All Healthy News

Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Home.

HEALTH BEGINS WITH:
Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Homes.

Staff Reporter

What does the latest IPCC report say about carbon capture?   – Clean Air Task Force

by




Matt Bright


Toby Lockwood

Toby Lockwood

Carbon capture and storage remain central to climate mitigation strategies in Working Group III’s contribution to AR6

IPCC Reports are not for the faint of heart. At 2,913 pages in length, the organization’s latest salvo – Working Group III’s (WGIII) Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) – is sobering. It makes clear that we need nothing short of an immediate, overwhelming, and coordinated global effort to fend off the worst effects of climate change.     

Zooming out for a minute, however, the overall import of the report is hopeful. Yes, emissions rose throughout the past decade, and yes, keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will require an unparalleled transformation of our energy system. Nevertheless, the IPCC’s WGIII report clarifies that humanity has the tools (in various stages of commercialization) to decarbonize. 

One of the technologies about which WGIII had much to say was carbon capture and storage (identified throughout the report as CCS), and its derivatives direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). All three technologies use a similar type of chemistry to ‘capture’ carbon dioxide, and all three rely on the same geologies for permanent underground storage. DACCS and BECCS are important subsets of carbon capture and storage in that they are able to reduce atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide – also known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR). DACCS removes existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, whereas BECCS captures and stores carbon dioxide released from biomass-based processes.  

The report gives a balanced assessment of the opportunities and challenges for carbon capture. Below are the key findings with accompanying quotes from the Summary for Policymakers.

Carbon capture and storage (including DACCS and BECCS) is central to IPCC mitigation pathways

WGIII made clear that carbon capture and storage is a critical decarbonization strategy in most mitigation pathways. Among the 97 assessed pathways that keep global warming to below 1.5ºC with ‘no or limited overshoot’ (meaning a reduced chance of exceeding 1.5ºC in the near term), there is a broad range of possible deployment levels for the technology, with a median average of 665 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide cumulatively captured and stored between now and 2100.  

WGIII also identifies seven specific pathways, termed ‘Illustrative Mitigation Pathways’ (IMPs) that best summarize and highlight different decarbonization strategies – four that achieve 1.5ºC and three that keep temperatures ‘likely below 2ºC. Only one of the seven IMPs includes no carbon capture. However, this scenario requires global energy demand to nearly halve in the next 30 years, which is socio-politically unrealistic given the existing energy poverty around the world and that energy demand must increase as much of the world industrializes and urbanizes. Even the IMP based on particularly high uptake of renewable energy still requires more than 3 Gt of carbon dioxide to be captured and stored annually by 2050 (Figure 3.15 in the full report).  

BECCS and DACCS play a central role in the IPCC mitigation pathways

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from both BECCS and DACCS is also heavily relied on in most IPCC mitigation pathways, though the role of BECCS is smaller than in past IPCC reports:  

“The deployment of CDR to counterbalance hard-to-abate residual emissions is unavoidable if net zero CO2 or GHG emissions are to be achieved. The scale and timing of deployment will depend on the trajectories of gross emission reductions in different sectors.” – Summary for Policymakers (SPM), p.47 

By 2100, a median average of 334 Gt of biomass-derived carbon dioxide from BECCS is stored by IPCC pathways which achieve 1.5ºC with no or limited overshoot, and even more (464 Gt) by those with more chance of overshoot – higher overshoot pathways need more removals to reverse the effect of slower emissions reductions early in the century. Despite these large volumes, BECCS actually captures less carbon dioxide in the mitigation pathways compared with previous IPCC reports, in recognition of the land use and other societal and economic challenges associated with the use of such large quantities of biomass (Chapter 7).

Another notable change from previous IPCC assessments is a greater role for DACCS, which has progressed significantly in the last five years to merit inclusion in several countries’ mitigation plans. However, the technology is yet to be demonstrated at large scales and remains more costly and energy intensive than biomass-based removals; it therefore plays a lesser role in most pathways, with a median of 30 Gt captured in the 1.5ºC pathways with limited overshoot and 109 Gt in those with high overshoot (Chapter 3). 

Carbon capture and storage is capable of decarbonizing many industrial processes

As discussed in Chapter 11 of the report, carbon capture and storage is vital for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial emissions, which require high-temperature heat or inherently produce carbon dioxide. Emissions from this sector are growing faster since 2000 than any other sector, driven by growth in both GDP and the materials intensity of society. 

