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Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 17, 2020August 18, 2020

What You Need to Know to Go Solar During Pandemic

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 18, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

While solar power has previously been thought to be a beacon of hope for the environment and the economy, the industry is currently in crisis. Amid COVID 19, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) published a press release availing quarter two outcomes.

Prior to the pandemic, it was projected that solar energy projects would offer 302,000 Americans jobs by June of 2020. Instead, the industry saw a job loss of 114,000 workers. SEIA states, “The Q2 solar deployment losses are equivalent to powering 288,000 homes and $3.2 billion in economic investment.” This type of down-turn sets the solar workforce back to levels seen in 2014.

In the same press release, SEIA blames a lack of “strategic government action” for this setback. However, they also state, “with the right policies in place, the solar industry is poised to lead the U.S. out of this economic recession and create jobs for thousands of Americans.”

Just recently, the association published a COVID 19 resource guide for the solar industry. Alongside this guide, they have launched a social media campaign, #RebuildBetter, to build awareness and advocate for the necessary policies to support solar energy.

Now is the perfect time to jump in and switch to renewable energy for your household. It’s super simple to get started. Just click on EnergySage.com to get a free quote and learn about the incentives and rebates in your area. EnergySage will calculate the costs and benefits. Check it out today. It can’t hurt to find out more information about this critical technology. To take advantage of rare incentives, get a free quote today.

There are five main things you can do to support the solar industry in this time of need.

Submit a Solar Power Testimonial to the SEIA
Make a personal or company-related donation to support solar-related COVID 19 relief efforts
Submit company project-level data to EIA
Support the campaign #RebuildBetter
Go to EnergySage.com for information and a free quote for installing solar panels to your house.

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

Eco-Friendly Fashion & Green Brooklyn Brand

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 14, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

America has a skeleton lurking in her closet— or rather, a skeleton leaving the closet. It is estimated that each person in the US throws away an average of 70 lbs of unwanted clothing annually. Keeping in mind that a shirt or a pair of jeans is worn only seven times before ending up in a landfill, this is a problematic amount of unnecessary consumer waste. The solution: more thoughtful consumerism, upcycling, and recycling old clothes. Yes, you can recycle clothes. According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association, SMART, up to 95% of all used clothing is recyclable.

Keep your eyes open for brands using ethically sourced and recycled fabrics!

Twitter- @GreenBrooklynbd

The Green Brooklyn Brand, owned by New York Native Antoine Jackson, is definitely a brand to follow. They focus heavily on bringing environmentalism and sustainability to the streetwear conversation. In an exclusive interview, Jackson told the Hill Report that the brand plans on “revolutionizing the way we see fashion…[with] simple techniques that will help to heal the world.” All of Green Brooklyn Brand’s clothes are made with eco-friendly fabrics like hemp, Eco-Triblend, and RPET. RPET stands for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate— simply put, this is a fabric that is composed of recycled polyesters and plastics.

The clothing line is designed to be comfortable, recyclable, and reusable. The durability and ingenuity of the brand speaks directly to its consumers, and changes the way the world looks at streetwear. Jackson stated, “Green Brooklyn Brand garments are meant to be strong, just like the common Brooklynite.”

Instagram-@greenbrooklynbrand

Even more exciting, Jackson hinted at an upcoming fusion of technology and fashion for the brand. Without giving too much away, he said, “I believe we are on to something very chic and revolutionary in the world of wearable tech.” While we are not sure exactly what is coming down the pike, we can imagine that this will be big in the world of eco-friendly fashion.

If you want bold fashion that takes a strong position on sustainability, wear Green Brooklyn Brand, and post your eco-friendly fashion on social media with #greenbrooklynbrand or #gbb!

Tl:dr

Each person in the US throws away an average of 70 lbs of unwanted clothing each year
95% of all used clothing is recyclable
The Green Brooklyn Brand brings environmentalism and sustainability to streetwear
Green Brooklyn Brand’s clothes are made with eco-friendly fabrics like Hemp, Eco-Triblend, and RPET. RPET
Owner, Antoine Jackson hinted at an upcoming fusion of technology and fashion for the brand

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 12, 2020August 14, 2020

How Kia Aims to Get Consumers Excited About & Driving EVs

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 12, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Kia is kicking electric and ‘alternative fuel’ up a notch. Their “line of the future” boasts over 6 cars that are either hybrid, hybrid plug-in, or fully electric. The end-game for Kia seems to be to increase accessibility and desire for electric cars.

