there is a link between cement and our environment.

The International Energy Agency estimates that 7% of all global carbon emissions comes from the manufacturing of cement, making it the second-largest industrial emitter in the world behind the iron and steel industry.  The cement-making process is a massive source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and is estimated to grow up to 23% by 2050 due to global population growth. There is large concern among scientists that the cement industry could single-handedly prevent achievement of the Paris Agreement global climate targets unless emissions are reduced.

Scientists are now working with the World Cement Association for the first time to discuss ways to alter the manufacturing process for making cement. The industry's huge carbon footprint partly stems from its high fuel requirements (most often satisfied by fossil fuels) to heat limestone until it chemically degrades. Yet, as much as two-thirds actually comes from the chemical production process itself which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide as a byproduct. So studying ways to reduce the carbon footprint in cement making is a positive and a big first step for an industry which has had no real changes in process for many decades.

The solution will not be easy; it will likely require changes in the materials and the manufacturing processes themselves. In fact, the solution will likely require a variety of steps. Some of the approaches currently being taken by researchers include:

•       changes in the chemical formulas to eliminate the need to heat limestone which is               used in the making of the cement
•       use of other recycled byproducts from other industries, such as steel slag, fly ash, clays       etc that can be mixed with alkalis to get a cement-like product
•       recycling the CO2 emissions back into the cement
•       accelerating the 're-absorption' of CO2 emissions by cement products

It will be a LONG, HARD road for the cement industry (pun intended). Not only will the solution be multi-faceted in process but will also require satisfaction of major safety requirements as well.

Still, the good news is that this is a start! With the huge challenge we face in reducing our carbon footprint to preserve our environment and way of life, we will be forced to look at many of the things we take for granted.....and be prepared to make changes. It's in our own...and our childrens' best interest. 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cement-producers-are-developing-a-plan-to-reduce-co2-emissions/

RETURN TO SENDER! - CHINA SENDS OUR CRAP BACK

For years the U.S. and many other countries have been doing "aspirational" recycling... a term used to describe the collection of used materials like plastic which are not made into new products, but rather are shipped off in ocean containers to countries like China. Well, China has finally woke up to their own pollution problem and no longer wants our trash. This actually now creates a very big problem for the U.S...and particularly the Pacific Northwest. 

The amount that China was accepting is staggering--some 106 million metric tons of plastic annually. So now, countries who were exporting their plastics, will have to find a new way to dispose or recycle plastics or, and equally important, find alternative materials. And while other 3rd world countries have increase their acceptance of plastic recyclables, some are already starting to backtrack on those agreements due to oversupply and environmental concerns.

According to researchers at the University of Georgia who conducted the study of China's situation and the plastic recyclables business:

• Nearly 80% of all plastics have been buried in landfills or the environment

• About 10% of plastics have been burned

• Several million tons end up in oceans (remember the Pacific Garbage Patch?)

• Only 9% of all plastics are actually recycled into new products

And, what's worse, the industry's capability to produce over 322 million tons annually is far exceeding our capability to dispose of it. To summarize, the researchers wrote: "Without bold new ideas and management strategies, current recycling rates will no longer be met, and ambitious goals and timelines for future recycling growth will be insurmountable." 

So while Melania may not care, I do.  Do you?

#recycling #china  #plastics  #kickinggas   #sustainability

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/china-just-handed-the-world-a-111-million-ton-trash-problem/ar-AAyVjce?ocid=spartannt

Water Wheel Wizardry

As a follow up to the previous blog on the huge trash collection in the Pacific Ocean, here's a feel-good sustainability story from Baltimore. 

Baltimore's Inner Harbor had a water pollution problem. When people throw garbage on the ground instead of a trash can or a recycling bin, rain water carries the garbage off streets and into storm drains which flow unfiltered into neighborhood streams. These streams carry the trash into the Baltimore Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. Over time, the collection of trash became an eyesore and a health hazard.