“The use of steel, cement, plastics, and other materials is increasing globally, and in most regions.” – SPM, p. 38 

“Progressing towards net zero GHG emissions from industry will be enabled by the adoption of new production processes using low and zero GHG electricity, hydrogen, fuels, and carbon management.” – SPM, p. 38 

In the near term, carbon capture and storage is the only feasible technology solution to decarbonize cement. 

“Until new chemistries are mastered, deep reduction of cement process emissions will rely on already commercialised cementitious material substitution and the availability of CCS.” – SPM, p. 38 

The options for decarbonizing the steelmaking process depend largely on employing hydrogen-based production methods (in combination with electric-arc furnaces that run on carbon-free electricity) or using carbon capture. Likewise for chemical production and use, carbon capture is a key decarbonization strategy.  

“Reducing emissions from the production and use of chemicals would need to rely on a life cycle approach, including increased plastics recycling, fuel and feedstock switching, and carbon sourced through biogenic sources, and, depending on availability, CCU, direct air CO2 capture, as well as CCS.” – SPM, p. 38 

Many mitigation pathways therefore show significant use of carbon capture in the industrial sector. Even the IMP based on high levels of renewable energy use and process electrification (IMP-Ren) requires a rapid increase to nearly two Gt of industrial CO2 captured by 2030, while pathways relying on slower action offset by carbon dioxide removal see extensive use of BECCS in industry (Figure 11.12 in the full report). 

Carbon capture can also play a key role in net-zero energy systems

Although low-cost renewables such as wind and solar power will play a growing role in our energy system, the mitigation pathways show a broad mix of electricity generation technologies deployed, including carbon capture (Chapter 6). Specifically, the Report says that use of fossil fuels with carbon capture is one of several options for lowering the total cost of decarbonization in energy systems where renewables are supplying most of the energy use. Carbon capture can also enable the low-emission production of zero-carbon fuels that will be needed for decarbonizing sectors such as industry, transport, and buildings. 

“Net-zero CO2 energy systems entail: a substantial reduction in overall fossil fuel use, minimal use of unabated fossil fuels, and use of CCS in the remaining fossil system; electricity systems that emit no net CO2; widespread electrification of the energy system including end uses; energy carriers such as sustainable biofuels, low-emissions hydrogen, and derivatives in applications less amenable to electrification; energy conservation and efficiency; and greater physical, institutional, and operational integration across the energy system.” – SPM, p.36 

Carbon capture can effectively abate fossil fuel use

WGIII’s Chapter 6 makes clear that we need to either transform existing fossil fuel facilities or retire them. We cannot allow any new forms of unabated emissions, and carbon capture is one of the most suitable technologies for this. A median of 196 Gt of fossil carbon dioxide is cumulatively captured and stored across the low-overshoot 1.5ºC pathways. Use of carbon capture in the remaining fossil system is highlighted as a key component of a net-zero energy system. 

“All global modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C (>50%) with no or limited overshoot, and those that limit warming to 2°C (>67%) involve rapid and deep and in most cases immediate GHG emission reductions in all sectors. Modelled mitigation strategies to achieve these reductions include transitioning from fossil fuels without CCS to very low- or zero-carbon energy sources, such as renewables or fossil fuels with CCS, demand side measures and improving efficiency, reducing non-CO2 emissions, and deploying carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods to counterbalance residual GHG emissions.” – SPM, p. 32. 

There is sufficient storage capacity for all forms of carbon capture and storage

Critical synergies exist for carbon capture and storage, DACCS, and BECCS. All three use the same underground storage areas and there is ample underground storage for all three.  

“The technical geological CO2 storage capacity is estimated to be on the order of 1000 gigatonnes of CO2, which is more than the CO2 storage requirements through 2100 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, although the regional availability of geological storage could be a limiting factor.” – SPM, p. 37 

The co-benefits of carbon capture are important to help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) 

The United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) are designed to help improve the quality of life for humans around the world and include objectives such as “Good health and well-being” (SDG 3), “Decent work and economic growth” (SDG 8), and “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” (SDG 9). As shown in Figure SPM.8 and discussed in Chapter 11, carbon capture is a technology that can help societies achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides important economic and social co-benefits. 

