Let’s Look at Solutions

Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations Are at an All-time High.

N.R.Mallery, publisher of Green Energy Times

Despite COVID19, atmospheric CO2 concentrations still reached a record peak in May (https://www.co2.earth), perhaps rising higher than scientists expected, it is clear that we still have a huge problem on our hands. As of the time of this writing, it stands at 417.16ppm. This is an alarming high that should be of concern to all of us!

OK, we have this huge problem. It is actually called a climate emergency. As with the pandemic, many just don’t know how to solve the problem, beyond what we have been told to do. Here we have another and even worse problem looming over us all, whether we want to pay attention to it or not. What are the solutions to reduce the rising levels of the CO2 concentrations in our atmosphere? What can we do about it?

First and foremost, we need to get completely off fossil fuels. Sounds simple enough until you think about how much we all pretty much still rely on them. We may not be able to get completely away from them at this point of time. We humans have become very dependent on them. But there is actually a lot we can do to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

How do we do that?

• We stop supporting all businesses that support fossil fuels, ie: banks, insurance companies, state investments… buying from business that we should avoid. (Find a site with a list of them to share here).

• Go solar so that your electricity is from a renewable source and adding clean energy into the grid. (Natural gas is not a renewable resource either). It is really more affordable and should be less than your current electric bill. This will also allow you to convert heating and cooking appliances to electric, which makes the solar production even more valuable to you while allowing you to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels. There are many incentives and ways to work with your state and the solar installers around you. And then there are ways to DIY your own solar with consultation with experts to also may be the way you need to make this happen in your life. If you rent, do some research and talk to your landlord — or join in with a community solar project (again call the solar installers in GET or near you to find out how).

• Seal and Insulate your home first and foremost, so you eliminate heating or cooling loss that keep you reliant on fossil fuels for heating. Otherwise this leakage goes out windows and doors and into the atmosphere creating the GHG’s you wish to reduce and keeps you reliant on fossil fuels.

• Build with carbon sequestering materials. We have a lot or CO2 to get out or our atmosphere. This is one more way to help, along with planting trees and sustainable agriculture practices.

• Get heat pumps to keep your home or business comfortable all year round. There are many incentives and rebates for cold climate heat pumps, geothermal and alternative heating means that do not keep you dependent on fossil fuels.

• If you heat with wood, be sure to update your stove or furnace with a modern unit that keeps emissions and pollution to a minimal amount if at all. (Support biomass for HEAT and not electricity — there is a huge difference when wood is gathered sustainably and locally with forest management practices!) Again, there are many rebates and savings available for these appliances. One place to look is at Efficiency Vermont (efficiencyvermont.com).

• Replace your gas appliances with electric ones especially if you are connected with solar from the grid or your own system. Again, your utility and Efficiency Vermont can help make this step more affordable).

• Drive electric: cars, trucks, trains, buses, boats (electric or muscle powered), electric motorcycles and scooters are all available today with more becoming available all the time — but please don’t wait to take this step in hopes of something better, if there is any way you can do so. (The future of our planet and children’s lives will not wait for you). Electric bicycles make this another great option to consider for some of your transportation needs without the use of fossil fuels. Many utilities are offering rebates to make them more appealing and affordable).

• Use electric lawnmowers! The emissions from gas-powered mowers is more than you realize. Many utilities are also offering rebates for them, as well.

Other solutions to consider:

• Work from home

• Limit your trips outside of your home

• Grow more of your food and store it!

• Do not use chemical non-organic fertilizers or weed killers like RoundUp.

• Compost your food and yard waste and use it in your gardens!

• Keep your waste to a minimum and recycle all you can.

Two of the most important things we can all do to help to get our CO2 emissions down and even give humanity a chance to survive what the future holds for our planet.

• Support the carbon tax by putting a price on the use of fossil fuels. By getting off of them, it will not affect you in the end!

• Support and vote for our state and country leaders who support these things and understand the climate emergency and want to do all they can about it as the #1 issue they need to address, on top of the pandemic that is also at hand.

Some of these suggested solutions may require some time on your end to research, but solutions are out there to pretty much help you know how you can make these things a part of your life. There are state and federal incentives and rebates to help you offset the cost of most of the above, like vehicles, solar, heat pumps, geothermal, lawnmowers, e-bikes, modern wood stoves. Do some homework on the internet and ask authorities – talk about it to neighbors and friends and encourage them to do likewise. And rest assured, you will sleep better knowing that you have truly done all you can to help to reduce the CO2 concentration that are now the highest they have ever been. Thank you for all you do!