Month: April 2023

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Wisconsin’s rural governments are at a disadvantage when it comes to competing for federal climate funds (WPR)

https://www.wpr.org/wisconsins-rural-governments-are-disadvantage-when-it-comes-competing-federal-climate-funds

The federal Inflation Reduction Act provides historic clean energy incentives to local governments across the country, including in Wisconsin. But taking full advantage of those opportunities is often more difficult for rural communities than urban cities.

The law offers financial incentives for renewable energy projects and electric vehicles, as well as several grant opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing pollution and addressing environmental justice. It also boosts investment in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program.

But Wisconsin’s small cities, towns and villages may be at a disadvantage in terms of their ability to apply for grant funding because they have fewer administrative staff to work on applications or plan clean energy projects, according to Toni Herkert, director of government affairs for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. 

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What does ChatGPT have to say about climate change and sustainable finance? (Cary Krosinsky)

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carykrosinsky_introducing-chatgpt-activity-7053366368624099329-UfLG/

Maybe we should let ChatGPT run everything

I asked “Do we need to solve climate change?” 

Answer: “Yes, it is critical that we address climate change. Climate change is a global crisis that poses significant threats to our planet and our way of life. It is caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, and it leads to a wide range of harmful impacts, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. If we do not act to address climate change, the consequences will be severe and long-lasting, affecting not only our generation but also future generations. Therefore, it is essential that we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy through policies, innovations, and individual actions. By working together, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations”

Followup question: “Can sustainable finance help solve climate change and if so how?”

Answer: “Yes, sustainable finance can play a significant role in addressing climate change. Sustainable finance refers to financial activities that support sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon economy. By directing capital towards sustainable investments, sustainable finance can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. There are several ways in which sustainable finance can contribute to addressing climate change: Encouraging investments in renewable energy: Sustainable finance can help to direct more capital towards renewable energy such as solar and wind power, which can replace fossil fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting energy efficiency: Sustainable finance can also help to fund energy efficiency projects, such as building retrofits and energy-efficient appliances, which can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry: Sustainable finance can support investments in sustainable agriculture/forestry, which can help to reduce deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable land use practices. Encouraging companies to reduce emissions: Sustainable finance can encourage companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by linking financing to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy: Sustainable finance can help to finance the transition to a low-carbon economy by supporting research and development of new technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and electric vehicles. Overall, sustainable finance can play a crucial role in addressing climate change by directing capital towards sustainable investments and promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy”

Maybe ask it questions you have for yourself and your family

https://lnkd.in/d7rcCXkz

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A Texas-Sized Energy Fiasco (WSJ)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-gas-power-subsidies-energy-wind-power-senate-dan-patrick-republicans-ae6d2367

Fed­eral tax cred­its have en­cour­aged an over­sup­ply of wind power, which Lone Star State Re­pub­li­cans as­sisted last decade by charg­ing rate pay­ers $7 bil­lion to build thou­sands of miles of trans­mis­sion lines from West Texas and the Pan­han­dle to big cities. So­lar and wind sup­ply about 30% of Texas power on av­er­age but some­times can pro­duce more than half.

Wind gen­er­a­tors pocket a tax credit for every kilo­watt hour they pro­duce no mat­ter if the grid needs it. A sur­feit of wind is in­creas­ingly dri­ving whole­sale power prices neg­a­tive—i.e., gen­er­a­tors have to pay to off­load their power. Wind pro­duc­ers can still make money be­cause of the tax cred­its, but fos­sil-fuel plants that pro­vide base­load power can’t.

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Illusion of a Trillion Trees (FT)

https://ig.ft.com/one-trillion-trees/

More than 100 countries had just pledged to spend $19bn of public and private money to reverse forest loss. “We have lost 3tn trees on our planet,” Benioff said, punctuating his words with a clap.“We need to plant a trillion trees.” This amount, he added, would absorb 200 gigatonnes of carbon — the equivalent of two-thirds of existing human-made emissions.

Their intentions are commendable: draw down carbon, nourish biodiversity and improve livelihoods by returning trees to planet Earth. But the simple idea is now rubbing against a complex reality, as some scientists raise myriad concerns — from a dearth of free land to the unreliability of new trees when it comes to carbon storage.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says protecting and restoring the world’s forests is critical for limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, but many argue political and business leaders are focusing too much on “restoring” rather than “protecting”, and latching on to methods they hope will offset emissions rather than prevent them.