Challenges for a robust carbon capture scale-up exist primarily in the power sector

As pointed out in Chapter 6, in the short term, the costs of carbon capture and storage can vary significantly depending on the application and the region where the technology is used. These costs need to be decreased through both innovation and deployment, leading to economies of scale, and learning by doing. Yet, Figure SPM.7 also shows that all technologies in the energy sector except wind and solar are expensive in the short term. Water scarcity could also be a technical challenge to deploying carbon capture on power plants in more arid regions, although various strategies and technologies are emerging to reduce water use. Finally, several important applications of carbon capture require further development to reach full technical maturity and commercialization.  

“CCS is less mature in the power sector, as well as in cement and chemicals production, where it is a critical mitigation option.” – SPM, p. 37. 

Growing policy and public support for carbon capture and storage is critical for speeding up its deployment

The report is clear that the deployment of carbon capture lags severely behind the schedule required to meet global climate mitigation targets. Well-designed policy, public support, and innovation are key to improving carbon capture deployment rates. Improved public awareness and acceptance of carbon capture will go a long way to support its deployment (Chapter 11).  

“Currently, global rates of CCS deployment are far below those in modelled pathways limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. Enabling conditions such as policy instruments, greater public support and technological innovation could reduce these barriers.” – SPM, p. 37 

The big takeaway 

WGIII makes clear that avoiding the worst effects of climate change relies on two overarching strategies: first, preventing as much greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as possible from reaching the atmosphere (with solutions that include carbon capture) and second, removing carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere (with solutions that include carbon dioxide removal). Under those two strategies exist a range of technologies each with their merits and drawbacks. The benefit of carbon capture is that it can implement both strategies in a significant way.   

It’s clear that we need a lot of carbon capture to keep global warming in check. The more policymakers understand the implications of WGIII’s AR6 contribution, the more they should understand the urgent need to ensure these technologies are developed and commercialized as a viable decarbonization technology option for widescale deployment.  

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

May is National Bike Month

by

National Bike Month is right around the corner. This May, join people across the Philadelphia region and beyond embracing biking as a great way to travel while doing your part to improve air quality and reduce your carbon footprint. Beyond the benefits of biking for you, your community, and the world, this May Bike Month you can win prizes and compete with your friends and coworkers. Learn more about the Love to Ride May Bike Month challenge and how you can ride an Indego bike to participate.

Looking for a way to stay motivated to bike all month? Sign up for the Love to Ride Bike Month Challenge. This free, online, biking competition gives you a place to record all your bike rides, set goals for yourself, and earn points to win prizes by biking and encouraging others to bike!

How does it work? Just create a team of up to ten people; these can be friends, family or co-workers. Together, your team earns points by riding, and encouraging each other to ride and will compete against other teams of similar experience levels. Regardless of your experience level, this challenge is right for you. In fact, new riders earn DOUBLE the points, so if you are new to biking this is a great way to get involved. Prizes, including a bike worth $1,500, are up for grabs, so if you are already planning to bike this month, make sure you are signed up and logging those rides.

Don’t have a bike of your own? No problem! Philadelphia’s favorite bike share, Indego, is turning 7 years old this April 23rd! To celebrate this milestone, as well as Bike Month, Indego is offering the first month of the Indego30 and Indego30 Access pass at a greatly reduced price. From April 23rd – May 31st new riders can use the code INDEPRO22 at www.rideindego.com for a $5 Indego30 pass or $2.50 Indego30 Access pass! With this Indego pass, riders get an unlimited number of 60-minute rides for 30 days! This pass is great for exploring the city and trails on your schedule. Indego is excited to give folks who have always wanted to try bike share the opportunity to do so! Once you have signed up for your Indego pass remember to log your rides with Love to Ride, for the chance to win a full free year-long Indego pass!

Since last Bike Month there have been some major improvements to bike facilities, bike lanes, and bike paths around the cities. In addition to the numerous new Indego stations installed this year (check out the map below!), the Chestnut St. bridge has finally reopened with a parking protected bike lane, and Circuit Trails have been extended including at Bartram’s Garden. You can see existing bike lanes, find Circuit Trails, and see all the Indego stations on GoPhillyGo, as well as map out your bike routes – including using an Indego bike. So if you are looking for a trail to bike on, or just want to map out the safest route to your destination this bike month, there are plenty of tools to help you. 

