Month: August 2019

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security August 20, 2019September 3, 2019

Recycling Cancelled in Jackson, MS | Climate Action

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | August 20, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

It’s alarming to learn that Jackson, MS has cancelled it’s curbside recycling program with Waste Management effective September 1, 2019, claiming that there aren’t enough residents recycling to continue paying the cost. Why does Jackson allow residents not to recycle? It seems that most towns and cities would initiate a marketing campaign to lure their residents on board with the importance of recycling. Recycling is typically the very first step we all take to help cut carbon.

It’s imperative that everyone on earth understand that the climate crisis erupted from unrestrained small actions by the global public, particularly Americans as a result of our wealth, and that all it takes to cut carbon is for each of us to focus on these same small actions. We each have to lower our own carbon footprints.to an optimal range from 4-7 million metric tons of carbon per year. Americans currently average 20 million metric tons of carbon annually.

Recycling is a must. So many of our products are now manufactured from recycled material rather than virgin. Using recycled material to manufacture new products creates a substantial energy savings which cuts carbon emissions. Every little bit helps. For a city like Jackson, MS to have a convenient curbside recycling service, there’s no reason for residents to not step up. Many towns have to rely on recycling centers which are drive to sites and can be very annoying, yet these residents establish weekly habits that make it work.

Every single day there’s another alarming headline warning of the perilous climate crisis we now find ourselves embattled in. There’s no time to delay. There’s no excuse for not complying with basics like recycling.

To cut carbon significantly, and lower our carbon footprints to 7 metric tons per year, we only need to focus on 4 areas of concern:

Household energy – go solar!
Transportation – EV cars, walk, public transportation
Food – minimize dairy and red meat
Stuff – buy less stuff, always recycle

Recycling is mandatory. We can do this!

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security August 19, 2019September 3, 2019

EV Cars Are Finally Making Traction in U.S. | A Decade Later

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | August 19, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

It’s exciting to see EV cars suddenly begin taking off similar to the way the iPhone did a decade ago. The iPhone’s first release was June 29, 2007, with sales of 1.39 million units worldwide. Sales leaped to 11.63 million units sold within one short year. And by the five year mark, 2011, Apple pulled off a stunning success of 72.29 million units. Although EV car sales haven’t seen the same immediate sustained sales success as the iPhone, mostly because of the initial high price, short range, and no charging station infrastructure, now that those issues have all been addressed, the tide will change.

Key Improvements that are giving EV cars traction with American public:

Price has come down dramatically, several start at only $30,000
Range has increased substantially (can now drive up to 200 miles on one charge); the range will continue to grow
Charging stations are popping up all over the country
It now only takes 20 minutes to recharge a BEV
Many employers now have charging stations in the employee parking lot
EV drivers will save approximately $1,000 a year not buying gas, possibly more

In 2018, Americans purchased 361,3017 EV cars out of a worldwide total sales of 2,018,247. (U.S. sales in 2009 were a paltry 6,000.) Norway has had remarkable success selling EV cars with 40 – 58% of the population already owning an EV, with the expectation that as soon as 2025 100% of Norwegian driving public will own an EV.

China sales have picked up substantially, driving global success. In 2018, the chinese purchased 1.1 million EVs.

The 10 best selling EVs in U.S. in 2019:

10. Smart EQ fortwo – 496 units sold in 2019
9. Jaguar I-Pace – 1,309
8. Audi e-tron – 1,835
7. Volkswagon e-Golf – 1,893
6. BMW i3 – 2,207
5. Nisson Leaf – 6,008
4. Tesla Model S – 7,225
3. Chevrolet Bolt EV – 8,281
2. Tesla Model X – 9,000
1. Tesla Model 3 – 67,650

2018 was an amazing year for EV sales, with fall of course being the biggest sales months as new models roll off the production line. Based on June 2019’s strength, nearly matching November 2018, it looks like 2019 will be a record year.

Let’s GO! Let’s beat China!

Climate Action, Climate Change, Technology August 13, 2019September 3, 2019

Energy Storage | Exciting Upside With Climate Action

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | August 13, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Energy storage is one of the many exciting benefits of green energy. As communities increase their use of green energy sources as well as EV transportation, we quickly find that it’s a whole new world, filled with multiple cost-saving elements as well as the all-important carbon cutting advantage.

Battery Energy Storage for the home:

Once we convert to Solar or Wind home energy, we’ll have the option of selling the extra energy we generate back to the grid. In doing so, we’ll earn credits. The credits can be used later – at night, for example. But if we are energy efficient, and generate more energy than we use, we can convert our extra credits to a check. There’s a strong financial incentive for being efficient.
We can also buy home energy storage batteries for housing the our extra energy when we over produce. Many families are diving into this rewarding plus.
Many states have tax credits for implementing renewable energy, so it’s highly recommended that you research this financial benefit as well.

Battery Energy Storage for the car:

Additionally, new EV cars enable energy storage as well. Drivers that have the ability to charge their cars during the day while they work, can transfer the extra energy generated beyond what they need back to the grid and earn income.

Green solutions for the home and transportation are creating amazing opportunities for the energy efficient to reduce monthly expenses and earn extra income all while cutting carbon. Very smart!

