Climate Change Ignored in First Presidential Debate

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As everyone analyzes last night’s first presidential debate, it seems that a focus on the important and often urgent concerns of voters were sidelined by concern with style and appearance, resulting in a journalistic award of a “victory” for Mitt Romney.  This win for Romney clearly signals an ideological loss for the green movement.

First and foremost, Mr. Romney brazenly misstated President Obama’s investment in “green energy”, erroneously claiming that the administration had spent $90 billion on “green energy”, but that half of the companies that he had spent the money on had failed.  A report by the Washington Post declares this is a “flat-out false claim”.  Rather, the $90 billion was the sum set aside for “green” tech and research in the stimulus bill.  A substantial portion of these funds was used for efficiency projects, research and development, carbon sequestration, and upgrading the nation’s electric grid, among other projects.  Only a small percentage was spent on direct loans to clean energy companies, and contrary to Romney’s statement, very few of these companies have failed.

Secondly, to the dismay of the electric car industry, Romney called electric car companies “losers”, specifically Tesla, which is well on its way to becoming a successful and profitable business.  While President Obama did not call Mr. Romney out on the importance of clean energy and electric cars, he did look the camera in the eye and spoke to the American people, noting that he differed from Romney in that he was more interested in the development of renewable energy sources.  Additionally, he voiced the need to end federal oil subsidies.  Perhaps Romney summed up his commitment to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its inhabitants by stating, “I like coal”.

Proponents of the green movement also are disappointed that Jim Lehrer, as moderator, disregarded climate control as an issue even worthy of discussion in the debate.  Despite receiving 160,000 letters from a coalition of nonprofit organizations dedicated to green initiatives requesting discussion on climate change, Mr. Lehrer ignored this issue.  Supposedly, the purpose of the debate was to give millions of voters an opportunity to “hear how the candidates plan to address the nation’s most urgent challenges”.  It appears that the moderator does not consider the climate crisis that important or urgent.

The green movement is a strong and dedicated one that is not going to go away.  It will not and cannot be dismissed alongside Big Bird.  While it cannot force a discussion of its issues at a debate, it can ensure that it is a force to be reckoned with at the ballot box.  It is clear to the green movement that climate change is devastating and a threat to our very existence.  Any discussion on education, construction, health care, or job creation must include climate change and environmental concerns to be effective.  Any voter who is concerned about health, welfare, employment and family issues and who wants to make sure there will be a healthy planet around for their children to inherit has a clear choice.  Hopefully, we will live green, be green.

Mitt Romney clearly takes a stand against green.

Investing in Green Technology

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You probably are familiar with the old adage, “put your money where your mouth is”.  This saying definitely applies to the green movement.  Green initiatives require an enormous financial commitment to develop and advance the technologies necessary to address the issues of climate change and to reverse the pollution of the Earth.  Statistics collected in Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2012 Report, a study backed by the UN Environment Program, have tracked financial investments in green energy globally since 2004.  These statistics reveal the following:

  • Investment in renewable energy accounted for 44% of all new energy generation capacity added last year.  This represents an increase in renewable investment, up from 34% in 2010 and 10.3% in 2004.
  • The majority of the money invested in renewable energy came from the private domain and largely was invested in the area of research and development.  In fact, investment from the private sector was twice that of government and public bodies.
  • The renewable energy sector of emerging economies, such as India and China, has the biggest boost.
  • In 2009, China surpassed the United States in total annual investment, and in 2011, it attracted more money than any other country.

While these statistics show a financial commitment to the green movement, statistics indicate that investment in green initiatives still lags behind that of traditional sources.  In 2011, only 6% of the world’s energy requirements were generated by renewable sources.  A caveat to this situation is that many clean tech companies have suffered from the volatility of the markets over the past two years, and in many countries, policies established to encourage investment in renewable energy have been weakened by austerity measures undertaken to upright faltering economies.

When considering investing in renewable energy or other green initiatives, the due diligence requirement cannot be understated.  Thorough understanding of this market sector is mandatory.  For example, it is important to know that these markets require government confidence and commitment in order to be successful.  Financiers require stable policy to back green investments.  It is important to identify mature technologies because they have longer track records.  These often include onshore wind and solar energy.  Remember:  Lower technological risks equal more finance.