Since Indego began their current system expansion a year ago they have added 34 new stations!

So grab your bike or sign up for an Indego pass and commit to biking this May!

This blog was written jointly by the Clean Air Council and Indego Bike Share.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

New York’s ‘Clean Green Schools’ initiative: These Staten Island schools are eligible

by

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a $59 million fund for a “Clean Green Schools” initiative, which will look to improve air quality, advance clean energy and reduce carbon emissions in public schools.

Public schools across New York state that are named as high-needs by the New York State Education Department, will be eligible for the program.

Hochul expressed that providing cleaner, healthier places for children to learn and grow “is an absolute must if we want to deliver on a green transition that benefits all.”

“The Clean Green Schools initiative will bring meaningful change to communities that have been too often left behind, allowing our schools to be models of innovation, while giving educators and students the type of learning environment they deserve,” said Hochul in a release issued Friday.

The initiative supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which aims for an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, according to the governor’s office.

Hochul expressed that this program will be included in the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The act will provide funding to more than 1,000 under-resourced public schools and benefit close to 1 million students.

The act will also:

– Support New York needs to provide safe water to drink.

– Invest in critical water infrastructure.

– Restore critical environmental habitats; reduce flood risks.

– Preserve outdoor spaces and local farms.

– Invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation projects that will reduce air pollution.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris expressed that addressing the impacts of climate change is critical in schools every day.

“Making improvements to increase energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling, and supporting educational activities centered around decarbonization are foundational efforts for this initiative, and they ensure the Clean Green Schools initiative will benefit our communities and state for generations to come,” said Harris.

Any HVAC projects funded under the Clean Green Schools initiative will address indoor air quality in any disadvantaged community schools, as well as high-needs areas.

Applications for the Clean Green Schools initiative are now being accepted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

There are two tracks to the application. Track I will provide schools with professional services to help evaluate and facilitate energy reduction, decarbonization, environmental sustainability and indoor air quality improvements within the school.

Track II will provide schools with the funding needed for construction projects that may decarbonize building portfolios. This includes any conversion of central heating and/or cooling plants to clean energy technologies, such as heat pumps.

Track I funding is available for open enrollment, on a first-come-first-serve basis, while Track II will be provided on a competitive basis.

The following schools on Staten Island meet the Clean Green Schools initiative criteria:

– Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical High School, St. George

– PS 16, Tompkinsville

– PS 31, New Brighton

– PS 78, Stapleton

– PS 59, New Brighton

– Susan E. Wagner High School, Sea View

– PS 20, Port Richmond

– PS 46, South Beach

– PS 57, Clifton

– Concord High School

– Curtis High School, St. George

In addition to the initiative, Hochul announced that New York State is looking to purchase new electric school buses through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive program, to improve air quality for school-age New Yorkers and communities.

The State Budget will provide $500 million through the Bond Act to support school districts in purchases of zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure, including charging stations, to ensure there are zero-emission buses used.

Assemblyman Michael Cusick applauded Hochul in her mission to improve schools across the state.

“While we work to decrease our emissions to meet our statewide goals, it is important that we make sure to protect our children,” said Cusick. “The Clean Green Schools initiative protects our environment and our young students by reducing emissions and improving indoor air quality in our state’s schools.”

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Water, Water Everywhere Leads to Leaner Students

by

Elementary schools that provide easy access to drinking water and education about its benefits may help their students maintain a healthy weight, a new study found.

Researchers examined the health and drinking habits of 1249 children in 26 low-income, ethnically diverse elementary schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. In half of the schools, water stations were placed throughout, along with signs explaining why water is healthier than sugary drinks. In addition, assemblies were held explaining the advantages of water over sugary drinks.

Dr Anisha Patel

That simple message seemed to have had an outsized effect. Schools with water stations had significantly fewer overweight students than the other schools by the end of the 15-month study, according to Anisha Patel, MD, MSPH, MSHS, associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford University, who will be presenting the findings at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2022 Meeting, in Denver.

“Sugar-sweetened beverages are a huge contributor to obesity,” Patel told Medscape Medical News. “This provides a key strategy for schools to adopt, and the time is right for this type of work ― in the pandemic period we’ve seen significant increases in obesity. Investments like this could help stem that.”

