Why You Should Always Unplug Your Electronics

Photo Credit: NYTimes

Electronic devices are used constantly in most individual's everyday lives, and a lot of people do not realize how much power they are actually using. One would think that when turning a device off that they are conserving power, however in most cases the devices still continue to draw power. To conserve power when a device is not in use, it should be completely turned off and unplugged. 

The amount of power each idle device is consuming may not appear to be a lot, but the number adds up over time. A study of Northern California, by the Natural Resources Defense Council, states that, "about a quarter of all residential energy consumption is used in idle power mode." In a dollar amount, this could add up to more than $19 billion in electricity bills per year on idle devices. This consumption of power represents more than a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions within the United States. Turn off your electronics to save money, while reducing the amount of pollution in the world that contributes to climate change.

Electronics and appliances are becoming more energy efficient, but the energy consumed has actually doubled because of the number of electronics people have today. Around 36 percent of the population has a laptop, a tablet, and a smartphone. These devices are rarely turned off, which has contributed to the increase in consumed energy over the years. However, electronic devices are not the only problem, kitchen appliances draw a lot of energy. A study showed that using a coffee maker once a day consumes about 50 kilowatt-hours every year, which is more than some people around the world use in an entire year. 

There are ways that you can reduce your energy consumption easily. If you plug all of your main electronics or appliances into one power strip, you can simply turn them all off at once. However, you must be aware that devices with clocks or internet connections could lose information when unplugged. Another useful tip: never stream movies on your video game consoles; they use 45 times more power than streaming consoles. All in all, you should become aware of the amount of energy everything within your home is consuming and make changes. The carbon dioxide emissions that each household is creating with idle electronics can and should be avoided. Executing these simple changes will save you a lot of money and will create less climate-changing pollution.

Read More At: How Much Power Do Your Electronics Use

The US's Pollution Levels are at an Unhealthy Rate Among More Than Half of the States

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

The majority of the world knows that the air around them is unclean, but do they know just how contaminated it really is? The air within the United States is full of pollution. A few weeks ago, the American Lung Association revealed that the US population is living among extremely unhealthy air. 

Pollution can be visible or virtually invisible to the human eye. The most well-known type of pollution is smog; a visible pollutant. Smog can be see all around the world, especially in well-developed, industrial areas. It is created when the gases that come out of tailpipes, smokestacks and other sources come into contact with sunlight. 

Pollution is dangerous in any form. Breathing in the contaminated air can result in early death, cardiovascular harm, respiratory disease and cancer. The catastrophic damage that results from the pollution has not stopped people from building up areas and creating more objects that produce harmful particles. Even with all of this information open to the public and plainly stated, nearly 20 million people are living among these harmful pollutants in the United States alone. A report from 2015 showed that 4 in 10 Americans are living in areas with unhealthy levels of pollution. Measures must be taken to protect the air we breathe. Unclean air not only causes us harm, but it is also extremely harmful to our ecosystem. 

Read more about the current state of pollution - Huffington Post

Climate Change: Causing Huge ‘Dead Zones’ in Oceans by 2030

Photo Credit: Vice.com

Man-made climate change is extremely threatening to the environment around the world. 97 percent of actively publishing climate scientists agree: Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities. Studies show that man-made climate change is already decreasing the oxygen levels within some parts of the world’s oceans, and by 2030 huge “dead zones” could start to appear.

The oxygen levels are declining because the increasing water temperature makes it difficult to absorb and distribute the oxygen. If carbon emissions continue at this rate, it will likely result in falling oxygen concentrations across large areas of the oceans. A decrease in carbon emissions is going to be a nearly impossible task to complete; everyone in the world will need to change how they go about their daily lives.

Environments around the globe are being effected on different levels by climate change. The Arctic, for example, has temperatures that are rising at twice the rate as they are across the planet as a whole. The process has already begun within the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean is likely to see large sections with reduced oxygen by 2030.

“Dead zones” are a huge problem for humans and the environment. These areas could pose a great threat to some forms of marine life at depths of 200 meters or more, which in turn poses a threat to us. We rely on the marine ecosystem for a variety of services – one of them is a food supply. "We rely on bottom fisheries in these areas. Our study was essentially on fish food," Levin said. "Species that form structures that provide biodiversity-sustaining habitat on the sea floor might be important to watch for susceptibility to ocean deoxygenation, acidification, and warming. They are also vulnerable to human disturbance."