Investing in renewable energy and green initiatives presents potential opportunities for financial gain, as well as moral commitment to the green movement.  As with any investment, make sure you do your homework and seek professional advice so that you understand the many factors involved.  A place to start your journey to green investments is: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com.

Let’s live green, be green!

Due diligence– Prior to investing in any commodity, do your homework, and if necessary, seek professional financial advice.

Looking for a Job– Try Green

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As we move forward to implement green into our lifestyles through healthy living and technology, it is only natural that the country’s most prominent green economy stakeholders, ranging from businesses, community leaders and environmentalists to elected officials would advance ideas and introduce projects to aid this cause.  The concept of a green economy is now front and center as evidenced by an emerging business sector with many educational and employment opportunities.  This is especially good news with the recognition that the present faltering economy is slowly rebounding, but with a noticeable shift away from traditional manufacturing and service jobs to a new sector which requires more efficient use of cutting edge technology and well-trained, albeit, smaller staff.

Job opportunities now are available in both the public and private sectors for individuals willing to reinvent themselves through education and job training and for people who are motivated to relocate to areas where such opportunities are prevalent.  A check of local government job opportunities resulting from mandates to provide clean and energy-efficient transportation often will reveal available positions in construction to house these new operations, as well as job openings to manage these enhanced services.  Job training for these types of positions frequently is offered at community colleges and other local career labs with financial aid possibly available.  Other opportunities can be found in the areas of solar, wind, renewable energy and clean energy.

When searching for jobs in the green economy, it is important to think out of the box.  While a potential candidate may not be a scientist, engineer or other professional with a trade specialty in this sector, that individual still can work in support operations as all businesses require administrative, as well as financial, marketing, security and other support staff.

The Internet is a great place to initiate a search for green jobs.  A perusal of job opportunities will help a person to assess qualifications for open positions and to find out the geographical locations of opportunities.  Also, be sure to check out federal employment opportunities, particularly at USA Jobs.  When applying for positions, be sure to include in your resume a statement regarding your commitment to a greener world in your objective.

The green economy presents a wonderful opportunity for you to “be the change you want to see”.  Let’s live green, be green.

MPG: Changing Car Rental Services for the Greener

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Simple sustainability efforts go a long way.  Here’s a bit of a scoop on one such effort we’ve deemed worthy to shake up our headlines here at LGBG.http://media.merchantcircle.com/37137174/mpg-logo-full-vertical_full.png

That’s right. It’s a company by the name of MPG Car Rental, and although its not the largest company, it hasn’t allowed that small fact to prevent it from doing big things!

Similar to rental car services like Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, and even old Thrifty, MPG provides a slew of automobiles to its customers on a temporary, rental basis.  No biggie, right?  But what sets this little Venice, California-based rent-a-car service apart from its traditional competitors, is that MPG’s fleet of vehicles are “all green” and still suit all needs.  Whether customers are looking for compact sedans or full-size SUV’s, MPG Car Rental boasts a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles.

The brand management experts at Interbrand rank the most green global brands yearly, based on what they consider to be critical criteria in determining the sustainability of business efforts.  In first, third, and fourth place on 2012’s Interbrand Best Global Green Brands list were Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen, respectively.  It should therefore come as no immediate shock to the consumer that MPG Car Rental offers some of the flagship hybrid vehicles associated with these top performing brands.

Aside from Toyota’s three generations of Prius vehicles, MPG offers its Camry and Highlander hybrids, as well as its Lexus offspring, including the CT 200 hybrid and two variations of the RX model.  Also members of the all-green MPG fleet are Honda’s Insight, Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI (diesel), and Chevy’s new Volt and hybrid Tahoe.  And the customer should look forward to seeing this selection of vehicles change, as MPG makes it a point to constantly re-examine and continually update its fleet’s member vehicles to reflect current top performance trends.