Baltimore's solution: Mr. Trash Wheel.  Mr. Trash Wheel is a floating barge of old technology and new, using an old water wheel design to harness water power of downstream current that drives a conveyor belt and trash skimmer to collect the garbage like a giant trash-eating bug. It evens is designed to look like a giant bug! And when the current is slow, Mr. Trash Wheel uses new technology in the form or solar panels to drive the conveyor belt and skimmer. The conveyor belt then deposits all the trash in a large dumpster. When the dumpster is full, it is towed away by boat and replaced with a new dumpster.

The impact has been amazing! Since May of 2014, Mr. Trash Wheel has collected over 1.7 Million pounds of trash, including 685,000 plastic bottles, 800,000 styrene cups, 10.4 million cigarette butts, 550,000 plastic grocery bags, and 850,00 chip bags! Just think, all of that would be sitting in Baltimore or nearby waterways if it weren't for Mr. Trash Wheel. In fact, Mr. Trash Wheel was just named a 2018 Waste Wise Pioneer for its use of water and solar power utilization. 

Congratulations Mr. Trash Wheel!  We need more just like you in our lives......

http://baltimorewaterfront.com/healthy-harbor/water-wheel/

ANYONE UP FOR A SWIM??

In my book, "Kicking Gas & Taking Charge!", I talk about the reasons that everyone should care about Sustainability. It's a word many people have heard...but just ask them to explain it and watch the stammering begin....

Why is it important? Well, if we take oil for example, I make the case in the book that with the significant global population growth and associated energy usage growth, the world could literally run out of oil within the younger generation's lifetime. A stretch? Maybe...but no one really knows. What I know is that oil takes millions of years to form and we're using it like drunken sailors on the Titanic...

But here is my point: we have ways to avoid a major energy catastrophe--be it by spreading our type of energy use through electric products (cars, lawn equipment, etc), renewable energies (wind, water, solar, etc) or simply getting on the bandwagon for recycling. Recycling is a HUGE opportunity...but perhaps more importantly...it should be a REQUIREMENT and HABIT for us all. Why is it so important? I'll give you a couple good reasons.

First, our landfills are fast filling up. I've posted previous articles on this problem. Part of the issue is that it's being filled up with plastic and glass which take decades and even hundreds of years to biodegrade. We can't just keep stacking it up underground....But sadly, it isn't just underground; it's also in our waters--which is what this post is about.

A French architect is setting out to be the first person to swim across the Pacific Ocean.....a huge undertaking. But if anyone can do it, Benoit Lecomte can...after all, he's already swam across the Atlantic Ocean. And along the way, he plans to swim through what's called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.. a humungous collection of trash consisting mainly of plastic materials sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. For reference, the below article notes that this embarrassment contains over 80,000 tons of plastic and the size of this water-based dump is TWICE the size of France!! Benoit plans to swim right through it, collecting data for some 27 environmental agencies, including NASA, along the way.

I encourage you to read this enlightening article...and decide for yourself: DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO LEAVE OUR WASTE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CLEAN UP?

#kickinggas #electriccar #recycle #garbage #pacificocean #sustainability #swimming

https://www.msn.com/…/man-begins-six-month-swim-…/ar-AAyflLR

Chinese Checkers: Tax Cuts vs Technology Incentives

Most everyone knows the game Chinese Checkers. It's a marble game using one spot moves or jumps to move across the playing board to the other side and win the game. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_checkers). Simple right? Just figure out the best way to out-strategize your opponents' future moves.The winner, however, is usually the one who figures out how to jump over his opponents marbles the most times. If you don't jump, it takes longer to get across the board. 

If we apply this logic to the current Administration's approach to business, one could make the argument that while the U.S. is making steady moves, we're slowly losing the game because we are getting 'jumped' by our opponents. While the recently enacted tariffs and EPA reversals have brought back a few jobs in the steel and coal industries, they are single space moves. They are not "jumps" in an industry as the technology applied is slowly being replaced by new technologies or other construction materials; the 'jumps are in new technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energies. So who is winning the game? Well while there are multiple players on the board, Europe, Japan, the U.S., etc, one could make the argument that it's the Chinese that are winning.

