Climate Change
Fifteen countries already get 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. (1) Our National Research Council says “…renewable resources available in the United States, taken collectively, can supply significantly greater amounts of electricity than the total current or projected domestic demand.” (2) Germany at times meets 100% of its electricity demand from solar and wind, and Canada is already at 65% renewable energy! So let’s do it!
Let’s do this!
1. I will declare a state-wide emergency to address climate change.
We need an emergency economic transformation similar to the 18‐month effort in World War II that pivoted our economy to wartime production. But now, we’re switching to renewable energy production!
2. Set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2028
with interim goals of 10% transformation for each 6 month interval until the end of 2028.
3. Promote the creation of major new solar and wind energy resources.
Most of this renewable transformation will come from wind energy, which is plentiful and for which we have adequate technology right now. We need to ramp up production in the wind turbine factories to rapidly install enough power to meet each interval’s goal of 10% transformation. Installation will create tens of thousands of new jobs. (footnote1 ) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100%25_renewable_energy (footnote 2) National Research Council (2010). “Electricity from Renewable Resources: Status, Prospects, and Impediments”. National Academies of Science. p. 4.
4. Work with each county to develop a transition plan within one month.
Detailed proposals have already been drawn up for switching to 100% renewable energy for New York, California and Washington states. In 2014, a plan was published to convert all 50 states to 100% renewable energy.(footnote 3) These plans need to be finalized and implemented. So much of this is already done!
5. Create a "Climate Change Corps," modeled on the Civilian Conservation Corps
Provide 100% employment at living wages to help ramp up production in factories that manufacture renewable energy products, and plant trees nationwide to absorb carbon. Planting trees in cities has a triple benefit of carbon absorption, lower temperatures in summer, and enhances livability of communities.
Other major benefits to America from a rapid switch to renewable energy:
Air Pollution
Switching to renewable energy would virtually eliminate air pollution thus saving billions in health care costs and tens of thousands of lives.
Increased Food
Stopping urban car pollution would also allow increased urban food production, since urban air would no longer be polluted and cities will be cooler in summer. This local “urban farming” also greatly reduces CO2 production, by reducing energy for food transportation which is one of the largest global warming impacts of our agricultural system.
You see?? We can do this!!!
Resources for You on Climate Change:
Special Maryland program to help you install energy efficiency and solar – a free helping hand all along
the way:
http://retrofitbaltimore.civicworks.com/
Make Your Home Energy Efficient
http://www.wikihow.com/Make‐Your‐Home‐Energy‐Efficient
Get started buying an electric car
http://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosing‐a‐car/buying‐a‐car/electric‐car‐guide/
Montgomery County Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
http://mocoalliance.org/newsroom/community‐supported‐agriculture/
Carroll County Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
http://www.buppertsfarmcsa.com/
Harford County Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
http://www.bradsproduce.com/csa
Find a CSA in your area
https://afsic.nal.usda.gov/community‐supported‐agriculture‐3
DC model for urban farming and environmental sustainability
http://www.greenscheme.org/
Footnotes
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100%25_renewable_energy
2 National Research Council (2010). “Electricity from Renewable Resources: Status, Prospects, and Impediments”. National Academies of Science. p. 4.
3 Mark Schwarz (February 26, 2014). “Stanford scientist unveils 50‐state plan to transform U.S. to renewable energy” http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/february/fifty‐states‐renewables‐022414.html The World Can Transition to 100 Percent Renewable Power, http://thesolutionsproject.org/ 70%, 80%, 99.9%, 100% Renewables — Study Central, http://cleantechnica.com/70‐80‐99‐9‐100‐ renewables‐study‐central/
4 http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html
5 Stephanie Cooke (October 10, 2011). “After Fukushima, Does Nuclear Power Have a Future?”. New York Times.
Antoni Slodkowski (June 15, 2011). “Japan anti‐nuclear protesters rally after quake” . Reuters.
Hiroko Tabuchi (July 13, 2011). “Japan Premier Wants Shift Away From Nuclear Power”. New York Times.