What further sets MPG’s business model apart from those of competitors is its special test drive program.  MPG allows its customers who are thinking about purchasing a eco-friendly hybrid vehicle to rent and test drive any member of its fleet for up to four days to see if the vehicle fits the customer’s lifestyle.  From that point, if the customer purchases that model vehicle from one of MPG’s affiliated dealers, the customer is automatically eligible for the reimbursement of up to four days’ rental of that MPG vehicle.  Clever and helpful.

Through minimal efforts in specialization within the constraints of already established methods of business in an industry, MPG has managed to re-vamp operations to increase sustainability.  Customers can rest assured that they are not only receiving vehicles that perform well, but that they are helping lessen their carbon footprints all the while.  MPG Car Rental should be an example to all future rent-a-car companies, that small change can make a difference and still pay off financially.  Hopefully the company continues to grow, both in successful business, and in the admirable ideologies with which its conducts its business.

What the Frick Is Fracking?

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What the Frick is fracking?

We at LGBG felt that is was very important to publish an informational introductory post about hydraulic fracking, also spelled fraccing, and the dangers that it poses to our environment. Hydraulic Fracking is a growing concern among environmentalists and scientists around the world and for great reason. This introduction to fracking is intended to spark some curiosity in our readers and encourage them to explore more in terms of hydraulic fracking and join the fight to end its practice.

So what is hydraulic fracking? Hydraulic fracking is a method by which natural gas is extracted from the earth. To do this, systems of pressurized tanks pump a sand, chemical and water mixture into shale rock formations. This is done to create a natural gas well that is continuously fracked until its reserves have been depleted (sometimes 18 times). In the United States, there are over 500,000 wells that produce an excess of 300,000 barrels of natural gas per day. But at what cost to our environment?

Hydraulic fracking has a disastrous environmental impact. First off, 8 million gallons of water are needed in order to frack a well each time. Just to put this into perspective, 500,000 wells being fracked 18 times each, require 72 trillion gallons of water by the time all of the wells have been depleted. Additionally, the chemicals that are used in the fracking process are highly toxic. Among the 600 different chemicals, known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, ethylene glycol and mercury are used. These toxins along with methane being released from the earth are being excreted into the water supply as well as the air supply. Tests of water sources located near fracking wells have indicated much higher levels (sometimes as high as 17 percent) of these toxins. As a likely result of hydraulic fracking, more frequent cases of cancers and neurological disorders have been reported in communities located near wells.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what fracking is, how it is done and the dangers of the practice. It is a very real problem and our reliance on natural gas is continuing to fuel this harmful business. We at LGBG encourage everyone to continue exploring the world of hydraulic fracking and to learn about what you can do to help end it. This site, http://www.dangersoffracking.com is a great place to start your journey. It provides a comprehensive and interactive experience that guides you through the world of fracking.

We have also imbedded a video that provides visual models as well as an explanation of the actual fracking process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73mv-Wl5cgg

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for spreading the word. Knowledge is indeed power and we all have the responsibility to learn and share!

Why Go Green?

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Now we know many ways to go green.  Most of us have incorporated some of these steps into our personal lives, either by personal choice or by government mandates.  For this movement to be successful and widely embraced, it is important that each of us feel a sense of empowerment from a decision to go green.  In order to sustain a green movement, there must be an immediate payoff.  We realize that in some areas, particularly those of climate change and clean energy, change will be slow, cumbersome, expensive and embroiled in politics.  However, there are some simpler areas of green causes to endorse that bring a more immediate sense of payoff.  These include health and wellness, frugal living, minimalism, spiritual environmentalism, and self-sufficiency.

1.  Health and wellness.  Perhaps this is the subject area that is of utmost importance to most people today.  Scientific evidence has associated several diseases and adverse health conditions to environmental pollution and use of harmful products.  Many cancers are linked to the use of chemicals in cleaning products and fertilizers used to grow food.  Cancer incidence rose significantly from 1950-1998.  Presently it is estimated that 1 in 2 American men and 1 in 3 American women will develop cancer in their lives.  Secondly, with the increased rate of air pollution, the diagnoses of asthma in adults increased 75% between 1980 and 1994 while the same diagnoses in children increased 150%.  Thirdly, the incidences of autism have shown an alarming increase of 56% since 2002.  Other statistics note higher rates of reported infertility problems, along with more reports of birth defects in newborns.  Tests of breast milk samples consistently have shown the presence of pesticides, herbicides and household and industrial cleaners.  Obviously our transition from a natural to an inorganic style of living has caused our cells to mutate, breaking them down and polluting our bodies with toxins.  Adopting green standards in the selection of food and cleaning products goes a long way to protect our bodies.