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.4 million children aged 2 to 19 years in the United States ― about 19% of all kids in that age range ― were obese in 2017–2018. The agency said the rate of increase in body mass index (BMI) among this group nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children with obesity are at higher risk for chronic health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure.

Patel’s study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was the culmination of a decade of interest in the area, she said.

Water stations and compostable or recyclable cups were placed in high-traffic areas of the schools, including playgrounds and cafeterias. The water was tested for lead, and if needed, researchers worked with school districts to remediate, Patel told Medscape.

The intervention included a kickoff assembly about the health benefits of water intake, and students who were seen drinking water with their lunches were given small prizes.

The researchers assessed body weight, height, and dietary intake of students throughout the study, including their consumption of water, sodas, fruit juices, and flavored and unflavored milk.

Promoting water didn’t lead to magical weight loss. At the start of the study, 49.5% of students in the intervention group were overweight ― a figure that nudged up to 49.8% by the end of the study. In the control group, however, 47.7% of students began the study overweight ― a number that climbed to 51.4% by the end of the trial (odds ratio, 0.3; P = .01), according to the researchers, who credited the increase to the lack of emphasis on opting for water over sweetened drinks.

“We were very excited the effect sizes were nearly double previous studies, which was great news,” Patel said.

Water intake began to decline at about the 15-month mark, signaling the need for more long-term, consistent education and incentive to foster lasting habits, Patel said.

The researchers noted that they were unable to collect data from eight of the target schools because of the pandemic. In addition, the study focused on schools with heavily Latino student populations, so the results might not be generalizable to other communities, they said.

Angie Cradock, a principal research scientist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, said the study “offers an important and practical strategy to promote student health.”

Cradock serves as deputy director of the Harvard Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity, which focuses on improving population nutrition, increasing physical activity, reducing obesity and chronic disease, and improving health equity.

Patel and her colleagues’ three-pronged approach of using education, promotion, and accessibility to increase student interest in drinking water could be employed at countless other schools, said Cradock, who was not involved in the study.

“Negative perceptions of tap water and drinking fountains are common,” she said. “Not all students have access to safe and appealing drinking water while at school, and this strategy seems like a recipe for success.”

Patel reported no relevant financial relationships.

Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2022 Meeting: Abstract Obesity 1. Presented April 23, 2022.

Lindsay Kalter is a freelance health journalist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with bylines in publications including The Washington Post, Business Insider, and Boston Globe Mag.

For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Bird keepers urged to maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards as housing measures set to be lifted

by

The mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds, which were introduced across the United Kingdom to help stop the spread of bird flu, will be lifted from 00:01 on Monday 2 May 2022, the Chief Veterinary Officers have confirmed today.

Poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a Protection Zone, and will be allowed to be kept outside. While the risk of bird flu has been reduced to ‘medium’ for premises with poor biosecurity, the enhanced biosecurity requirements that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will remain in force as infection may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks. All poultry gatherings will remain banned.

Those who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to use the upcoming days to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 100 cases confirmed across the country since late October. Scrupulous biosecurity is the most effective method of disease control available and all bird keepers should apply enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.

In a joint statement, the four Chief Veterinary Officers said:

Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.

It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets, who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter, that we are in a position to take this action. However, the recent cases of avian influenza show that it’s vital that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will remain in force across the UK, with only the housing measures component being lifted from Monday 2nd May. This means all bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, a commercial sized or a backyard flock) must be diligent in continuing to take effective and precautionary biosecurity measures including cleansing and disinfecting equipment, clothing and vehicles, limiting access to non-essential people on their sites, and workers changing clothing and footwear before entering and when leaving bird enclosures.

Poultry and captive bird keepers must be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.

All bird keepers must:

  • cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
  • reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
  • thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
  • keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
  • minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

We would encourage all keepers to register their flocks with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. For poultry this is a legal requirement if you have 50 birds or more (poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants). In Northern Ireland this applies to all birds except those kept within your home. Registration forms are available here or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Registering with us means that we will be able to contact you with information or action required should an outbreak happen near you.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

La Mesa’s St. Martin of Tours Academy named national Green Ribbon School for environmental efforts

by

St. Martin of Tours Academy in La Mesa was named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School on Friday, in recognition of its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment.