Want proof? Well recently we posted an article about BYD, the Chinese bus manufacturer that is making inroads in the American automotive market. (https://www.greenbiz.com/article/worlds-biggest-electric-vehicle-company-youve-never-heard). This week, an electric car company from China-SF Motors-purchased a shuttered U.S. Hummer assembly plant in Indiana with the intent to start sales next year.(http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/RETAIL01/180539973/electric-vehicles-indiana-china-sf-motors) 

If you turn to energy, 7 out of the top 10 solar panel manufacturers are from...you guessed it..China. There are few U.S. companies that build in America; most U.S. companies source their components from China. This is why the Trump Administration placed tariffs on Chinese solar panel imports. 

 Table: Top Solar Panel Manufacturers in 2018 –        Global ranking by shipment volume 2017               

Rank        Company             Headquarters

   1            Jinko Solar                 China

   2            Trina Solar                 China

   3            Canadian Solar          Canada

   4            JA Solar                       China

   5            Hanwha Q CELLS      South Korea

   6            GCL-SI                        Hong Kong

   7            LONGi Solar                 China

   8             Risen Energy              China

   9             Shunfeng                    China

  10             Yingli Green               China

              *Source: pv-tech.org

The point here is one of tactics and focus. The recent tax reduction package that the Trump Administration passed was met with huge fanfare. The stock market went up along with 401k values. Corporate tax reductions will keep American company profits in the U.S. Everyone was happy right? Well, for now. Yet there are growing signs that the enormous windfall profits that companies are experiencing in 2018 are not going to new technologies and employee salaries as the Administration predicted. Rather they are going toward stock buy-backs and a small amount toward increased facilities. Who benefits from stock buy-backs? Shareholders and, in particular, top executives who own large quantities of corporate stocks. (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/business/tax-cuts-share-buybacks-corporate.html) 

Is this the best tactic for the American economy? Well, not from an 'let's advance the U.S. share of future technology' standpoint. And especially not if the economy doesn't expand as forecast to recover the unbelievable loss in tax revenue included in the tax package for corporations. Could part of this tax reduction been done through incentives to develop new technologies? We will never know.

If it is a game of Chinese checkers, the U.S. better come up with some new moves...….fast. Or they will lose the game. Badly.

A Sign of the Times: Are Cars Going Forwards......or Backwards ?

We live in an era of great confusion in the U.S. Nowhere is that more evident than in the auto industry right now. As many of you know, several manufacturers including General Motors, Volvo and others have announced they are transitioning to plug-in electric vehicles over the next couple decades and away from gas engines. They're investing BILLIONS of dollars in these products. Hybrids and electric vehicles, with Tesla leading the way is clearly the way of the future, correct?

Well, just this week the Trump Administration rejected the proposed CAFE (Corporate average Fuel Efficiency) recommendations which mandate the fuel economy standards that OEMs must meet in future years. And they had the full support of the big players...Ford, GM, Toyota, VW, etc. What's more, their manufacturers alliance organization is now questioning the global climate modeling that is used in such analysis to define the standards. 

It leaves us asking.....are OEMs..(and thus all of US)  investing in technologies, products, and services that support a move to an electric vehicle world? Or are we reverting back to a world of gas engine vehicles and more the status quo? 

No one can answer this right now for the U.S. However, one thing is for sure..... other countries buy into the science behind the Paris Climate Accord and are moving their companies and technologies in that direction. Which leads to the next obvious question...is the U.S...in its attempt to do what's best for the U.S. with new policies...ultimately falling behind?

Read the following article to get more details of this brewing debate.

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/why-do-automakers-support-climate-rollbacks

Why do automakers support climate rollbacks?

Auden Schendler

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 - 2:15am

ShutterstockTrong Nguyen

In a press release for its annual sustainability report, Ford Motor Company quoted Executive Chairman Bill Ford: "We know climate change is real and a critical threat, and we will continue to work with leaders around the world in support of ambitious global greenhouse gas reduction targets."

Similarly, in an October 2016 press release, GM wrote, "The company believes there’s economic opportunity as well as a social imperative in lowering emissions and addressing climate change."