Kia reminds those trying to decide whether or not an electric car is within reach that they may be eligible for up to 10k in federal rebates. The hybrid and hybrid plug-in models cut down on gas usage, and widen the EV audience. Kia calls these models the “most accessible entry point into Alternative Fuel Vehicles.” Speaking of broadening accessibility, Kia has even partnered with Amazon, to make buying and installing at home charging kits easier than ever.

Twitter- @getElectricVeh

The fully electric Soul, and Niro crossover, are pretty impressive vehicles. The Niro EV starts at $39,090 and Niro EV offers an EPA-estimated 239-mile range and 201 Electric Drive Motor Horsepower. With Rapid 100kW charging, the Niro has up to an 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes! SImilar to Tesla, the crossover sports vegan leather seats, and is full of impressive technology. Items like Apple Carplay and Wireless Charging are fun and convenient. While features like Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), and Lane Following Assist (LFA) are potentially lifesaving.

The Kia Soul is known to be a spunky, spacious and stylish car. Winner of the 2020 World Car Awards- World Urban Car, the upcoming 2021 Soul EV is a highly anticipated electronic option. According to Car and Driver, the 64.0-k battery of this model will outshine the 2019 model. This 5 passenger hatchback offers an impressive 243 miles of driving range. With standard DC fast-charging capability, and smartphone charging pad, getting going is made fast and convenient.

Twitter- @LawtonKia

With a myriad of fun and innovative options, it is clear that Kia is hoping people will ditch gas and become fully electric!

Come back next Wednesday for more EV news!

Tl;dr

Kia has 6 electric, hybrid, or hybrid plugin models for consumers to choose from
Kia is increasing accessibility and desire for electric cars
Kia has partnered with Amazon to make buying and installing at home charging kits easy
Niro EV starts at $39,090 and Niro EV offers an EPA-estimated 239-mile range
The Niro EC has 100kW charging,, and gets an 80% charge in 30 minutes
The upcoming 2021 Kia Soul EV will have a 64.0-k battery and 243 miles of driving range

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 11, 2020August 14, 2020

How to Talk with Your Kids About Climate Crisis

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 11, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

It is undeniable, climate change is here, and it poses very serious challenges for the world’s population. There are weather changes, health implications, and economic impacts of this complex crisis. If you’re a pro-planet parent, you may be struggling with how to talk to your children about these issues. After all, this topic can be overwhelming and even depressing for adults. It is hard to know what is too little and what is too much in regards to engaging your children on this subject.

Twitter- @MPRnews

First, you must remember that this isn’t your childhood. Information isn’t only delineated from your parents, your teacher, and a neighborhood no it all. Kids have access to information- whether accurate or not- at the touch of their fingertips. Chances are, your child has already done some research on this topic using their tablet or smartphone. This is why your first step in broaching this topic should be to find out what your child already knows– or what they think they know– about climate change. Be sure to talk to them about vetting resources and how to fact check, so that they won’t be misled. Explain why the Environmental Defence Fund, EDF, or the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA are reliable resources, while Facebook or Instagram may not be.

If your kids are too young to navigate the EDF or EPA, maybe let them know that you can be their resource for information until they are a bit older.

After finding out what your child already knows, and empowering them with the ability to find reliable information, gauge their feelings. This can be a scary subject, and your child may have some really tough emotions to work through. Let them know that you are here for them and that they are not alone. Tell them that there are agencies all over the planet working tirelessly to solve this problem.

Twitter- @myonlinesch

Remind them that the climate crisis is a man-made problem, and there will eventually be a man-made solution. Explain that every choice they make can be a choice to help save Mother Nature. Encourage your child to conserve energy, consume less, and re-use or re-purpose items whenever possible. Every time you or your child turns off a light when they leave a room, or drops a can into the recycling bin, congratulate them! Make them a part of your eco-friendly routines, and most importantly, ask them how they would like to help.

By merely speaking to your children about the climate crisis, you are preparing the next generation for what’s to come. Who knows, you may be raising the next Greta Thunburg or Jane Goodall.

Come back every Tuesday for more Eco-Friendly Parenting tips!

Tl;dr

There are weather changes, health implications, and economic impacts of this complex crisis
Talking to your children about these issues can be tough
Chances are, your child has already done some research on this topic using their tablet or smartphone
Find out what your child already knows– or what they think they know– about climate change
Talk to them about vetting resources and how to fact check
The Environmental Defence Fund, EDF, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA are reliable resources
Gauge their feelings
Remind them that they are not alone: there are agencies all over the planet working tirelessly to solve this problem
Encourage your child to conserve energy, consume less, and re-use or re-purpose items whenever possible
Make them a part of your eco-friendly routines, and most importantly, ask them how they would like to help

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment, sustainability August 6, 2020August 14, 2020

Why You Need to Know About the Launch of The Wonderful Wine Co.