Only four California schools made the national list of Green Ribbon Schools, and 27 nationwide. Five school districts and four postsecondary institutions nationally were also recognized.

The honors are presented to schools and institutions that work to reduce their environmental footprint, reduce utility costs and work toward “sustainable education.”

“This year’s U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools honorees have raised the bar for sustainability, healthy and safe school environments, and hands-on learning experiences that connect students of all ages to the world around them,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. “As we recover from a pandemic that highlighted the need to modernize school infrastructure, improve ventilation, and create versatile indoor and outdoor learning spaces, we have an opportunity to invest in sustainable practices that enhance student learning, health, and well-being.”

RELATED: How young people are taking action against climate change

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement the honorees “maintained sustainable practices and environmental education through the unprecedented challenges created by the global pandemic.”

“Their flexibility and ingenuity helped them produce leading-edge models for improved indoor air quality, well-designed outdoor classrooms, and meaningful environmental education,” he said. “I also want to recognize that more than half of our award-winning sites are within some of the state’s highest-needed communities.”

The other schools honored in the state were Katella High School in Anaheim in Orange County, Altamont Creek Elementary School in Alameda County and Suisun Valley School in Solano County.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

View Smart Windows to Enhance Employee Health and Sustainability at Credit Union of Colorado’s New Denver-Area Headquarters

by

View, Inc.

Credit Union of Colorado corporate headquarters in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood

View Smart Windows installed at Credit Union of Colorado’s New Denver-area headquarters.

View Smart Windows installed at Credit Union of Colorado’s New Denver-area headquarters.

DENVER and MILPITAS, Calif., April 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — View, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIEW) (“View”), the leader in smart building technologies, announced that its Smart Windows will be installed at Credit Union of Colorado’s corporate headquarters in Denver’s up-and-coming Central Park neighborhood.

Credit Union of Colorado designed its new headquarters to create the ideal post-Covid work environment, with comfortable space between desks and an enhanced HVAC system to improve indoor air quality. The building will be enclosed with floor-to-ceiling View Smart Windows, which use artificial intelligence to automatically adjust in response to the sun, maximizing natural light and outdoor views while optimizing occupant comfort. The building will also feature a fitness center and a walking path adjacent to the site’s plentiful green space.

“Our move to Central Park supports our continued expansion as we work to better serve our growing member base, and great workspaces are key to attracting and retaining top talent,” said Chad Bollinger, Chief Financial Officer for Credit Union of Colorado. “View Smart Windows are an integral part of our strategy to prioritize the health of our employees and make the spaces where they work more enjoyable.”

View Smart Windows have been shown to generate significant health benefits for building occupants. In a recent study by researchers at the University of Illinois and SUNY Upstate Medical University, employees working next to View Smart Windows slept 37 minutes longer each night, experienced half as many headaches, and performed 42% better on cognitive tests. Additionally, View Smart Windows reduce energy consumption from lighting and HVAC by as much as 20%.

“Credit Union of Colorado recognizes that offices of the future must be designed to measurably improve occupant health and sustainability,” said Sri Venkat, Vice President with View. “View continues to show significant traction in the corporate office sector, and we’re thrilled to partner with Credit Union of Colorado to deliver a state-of-the-art office that’s good for the planet and where their employees will thrive.”

Story continues

About View
View is the leader in smart building technologies that transform buildings to improve human health and experience, reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, and generate additional revenue for building owners. View Smart Windows use artificial intelligence to automatically adjust in response to outdoor conditions, eliminating the need for blinds and increasing access to natural light. Every View installation includes a cloud-connected smart building platform that can easily be extended to reimagine the occupant experience. View is installed and designed into more than 90 million square feet of buildings, including offices, hospitals, airports, educational facilities, hotels, and multi-family residences. For more information, please visit: www.view.com.

About Credit Union of Colorado
Founded in 1934, Credit Union of Colorado is one of the largest credit unions in the state and is deeply connected to the communities where its members live and work. The credit union’s “here to help” culture is demonstrated by its strong support of local communities through financial donations, promotional sponsorships, and employee volunteerism. Credit Union of Colorado offers the latest in banking with 18 full-service locations throughout the state featuring lobby service centers, safe deposit boxes, drive-up tellers, and surcharge-free, drive-up ATMs. The credit union also provides its members with the convenience of digital banking with remote check deposit and access to Zelle®, a fast, safe, and easy way to send money right from your mobile banking app or online banking account.

