Electric cars too costly for many, even with aid in Climate Bill. Battery-powered vehicles are considered essential to the fight against climate change, but most models are aimed at the affluent. HERE
No one owes Joe Manchin anything. Acting on climate doesn’t entitle him to the pipeline of his choice by Bill McKibben HERE
Striking graphs show humanity’s domination of the Earth. An easy-to-use database quantifies our shake-up of the planet, from fossil fuels to farming to plastics. But there are a few bright spots. HERE
Explore the most recent edition of World Resources Institute’s Hot Science. It contains studies published in May and June 2022 which highlight the most significant climate science literature compiled from leading peer reviewed journals. HERE (Reader beware: “not for the faint of heart”)
Beware of this fake pro-climate group: A GOP-linked dark money organization is running deceptive ads on Google and other platforms in an attempt to kill historic climate legislation. HERE
How one political party is ‘Weaponizing’ public office against climate action. A Times investigation revealed a coordinated effort by state treasurers to use government muscle and public funds to punish companies trying to reduce greenhouse gases. HERE
Grist compiled nearly a dozen articles about finding joy in the time of climate change — an emotion that may seem elusive to those of us working for climate justice, feeling impacts in our own communities, or reading too many articles about Joe Manchin. HERE
We’re occupying schools across the world to protest climate inaction. We can’t keep sitting in school, pretending everything is all right and studying as if the planet wasn’t on fire Youth activists involved in End Fossil: Occupy!HERE
Call Congress’ inaction on climate change what it is: child abuse — see this SF Chronicle Opinion to help understand this important concept HERE
The so-called “Save Our Sequoias Act” (HR 8168) is really just a logging bill in disguise. Read the details HERE Sequoias are better off with stronger, NOT WEAKER, environmental laws! The #SaveOurSequoias Act is a Trojan horse which would reduce environmental reviews, eliminate oversight and cut science out of the decision-making process. Tell Congress to #StopTheChop HERE
Here’s how Phoenix is cooling down its streets as summers get hotter HERE
Chomsky: U.S. government’s nonresponse to climate crisis has historical precedent HERE
Our empty oceans: Scots team’s research finds Atlantic plankton all but wiped out in catastrophic loss of life.“CO2 reduction won’t even stop climate change; indeed, we will have catastrophic climate change because we have not fixed the primary root cause – the destruction of nature by toxic chemicals and substances such as plastic. HERE
Why this European heat wave is so scary. Climate change is pushing temperatures to levels previously considered unfathomable — faster than many can imagine HERE
Electrify Everything!
by Beth DeVincenzi, Sustainable Villages Club
January 14, 2021
“Electrify Everything’ is the new mantra for those who are concerned about the Climate Crisis. It’s about moving away from the use of fossil fuels which is creating a dangerous rise in CO2 in our atmosphere with a parallel rise in global temperature which has created a Climate Crisis.
The first step in this journey is to change your electricity to 100% clean energy sources. Your electricity source was changed from PG&E to San Jose Clean Energy February 2019. San Jose Clean Energy (https://sanjosecleanenergy.org) provides electricity from 50% renewable energy sources (wind, solar, etc) and from 50% conventional fossil fuels. PG&E continues to provide the delivery system (power grid, etc.), but the energy is now supplied by San Jose Clean Energy.
“San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is San José’s new electricity supplier, providing residents and businesses with cleaner, affordable energy. Operated by the City of San José’s Community Energy Department, we’re dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for our community and future generations. SJCE plays a crucial role in Climate Smart San José, the city’s climate action plan.” From SJCE website.
You can request that 100% of your electricity be sourced from renewable energy sources. You easily make the switch by visiting the website for San Jose Clean Energy and clicking on the YourChoices/TotalGreen option and supplying your name and PG&E account number or by calling San Jose Clean Energy at 833-432-2454.
You may pay about $3.00 a month over your current charges for electricity which is a fairly minimal amount to participate in changes that will move our planet towards a healthier future for our Children, Grandchildren, and all Life.