2.  Frugal living.  At first glance, a walk through the grocery store gives the impression that organic foods and products are more expensive than non-organic products.  However, upon close inspection, this is not necessarily the case.  Local farmers and farmers’ markets are a great source to purchase fresh foods and vegetables.   Local merchants often are available to answer any questions regarding fertilizing and growing techniques of their crops, as well as freshness of the products available for purchase.  When eating out, the new trend of local farm-to-table restaurants offer an opportunity to get well-prepared food that supports local farmers and merchants.  Frugal living also involves (1) purchasing reusable containers and cleaning materials as opposed to disposable paper and plastics; (2) walking, biking, carpooling or taking public transportation to get around town; and (3) even choosing to live in planned urban developments with parks, restaurants, shopping and entertainment facilities and schools strategically located in close proximity to residences and/or the provision of clean-energy public transportation to travel around our communities.  Frugal living enables us to save money, time and the environment while going green.

3.  Minimalism.  A major complaint often voiced today by many people is that life is so complex.  We often are so over-committed to work, social activities and chasing the American dream that we have cluttered our homes and minds to an unhealthy degree.  A minimalist lifestyle urges us to slow down, eliminate distractions, reconnect with family, friends and the universe and to feel less stressed, rushed and exhausted.  By necessity, minimalism incorporates frugal living.  We avoid wasteful consumerism, using only what we need, thereby being able to downsize our living spaces, possessions and activities.  This truly is a green concept with an immediate payoff.

4.  Spiritual environmentalism.  Perhaps the first known environmentalist was Henry David Thoreau.  His recognition and embracement of the environment was from a spiritual perspective.  Thoreau recognized that “in wilderness is the presentation of the world”.  Thoreau was an extremist regarding man’s need to coexist with the planet.  A study of his writings reveals his understanding of the need to wisely manage all resources, including, but not limited to time, money, work, talents and health.  For living space, Thoreau states:  “[e]ach town should have a park, or rather a primitive forest, of five hundred or a thousand acres, where a stick should never be cut for fuel, a common possession forever, for instruction and recreation”.  Thoreau Journal, October 15, 1859

Finally, on the need to protect the environment Thoreau writes:  “[w]hat is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”  Familiar Letter, Thoreau to Harrison Blake

And finally, “[a]t the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplainable, that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable.  We can never have enough Nature.”  Thoreau, Walden, Spring

Spiritual environmentalism is a very personal journey for many people, and provides a response to the recognition that the Earth does not belong to us, but rather is on loan.  We are the stewards of the Earth and are responsible to preserve it and pass it along to future generations.  Another great reason to go green.

5.  Self-sufficiency.  The foundation of green living is self-sufficiency.  We cannot expect private businesses to promote individual self-sufficiency as this is contraindicated to their main goal, to increase the bottom line.  Also, we cannot afford to wait to break through government gridlock to enact laws mandating use of renewable energy, sustainable care of land, and protection of natural resources or to enforce the ban of harmful chemicals in foods and other products of daily living.  Self-sufficiency affords us the opportunity to prepare for natural disasters and potential catastrophes through education; become savvy in recognizing political corruption and using our vote to repudiate it; maintain awareness of flaws in the present social structure which heavily relies on over-consumption and waste and to take pride in adopting a satisfying lifestyle that promotes a healthy balance of work and family life.

These are just a few reasons to go green.  The list goes on and on.  There is so much that we can do to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environment.  Let’s live green and be green.

An excellent source for environmental articles and statistics can be found at http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/environmental-articles.html.

 

Green Energy, The Great Sport of Tennis, and How the Two Come Together…

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US Open Is Going Green With Viridian

I bet you have never heard of the company, Viridian Energy.  Didn’t think so.  Neither had I until a couple of days ago.  But you know what?  I am glad I finally did, and I am also willing to bet that after reading this post, you’ll be damn glad you did so.

