Category: Climate Change

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security, Panic September 24, 2019January 7, 2020

Plastic Update | Marriott Bonvoy Hotels

Washington (GGM) Analysis | September 24, 2019
by Noreen Wise

With the EU voting to ban single use plastics by 2021, a bold and decisive move, highlighting their focus and commitment to climate action and saving lives, let’s get excited about shifting into high gear and doing the same.

The statistics behind single use plastic are alarming:

99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels
40% of plastic production is for single use plastics
Global plastic production is the equivalent of “189 500MW coal-fired power stations”

Tiny, impoverished countries around the globe are displaying impressive resourcefulness in replacing single use plastics with a climate crisis alternative. It’s inspiring.

Marriott Bonvoy Hotels has just announced that by December 2020 it will no longer be offering small individual toiletries to guests, reducing single use plastic by “500 million little plastic bottles per year across the company’s 7,000 hotels in 132 countries.” The bottles are so tiny that they can’t be cleaned, and thus can’t be recycled. Smart. Marriott Bonvoy will instead be using large plastic pumps in the showers. Perfect. I recently stayed at a Marriott and found these to be an excellent Plan B.

Every American company has similar decisions to make. Grocery stores for example will most likely have to go cold turkey on their single use bags. Many consumers are just plain oblivious. After a fifteen year warning, shoppers should not be shocked when they arrive at their favorite store one day and the single use plastic bags have disappeared.

Saying “NO” to single use plastic is very easy. It doesn’t require effort or money, just awareness. Not being mindful of the life or death consequences these types of decisions have on others is irresponsible, some might even say willfully irresponsible. The worst aspect of the climate crisis is climate injustice, where those with the largest carbon footprints (Americans), aren’t necessarily the ones who suffer the most destructive climate consequences. For example, Bahamians have a tiny individual carbon footprint, and yet an entire island was destroyed during Hurricane Dorian, and 1,300 people are still missing and presumed dead. This reality should haunt us, and compel us to act… quickly!

Pivoting away from single use plastic is as simple as the diagram below. It’s just a matter of making different everyday choices. We can do this!

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security September 19, 2019January 7, 2020

America’s Youth Stressed About the Reality of the Climate Crisis

Washington (GGM) Analysis | September 19, 2019
by Noreen Wise

Listening to the four determined youth activists air their views during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday September 18, 2019, was a refreshing moment of realism after nearly three torturous years of altered reality, alternative facts and a
constant deluge of propaganda through rallies, tweets and proxies.

These four activists cut through the pervasive GOP BS and made it clear that if Congress doesn’t act, and if GOP continues denying the existential threat to their hopes and dreams and bright futures, then their generation would hold them accountable.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg did not suffer fools lightly. She spoke little, was very direct with her answers, and submitted a multi page document written by scientists as her testimony, asking Congress to rely on the experts.

But it was the words of 17 year old youth Climate Activist Jamie Margolin, co-founder of Zero Hour, that should resonate with all parents. Jamie explained that the most devastating impact about the looming climate crisis is that she can’t dream about a
bright future. She stated that her horizon is nothing more than a big “IF.” She is not able to wrap her mind around which colleges to apply to, because “what if” the climate crisis impacts her dream college or potential career. The future is now too unpredictable to plan for. Nothing is solid or certain. Her testimony made it clear that Generation Z feels like they’re standing in quick sand.

Can any of us imagine growing up without being able to tightly clutch a dream to lift us out of present day hardships? That dark void of hopelessness is too difficult to process. This is America. I refuse to let this be the reality of today’s youth. I personally would not be able to exist without having hopes and dreams, nor would I have been able to survive the many difficult challenges I’ve faced across the years without these two vital life-sustaining essentials.

Additionally, stress and anxiety impacts the immune system and changes our perspective on relatively minor everyday challenges. An “uncertain future” creates an emotional crisis and the only way to counter it, is for all adults to quickly move into action and commit ourselves to lowering our personal carbon footprints ASAP.

We can fix this. Let’s go!

Climate Action, Climate Change September 16, 2019January 7, 2020

Energy-Storage Batteries | A Whole New Industry

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | September 16, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

With the global climate crisis focus upon us, which begins Friday September 20, 2019 with a massive worldwide #ClimateStrike, and continues for a full week of events, the entire globe will be fixated on how we can quickly find and execute the cure and save millions of lives, and in certain regions, entire populations.

This year has seen an unprecedented uptick in the switch to solar energy, with California leading the way. EV car sales are leaping tall buildings. The increase in clean energy is so significant, that the new big industry mushrooming overnight is that of storing excess clean energy, to be used after the sun goes down, or when supply runs out. There are investors and innovators popping up in many countries, looking to produce the highest quality energy storage batteries — small ones for homeowners, and massive ones known as “utility scale” for corporations, towns, cities, etc.

It would be very smart if fossil fuel communities jumped in quick to seize the opportunity and transition coal and oil workers into clean energy storage careers.