Environment, National Parks, Trump August 6, 2019February 2, 2020

It’s Criminal to Destroy Our National Parks | They Belong to The People

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | August 6, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

There’s very little that the American public seems to have anymore. Three trillion dollars of historic and cherished assets lining our coasts are in the midst of being destroyed before our eyes as a result of the climate crisis. Every year, many millions of American families have found memorable, quality, family time visiting our national treasures, our National Parks. These travel experiences are powerful, therapeutic, and inspirational. Strong emotional and mental attitudes serve our country well. The fact that our nation was blessed with these natural wonders has brought much comfort to previous presidents, as well as state and national leaders. The belief that nature can nurture an entire population at a very low cost is a significant advantage in maintaining a healthy and productive population.

“…The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not repaired in value.” ~ President Theodore Roosevelt

Further, tourism is a $3 Trillion industry in the United States. Protecting these valuable natural assets is not only the right thing to do morally, but also economically. It’s therefore unfathomable that our president and GOP leaders would confirm David Longly Bernhardt , an oil lobbyist, to run the Department of the Interior, particularly when his self acclaimed mission is to carve away 12 million acres in our National Parks for oil drilling.

The apparent reason why Bernhardt is on a mission to destroy millions of acres of public land when the oil boom is now behind us, and the public is transitioning to renewable energy, is because Trump and Bernhardt refuse to have oil left in the ground when it can be pulled out immediately and converted to cash before the opportunity disappears forever. The extreme greed of a few, at the expense of 325 million Americans, is dehumanizing and infuriating.

America’s natural wonders are irreplaceable. They can NOT be refurbished once decimated. They become lost, lost forever.

CALL TO ACTION: Please call elected Representatives ASAP and demand that our National Parks NOT be destroyed to line the pockets of a few.

Climate Change, Environment, National Security, Politics August 5, 2019February 2, 2020

Clean Water is Vital | Trump Gives EPA Green Light To Poison Water With Coal Ash

Washington (GGM) | Analysis | August 5, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Clean water shortages around the world are considered a civilization altering condition that threatens the survival of millions, perhaps billions of global citizens. Prolonged heat waves and sustained droughts are already creating unlivable zones in large swaths of the world, and increasing the demand for clean water in areas that currently have an adequate water supply. More people trying to sustain themselves on less water often escalates conflicts and violence and has the potential to become a national security threat.

In light of the extreme water shortages resulting from climate change, it’s now more important than ever that the water we do have, remain protected and pure. Thus, it’s incomprehensible that Trump would insist the EPA rollback Obama’s regulations on coal ash removal and storage, established to protect ground water, and allow coal manufacturers to use coal ash for leveling in unrestrained quantities, as well as store in unlined ponds without liners.

Every single irresponsible, life-threatening Trump decision like this one, is a call to action. Constituent phone calls to Congressional Representatives make a significant difference. Climate change further exacerbates an already dangerous situation, spreading the thick coal ash hundreds of miles beyond the original site. For example, Hurricane Florence in North Carolina last year, with 1,200 roads flooded, and an epic spreading of hazardous waste such as coal ash, was so alarming, the state still has no conception of the overall extent of the harm to human health. Only time will tell.

Coal Ash‘s impact on health:

Contains: arsenic, lead, mercury, chlorine, and many other heavy metals
Causes cancer
Impacts Nervous System
Cognitive deficits
Developmental delays
Behavioral problems
Birth defects
Heart damage
Lung disease
Reproductive problems
And more…

The writing is clearly on the wall, however. Regulations for the storage of hazardous materials during a time of shrinking water supply, and increased weather extremes, is an absolute imperative. Trump increasing profit margins for a few cronies, while destroying the health and well-being of millions of Americans, seems criminal.

I urge you to please let your Representative know how strongly you object to your water supply being contaminated and your health compromised.

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security August 1, 2019February 2, 2020

What is Carbon Sink? | Climate Crisis

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | August 1, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

It’s important to learn as much about carbon as swiftly as possible so we can turn the corner and begin to reverse decades of excesses that have led to our current climate crisis.

Understanding carbon sink is a significant first step. Carbon sink is the process by which carbon in the atmosphere is removed and safely stored, reducing the overall amount of carbon in the air. Thus, carbon sink is vitally important.

There are 3 natural carbon sinks. All 3, store more carbon than they release:

plants, trees & forests
soil
ocean

Some scientists work to find ways to increase the amount of carbon that nature can absorb. For example, soil. Organic farmers plant cover crops in order to allow more carbon storage, because it locks in the carbon. Cover crops keep the carbon away from microbes that convert the stored carbon to carbon dioxide.

Oceans can sequester (“sink”) up to 50% of the carbon in the air. However, when oceans store too much carbon, like it’s doing now, the water heats up and melts the glaciers from underneath causing the water levels to rise. Warmer water, and more of it, results in much bigger and fiercer storms, as we have experienced in the past five years.

Forests store 14% of atmospheric carbon, much lower than the ocean’s sequestration. This explains why there are so many urgent cries for us to plant more trees. Planting trees is very simple and easy, adding not only more carbon storage capacity, but amazing beauty and an environ that supports animal life.