After reading up on the Norwalk, Connecticut-based company, I can honestly say Viridian is looking to change the landscape of energy supply and has gotten off to a great start doing just that.  As a retail energy supplier, the company aims to be socially responsible in its operations and deliverables.  In addition to providing green energy within their current markets — including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, and of course, Connecticut — Viridian places extra emphasis on making those resources affordable, as well.  It is the company’s hope that this can facilitate consumers’ decisions to switch to their eco-friendly energy solutions, from those of more traditional providers.

In fact, resting on the core values of environmental sustainability, reliability, empowerment, integrity, and customer focus, Viridian Energy views affordability to be of fundamental importance in is overall aim and purpose:

Viridian Energy provides greener electricity at an affordable price, allowing our customers and independent Associates to make a difference in the environment and their personal lives simply by switching energy providers.

We are proud to stand out among competitors who charge a significant premium for green electricity. We understand that you may not be able to pay more but still want to do your part. We take a lower profit in order to deliver a higher quality product, offering the best of both worlds – greener electricity and affordable prices.

Needless to say, LGBG by PMD United is in support of everything Viridian stands for.  However, what we loved even more than learning about Viridian Energy’s products, was learning about the initiatives they have taken in the world of tennis, specifically in relation to the US Open taking place in Flushing, Queens, in New York City.

Viridian Energy understands the impact that widespread travel of participants and spectators to and from the US Open can and will have on the environment.  For this reason, the company has taken it upon itself to purchase 455 metric tons of carbon offsets in an effort to negate the environmental impact of the estimated 2.2 million miles of local and air travel associated with the tournament.  The carbon offsets to be used are Green-e Climate and Carbon Standard certified and were purchased domestically.  This is a fantastic program to help the US Open go green, and we applaud the company for its pledge and commitment to its initiatives.

For more about carbon offsets,we recommend reading Sarah Dowdey’s great article on How Carbon Offsets Work.

For even more on Viridian Energy’s full sustainability initiatives and programs, we recommend you start reading up on them here.

Carbon Emissions Lowest in Twenty Years

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The U.S. Energy Information Agency has released a report this month which states that energy related carbon dioxide emissions during the first four months of 2012 fell to about the levels noted in 1992. While acknowledging the contribution of conservation efforts, the lagging economy and greater use of renewable energy to the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions, the agency largely attributes the drop-off in levels to low-priced natural gas. The decrease in price of natural gas is driven by higher levels of shale gas drilling in some areas of the northeastern United States, as well as in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. It is cheaper now to burn natural gas than coal, and as a result, utilities are starting to rely on gas-fired generator plants.

The quick-turnaround from coal to gas has surprised many government and industry experts. The messages regarding climate change and the need for cleaner energy are not new. It appears that people are predominantly cost-driven. An environmentally friendly solution to a pollution problem that is less expensive than an environmentally harmful practice is sure to win.

It is important to mention that any efforts made to counter human-induced climate change must be global. Unfortunately, the use of coal for energy is growing, rather declining in some other countries, specifically in China. Global cooperation to seek cleaner energy solutions is mandatory in order to be effective for any one part of the planet. Another issue looming on the horizon lies with the use of natural gas because while it burns cleaner than coal, it still emits some carbon dioxide. Also drilling for natural gas carries potential risks, some of which are not fully understood. Environmentalists state that in fracking operations, the large volumes of water, sand and other chemicals injected into shale rock to break it apart and free gas often pollute underground drinking water and cause methane leaks, which in turn, and produce air pollution. This contributes to global warming. Some groups, such as the Sierra Club, have major concerns with the potential risks versus the net benefits of using natural gas.

It will be interesting to see the developments in energy sources that will accommodate global expectations, satisfy federal mandates, and effectively address economic and environmental concerns. Research and development in the field of energy is challenging, but hopefully some solutions will be found in the near future. Let’s do all that we can to live green, be green.

Natural gas power plants”cycle” on and off more efficiently than their coal counterparts.