Batteries are very important in enabling energy companies to store the excess energy generated by a sunny or windy day, to then be used at night, or on a very still day, when there’s no strong wind force. Critical requirements for high quality energy storage batteries include the following:

Capacity & Power – measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), we should get stackable kind so we can easily increase capacity as need grows
Depth of Discharge (DoD) – the amount of the battery that has been used, a battery’s use level has a floor; the higher the DoD (ie 80%), the more the battery can be used before needing to be recharged
Round trip efficiency – it takes a certain amount of energy to store energy, so the higher the efficiency, the more energy you’ll receive from your battery; the efficiency rate is measured as a percent, the higher the percent, the higher the efficiency (30% is bad, 80% is good)
Battery life & warranty – clean energy storage batteries have a “cycle” of charging and draining; battery life is listed as a specific number of cycles, ie 4,000; a warranty will read something to the effect: 4,000 cycles or 8 years at 65% of it’s capacity… meaning at the end of the warranty the battery will have only lost 35% of it’s initial capacity.
Manufacturer – there are no so many different brands that it’s difficult to determine which is the best, so it’s important to compare using the above four critical features

Companies around the world hoping to become the top clean energy storage producers. Here are 7 to keep your eye on:

Tesla
Vivint Solar
LG Chem
Eos Energy Storage
Sonnen
Nissan
Sunverge

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security, Politics September 9, 2019December 22, 2019

What? Why so many life-threatening new gas plants opening?

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | September 9, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

The climate crisis keeps growing more alarming as climate change inflicts serious consequences. The out of control fires in the Amazon rain forest last month, devastated hundreds of millions of trees. Trees sequester carbon, lowering the worlds’s
atmospheric carbon levels. And although there’s been significant global effort to lower the PPM carbon level by transitioning quickly to clean energy, and we’ve been trending lower in 2019 — moving from 415 PPM to 411 PPM (YAY!) — the goal is to actually reach 350, so we still have a long way to go.

And then disaster struck… again. We now must transition to clean energy that much faster. Thankfully we can do this. Solar energy is much less expensive than building new power plants, cost consumers less per moth, and can actually earn households money if they invest in a battery that stores excess solar energy. With this clear vision in place, and with a united purpose of saving lives, which may be our own, what is the point in initiating a plan that’s the opposite of this? It seems ludicrous and life-threatening.

With headlines like that of this morning’s, “As Earth faces climate catastrophe, US set to open nearly 200 (dirty) power plants“, climate deniers are doing an excellent job at undermining America’s influence in the world. Gas power plants are expensive, dirty, and will kill innocent people across the globe. We see this now. We see innocent Bahamians, with one entire Bahama island demolished, 70,000 people without homes, no sanitation, completely reliant on the kindness of others, yet dozens of evacuees on one humanitarian cruise ship were removed.

The US is behind the majority of other nations in the world on transitioning to clean energy. This makes us look indifferent to the suffering of others, backwards and greedy. In fact, in opening 200 new dirty power plants, we actually are all of these terrible things.

US is world LEADER in carbon emissions from power plants “emitting 2.70 billion tons” of carbon, followed by China who emits 2.66 billion (China has a population of 1.43 billion though, while US population is only 329 million). So US carbon output at this level almost seems criminal, at the very least negligent.
Texas has the most power plants and oil reserves and emits 12% of US carbon, that’s an incredibly irresponsible number. There are 50 states. California emits 7% of US’s carbon emissions but has a population of 39.75 millions, while Texas only has 29.09 million.
It’s far less expensive to install solar panels than to build a gas power plant, even though gas is less expensive than coal power plants.
Clicking through the EnergySage link to get a Solar quote is just like scrolling through Expedia or kayak for a travel quote.

So what’s the point here? Natural gas power plants do not make economic sense. They pollute the air, undermine health, and do indeed kill innocent people through climate change events. There is no economical or moral justification for 200 new gas power plants. Wong choices like this one, reinforce the world’s perception that the US is idifferent to the suffering of others (that we inflict ). That we’re driven by the blind greed of a few, no matter what the climate and human consequences are to the 99%. And the few that are mapping out this nonsensical strategy, only have scream “climate denier” to gt away with it.

We need to hold these executives accountable. Denying climate change, and thus furthering the crisis, is the equivalent of admitting guilt.

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security, Nature September 6, 2019January 7, 2020

Seriously, Switching to Solar Now Is So Easy | Check This Out

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

During this urgent global climate crisis, with all eyes are on the world’s atmospheric carbon level — measuring 415 PPM in May 2019, with the goal of returning to the late 1980’s level of 350 PPM — we must immediately change gears following the catastrophic loss of a large chunk of the Amazon rainforest due to ferocious forest fires.

SOLUTION: It’s time to step up the America’s transition to solar energy. Additionally, let’s plant more trees on every continent ASAP.