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 6, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

This time last summer, your evening plans may have included slipping on stilettos to meet up with a few friends at a new roof-top bar or rocking your favorite fedora at a neighborhood block party. As Friday quickly approaches, we know swanky bars and big parties are out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your summer slip away. You can uncork a bottle of wine on your back porch with your neighbor– six feet away, of course– and toast to Mother Nature!

Yes, that’s right; there is a wine that is actually doing something for the environment. In June of 2020, Winc launched a totally vegan and oh so sustainable line of wine. It’s called The Wonderful Wine Co., and people are loving it!

Twitter – @helloboxes

The Wonderful Wine Co. is dedicated to the wellness of the planet and the wellness of its customers. All of the grapes are derived from organic vineyards, and no added chemicals or added sugars are used in the process. Unlike most wine available, The Wonderful Wine Co. is all vegan. This means that the ground-up bone, casein, milk, and fish bladders that sneak their way into your typical Rosé, won’t be found here.

More than simply better for you, this wine is better for the planet. The ingredients, the packaging, how it is shipped, and even the bottle itself are meticulously designed with Mother Nature in mind. Wonderful Wine uses a special lightweight glass bottle that requires 20% less energy and 12% less water in production, which reduces carbon emissions by 27%. They also have reduced landfill contributions and deforestation by eliminating the trash producing polylaminate capsule altogether and using an all-natural biodegradable cork. Additionally, the box the wine is housed in is 100% recyclable and 95% compostable.

With four delicious selections coming from non-GMO vineyards in Argentina, France, and California, there is a delicious and sophisticated option for any occasion. For a sustainable sip of summer, pour yourself a glass of The Limited Edition Orange wine. With notes of citrus and white peach and a touch of honeysuckle, you will know why they call it Wonderful Wine.

Instagram – @blevineproductions

Come back every Thursday to learn more about the role veganism plays in combating climate change!

Tl;dr

Winc launched The Wonderful Wine Co., a vegan and sustainable line of wine
The grapes are derived from organic vineyards
No added chemicals or added sugars are used in the process
Most other wine includes ground-up bone, casein, milk, and fish bladders
Wonderful Wine uses a special lightweight glass bottle that reduces carbon emissions by 27%
They reduced landfill contributions and deforestation by eliminating the polylaminate capsule and using an all-natural biodegradable cork
The box is 100% recyclable and 95% compostable

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment, sustainability August 5, 2020August 14, 2020

What People Are Saying About Mini Cooper Going Electric— Again

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 5, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

With all of the Nissan Leafs and Chevy Bolts on the road today, it may seem hard to remember when electric vehicles, EVs, were uncommon. However, only ten years ago, EVs were virtually unattainable to the average person. It was only in 2009 that the first major car manufacturer released over 500 EVs for private use— and no, it was not Tesla. It was BMW’s Mini Cooper!

Though nearly ten thousand people signed up to lease Mini’s original EV– the Mini E– the vehicle was never intended for mass production. In March of 2020, Mini Cooper put more than just their toes in the water, with the release of their first real line of EVs: the Mini Cooper Hardtop SE. Starting at $29,900, this stylish and spunky roadster is one of the most affordable electric cars around.

Instagram – @pepperandgold

According to Car and Driver, the car “has a 32.6-kWh battery pack and a single electric motor that produces 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.” It has agile handling, a high-tech interior, and of course, the distinctive Mini aesthetic. Additionally, the SE sports an adjustable regenerative braking system, as well as a state of the art heat-pump that is 75% more efficient than traditional electric designs.

The only real flaw in this adorable Mini is the range. The Mini Cooper SE has 110 miles of electric range, while competitors, like Hyundai or Kia have over 200 miles of range. On a positive note, the SE comes with a 3-prong charging cord that will fit into any standard outlet. In combination with the available at-home wallbox chargers and the increasing availability of public charging stations, this makes range less of an issue. Plus, when using Fast DC Charging Stations, average users get an 80% charge in about 35 minutes.

Twitter – @MyUrbanCar

All in all, people are excited about the style, handling, and affordability of this Zero-Emission car. Pulling up in the Mini Cooper’s newly released SE will not disappoint!

Come back next Wednesday for more EV news!