Given their public positioning, one would think that Ford and GM would be among the first to defend the one key climate action available to automakers: fuel efficiency standards.

Not so fast.

This week, the Trump administration rejected Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency, or CAFE, standards adopted by the Obama administration. In doing so, the administration had the full support of Ford, as well as GM, VW and even Prius manufacturer Toyota, among others. Trade groups these automakers fund, including the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, long have asked the administration to put vehicle fuel efficiency standards on hold.

They are questioning climate science as well. In a submission to the administrative record, the alliance selectively cited quotes from articles on climate modeling in order to cast doubt on the science; the actual authors of those articles soundly have refuted the alliance’s misrepresentations. When asked for comment on their position in light of the alliance’s submissions, automakers either refused to respond or referred the reporters to the alliance.

Truth is, Ford and GM matter very much in the climate battle. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and CAFE standards are critical to controlling those emissions. The Obama-era regulations would have resulted in the largest U.S. reduction in global warming emissions from a single policy, bringing America’s average fuel economy to 40 mpg by 2020 and 50 mpg by 2025. The weakened standards will result in $4,000 in additional fuel costs over the life of an average new vehicle — basically a hidden tax on consumers and businesses that does no good, only harm.

If the company could so flagrantly mislead in its sustainability report, what are shareholders to make of legally binding statements in its fiscal reporting?

A recent University of Michigan study underscored the importance of preserving (or strengthening) the standards. It found that additional reductions in the automotive sector beyond those provided under Obama would be necessary at the latest by 2025 in order to meet climate goals and avoid increased costs. And, as demonstrated in analysis by the nonprofit Ceres, robust standards will have long-term benefits for the industry; such standards provide market certainty, spur innovation and make U.S. auto manufacturers and suppliers more competitive in a global market that demands increasingly cleaner and more efficient cars and trucks. (Both Ford and GM are Ceres members.)

Is this how Ford works "with leaders around the world in support of ambitious global greenhouse gas reduction targets"? And if the company could so flagrantly mislead in its sustainability report, what are shareholders to make of legally binding statements in its fiscal reporting? Would it not be more responsible for Ford to forthrightly say that it doesn't support action on climate? Last, how does GM square its position with its statement that the company "believes in being an advocate for climate change action and awareness"?

We’re hearing a lot from big automakers such as Toyota, Ford and GM about their concern for the environment, most recently during the Olympics, when Toyota released what appeared to be the first auto industry climate ad.

If they really care, they should stop trying to undermine our most important climate policy. Our future depends on it.

So does their integrity.

Topics: 

• Transportation
• Energy Efficiency
• Climate

Tags: 

• automotive

A Climate Change 'Hail Mary'?

A recent energy study by the McKinsey Group contains a number of interesting forecasts:

• 2016 was the first year that renewable energies (solar and wind) exceeded fossil fuel ( gas and oil) in new entity additions globally; this trend is expected to continue                                    
• Demand for coal will peak around 2030 and oil around 2040 as renewable energies and storage efficiencies and cost effectiveness improve.                                                                   
• While coal and oil demand begin to decrease and CO2 emissions peak around 2030, the CO2 level will remain double the level consistent with a 2 degree Centigrade long-term path--which was the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement.

What does this mean? Well, it means that if scientists and these forecasts are correct, we can expect to see at least a 2 degree Centigrade global temperature increase in our environment...a change which would bring unprecedented changes in weather patterns as we know it and forced adaptation to a new way of living on the Earth's surface. 

Is there no alternative? Well, maybe. There are groups of scientists and environmentalists that are playing the 'what if' game of trying to find solutions to the worst case scenario. For example, is it possible for man to develop artificial means of controlling the environment? One way might be to inject other chemical compounds into the atmosphere to supplement the ozone layer that protects us from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Is that possible? And if so, what are the risks or downsides. ?

Should the U.S. and the world pursue a last-minute strategy? Do we continue to push alternative energy initiatives?

Note: photo courtesy of planetearthandhumanity.blogspot.com

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-02-22/climate-change-not-an-engineering-problem

All 'Jacked Up' to Undermine the World !

