Posts tagged climate change
Local Committees/Cohorts: Amplifying Voices for Climate Action
Local Committees/Cohorts: Amplifying Voices for Climate Action

The last few posts showed how a regular homeowner can contribute to energy efficiency and renewable energy at their own home or office. However, another way that “regular” citizens can move the needle forward is by serving with their local government. Meaningful change at the local level is an important way to make an energy impact on your community. Unlike national-level initiatives, these smaller committees can target community specific needs and challenges.  Additionally, change at the local level often occurs more rapidly and can be implemented before more formal legislation is enacted. County/city committees offer such a platform for their residents. Dekalb County in Georgia has some unique opportunities for its residents to get involved right now that are explained below. Hopefully this post from one young woman’s experience on her own town’s energy committee convinces you to get involved at your local government.

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Stacey Isaac Berahzerclimate change, Climate Action, Local Action, Dekalb County, Energy, sustainability, Green New DealComment
Energy Burden and its Drivers
Energy Burden and its Drivers

The energy burden in the Southeastern US is higher than in most other parts of the country. There are several reasons for this, including the hot climate, and less investment in energy efficiency compared to the rest of the country.  

Energy burden is defined by the U.S. Department of Energy as “the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs”. Everyone has an energy burden, but the percentage of that burden indicates whether it is low, high, or severe. While there is no universally accepted value or threshold that establishes whether a household faces a high or unaffordable energy burden, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) indicates that energy burdens below 6% are low, above 6% are high, and above 10% are severe. If you’re curious where you may fall, calculating your energy burden is easy.

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Stacey Isaac Berahzerclimate change, Climate Action, Local Action, Dekalb County, Energy, sustainability, Green New DealComment
H 2 Zero – How Climate Change Continues to Raise Concerns Surrounding a Lack of Water in Drought-Sensitive Regions
H 2 Zero – How Climate Change Continues to Raise Concerns Surrounding a Lack of Water in Drought-Sensitive Regions

After spending the Christmas 2018 holiday in multiple airports traveling, with over seventeen hours of flight time, and one very long layover in Heathrow Airport, we finally touched down in Cape Town! I’ve never been so excited to get off of a plane before, and that’s saying a lot I love visiting new cities. But after a tiresome two days of travel, reaching Cape Town, South Africa sent a surge of relief as well as excitement for the adventure that awaited. A few college friends and myself made a pact to travel to a new country every 3 years and South Africa was our first destination of choice. I had done some research and knew that Cape Town had water issues, but I was in for a surprise as to how life there was affected by the water scarcity…

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Alanna KinnebrewCape Town, climate change, restrictor platesComment