Earth Day 2024...Let's not forget!

Male Hooded Oriole
Merlin's Bird ID

migration path,
Merlin's Bird ID

In March,  Loraine and I were easing into the morning, sipping our morning coffee while sitting on our patio facing the canyon, when a flash of yellow streaked across the eucalyptus tree in front of us. Yes, it was the stunning Hooded Oriole on it's return from Mexico to breed in the Southern U.S., but why? Why fly 1000 miles north over cities, freeways, fields, and houses to get to this small canyon along the Pacific flyway corridor. And, are they the same Orioles from last year? Or, is it a new generation of Orioles like the Monarch migration. So much to learn....

I almost didn't do an Earth Day Post this year as I was getting lazy, comfortable, and apathetic. The 3 evils which get nothing done. Then I read an article titled "Against the Wind," in the Sierra Club Magazine, spring 2024. The article was on a group of Rabble-Rousers who boarded their powerboats and headed offshore 35 miles to a wind farm off Long Island NY. This group of activists were carrying signs, saying we are here to "save the whales,"and get rid of the wind farms. Say what?? They even managed to get on Fox news. The only problem is there is "absolutely zero evidence" to their so called proclamations, according to Duke professor, Douglas Nowacek.

I think this pic speaks for itself
Sierra club spring 2024

Sadly, there have been some deaths of whales on both sides of the continent. Scientific studies have concluded the culprits relating to their deaths were more than likely boats hitting them and entanglement in nets for the majority of them. Come to find out Marc Marano, the head of the disinformation (mentioned above) belongs to a  group called the "Constructive Tomorrow," and is receiving millions of dollars of funding from Exxon Mobil, Charles Koch Foundation and Dark money groups like Donors Trust.  They like to call themselves "Wind Warriors"... how misleading is that? In the book, Merchants of Doubt, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, they detail how Big Oil has taken a page of the Tobacco's playbook, "the longer you keep controversies alive, by stalling, and creating debates and lawsuits, the more profits they can rake in." By the way; the wind farm being discussed above, is now functioning and providing energy for 70,000 homes in NY. On the other side of the coin, wind farm construction needs to follow the strict guidelines of that state and monitor migration patterns, construction and sound impact. Here is more information on Wind Farms by Factcheck.org:No Evidence Offshore Wind Development killing whales

Let's not forget the IRA! Amazingly enough, most people I have talked to have no idea what this Act signifies. The Inflation Reduction Act was a landmark US Federal law which aims to stimulate the economy, lower drug prescription prices, and monumentally invest in domestic clean energy in the US. Passed by the congress on 8/16/22 and signed by President Joe Biden, it is the most significant legislation in decades that has been passed to combat climate change. This act provides a huge stimulus for companies doing research for clean energy technology and gives a 30% credit for qualifying wind, solar storage and renewable energy projects. It also provides bonuses for low income areas (Fact sheet on IRA). With this act, the US has become an international leader for new technologies, provides stimulus funds and investments from a variety of our business factions in our country. Additionally, our country's economy is booming with innovative ideas. 

Arevon Energy, a leading renewable energy company, built this massive solar plant in California using the Tax Credits from the IRA law in 2022 (Arevon energy plant).

Arevon Energy Solar Plant

Talking about new technology, how about the Polar Night Energy company in Finland? They figured out a way to use SAND as a storage battery. Currently, Battery Storage for energy is one of the big technology problems trying to be solved in the world. If you have time here is an excellent video on how this amazing technology works. Sand Battery Storage

Streamline Heat Pumps:  Is it time to upgrade or remodel part of your house? According to a recent article in SD Union on 4/12/24, "Heat pumps can help mitigate climate change. Heat pumps simply take the air (warm or cold), out of the air eliminating the need to generate heat (no more hot water heater or AC unit).

Heat pump flow

Heat pumps offer a substantial slash to consumer heating costs and reduce greenhouse gases emissions up to 50%. Under a program offered by the IRA Federal Act, one can get a 30% tax credit on installation and purchase. And, in California, the TECH program and the LA Dept of Water Power etc., credits can bring the total rebates up to $5,000 for that year. The catch is, according to the person who wrote the article, is the paperwork, and the uniformed people at PG&E makes this getting a rebate a real pain in the butt. So, let's get our infrastructure aligned with the new technologies to make this easier for the consumer and the housing industry. 

Another great aspect of the IRA is the commitment by the Biden administration to expand its New Deal-style American Climate Corps giving green jobs to youths and training in vocations. I love it, I have been talking about this for several years. 

Heat pump unit

Bruce in San Diego
2024- SD Union 

Another great App: This App is called Seek. It is was created by iNaturalist. What's different is if you are out in the field by using your phone camera, it will ID it right then and there... much faster than iNaturalist:

Seek App and it's free

Bruce Springsteen just visited San Diego, and at age 74, put on another iconic performance according to my friend Matt Cunningham. Bruce is one of my top 10 all time performers and has a very powerful song called the "Promised Land," in which he alludes to taking on life and keeping your faith when times get tough, according to my friend Mark Embree. Or,  maybe the Promised Land in another context, is the afterlife, you know- heaven...where there is no pain, no death, surrounded by friendly soul's going on to different dimensions. Or maybe, just maybe, The Promised Land is right here right now! Think about it. Humans have Free Will... we make decisions good or bad, if we treat the earth, animals and plants with good intentions of stewardship, we are are rewarded with majestic mountains, stunning sunsets, azure oceans, blooming deserts, crystal lakes, cascading rivers... everything working together in harmony like a well orchestrated symphony. 

Torrey's Trust picture of the eclipse
 in Massachusetts April 15th, 2024

Let's not forget - Earth is spiraling through space at 67,000 miles per hour, and spinning on her axis at 1,000 miles per hour. We live on a water based planet and to our present day knowledge, there is nothing like it in the solar system, galaxy or for that matter possibly the Universe (although I find that highly unlikely).  So, we are in a battle to protect this special place for future generations from the evils of greed and naysayers. Stablized Milky Way Time lapse An amazing 1 minute video through FB, be sure to turn up the music.

Let's not forget: Earth Day is on April 22nd this year. This is the time to take an extra pause and give consideration regarding this magnificent planet that we live on! Stay informed... the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, National Geographic, and the Environmental Defense Fund are all great organizations (with magazines and scientific articles). An added caution; be sure to always double check information (consider the source) you hear on the news and cross  reference  a trusted source (preferred in writing) to make sure this is not "misinformation."

I think William Shatner, sums it up best after his trip to space in 2022. At age 90, he was the oldest Astronaut to be in space. As you recall, he was Captain Kirk on the original Star Trek. He had hitched a ride on Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, and here is a summation of what he said: 

William Shatner- google images

“My trip to space was supposed to be a celebration; instead, it felt like a funeral,” he wrote, “It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered. The contrast between the vicious coldness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with overwhelming sadness.”