Read more at: Vice.com

The Life Expectancy of an Electric Vehicle

Image Credit: Chevy Volt

     One of the main factors that causes people to shy away from the idea of an electric vehicle (EV) is its life expectancy. The fear is not because the battery life is necessarily short, but is due to the fact that there is not much data supporting either side since they are a relatively new commodity. Reliability and durability are two extremely important factors when car shopping, and they can make or break your decision. The lack of information is enough to make this an unsettling option, however the information that is currently available makes EVs appear to be a pretty safe bet.

     Eric Belmer, an EV owner, drives his Chevy Volt long distances daily; his monthly work commute adds up to 6,500 miles. His 2012 vehicle has just reached 300,000 miles and is still going strong on its first battery. This news means that electric vehicles, at least the Chevy Volt, are a reliable choice. More in-depth research has found that many EVs have 100,000 miles on them or more, and they are still using their original battery. More data allows the buyer to have peace of mind as their concerns are addressed.

     If you want to purchase an electric car, the reliability and durability of the vehicle are factors that can be put in the back of your head and no longer serve as the main concern. Having peace of mind when car shopping will allow you to think about the other factors that come into play such as mileage per charge, whether it is a completely electric vehicle or a hybrid, the size of the car, the color, and anything else the customer has a preference on. Knowledge is key when purchasing a new car; the process should take time. 

Read more at: 300000 Miles Chevy Volt

When to Get Rid of Your Plastic Water Bottle

People often wonder if using a plastic water bottle more than once is harmful to your health. Researchers have found that, while the material has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for repeated use, these water bottles are manufactured for one.

The reusing of plastic water bottles can lead to growth in bacteria, so they should be washed with soap and hot water after every use. They have found that levels remain considerably safe with reasonable, reusing over a three month period.

“Researchers found the water in the plastic bottles had only 0.195 ppb at the beginning of the study and 0.226 ppb three whole months later — way below the EPA limit. (They also tested the local tap water for comparison and found antimony levels of 0.146 ppb.)” Techinsider

However, using plastic bottles is still bad for the environment, even if you are reusing them. To decrease your carbon footprint and reduce the waste accumulating in landfills, the best option is to purchase a dishwasher-safe permanent water bottle. A reusable water bottle may be a bit pricey at first, but in the end it will save you a lot of money and decrease the waste in our environment. 

We may be turning the corner on action to thwart catastrophic impacts from Climate Change, but much will depend on the leadership exhibited by the next President of the United States.  If we elect a leader that recognizes the fact that 72% of the US population believe climate change is a threat to civilization and that action should be taken, we have a chance of preserving not just the standard of living we have become accustomed to enjoying – but the well-being of our entire civilization. 

If we elect a President that will take action – and exhibit leadership, I see a revolutionary change in the way we design and construct buildings, generate power, utilize our transportation system and consider out impact on global warming.   We need to take action on a similar scale as the competitive race to land a person on the moon vs. the Soviets.   Time is urgent - we have no time to navel gaze.  

Not only was 2015 the warmest year on record, but February absolutely shattered high temperature records since the origin of mankind. 

5 Major Impactors on your Carbon Footprint

The average American is responsible for about 20 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. To fully wrap your head around that amount, just think about the emissions created when driving a gasoline-powered card nonstop for 40,000 miles - they're the same. A thousand actions could be taken to reduce your carbon footprint, but there are five major factors should be considered first.

The place you choose to call home can have a huge impact on the amount of emissions you put into the atmosphere. Although the US is not an ideal location to minimize your carbon footprint, some places are more climate-friendly than others.

Cities, which are responsible for 75 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, cover the US however, densely populated cities tend to have smaller carbon footprints than the outlying suburbs. Location is not the only thing to keep in mind when looking for a home, the kind of apartment or house you live in matters too; making sure the home has good insulation can reduce heat loss and cut down energy use significantly. 

The second major factor is your diet. American’s are responsible for almost nine tons of carbon emissions yearly. The consumption of red meat has a carbon footprint eleven times the size of grains and vegetables. The reduction of beef consumption could actually be more effective than driving less often. Giving up beef completely is not a requirement; simply making small changes can have a huge effect.

How you commute, especially to and from work, can add pounds of carbon to your output. If you plan on using a car, try to get something fuel-efficient. However, public transportation is more efficient and can save each passenger about ten pounds of carbon emissions on an average ride.

The location of your investments is another major factor effecting your carbon footprint. Where your money goes can determine which industries grow and which do not. Activists and nonprofit organizations are encouraging investors to divert money away from the fossil fuel industry. The amount, whether big or small, will make a difference.

