‘Game Changer’ Report on Global Warming June 24, 2009
Posted by Tom in Government policies, Research, Studies.Tags: Climate Change, Game Changer report, global warming
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Last week, White House science adviser John Holdren and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head Jane Lubchenco released a report on how climate change is already affecting the United States. It points out that U.S. temperatures have increased over the past 50 years and will only continue to increase, causing extreme changes in weather and adverse effects on public health. While Lubchenco called the report “a game-changer,” Senator James Inhofe called it “yet another alarmist report” and “nothing new.”
So what side do you agree with? Is climate change something you feel that we need to worry about now?
Assembly Magazine June 9, 2009
Posted by Tom in Energy costs, Equity Thru Energy, Government policies, Interesting stories, Technology, energy savings.Tags: Assembly Magazine, energy efficient foodservice equipment, Equity Thru Energy, federal guidelines, green
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Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but we at Equity Thru Energy have been working hard on some exciting things that I will keep you all updated on. Although we’ve been busy, I did get the chance to contribute some insight on energy efficiency in the new June issue of Assembly Magazine. Senior Editor Austin Weber wrote a great article on the issue of energy efficiency in foodservice equipment, which is a huge issue not only because of concerns about emissions but because of the rising cost of energy in today’s economic recession as well. Read about the new opportunities and challenges that energy efficiency is creating for foodservice equipment manufacturers, the current and future federal guidelines for equipment, and how manufacturers can green their equipment in Weber’s article, “Appliance Assembly: Less is More.”
Global Temperature on the Rise April 21, 2009
Posted by Tom in Government policies, Interesting stories, Research, Studies.Tags: global warming, global warming effects, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Climatic Data Center, natural disasters, species extinction
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The National Climatic Data Center released data on Thursday that revealed the Earth’s temperature from the first three months of 2009 was the 8th warmest ever recorded for that January-March period. If this trend continues, this year will be the 33rd consecutive year of above-average global temperatures.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research also reported that if we cut greehouse gas emissions by 70%, we would be able to greatly reduce the affects of global warming. But as carbon levels continue to rise, how is this affecting us? How will it affect us in the future? One reason many people remain apathetic about the issue of global warming is because most of us, in our everyday lives, are unaffected by it. Sure, we feel good after setting the thermostat one or two degrees up in the summer or down in the winter, and it’s nice to know we’re helping the environment by flipping off the lights when we leave a room, but what are we actually helping to preserve?
As human beings, we may feel no more than a little warmer as a result of climate change, but many species of animals around the world build their lives around temperatures, and the changing of the seasons. The migration lengths of some birds are lengthening, putting their lives at danger because they may not be able to adapt to traveling such long distances without food. Another study concluded that over a million species could be driven to extinction from global warming since so many animals are affected by even the slightest temperature shift.
If that isn’t enough, there’s always the deadly, more immediate effects of global warming on humans, including the spread of disease because many disease-carrying insects will migrate north because they can survive in the now-warmer weather. Hurricanes become more frequent with warmer oceans, there will be increased droughts, and these natural disasters could have tremendous effects on the world economy. If that’s still not enough, go through this list of things that we could have to learn how to live without if global warming continues to progress.
Fortunately, there is still hope for the future if we continue to push for lower emission standards as well as do our own part by saving energy every day. But as these studies show, it’s important to start now, before it’s too late.
Earth Hour Tomorrow March 27, 2009
Posted by Tom in Government policies, Green Decisions.Tags: Earth Hour 2009, Global Climate Change Conference
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Earth Hour is happening tomorrow, March 28 at 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. If you are unfamiliar with Earth Hour, it was started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has now become a global phenomenon. It is one whole hour when millions of homes and businesses around the world switch off their lights to show support for actions against global warming. Major landmarks such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Colosseum and New York City’s Times Square Coca Cola billboard even participated last year. This year, Earth Hour is hoping to get 1 billion “votes” in the form of homes/businesses switching off their lights, in order to present to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Learn more about Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org.
Post-Katrina New Orleans to Go Green January 28, 2009
Posted by Tom in Energy costs, Government policies, Interesting stories, energy savings.Tags: Energy efficiency, New Orleans going green, Post-Katrina, solar panels, urban organic farming
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New Orleans has always been known more for its bayous and Mardi Gras beads than its environmental stewardship. However, its reputation may change very soon, since many of the restoration efforts have an eco-friendly aspect attached to them. Solar panels are being installed on many homes, some even for free, and urban organic farming is an emerging trend in the city. Local government officials are discussing environmental and energy policies more than ever before, and last year the City Council approved an enery-efficiency program to improve 2,800 properties per year with proper insulation and compact fluorescent lighting. The city also has a new fleet of hybrid buses. To read more about the green renovations, see the article in the Chicago Sun-Times. (more…)