Electrify Everything! Your next move
January 7, 2021
Install solar on your rooftop. Yes, it’s true that not everyone will be able to do that in the Villages. Your unit has to be appropriate for a solar install (facing the right way towards the sun), and some of our multi-unit buildings may not be appropriate for this step because of the shared rooftop, however, if you are able to, and can afford this step, it opens a whole range of possibilities for changes you can make to minimize your impact on our climate. Note: If you install in 2021, you can still get a 26% Federal tax credit. For assistance in this process, contact Maxine Amundson (408-528-0746), the Chair of our Solar Energy Team.
Note: the process requires approval through the Architectural Control Committee and will take many months. The actual installation, for us, was completed in less than one week.
With solar panels providing most of your energy, your PG&E electric bill will be fairly minimal with you paying a nominal ($10) fee for their role in delivering your electricity and whatever you pay for natural gas.
So, you can:
- Switch to an electric car. This is one of most significant changes you can make. Many models can be charged with the standard 110-volt or 220-volt plugs. And, every day more charging stations are being installed which provide a faster charge at a minimal cost. The (Sustainable Villages Club) Electric Vehicles Team is even investigating the possibility of putting some charging stations within the Villages. Learn more from our Electric Vehicles Team. Electric cars not only save you the cost of fuel, but require much less maintenance than gas powered cars. Amazingly, we are within a few years of their being as cheap or cheaper than conventional gasoline powered cars.
- Switch your HVAC (heating and air conditioning) system to one that runs on electricity using a heat pump. This uses much less energy than their gas equivalent.
- Switch your gas cooktop to electric
- Switch your gas water heater to electric heat pump model
- Switch your gas clothes dryer to electric
- Convert any other gas-powered appliances to electric.
Of course, you won’t make all these steps at once, but keep in mind as you make the changes, that if your solar is sufficient, the cost of the power to run these appliances will be minimal so over time you will be saving a significant amount of money. Also, many agencies are now offering generous rebates to switch to electric (PG&E, the City of San Jose, the Federal Government, etc.) Hint: investigate any changes before your appliance ‘dies’ on you – allowing you the time to investigate all the options before you are under pressure.
Electrify Everything – what comes next —
The Journey from Conventional Gas Water Heater to the Hybrid Heat Pump
by Beth DeVincenzi
In our journey to Electrify Everything we elected to replace our conventional gas-powered water heater with a hybrid electric heat pump water heater. Unfortunately, we waited until our old unit stopped working to get started with this change, which meant we were without hot water for a few weeks while I interviewed contractors and investigated rebates that were available; brrr…not a recommended way to go. 🙁
Although this model of water heater is more expensive to purchase and install, the good news is that the city of San Jose has a wonderful program that subsidizes this change. And the further good news, is that it is a much more energy efficient and cheaper way to provide you with hot water. Do a google search on Electrify San Jose (https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/climate-smart-san-jos/electrify-san-jos) and visit their site for all the forms and details on the rebate. For additional savings, you may stack the Electrify San José rebate with BayREN Home+‘s rebate of up to $1000. If your electric panel cannot handle the additional 220 wiring needed, they also provide an additional rebate to upgrade your electric panel! Suffice it to say, that although our cost to install the new system was about $5,000, after the rebates our cost was reduced to about $1880. We estimate we will save about $500 per year now that we have switched from using gas to heat our water, so in less than four years, the total cost of our installation will be recovered.
So, what is a hybrid heat pump water heater? Well, the technology isn’t new. In fact, our refrigerators cool with a heat pump. The heat pump in the refrigerator pulls any heat out of the refrigerator and exits it into your kitchen. For the water heater it does the opposite; it pulls the heat from your garage and uses it to heat the water. On cold winter days, it may also activate the hybrid part of the water heater which runs a small amount of electricity to warm the water. Of course, at your end, your hot water continues to come out of the tap just as it used to.
If you are considering this change, this is a great time to do your research. Visit Electrify San Jose and familiarize yourself with the process. You need to get approval for the rebate beforeyou do the installation (I got my approval fairly quickly). Get estimates from the list of contractors they suggested. You need a city permit but usually your contactor will arrange for that; not cheap, ours was $377. After the installation, you need to send in a post-installation packet basically documenting the installation so keep close track of your documents. Because city employees are working from home, I scanned in the documents and sent them via email. The rebate came within a few weeks.