Tl;dr

In 2009 Mini Cooper released 500 EVs for private use— the Mini E
The Mini E was never intended for mass production
In March of 2020, Mini Cooper released of their first real line of EVs: the Mini Cooper Hardtop SE
The base model starts at $29,900
The SE produces 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque
The SE has a state of the art heat-pump that is 75% more efficient than traditional electric designs
At home charging and the increase in public charging stations makes the 110 miles of electric range less of an issue

Climate Action, Climate Change, Nature July 30, 2020August 14, 2020

10 Amazing Female Vegan Mega-Stars

Washington (GGM) Analysis | July 30, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Everywhere you go, you are seeing more and more about veganism and plant-based diets. Whether you’re walking down the street and see a billboard for Burger King’s Impossible Whopper, or you’re perusing down the “Plant-Based Protein” aisle in Target, it’s hard to ignore that times are changing. Veganism is here, it’s becoming more accessible, and it’s not going anywhere. As inhabitants of this earth, we should all be excited by this.

Twitter – @MealsVegan

The vegan lifestyle combats animal cruelty, disease, and of course the climate crisis. Eliminating animals and animal products from your diet significantly reduces water consumption, land usage, and CO2 emissions. According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture!

If that doesn’t inspire you to make a meatless change, maybe this will. Here is a list of 10 Amazing Female Mega-Stars who are completely committed to veganism!

Miley Cyrus – Singer, song-writer, & actress
Alicia Silverstone – Actress, Clueless sensation
Natalie Portman – Actress, activist, & Harvard Graduate
Taraji P. Henson – Actress & author
Gisele Bundchen – Supermodel
Mayim Bialik – Actress & neuroscientist
Kat Von D – Tattoo Artist & entrepreneur
Mya – Singer, producer, & actress
Ruby Rose – Model & actress
Beyoncé – Singer, The Queen B

Twitter – @MeatlessMonday

Not only are these stars plant-based, but they are making big strides in the vegan community! Alicia Silverstone, for example, has been vegan since 1998. Silverstone is the co-creator of myKind Organics, a line of vegan vitamins. Natalie Portman produced the film, Eating Animals, in 2017, and she regularly speaks out on animal rights and environmental issues. And we all remember how Beyoncé encouraged her fans to become vegan by offering free concert tickets to meatless converts.

Whoever your favorite celebrity is on this star-studded list, they would all agree, taking a chance on a plant-based diet is the way to go!

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability July 16, 2020August 14, 2020

Raising Pro-Planet Pre-Teens

Washington (GGM) Analysis | July 14, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Whether you’ve been working on building a more sustainable lifestyle for a while or you are a total newbie, you don’t want to be the only one in your family running around your house turning off lights and pulling recyclables out of the kitchen trash. Everyone in the house needs to get involved. You may be thinking easier said than done, especially if your kids are a bit older.

But I have good news! If you are raising a tween or young teen, it’s not too late to become a Pro-Planet Parent! Start small by making a few changes that shed light on specific causes and encourage eco-friendly behavior. Buying your son or daughter a 100% recycled 4Ocean bracelet is a great first step! 4Oceans is a global initiative dedicated to cleaning up the world’s oceans and spreading awareness. For each bracelet purchased, they promise to pull a pound of plastic out of our waters. Since 2017, they have removed 9,381,011 lbs of garbage from the ocean and coastline.

4Ocean – Loggerhead Sea Turtle Beaded Bracelet

Are you looking to make even more impact? Get your tween to look at thredUP for their next clothing purchase. This online secondhand store is a sustainable choice for the whole family. According to thredUP, the average article of clothing is worn only seven times before it is thrown directly into the trash. They claim that if everyone switched to secondhand purchases, we could collectively save 6 BILLION lbs of CO2 emissions per year.

Twitter – @thredUP

Another way to reduce your teen’s landfill waste and contribution to lowering CO2 emissions is to swap their favorite print magazine with the E-Copy. Doing so will help your young one realize that sustainable earth-conscious choices do not necessarily mean compromise. It can actually put some money back in their pockets! An annual online subscription to the popular magazine, Girl’s Life, is available on Barnes & Noble Nook for under $20!

Come back every Tuesday for more Eco-Friendly Parenting tips!

Twitter – @Girl’s Life Magazine

tl;dr

Become a Pro-Parent Parent: Help your young teen make earth-conscious choices
4Ocean promises to pull 1lb of plastic out of the ocean for every bracelet sold
Since 2017, 4Ocean has removed 9,381,011 lbs of garbage from the ocean and coastline
Switching to secondhand clothing purchases, like thredUP, could save 6 BILLION lbs of CO2 emissions per year
Switching from print magazines to E-Copies lowers landfill waste and produces less CO2

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