In July 2019, the atmospheric carbon level actually dropped a bit to 411.77 PPM which was very exciting. There are so many countries and so many millions of global citizens working tirelessly, making sacrifices and changing our lifestyles in our effort to lower our carbon footprint, which in turn lowers the atmospheric carbon level. It’s nice to see that our committed efforts are netting positive results. It was only a few weeks later, however, that the Amazon rainforest was consumed with fire. Argh, now the CO2 level will rise again.

So, we must move quickly to counter the effects of the fires.

We know we’re going to have to switch to solar at some point, let’s take the leap right now so we can save more lives. There are much too many benefits not to switch ASAP:

Solar Energy is less expensive than current energy sources
EnergySage (similar to kayak or expedia) makes finding the best rates and installation super easy and economical
The government is offering rebates

It’s exciting to find excellent resources that make transitioning easier. EnergySage is just that, a user-friendly resource that makes the transitioning process stress free.

It only takes a few clicks to save the world and our futures… Let’s Go!

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security September 3, 2019September 13, 2020

Tree Crisis Compounds Climate Crisis | Quick Action

Washington (GGM) Analysis | September 3, 2019
by Noreen Wise

With such an overwhelming blow to rainforests in the Amazon last week — 4,000 new fires detected in less than 48 hours, and 80,000 total fires in 2019 — we must move swiftly to replant and reforest on every continent.

The Amazon is considered the “lungs of the world.” On average, we lose 65 trees every minute, 93,600 trees every day, and 34.16 million trees every year. This in and of itself is a human civilization-threatening reality. With the global population rising, and carbon sequestration falling, the only way to save more lives is to immediately act in response to the recent escalation in the destruction of the globe’s forests.

The Path Forward must be a global commitment to:

Lower carbon emissions faster
Increase carbon sequestration faster through conservation, replanting as well other natural carbon sinks, most notably soil
Cut back on paper products (we have to sacrifice our love of lush, fluffy double-ply anything)

Students love getting involved with climate action. So with the new school year beginning, let’s create a game plan. How about every American student planting 10 trees per school year? Some countries already require this.

Planting trees in groups is a lot of fun
Students can fundraise together, form an after school club and have meetings to decide where they’ll plant trees, as well as what types of trees
Working on a life-saving and planet-saving project brings out the best in us, builds character, and rewards with a new perspective on life
This can also be a fun family project on weekends
Best time to plant trees is the fall & the spring, September is an excellent month to get started

There are many more benefits we receive from trees than just oxygen. Trees become friends. They are wonderful listeners. They nurture and support. Trees teach lessons about growing roots, and patience… the benefits of sunshine, as well as rain. Trees stay in our lives for a long time, providing stability. They grace us with shade and shelter. Trees share secrets about what it takes to grow big and strong. Trees are wonderful companions for students. A student tree force will provide many cures, not only for the environment and the climate crisis, but also for society in general.

Enriching the soil all around us with more nutrients through composting, will also increase sequestration. Every restaurant and home should compost. No more using the sink disposal!

Steady daily pacing of recycling, composting, planting trees, switching to solar, walking more, driving less… will get us on our way to new green habits, and a less frightening future.

We can do this!

Climate Action, Climate Change, National Security September 2, 2019December 22, 2019

Major Cutback in Coal | Climate Action

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | September 2, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

The tides are turning. Coal has seen a steady decline for the past five years, with a double digit slide in 2019. State and local energy decision makers have finally begun to believe in the impressive advantages of green energy and are quickly strategizing about how to amp up “clean” energy for their communities.

Solar efficiency, along with new battery technology for storing solar energy, has created a stars lining up effect, enabling the solar industry to take flight into unchartered territory, especially for those companies offering $0 down for the installation of solar panels. Get ready for this exciting wild ride of transition.

South Carolina’s state-owned coal utility, Santee Cooper, will announce on Tuesday September 3, 2019 that it has completed their new business plan and will begin shutting down one of its two coal power plants. The company does not anticipate any layoffs, but rather expects downsizing will come from attrition and retirements.

Additionally, Santee Cooper has its long term sight on eliminating coal energy entirely, with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint once it completes it’s build out of solar power.

One of the top coal producers in Kentucky, Blackhawk Mining, LLC., filed for bankruptcy in July 2019. Blackhawk will continue to operate during its bankruptcy and does not plan on any layoffs.

Two large Kentucky coal producers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcies in recent years, Alpha Natural Resources and Peabody Energy. Both have emerged from bankruptcy and are still producing coal, although the production levels are much lower than a decade ago.

Further complicating coal production in the Appalachians (Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama), was the announcement in early July that Chubb would no longer insure coal producing companies. It’s expected that other insurance companies will do the same. The fossil fuel industry is facing major lawsuits related to climate change. Coal companies are unable to operate without insurance.

It’s very important that states support their coal communities by planning ahead, knowing that the transition to clean energy is only a matter of time. Dirty energy is dead. The sooner communities can transition to solar and wind and create new jobs, the better and healthier everyone will be.

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!