Reject Regression: Advocate for Bold Climate Action Against Project 2025’s Harmful Proposals

July 7, 2024 / activist360

Warning: Project 2025 accelerates climate change! Vote Biden. Vote Blue.

Warning: Project 2025 accelerates climate change! Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025. Vote Biden. Vote Blue.

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, urgent and decisive action is needed. However, Project 2025 proposes reforms that significantly undermine critical environmental protections and sustainable development efforts. These reforms threaten to derail progress on combating climate change, protecting public health, and ensuring environmental sustainability. These policies are regressive and dangerous. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025. Vote Biden. Vote Blue.

Energy Policy: Prioritizing Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future

The proposed energy policy in Project 2025 advocates for an “all of the above” approach, emphasizing the continued use of fossil fuels while criticizing renewable energy initiatives. This perspective overlooks the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy sources to combat climate change. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Renewable energy and sustainability are imperative for ensuring long-term energy security. Prioritizing clean energy technologies like wind, solar, and advanced nuclear power can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and enhance energy independence. Policies should support renewable energy subsidies and climate initiatives that drive innovation and reduce our carbon footprint.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy could, and should, account for 90% of the power sector’s decarbonization by 2050, creating millions of jobs and enhancing energy independence. Policies should support renewable energy subsidies, research and development in clean technologies, and the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms to incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Protection: Strengthening the EPA’s Role

Project 2025 aims to eliminate climate change initiatives within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), criticizing them as economically burdensome. This perspective ignores the critical role that climate policies play in safeguarding public health and the environment. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Climate change initiatives are vital for long-term environmental sustainability. The EPA’s focus on renewable energy and stringent air quality standards ensures cleaner air, reduces health risks, and mitigates the impacts of climate change. Rather than eliminating these initiatives, we should strengthen the EPA’s capacity to enforce science-based regulations that protect both the environment and public health.

Health and Climate Change: Integrating Environmental Considerations

Project 2025 suggested for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) largely ignore the connections between public health and climate change. This oversight will result in dangerously inadequate preparation and response to health crises worsened by climate conditions. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Public health policies need to incorporate the impacts of climate change, which include increased heat-related illnesses, respiratory issues from air pollution, and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases. A robust public health system that addresses these challenges is crucial for building resilient communities. Policies should promote environmental health and prepare for the health impacts of a changing climate.

Agriculture and Water: Sustainable Practices for Long-Term Resilience

Project 2025 will downplay agricultural and water policies, focusing on deregulation and short-term economic gains. This approach leads to accelerated environmental degradation and resource depletion. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Sustainable agriculture and water management practices are essential for long-term resilience and our health! Policies should support conservation programs, promote water-efficient technologies, and encourage sustainable farming practices. Investing in sustainable agriculture ensures food security, protects natural resources, and mitigates the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems.

Housing and Urban Development: Building Green Communities

Project 2025 reverses climate change initiatives within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) threatening to halt progress on sustainable urban development. Ignoring climate considerations in housing policies leads to higher energy costs and increased emissions. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Climate change initiatives in housing are crucial for promoting energy-efficient buildings and sustainable urban planning. Policies should incentivize green construction, support renewable energy integration, and ensure that urban development is resilient to climate impacts. Sustainable housing reduces energy costs, lowers emissions, and improves the quality of life in communities.

Summing Up

Project 2025 presents a regressive approach to climate policy, favoring short-term economic gains for a few over long-term sustainability. This perspective is not only shortsighted but also dangerous, as it undermines efforts to combat climate change and protect public health and the environment. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

We must advocate for policies that prioritize renewable energy, strengthen environmental protections, integrate climate considerations into public health, promote sustainable agriculture, and build green communities. By embracing a comprehensive approach to climate action, we can ensure a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

Our planet is at a critical juncture. We must reject proposals that roll back environmental progress and instead champion policies that foster innovation, equity, and sustainability. The climate crisis demands bold and immediate action. By committing to protecting our environment and securing a healthy, prosperous future for all, we can rise to the challenge and create a legacy of resilience and sustainability.

Vote Biden. Vote Blue.

Vote Biden. Vote Blue. They champion comprehensive and forward-thinking climate policies which are crucial for our future, health, and sustainability of our children and future generations. Reject Trump, Reject Project 2025.