The fifth major factor is ultimately who you vote for. Government policies can do more to limit global carbon emissions in the long run than changing your consumer habits. “Climate change is the most systemic challenge and largest scale challenge we’ve ever faced as humanity,” he said. “Given that, it requires action on all fronts, and we need a combination of things coming from everywhere in society."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/carbon-footprint_us_56b3b650e4b01d80b24592d0

The Rise in Sea Level

Credit: www.climatecentral.org/

The impact that climate change has on the rise in sea level could be much greater than previously anticipated. According to German researchers, there are two factors that come to play in the rise - melting ice and the thermal expansion of water as it warms. Sea level expansion, now believed to be 1.4mm per year, is ever increasing as the years go by. This expansion has been greatly underestimated in the past, but now researchers are realizing just how much "heat-related expansion of the water mass in the oceans contributes to a global rise in sea level." The increase is not this cut and dry however, it can vary greatly from place to place. For example, the Philippines is said to be “rising at five times the global rate.”

The increased level of expansion is not unexpected. The rise in sea level is caused by global warming, and the average temperature has risen almost two degrees since the 1800s. Even with the global variation, climate change is the ultimate cause for increases everywhere. The harmful effects of global warming are so great that scientists have stated that if it was not a factor, sea levels may have actually fallen during the 20^th century. Climate change has been reported as the cause for three fourths of coastal flooding in the U.S. over the past ten years. Sea level increase is starting to be a big topic of conversation. “There’s a definite recognition among people who weren’t talking about sea level rise 5 years ago that it’s something to be concerned about,” said Laura Tam, a policy director at SPUR, which is an urban planning think-tank based in San Francisco. “And something that needs to be planned for.”

For more information: Climatecentral.org, Theguardian.com

Make 2016 the Year of Reducing

Reduce, reuse, recycle is a saying that has been passed down through generations of people. It happens to be a meaningful one, but more information needs to go along with it for an impact to be made. While many of us recycle, and sometimes reuse, a lot of us forget the first and most important step within the cycle, which is to simply reduce. Recycling will not save the planet; reduction is a necessity.

Recycling is still the best option when waste is already created, but everyone must start the process of reduction. Recycling still has a waste footprint and is not always a pleasant process. To recycle waste, a large amount of energy and resources must be used in the processes of “monitoring the collection sites, transporting the recyclables, and the recycling manufacturing process itself.”

A lack of education in the subject may be the reason so many people believe that recycling is all they need to do. However, once recycled, plastic can rarely be used for primary reprocessing. When plastic is exposed repeatedly to thermal and mechanical processing, its long, flexible molecules degrade and break down. So, when recycled, plastic is usually used for secondary reprocessing for the creation of items that are not typically recyclable themselves.

In the end, the only true way to reduce waste is to choose reduction in your life. Ultimately, buying less is always the way to go. Try cutting down on the number of toys in your home, the amount of cleaning supplies you buy, and even decreasing the amount of meat you eat per week will start you off on the right path.

The process of reduction can take some time, but if you start with little things it will only get easier. Start by cutting back on the amount of non-reusable products you purchase. Get in the habit of using a refillable water bottle and stop the use of paper plates, plastic silverware, etc. When going to your local coffee shop bring your own reusable mug; some places may give you a discounted price on your beverage. Be sure to bring reusable bags for necessary purchases, or simply skip bagging it all together with small purchases.

Everyone on the planet needs to actively reduce the amount of waste they create on a daily basis. The big picture always needs to be considered when it comes to reducing, reusing, or recycling; the order of the words is important. Think first.

For more information on reducing: www.theguardian.com

Damage Caused by Climate Change

Credit:  

Boston Globe

Climate change, caused by global warming, is apparent everywhere. The rise in global temperature is the cause for the melting of glaciers and ice caps worldwide, which is creating a higher sea level at a pace that has only sped up over time. The warmer climate is the cause of animals moving farther north in search for a cooler home; those areas are becoming harder and harder for them to find. Precipitation is happening at a greater occurrence and the storms are likely to get stronger, which only adds to the problem. Everyone around the globe should be concerned.

     The Great Aletsch, one of Europe’s largest glaciers, coils 14 miles through the Swiss Alps. During the lifetimes’ of people born today, this river of ice could almost disappear due to climate change. At this time, the glacier is 2,950 feet thick at one point, which is 1.9 miles thinner than it was in 1870, and the pace is only quickening at the rate the climate is changing. According to the United Nations’ panel of climate scientists, sea levels will rise up between 26 and 28 cm by the end of the current era.

     Climate change does not only affect the rise in sea level, it is also the reason for the great droughts around the globe. Droughts are accelerating in places where they have already existed and attacking places previously unharmed.

