Get a Quick Green Update of What’s Happening in the world of Sustainability, Green Energy, & Green Finance as well as what we’re doing here at the Conserv-A-Store.
What Happened in Green News Recently?
Folks Apologies we have a gigantic list of items we could write about here so we’ll just go through a few quick thoughts:
re Wind Energy:
Interesting how the high interest rates of the past 12-18 months really hurt the commercial wind business causing the delay or out right cancellation of quite a few projects world wide and sadly many in the NE of the USA. Guess we did not really see the reason for this but guess these projects are quite expensive infrastructure investments where monies must be borrowed Hoping the supposed drop in US(and EU) interest rates soon to come at the tale end of ’24 will maybe kick start this important area of sustainable energy. China always seems to find a way to continue their sustainable industry growth with quasi government leadership. Recent article we read says the country of China is responsible both with installs in their country and what is exported for over 3/4 of all sustainable power made and installed in the last 20 years. We beat up on the Chinese but maybe they are setting sustainable power protocols we should all try to follow But yes they build a lot of coal fired power still too
re EV’s
High interest rates have hurt EV sales despite US government monies available. See where Ford has canceled plans for a cross over EV SUV. Also the Euros slapped a 30% tariff on Chinese autos entering their system. The Biden administration in June’24 placed 100% tariffs on Chinese made EV’s. Does America really want to be a leader in sustainability?
Chevy is about launch it’s Equinox EV in a few different selections. We are hopeful this will be a popular model since the Equinox we have driven as rentals is a solid car. The real problem with EV’s is the charging infrastructure for the average Joe or Jane. Those living in multi family apartments and even condos have trouble charging with a 120V since it takes so long The wealthier folks that have home charger upgrades installed have a more pleasurable experience since charge times can easily be over nite. But an even bigger problem with EV’s is the US manufacturers want to court the high end That is why the Chevy Equinox at an entry level of $30k could be quite interesting.
Of course if the USA would let Chinese manufacturers like BYD sell a sedan possibly as low as $25k in the USA, EV adoption would really take off. We would bet BYD could sell 250k small sedans in California alone in 18mos. But if Ford, GM, Stellantis would use their noggin and make affordable EV sedans the threat of China would be lessened greatly
What Happened at Conservastore recently?
We are happy to introduce a 72″ rubber mulch tree ring, perhaps the widest rubber tree ring made in a 2″ thickness.
This is a monster that weighs almost 200lbs. Will need at least 2 humans to position it BUT it’s longevity is almost guaranteed to be 5+ years. It is permeable to water of course. Protect your favorite large style trees with this unique device
Possible uses for this item would include: golf courses, community redevelopment boards, national parks, state parks, old growth trees, prevent deer, schools, city parks, tree growers, downtown redevelopment agencies, colleges, universities to name a few But we welcome Mr and Mrs Jones for it’s tremendous solution in their back or front yard as well
Here’s the link and choose the 2″ size
What Happened with Green Stocks Bonds and Investments recently?
Today we will speak about logged wood since it is a massive business, Well into the multi billions gross revenue in USA and Canada
A January 4, 2024 article from the New York Times entitled,
“Canada’s Boreal Forests Badly Damaged by Logging”
is not specifically about a certain company more about the industries of Home, Multi famliy Buiilding and Lumber Growers and Processors in Canada and leads us to the below
Our response is tied into a possible sustainable answer to what seems like to date an unsustainable mess
Remember when we were lucky enough to go to Vancouver Isle, BC, Ca a few yrs back Was horrified and surprised to see clear cutting in the distant hills
Guess we just thought the Canadians were a step above the Americans in care for their beautiful topography
Of course when we passed into Oregon and all one saw was logging trucks was not surprised at all since America cares about commerce above all else (just wish they’d admit it)
The NYT article does not discuss demand
Figures quoting how far behind the USA is on providing housing much less affordable housing are severe
So how can this demand for housing be handled with the natural demand for wood as a relatively low cost option?
Concrete poured and formed is often mentioned as a wood replacement has serious carbon releasing issues Bamboo is mentioned as a more sustainable wood but don’t see many bamboo plantations in the US or Canada. Here are a few thanks to bamboovision.com
Existing wood structures that could be demolished and re used do not really lend to a circular economy structure of re use unless they can be chipped
A cost for “Rights of Nature” would make wood costs at least 20% higher since habitat is absolutely destroyed for at least a few years until new forest growth begins That would lessen the impact on the forest and Maybe force more renewable materials to be discovered and used
Recycled plastic building materials might shine from a cost of carbon calculation
The Inflation Reduction Act ie IRA act does have a little bit directed at low carbon building materials but to lessen the periodic forest destruction to provide housing a more systemic policy must be found. The IRA is really more about energy efficiency in building completed residences
Just seems hard and do not see any major changes on the horizon
Can you build structure out of regolith mined on the moon and returned to Earth? But is it up to us to make interplanetary transfer of building materials a reality Well Well
Thought for the upcoming period:
The US election is November 5th 2024. Please accept your duty as an American and vote. Voting is pretty easy most places since you can get mail in ballots as well as participate in early voting. In Florida for instance you have until October 7th, 2024 to register. Please read about the candidates and issues in less partisan portals if you can find them. Just seems better to get the facts and decide on your own vs doing what an announcer of a press outlet may guide you on. For help understanding Amendments and local and state government law change proposals try reaching out to a local law school or Pro Bono law group. They can just let you know what the pass or fail of the action would mean to your life
Good luck
See you soon and please send us things you like and feel others may as well
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