The world, via the Paris climate agreement,  is trying to eliminate Carbon emissions in the second half of this century. This is an aggressive plan agreed to by hundreds of scientists around the globe who believe global warming is real and must be dealt with immediately if we are to have any chance at maintaining an environment on the Earth's surface as we've known if for thousands of years. 

Yet, the United States, on its current path, will be slightly HIGHER in emissions by 2050 according to a new projection by the Energy Department.  And thus the U.S. will almost single-handedly exhaust the whole world's carbon budget by mid-century! 

Think there's no way this will happen?? Well, the oil companies seem poised to follow the Energy Department's projection. In fact, the number of oil and gas pump jacks is up 38% over last year's count!  In fact, by 2022, the U.S. will be a net exporter of oil and gas to other countries, meaning no decrease in methane or carbon emissions despite increases in solar and wind power sources.  

How will the world see the U.S. if global warming is in fact real? Will they allow us to undercut their efforts to avoid environmental catastrophe?  Will we be looked at as the greedy Romans of our time? It's possible...

All efforts for sustainability are moot if Big Oil continues to 'Jack Up' its profits..

http://therevelator.org/38-percent-more-oil-gas-rigs/

Renewables in the classroom, Non-renewables in the White House?

I recently spoke to a 5th grade class about my Guinness Record-setting trip across the U.S. in 2013. They were very interested in the challenges associated with finding electricity along the route and how many times I had to re-charge the car battery. It was a fun interaction.

What I found intriguing was that their science class includes discussions about the differences between renewable energies and non-renewable energies. And it became clear during our Skype call that the kids understood that renewable energies were important because they didn't pollute the air, land or sea and are an alternative to the limited natural resources of oil/gas/coal. 

So my question is.... if these 5th graders see value in expanding renewable energies, why doesn't the Trump Administration?? With global population projected to increase by 6 BILLION people over the next 50 years and energy use EXPLODING, isn't it a natural conclusion that it's possible we could run out of those natural resources of oil/gas/coal?  If so, why are we undermining renewable energy initiatives? In the U.S.... wind and solar represent <5% of our total power generated. In Europe, some countries are projecting 25-35% of their power needs coming from wind and solar.... Are they that far ahead of the U.S.??

We are making strides in renewables......as this article points out. But it sure appears that it is not due to our current President.....So should we continue to teach about renewable energy in schools?  Or does the President have his own agenda??

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/24/trumps-failing-war-green-power-307281

NYC Takes On Big Oil Companies

In a direct contradiction to recent legislation by the Trump administration which permits oil companies to apply for drilling for oil and gas along all of the coastal areas of the U.S., the city of New York today took the unprecedented step of challenging major oil companies in two major ways:

1- filing suit against these oil companies for reportedly hiding data that showed burning of fossil fuels was having a negative impact on the environment, and

2- removing fossil fuel company stocks from all public worker pension plans which involves hundreds of thousands of workers. 

Wow. Talk about raising the stakes in the environmental battle! 

What does all this mean--aside from a lot of citizen tax dollars being spent to fight another legal battle? Well, clearly more lines will divide the country between those that believe the Earth is being damaged by fossil fuel burning and those that think it's a hoax. What's different with this action is that there is BIG money behind NYC's action aside from the lawsuit.

Watch the video of New York's press event. Now, where do you stand on this issue? How much do you know about sustainability? You can find out more at kickinggasandtakingcharge.com

#kickinggas    #NYC    #sustainability    #leaf    #oilcompanies

https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1866667573364724/

Will Coal Make a Comeback in the U.S.?? in China??

The short answer: not likely. 

According to forecasts last year by the eia (U.S. Energy Information Administration), coal production will at best be flat vs recent year production levels; more likely levels will continue the downward trend of the past decade due to replacement by natural gas and renewables for energy. Employee levels associated with coal have also been declining and would thus continue to fall in future years. In fact, the headline of their forecast says it best: "Future coal production depends on resources and technology, not just policy choices." 

To summarize as they say.....'the train has left the station...and it's not loaded with coal'.