    Lake Powell on the Colorado River has been greatly affected by climate change. Now, it is only providing water at about 42% of its capacity to Nevada, Arizona and California. Severe droughts and non-sustainable withdrawals appear to be the cause for the shallow water; some parts that were once submerged now lay completely above water. The sandstone around Lake Powell has been sculpted by wind and water erosion and is clearly visible above sea level.

    All scientists have come to an agreement that the earth’s atmosphere is growing warmer due to greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity. Do you part and take action against climate change.

For more information: Earthprints

The Debate on GMO Food Labeling

Credit: http://www.justlabelit.org/dark-act/

Genetically modified foods have had their DNA altered in such a way that it produces traits not normally found; organisms become unnatural. GMOs contain the genes from different species, and are impossible to create through crossbreeding. The creation of new, unnatural organisms has definite effects on the planet around us.

     Environmental change has an extensive impact on everything, whether visible quickly or over a period of time. Widely talked about, toxicity is probably the most substantial piece of evidence against growing genetically modified foods. The abundance of chemical pesticides and herbicides surrounding these crops is worrisome because of their resistance to its effects. Genetically modified foods are considered to be toxic themselves due to the chemicals being sprayed onto them, which has been known to affect non-target organisms, such as bees and butterflies. The effect on bees is extremely alarming because of their importance to the pollination of many food crops; the absence of weed flowers will lessen the amount of nectar for pollinators. The resistance of GMOs to pesticides could cause the crops to become as persistent as weeds and pop up and invade natural settings, which is especially troublesome because of their negative affect on the nutrients in soil.

     In 2014, Vermont became the first state to require the labeling of genetically modified foods. However, in July the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 was passed by the House. The debate has become intensified since, with opponents calling the bill the DARK (Denying Americans the Right to Know) Act because they feel information will become withheld from the public. This act will make the labeling of genetically modified foods not a requirement and potentially allow “natural” foods to contain genetically modified ingredients.

     The opponents’ poll numbers show that 90% of Americans are in support of genetically modified foods being labeled; they want to be aware of what they are ingesting. More than 1.4 million Americans have signed the petition urging the FDA to require labels. However, according to news articles, big food makers want the senate to pass a bill making food labels voluntary before the end of the year. It's your choice; take action and be a part of the debate. 

Information found at: Takepart.com, Justlabelit.org, Huffingtonpost.com

An Update on the Paris Climate Talks

Credit: http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en

     As stated in a previous post, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change was held from November 30, 2015 until December 11, 2015 at the Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. December 12, 2015 will now be marked as a historic day for the fight against climate change because all scientists came to an agreement that the earth’s atmosphere is growing warmer due to greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity.

     The unanimous agreement has marked a turn in the right direction. The rise in temperature is to be kept below 2°C, but we should really aim for 1.5°C to insure protection for the island states. On this day, 186 countries published their action plan on ways in which they intend to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions however, the rise in temperature would still be too high. To keep the temperature from rising past 2°C, countries have been asked to check their contributions every five years from 2020.

     Other measures will be taken to keep the rising temperature down: $100 billion (in loans and donations) will need to be raised each year from 2020, and that amount will increase as needed. The money raised will go towards the financing for projects enabling countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

     Countries' obligations will differ in the fight against climate change. Industrialized countries are obligated to fund climate finance for poor countries, and developing countries may contribute on a voluntary basis. All of the funds will be put in the improved tracking system to record everyone’s efforts.

     The agreement was the first step needed to move onward in the reduction of climate change. A signing for countries will be open in New York on April 22, 2016. The agreement will be entered into force if it is ratified by 55 countries. A change is coming.

For more information on the Climate Talks: cop21.gouv

Old Right Road in Ipswich, MA

The start to a new project. More to come later...

Amesbury Project Beginnings in December 2015

Senior Dorm at Endicott College

This is a fun project to watch go up!

Ipswich YMCA December Progress

Energy-saving Tips for the Holidays

http://bit.ly/1RgNbMX

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to underestimate all of the added expenses this time of year brings. But, there are simple things you can do to cut down on costs and your impact on the environment. Putting light decorations on a timer is simple and effective. This rids you from having to remember to turn them off and on everyday, saves electricity, and will make those bulbs last longer. To take this even a step further, use LED Christmas lights instead of incandescent.

        Try to plan your shopping trips so that you can get everything you need at once, therefore cutting down on gasoline use. Make sure to unload your car completely when you get home. It’s easy to reason that leaving groceries in the car for a few days saves you some time, but the added weight in the trunk actually makes you burn through more gasoline than you normally would. Making sure to only run the dishwasher when it’s completely full is also effective. This helps save water, and switching to the “air dry” setting can save on electricity.