With more than 85 years of experience, Credit Union of Colorado is a stable, member-owned financial institution with more than $2 billion in assets serving more than 140,000 members. The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation supports education and emergency human services programs through college scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations.

Contacts:
For Investors:
Samuel Meehan
View, Inc.
[email protected]
408-493-1358

For Media:
Tom Nolan
Great Ink Communications
[email protected]
908-392-0333

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5bd5faf-7029-4b83-ba7e-7dfe88237794


[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Gov. Whitmer announces MI Healthy Climate Plan

by

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed the MI Healthy Climate Plan in Traverse City on April 18 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and create sustainable jobs in Michigan. 

“The MI Healthy Climate Plan identifies actions we can take to address climate change head-on, lower costs for Michiganders, ensure every Michigan worker has a good-paying, sustainable job, and every family has clean air, water, and a home powered by clean, reliable energy,” Whitmer said. “Today, we are positioning Michigan to become the global center of clean energy innovation where workers can get good-paying jobs, from those that don’t require a college degree to careers in advanced engineering and science.”

Climate change is a global issue and Michigan has faced its own fair share of the problem.

According to a 2022 state climate summary conducted by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, temperatures in Michigan have risen to approximately 3 degrees higher since the start of the 20th century. They also observed that the frequency of extreme participation events has increased in the recent decade and predict a historically unprecedented warming during this century.

In September 2020, Whitmer made a commitment to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality in Michigan by no later than 2050,  interim goals of 28 percent reduction by 2025 and 52 percent by 2030, and maintain net negative greenhouse gas emissions after 2050.

The objectives of the MI Healthy Climate Plan include mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, spurring economic and capturing economic development and creating good-paying jobs, protecting and improving the health of Michiganders, positioning Michigan as a leader in climate action, protecting natural resources and wildlife, making Michigan energy independent, and addressing environmental injustices.

In addition, the initiative will prioritize six action items to complete by 2030 which include: commit to environmental justice and pursue a just transition, clean the electric grid, electrify vehicles and increase public transit, repair and decarbonize homes and businesses, drive clean innovation in industry, and protect Michigan’s land and water. 

Additional 2030 interim goals will include the closure of all coal power plants and the development and construction of charging infrastructure to support two million electric vehicles.  

Whitmer revealed the plan in Traverse City alongside Liesl Clark, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and whom she also worked with to finalize the climate plan. 

“The resulting MI Healthy Climate Plan will be a game-changer for Michigan’s economy and environment,” Clark said. “It is a bold plan that a broad cross-section of Michiganders can rally around.”

“The MI Healthy Climate Plan helps us minimize that location advantage by ensuring that we are intentional about preserving that advantage for future generations,” Quentin Messer, Jr., Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO, said. “Michigan will be a climate winner and this plan is an important part of the winning playbook.”

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Cole: Looking for a new home in Ottawa? Check the air quality

by

The following is written in response to the March 22 article, 5 tips to help you buy your first home in the nation’s capital: 

When moving to a new home in Ottawa, this should probably be the number one concern: How is the air?

Hundreds of people are dying prematurely each year in Ottawa from air pollution, according to a Health Canada report. Many others will suffer from asthma, heart attacks, cancer and other chronic diseases, all related to air pollution.

What does that have to do with a new home? In Ottawa, there are areas where the air is not healthy. We identified some of those in a project, BreatheEasy, that I led as a volunteer with the Sierra Club Canada Foundation.

Here are some of the key findings:

1. There is only one official air quality (AQ) station in Ottawa. It’s located downtown in a park on Wurtemburg Street. It typically reads AQ as “low risk” much of the time. However, just a few feet away, along Rideau Street, we found AQ readings several times higher and at unsafe levels.

2. There are many other “hot spots” across the city. One was the recent truckers’ protest site. With the help of two CBC staff, we took measurements there and discovered dangerous, but fortunately temporary, AQ levels.

3. Most people in Ottawa have no idea of the AQ where they live, work or play.

4. Wood-burning fireplaces can produce a lot of air pollution in a localized area. Some Canadian cities have banned them. Not Ottawa.

5. It’s almost impossible to get our authorities to investigate a possible air pollution situation. The city does not do it. The province seems to have the mandate but not the resources. If we suspect bad AQ, we are basically on our own to do anything about it.