Latin America and the Caribbean: Pioneers in the Global Energy Transition

November 12, 2023 / activist360

Latin America Energy Outlook 2023 report cover — *Latin America Energy Outlook 2023*

The latest IEA report, Latin America Energy Outlook, shines a spotlight on Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring their pivotal role in the global energy landscape amidst rising geopolitical uncertainties and rapid energy transitions. This region, rich in energy and mineral resources and a leader in clean energy, is poised to significantly influence both regional and global energy sectors.

A Resource-Rich Region with a Clean Energy Legacy

The Latin America Energy Outlook, IEA’s first comprehensive analysis covering all 33 countries in the region, reveals a treasure trove of resources. From renewables like hydropower, wind, and solar to oil, gas, and vital minerals, the region is well-equipped to contribute to global energy security and clean transitions. This report is a culmination of extensive collaboration with regional governments, experts, and stakeholders, building on IEA’s long-standing engagement with the area.

Renewables account for 60% of the region’s electricity production, double the global average, with hydropower leading the charge. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina are also home to some of the best wind and solar resources globally. Furthermore, the region is a significant bioenergy player and a leading biofuel exporter.

A Potential Global Energy Powerhouse

Latin America and the Caribbean hold about 15% of the world’s oil and natural gas resources. The region is also crucial for producing minerals essential for clean energy technologies, boasting about half of the world’s lithium reserves and significant proportions of copper and silver. This clean electricity supply is the backbone for sustainable mining and processing of these materials.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol highlights the region’s potential in the new global energy economy, emphasizing the need for supportive policies and international cooperation to fully harness this potential.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite the promise, the report identifies a policy implementation gap. While 16 of the 33 countries have committed to net-zero emissions by mid-century, current policies still heavily rely on fossil fuels, especially for road transport. However, if pledges are realized, renewables could meet all new energy demands this decade, increasing oil exports and driving low-cost, low-emissions hydrogen production. This shift would also double long-term revenues from critical minerals to nearly USD 200 billion.

Key Actions and Investments for a Sustainable Future

To reduce energy-related CO2 emissions, the report suggests four key actions: ramping up renewable energy, electrifying industry and transport, advancing energy efficiency, and improving access to clean cooking solutions. Investment in clean energy projects needs to double by 2030 to USD 150 billion and rise fivefold by 2050.

Towards a Greener Future

The region, already engaged in the Global Methane Pledge and the Glasgow Pledge to halt deforestation, is on a promising path. The IEA is committed to supporting these transitions, as Latin America and the Caribbean stride towards a secure and fairer global energy system.

Harnessing the Power of Rocks: A Sustainable Leap in Renewable Energy Storage

October 29, 2023 / activist360

*Nathan Schroeder, Walter Gerstle, and Luke McLaughlin discuss the design or an energy storage system that is being researched in by CSolPower and Sandia Labs. Photo by Craig Fritz.*

The Rock-Bed Revolution

New Mexico-based CSolPower, in partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, is pioneering a novel and cost-effective energy storage system using rocks. This groundbreaking approach aims to bolster the adoption of renewable energy sources, specifically solar and wind, by ensuring energy availability during high-demand periods or when these sources are intermittent.

According to Luke McLaughlin, a Sandia mechanical engineer, the storage system integrates renewable energy into an electrically charged thermal energy structure. Interestingly, regular gravel from landscaping firms can be employed in this system, eliminating the need for extensive preparation.

Under the lens at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, a compact 100-kilowatt-hour test rig showcased the rock bed’s potential. With the ongoing installation of photovoltaic panels, the intent is to demonstrate the bed’s proficiency in using intermittent energy.

Walter Gerstle, CSolPower’s co-founder, emphasized the system’s versatility: “One of the advantages of thermal energy storage in rocks is that it can be built anywhere. It can be commodified and doesn’t require extensive permitting. We believe it can be implemented more quickly and economically than other approaches.”

One standout feature of CSolPower’s invention is its long-duration energy storage. Tests indicated that the rock bed could be heated to over 900°F and maintained for up to 20 hours. This facilitates storing excess daytime electricity as heat, which can later be used for warming water and homes in the evening.

Set for continued prototype testing till June 2024, CSolPower is keen on transitioning this lab-scale initiative into a market-ready solution. Successful trials might soon see northern New Mexico greenhouses utilizing this rock bed technology to maintain optimal temperatures throughout the year.

The Technology Readiness Gross Receipts initiative funds this project phase, aiming to aid New Mexico businesses in commercializing their innovations.

This rock-bed solution represents a promising stride towards green electricity generation and broadens the horizon for sustainable energy storage.