        Although having a fresh Christmas tree is a holiday tradition for many families, buying a realistic-looking fake tree is much more economical and ecofriendly. That way you’re not cutting down a perfectly good tree every year, and you only have to pay for it once. If done correctly, these simple steps can really make a difference, and help make your holidays a little less stressful. Click here for even more tips.

Paris Climate Talks

Climate talks are set to take place at a summit in Paris from November 30^th to December 11^th. A carbon tax meant to cut down green house gas emissions will likely be one outcome of the talks. It's expected that these taxes will be based on either fuel use by diesel-driven ships, or a market based levy. Either way, this expense will add to rising costs in the industry. These added costs would likely get passed on to the consumer. A study by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) predicted that CO2 emissions caused by shipping could rise by 50% by the year 2050 if action isn’t taken. Without CO2 emission cuts by the shipping industry, it will be nearly impossible to remain under the 2 degree global warming limit. This goal aims to limit the average temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average temperature during pre-industrial times. The summit talks will attempt to find the best possible solution to these convoluted issues. Click here for more information.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Purchases Are on the Decline

       As the economy rebounds, sales of hybrid and electric cars continue to decline. Sport utility vehicles, crossovers, and trucks are gaining popularity as buyers have more expendable income. Because gas prices are so much lower than in past years, consumers’ main motivation for buying hybrid and electric no longer applies.        

       According to an article by ClimateWire, the past six months were the best the American auto industry has seen in a decade. Sales of trucks, crossovers, and sports cars are as high as they’ve been since pre-recession 2007. Previous to this recent jump, consumers had been steadily purchasing more fuel-efficient cars each year. But, recent data has shown this trend reversing. Although the aforementioned data is conflicting and far from conclusive, the numbers are still worrying.  And this backwards trend is not only true in the U.S. Fiat-Chrysler plans on introducing new Jeep cross-over models to India and China, where SUV sales have soared since last year. 

        There is a clear correlation between the sales of trucks and economic activity. SUV and truck sales are up, and hybrid and electric car sales are down. It’s obvious that the big auto-industry companies, as well as consumers, are under the impression that this shift is good for the economy and themselves. But this is false. The positive effect that sales of expensive trucks, and the gas to go along with them, have on the economy is extremely short term. In the long run it’s only increasing our country’s dependency on fossil fuels, and taking a huge step back from progress made towards lower carbon emissions and sustainable energy. Quarterly sales mean nothing if they negatively affect our economy and environment long term.

Source: ClimateWire’s July 31, 2015 edition

By: Kaitlyn Maskalenko, Intern

Current by GE and Sparkplug have the right idea in Energy Storage

by: Donald E. Bowen, Jr., PLS

      Principal

My trip to San Diego and recent pursuit of large utility scale energy/battery storage is a work-in-progress that I am very confident will come to fruition similar to wind and solar PV.  The intermittencey of renewable energy, specifically large scale wind and solar PV along with the need for greater grid resiliency given the growing threat from climate change obviate this emerging opportunity. 

Homeowners seeking protection from grid outages and for safety reasons will increasingly pursue battery storage for their homes in lieu of generators due to the readiness capability and minimal/no cost maintenance. 

Large institutional, commercial and utility scale installations and deployment will quickly recognize the return on this investment.  Energy storage will be big.  Very big. 

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/10/08/what-will-drive-growth-of-stationary-battery-energy-storage-systems/?utm_source=Cleantechnica+News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=164e377f14-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_b9b83ee7eb-164e377f14-332042853 

We see significant financial support and regulatory mandate for large scale energy storage in CA which it is often where adaptive innovation originates - then spreads across the country.

We are already witnessing demand rising in the New England region for large scale energy storage.  Companies from around the world are investing Billions into a wide range of technologies especially in the US, South Korea, Japan, China and Germany.   The article below illustrates the major organizations such as GE are well under way positioning themselves to seize the business opportunities in this industry. 

A dramatic drop in the cost of high density battery technology will be compressed to next 3-5 years in the global race toward large scale energy storage similar to the precipitous drop of solar panel manufacturing over the last 8-10 years.  

"To create Current, GE is combining its light-emitting diode, or LED, business with its solar, energy storage, and electric vehicle businesses."

"....Sean Becker, owner of the Somerville energy-storage startup Sparkplug Power, said he can understand why GE chose Greater Boston over Schenectady. The labor pool here is deeper, he said, and it’s easier to persuade talented workers to be in Boston than in upstate New York."

This highlights this rapidly moving industry:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2015/03/05/sunedison-buys-energy-storage-startup/