But the U.S. is not the only country that will be moving away from coal for energy.  China's government is now taking an active role in cleaning up their air. That's a good thing for everyone. China is the world’s No. 1 polluter: it burns more coal than the rest of the world combined. It produces more than a quarter of the world’s human-caused global warming gases.

China's plan is to provide a giant market where companies could trade credits for the right to emit carbon emissions. If it works as intended, it would give power companies a financial incentive to move to cleaner emissions.

Will it work? That is yet to be seen. But the intent is clear--i.e. coal is not the fuel source of choice in the world's largest market for the future. 

The train.....is leaving without coal in China too.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/climate/china-carbon-market-climate-change-emissions.html

Before you put all your Christmas gifts away.......

Hopefully, that bright new cotton shirt that your kids or spouse gave you for Christmas fits perfectly. if not, you'll have to face the return line crowds this week. But before you put away the one  that does fit just right, check out the label on where it and all your clothing gifts were made. How many of them were made in the U.S.? Chances are, very few if any. 

Despite the fact that the U.S. if the 3rd largest global producer of cotton, the majority of clothing today is imported from outside the U.S. In fact, the United States is the top cotton exporting country in the world. Yet we import a lot of it back to the U.S. in the form of finished goods like  T shirts, blouses, shirts, jeans etc. This dynamic results not only in  fewer jobs but also works against sustainability as textile industries are high contributors to carbon emissions.

Here's an article about a creative solution to change this dynamic; i.e. to create jobs locally and contribute to sustainability. 

Can you get behind this project? Do you think it can work in your area?

https://www.ecowatch.com/fibershed-2519183494.html

                                                             Where was your Christmas gift made?     

China pushes forward to be a world leader in electric vehicles

China appears committed to improving air quality and is taking steps to electrifying vehicles in their country. Here's another example. We should take note as they will learn a lot about this technology and be able to share that technology with other countries as a result.....  Read BYD Bus Order

Will this leave the U.S. behind is the important automotive industry?  

Is Trump right....or are scientists right?

President Trump and his team continue to disembowel elements of the EPA and other ecologically-based organization policies. His belief is that global warming is a cyclical natural phenomena. However, evidence continues to be served up by scientists that global warming is real and IS due, in part, to human interaction. 

A recent article in Scientific American outlines a recent study where scientists now say they have clear evidence that at least SOME of the natural disasters seen in 2016 were due, in part, to human interaction--meaning the event would not have happened or would have been less severe if humans had not somehow impacted the natural environment we live in. Further, they state that the number of major catastrophes (i.e. > $1B damage) is up dramatically in recent years and that they expect this trend to continue. They cite the Houston floods of 2017 as an example of a natural disaster that was exacerbated by global warming and which would not have been as severe in previous eras:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/major-report-some-extreme-weather-can-only-be-blamed-on-humans/

Meanwhile, the Trump team is making wholesale policy changes. Here's a list of environmental policies that have been or will be changed in the near future according to The Sierra Club:

So who do you think is right?  Mr. Trump or the scientists? Your answer and subsequent vote may determine our quality of life on the planet Earth in a few short years.......

Should Electric Vehicles Be Powered By Coal?

One of the arguments that critics of electric vehicles always raise is that most electricity in the U.S. is generated by burning coal..... which is a very high air pollutant and threat to our ozone layer. Let's discuss this head on.

In my book, I provide one argument that critics can't get around...that is that electric vehicles are far superior in efficiency to gas powered vehicles. This point alone is a reason to accelerate electric vehicle usage; i.e. at minimum we slow the use of needed energy to power our world.

The second point is that instead of trying to re-invigorate an industry that's not going to come back, we should be investing in technologies that accelerate us to the front of the energy usage for the future. Here's a good example. There are many potential ways to generate electricity as shown in this video from the Facebook SciencNaturePage by Hashem Al-Ghaili. Watch the video and you tell me whether this is the type of investment the U.S. government should be exploring instead of resurrecting the mining industry for electricity?
https://www.facebook.com/ScienceNaturePage/videos/1214829505315972

For me... we should move toward future opportunities instead of holding on to past success.