Energy Efficiency and Electrification

Simple behavior change could result in “savings of 123 million metric tons of carbon per year… which is 20% of household direct emissions or 7.4% of US national emissions, with little or no reduction in household well-being.” Conservative estimates of the reductions in energy use that are possible with simple behavior change include the following areas: weatherization, HVAC equipment, low-flow showerheads, efficient water heaters, appliances, low rolling resistance tires, fuel-efficient vehicles, change HVAC air filters, tune up AC, routine auto maintenance, laundry temperature, water heater temperature, standby electricity, thermostat setbacks, line drying, driving behavior, carpooling and trip-chaining. Education, social media and community building are the means to this end, according to the authors. 

Clean energy jobs, including energy efficiency, solar and wind, are already employing more than 3 million people in the US. The potential for continued growth in jobs and the human welfare attached to cleaner, less-polluting energy resources is massive. Even factoring in a loss of around 7 million jobs in fossil fuels, the net gain for renewable energy jobs would reach 11.6 million jobs according to IRENA’s Road Map to 2050. Be sure to visit CLEANetwork.com’s courses and toolkit on clean energy and jobs to learn more.

And again, we’re not only talking about traditional jobs like the ones above in energy efficiency, solar and wind. Consider the massive innovation required to transform our centralized grid. Key innovations include:

  • Enabling Technologies that will amplify the use of renewables and the transformations of the power system;
  • Market Design innovations to make power systems more dynamic;
  • Aggregators – a new business model to optimise the use of distributed energy resources;
  • Future role of distribution system operators – a system-operation innovation that boosts local power generation and consumption

We are just at the tip of the iceberg with this.

Virtual Event this Saturday Provides Education, Community Conversations, Networking and Celebration of Community Resilience and Sustainability

Virtual Event this Saturday Provides Education, Community Conversations, Networking and Celebration of Community Resilience and Sustainability

Everyone is encouraged to attend this virtual event, to find their niche in the upside of taking action on climate change. This event, held virtually this Saturday, August 28, 1-3:30 p.m., aims to accentuate bold action on climate change—action that leads to improved...

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Press Release 10/02/20: Local solar business wants to donate solar systems worth $20,000 each to local nonprofits that can generate the most community support over the next two weeks

Press Release 10/02/20: Local solar business wants to donate solar systems worth $20,000 each to local nonprofits that can generate the most community support over the next two weeks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2020 Contacts: Aur Beck, AES Solar, 618 893 1717, tech@aessolar.com; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Website: https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/story/Coal2sol ...

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Press Release 9/30/20: Investment in Southern Illinois communities and people is the focus of this upcoming webinar series

Press Release 9/30/20: Investment in Southern Illinois communities and people is the focus of this upcoming webinar series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2020 Contact: Byram Fager, Southern Illinois Community Foundation, 618 997 3700, blfager@sicf.org; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Website: www.keepingmoneylocal.com ...

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Press release 9/23/20: Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar installations at local nonprofits

Press release 9/23/20: Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar installations at local nonprofits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2020 Contacts: Aur Beck, 618 893 1717, tech@aessolar.com; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar...

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Metro East Kickoff – Local Community Investment and Funding Strategies – May 27 2020

Presenters and PanelistsA million thanks to our keynote presenter and our panel of experts! Listen to author and economist Michael H. Shuman discuss local community investment strategies.  Michael Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a...

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Key Takeaways, Presentations, Videos from June 12 2019 Event in Carbondale

Key Takeaways, Presentations, Videos from June 12 2019 Event in Carbondale

Fifteen presenters helped to set the stage for community resilience in southern Illinois.   One senior executive from St. Louis said: This is the best networking I've ever had.   Panel discussions provided ideas and perspectives on energy, economic...

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Innovation Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois

Innovation Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois

The Innovation Section, with keynote and panelists, will wrap up the day's events at The Climate Economy in Southern Illinois - Creating Resilient Business, Jobs and Communities. The cultivation of southern Illinois' rich natural resources and waste streams  are...

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A Fashion Transformation

A Fashion Transformation

"One truckload of clothing is wasted per second." Are you kidding me? This is from the findings of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's (EMF) new report on the textile industry. Also this: "If the industry continues on its current path, by 2050, it could use more than 26...

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Why the Climate Economy #5: Um, Climate.

Why the Climate Economy #5: Um, Climate.

We humans kind of need planet Earth to be healthy so that we can all, well, survive. If the planet gets really sick, the only ones who will survive will likely be those hydrothermal vent creatures and super rich who can escape to the moon or Mars. Do you fall into...

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Carbon Sequestration Gets the Gas

Carbon Sequestration Gets the Gas

Some say that we have to focus on not only reducing our emissions, but on capturing carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere or being created by manufacturing and energy processes. This is known as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS; check out the Global CCS...

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