6. Small, gas-fuelled yard equipment, such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers, produces a lot of localized but significant air pollution. The city appears to be looking at reducing their use with its own projects. That is one step in the right direction.

In doing our project, we have learned a lot about AQ in Ottawa and what other cities and countries are doing to improve their AQ. So here is my list of recommendations for prospective home hunters.

• Do not choose a home near heavy traffic areas, large parking lots, commercial areas, industrial sites, or where large, long-lasting construction projects are, or will be, taking place.

• Avoid being close to school bus drop-off locations.

• Avoid areas closed in by high buildings (even tall trees) where air pollution can be trapped.

• Don’t rely on staying indoors to reduce your exposure to air pollution. Unless you use a good indoor air purifier continuously, your indoor AQ will be typically at least as bad as the outdoor AQ.

•  Do choose a home near bike and pedestrian trails.

What about Ottawa city hall’s recent policy to intensify housing across the city? I am not sure about this. While there are some legitimate environmental benefits touted for such areas, I believe these intensified sites could end up with more people, more traffic and more air pollution. The localized air quality is certainly going to suffer during the site preparation, construction and possibly afterwards too. There will be an almost inevitable increase in air pollution. The city should start to measure and report on AQ before it can promote intensification projects as a good place to live.

Home seekers should try to add good air quality to their list of “must haves” when looking. Check the AQ in the area under consideration. One can buy a basic AQ monitor for under $500. The BreatheEasy project has received funding to carry on for another year. It might be able to offer some help too.

Final comment: Will your new home be in an area where AQ is now acceptable and will be in the future? It’s worth your well-being and perhaps your life, to get that answer — before you move, not after.

Jake Cole is former environment director, Canadian Coast Guard former national manager, Canada’s R-2000 Home Program; and a volunteer with the Sierra Club Canada Foundation. The opinions expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily represent those of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation.

For more information about BreatheEasy: https://www.sierraclub.ca/en/breatheeasy-campaign

 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Spruce up your interior living spaces this spring | Home & Garden

by

(Family Features) The changing of seasons and arrival of warmer weather provide a perfect opportunity for many homeowners to refresh their living spaces and tackle projects on their to-do lists. However, that shouldn’t mean limiting yourself to standard chores like cleaning, disinfecting and reorganizing.

Spring is also an ideal time to make functional and aesthetic updates to your home, including surfaces in oft-used rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. From countertops to closets, Wilsonart, a world-class innovator of next generation engineered surfaces, manufactures and distributes high pressure laminate, quartz, solid surface, coordinated thermally fused laminate, edgebanding and other decorative, engineered surface options. Infusing style from nature, the full line of products provides nearly endless design possibilities with lasting durability and beauty to help redefine living spaces and bring ideas to life.

Get started on your home upgrade this spring with these ideas:

Reimagine Your Bathroom Walls



Bathrooms are one of the most oft-improved spaces in many homes with style and long-term durability at the top of homeowners’ wish lists. An on-trend option like the Water-Proof Wall Panel System from Wetwall, a Wilsonart Company, makes it easy to transform bathrooms and create spa-worthy retreats that deliver high-end style without disruptive demolitions. Ideal for shower walls, bath surrounds, accent walls and cladding, the easy-to-clean, grout-free system features tongue-and-groove panels that can be installed in as little as 2 1/2 hours and don’t require special tools. For more information, visit wetwall.com.

Enhance Your Surface Spaces



16122_B.jpg

As the line between residential and commercial design continues to intertwine, the High Pressure Laminate Stone Collection from Wilsonart offers surfaces to enhance your home environment and create comfortable and inviting spaces. With 16 designs reminiscent of natural stone surfaces, the collection offers a casual look with authentic characteristics and veining details. Able to withstand the rigors of most interior environments, the “no-fuss” surfaces are low-maintenance solutions, GREENGUARD Gold Certified to meet low chemical emission limits for better indoor air quality and premium designs come with AEON Enhanced Scratch & Scruff-Resistant Performance Technology. To learn more, visit wilsonart.com/laminate-surfaces.

Stacker compiled a list of the 100 best Western films of all time, using data from Metacritic, a site that collects reviews from respected critics and uses them to determine the average rating. Click for more.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here