So, here it is, and, you are right if you think it doesn’t look much different from what you have. But it decreases our use of fossil fuels and helps us preserve our planet’s health for our Children, Grandchildren, and all Life
Did You Know Series: Curbing GHS
by Dianne Doughty, Sustainable Villages Club
January 14, 2021
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. These gases let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but prevent the sunlight’s heat from leaving, thus causing global warming. Greenhouse gases comprise several different gases, but our focus here is Methane.
Of the GHGs, Methane emissions is most dangerous and of greatest concern. It is known Methane gas has a higher global warming potential than any other greenhouse gases.
Methane sources are many. One way that Methane is generated is in landfill by the decomposition of any organic waste materials such as leaves, grass, cardboard, food scraps, etc. By placing these organic waste materials in our dumpsters, we are aiding in the production of Methane.
Starting 2016 California has passed several bills, such as SB 1383 and AB 1826, which targets the reduction of organic waste in landfills. There are local communities in California that already have curbside organics collection services, which includes food waste collection. We expect this will be extended to all California communities soon. All of us can help reduce Methane emissions simply by reducing the amount of organic waste that goes into landfill. Composting is one easy and common practice.
Electric Vehicles and 2020 Tax Credits! Sustainable Villages Club- EV Action Team
January 7, 2021
If you purchased a new EV in 2020, Congratulations! You are saving the planet and have probably already saving money by skipping the gas pumps. But wait, there is more…. You may be eligible for another big saving. A Federal Tax Credit for up to $7500, depending on the size of your battery! For more information and to claim this credit, visit Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D) on the IRS website. Be sure to discuss with your tax advisor.
Also, if you purchased charging equipment in 2020, you are also eligible for a federal tax credit; 30% of the cost of your equipment and installation, up to $1000! Refer to IRS Form 8911 to claim this credit.
There may also be local government and utilities EV driver incentives and rebates. Visit PlugStar.com and enter your ZIP code or visit Plug In America @ pluginamerica.org and go to the incentives map for more information.
You may also contact Peter Holmes, EV Action Team Leader or visit the Sustainable Villages Website @ sutainablevillagesclub.org for more information,
My Chevy Volt by Peter Holmes-EV Action Team
December 12, 2020
Have you been thinking about buying an EV, but worried about range, maintenance, and reliability? Maybe this will help. I began driving a Chevy Volt 8 years ago. It was advertised with a 44-mile range but we’ve averaged 36 miles. The Volt is designed with a back-up gas engine I’ve rarely used. I must fill my gas tank about twice a year because the gas degrades when stored, unused in the tank. The Volt’s regenerative braking system not only conserves milage it “charges up the meter”, especially with city driving. This braking system converts the kinetic energy from slowing the moving vehicle into new energy used or stored for future use. For example, if I drive to Luckys, I end up with 44 miles range, when I start my return trip.
As for maintenance, the car has been serviced just once, the tires replaced, and one brake job in 8 years. It is a pleasure to charge my car overnight in my garage. Sadly, the Volt has been discontinued. Today’s EVs have driving ranges of 200 miles or more eliminating the need for a back-up gasoline engine. Maintenance and reliability have only improved. So, my recommendation is, go for it.
Yard Trimmings are Recyclable by Margaret Lam- Sustainable Action Team
December 3, 2020
Yard trimmings such as branches, bushes, flowers, grass, weeds, and leaves can be recycled! Nature has a way to transform your biodegradable trimmings into compost that becomes a nutrient-rich, natural fertilizer. Good for your garden, good for the environment. Your private patio trimmings are “Green Waste” and should be composted. Green waste is not trash. Do not put it in the garbage dumpster or it will likely end up as landfill.
When green waste is taken to landfill, it decomposes to produce methane. Methane, 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is especially dangerous for the Earth’s atmosphere. Recycling green waste is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To recycle green waste in the Villages, call Maintenance Customer Service (408-223-4670) to schedule a pickup by Brightview, complementary once a week per household. Bag the waste, no fruits or vegetables, and place it by your driveway or sidewalk, or patio for Cribari residents. Brightview has a green waste recycling dumpster at the Corporate Yard, which is routinely sent over to the City’s composting centers. Here, they are turned into nutritious soil conditioners used for local agriculture.