Unexpected Effects of Extreme Hot Weather

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The National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration confirmed that the record-breaking warmth in July was part of the warmest 12-month period experienced by the lower 48 states since the 19th century. In fact, this past July was the hottest month on record for the continental states since such record keeping started in 1895. Additionally, the drought conditions caused by the heat has expanded to cover 63% of the continental United States (http://weather.aol.com/2012/08/08/july-2012-is-hottest-month-on-record-in-u-s/#page=1).

Now we are witnessing some unexpected effects of this year’s hot weather. First of note is a major bear problem across the country. As a consequence of lack of availability of their normal diets of greens and berries because of failed production, bears are out in record numbers seeking food by rummaging through garbage, ripping through screens on houses and even crawling into cars in search of food. Problems with bears invading human space have been noted all over the country. Fortunately, no injuries to humans have been cited. The bear problem also could further hurt farmers, who already have been negatively impacted by the harsh drought conditions, especially corn farmers. As the hot weather has negatively affected the availability of acorns and beechnuts, on which bears typically rely, these animals now are forced to fatten up on corn. In some states, such as Vermont, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended that farmers bring in their corn crops as soon as possible.

A second adverse effect of harsh summer weather is poor air quality and its resultant increases in heat-related illnesses. Heat waves lead to heat strokes and dehydration, representing the most common cause of weather-related deaths. Warmer temperatures in urban centers place an increase demand for electricity, which in turn results in increased air pollution and greenhouse emissions from power plants. Extreme heat conditions trigger severe storms that threaten human life and health in numerous ways, including, but not limited to:
• Reduction of available fresh food and water;
• Interruption of communication, utility and healthcare services;
• Contribution of carbon monoxide poisoning from the use of portable generators during storms;
• Increases stomach and intestinal illnesses among evacuees;
• Contribution to mental health problems, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Thirdly, the economic impact of harsh summer weather causes overwhelming energy demands resulting in brownouts and blackouts that threaten business operations and daily lives of citizens. Sea level rise and frequent intense storms disrupt energy production and delivery. Extreme heat negatively affects travel and tourism with the loss income completely destroying seasonal businesses that totally rely on the summer months for their survival.

While these excruciating hot summers may represent an inconvenience to some people, the reality is that severe heat and drought conditions threaten our very existence. As scientists work to find solutions to these problems, we all need to be mindful of the steps we can take to reduce our environmental footprints. In other words, let’s strive to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Let’s live green, be green.

Farmers face huge loss in corn production as a result of drought conditions.

U.S. Ranks Low in Energy Efficiency

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A new report issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks the United States 9th out of 12 in energy efficiency. The ACEEE’s International Energy Efficiency Scorecard looked at 12 nations representing 78% of global GDP, 63% of global energy consumption, and 62% of global emissions. The scoring was based on 27 metrics relative to buildings, industry, transportation and efforts at the national level. The 11 other countries included in the study were the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, EU, China, Brazil, Japan, Canada and Russia.

The United Kingdom scored highest in the study followed by Germany, Italy, Japan and France. While the United States rated well on building-related metrics, it scored lowest on transportation measures. The report specifically notes “limited or little progress toward greater efficiency at the national level”. The findings indicate that the U.S. wastes money that other countries reinvest in energy savings. Upon completion of its ratings for the U.S., the ACEEE makes the following recommendations to improve energy efficiency:

• Setting national energy-saving targets;
• Adopting stricter building codes;
• Increasing funding for public transportation;
• Adopting higher federal fuel-economy standards.

An interesting note was made that overall Americans feel less guilt about their environmental footprint than the citizens of smaller countries. Reference was made to a National Geographic study that concluded that people from countries with larger environmental footprints tend to feel less guilty about their impact. This may explain why the U.S., along with China, Brazil and Russia, scored lowest in this study.

Environmental studies and statistical data are important because they clearly show each country where it stands on issues of green initiatives compared with the rest of the world. Each country then can applaud its successes and also take note of deficits. The U.S. can take credit for positive changes in the area of building-related matters and also strive to make improvements in the public transportation sector on a national level. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work to make this country more environmentally friendly. Let’s live green, be green.